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Staff Development Conference on Access, Recruitment and Admissions to Higher Education

Raising the Stakes in Higher Education: When Only the Best Will Do

Prof David Maguire7th June, 2012

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Outline

• University of Greenwich• Changing Landscape of

UK HE• Our Strategic Plan• Access, Recruitment and

Admissions Implications

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University of Greenwich• Multi-school, campus-based university in SE London

and Kent• Excellent campus facilities: “More breathtaking than

the Versailles of Louis XIV” The Independent• Greenest university in the country:

1st People & Planet Green League 2012• Largest university in London (by student

numbers)• “Best university in London for Teaching Excellence”

The Sunday Times, 2011

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University of Greenwich• World leading research: Tsetse fly work in Africa voted

8th most important discovery by a UK university in the past 60 years Universities UK

• Greenwich alumnus Nobel prize: Charles Kao (fibre optic technology); John Morton’s research acknowledged in Al Gore’s prize (climate change)

• Award wining staff and students– 7 Times Higher Awards– 4 National Teaching Fellows– Queens Anniversary Award– Numerous student prizes

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Changing Landscape of UK HE

• Students at the Heart of the System White Paper–Marketisation of HE–New funding model

• Globalisation of HE– Immigration challenges

• New Technologies

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Implications of Changes for Greenwich

• Greater competition– Traditional UK universities– New providers

• Need to up our game: only the best will do– Focus on quality– Set high expectations– Concentrate resources on what we

can do well– Eliminate bad practice and poor

performance

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Strategic Plan

• Vision: “In 2017 we will have an enhanced reputation as a leading London university”

• Strategic Goals– Learning & Teaching–Research & Enterprise–Community & Experiences– Services & Infrastructure

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Values and BehavioursValues Behaviours

Aspiration Setting and achieving ambitious goals; Striving for excellence; Being proactive; Promoting employee engagement and wellbeing;

Confidence Recognising and celebrating success; Speaking up for ourselves; Leading the way; Encouraging open dialogue;

Creativity Being curious and challenging; Willing to take risks; Imagining the future; Thinking differently;

Professionalism Putting students and stakeholders first; Doing a good job first time; Respecting others and treating everyone fairly; Acting in the interests of the University;

Responsibility Contributing to our internal and external communities; Fostering a positive attitude to the environment; Maintaining an appropriate work-life balance; Working and studying ethically;

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Selected Indicators of Success

KPI 2012 2017Students’ average tariff entry score

286 325

% Student retention 87 93% Student good honours degree 50 65% Student employability and further study (as measured by the DLHE)

83 Above sector

median, currently

90%

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Greenwich and Access

• National agenda has changed– From widening participation to social mobility

• Funding changes mean that our undergraduate numbers will shrink by ~5% in 12/13

• Greenwich consistently exceeds WP benchmark targets (social class, state schools, mature, ethnic minorities)

• Our focus is now on improving quality outcomes (admissions, retention, progression, awards, employment)

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Improving Entrant Quality• Create the right portfolio of programmes• Raise our standing and reputation• Market the University effectively

• Position the University• Target the right schools/colleges• Set high expectations• Provide full-cycle support programmes• Admit students with the capacity and motivation to

succeed• Enhance retention• Successful outcomes

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Summary

• Thank you for the great job you do in access, recruitment and admissions

• The University is in good shape• Our plan is to focus on improving quality• With hard work and intelligent action we will

be able to realise our vision