Private v state school admissions (offers accepted)
Good afternoon,
I am writing to request the following information under FOISA:
In each of the last six academic years, how many offers of a place to begin an undergraduate programme at your institution were accepted by (ie students matriculated and took up their place):
1. rUK (England, Wales, NI) domiciled students? How many of these gained their entry qualifications at a private or fee paying school?
2. EU domiciled students? How many of these who gained their entry qualifications at a private or fee paying school?
3. Scottish domiciled students who gained their entry qualifications at a private or fee paying school? if any of these applicants were in the SIMD20 regarding deprivation, please state how many.
4. overseas domiciled students? How many of these gained their entry qualifications at a private or fee paying school?
I would prefer the information broken down by academic year.
If you require any clarification or further information please let me know asap.
Many thanks.
Yours faithfully,
elizabeth thomson
Dear Elizabeth
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your Freedom of Information Request.
Your request is receiving our attention and you will hear from us again within 20 working days.
Yours sincerely
Steve
Steven Bond | Information Rights Manager
Information Rights, University Secretary’s Office
The Open University, Level 5, Charles Pinfold Building, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
Tel: +44 (0) 1908 653994
Freedom of Information Publication Scheme
Dear Elizabeth
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request.
We do not hold the information you seek because we do not make ‘offers’ to students in the traditional sense.
The Open University operates a unique ‘open entry’ policy. This means that no entrance qualifications are required to study the vast majority of undergraduate courses. Rather than applying for – and being offered – a place on a course (whether through UCAS or any other means), students instead simply register directly with us.
We adopt this approach to ensure that higher education is available to all, regardless of background, geography or previous educational experience.
In 2017/18, we had 16,465 students in total. Out of these, 15,270 were undergraduate students. Because we do not require entrance qualifications, we do not capture in detail information regarding the qualifications that our students hold, nor where they gained them.
Instead, we simply ask students what their highest level of previous qualification is. In 2017/18, just under a fifth (18%) of our new Scottish undergraduates told us that they do not have standard university entrance qualifications.
I am sorry that we are unable to help on this occasion, but should you have any further questions please contact this office.
Regards
Mel Augusto
Miss Mel Augusto | Information Rights Co-Ordinator
Information Rights, University Secretary’s Office
The Open University, Level 5, Charles Pinfold Building, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
Tel: +44 (0) 1908 653994
Email: [Open University request email]
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