Contextual admission policy
1. Introduction
1.1. Amity University (IN) London is committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. We believe that a diverse student body makes for a more interesting and dynamic learning environment and brings benefits to our student population as a whole. However, we also recognise that student learner journeys differ considerably, as does the level of support, advice and guidance available to students. Implementation of a contextual admissions policy aims to take account of these differences in backgrounds, thereby acknowledging the context in which a student has achieved his/her academic grades.
1.2. Definition: Contextual admission is information in addition to the academic qualifications that helps the university identify students with great potential to succeed in higher education.
1.3. Whilst academic grades remain the primary tool in assessing academic ability, there is increasing evidence in the higher educator sector that universities should consider more than academic achievement alone when making admission decisions.
2. Contextual data
2.1. In addition to considering an applicant’s academic achievements, the university will consider contextual data when making an admission decision.
2.2. Where possible we will make an offer of admission or offer of interview or portfolio review to UK-domiciled home students who have one or more of the following contextual identifiers:
Applicants who have been in care.
Applicants who are young careers. Young adult carers are young people aged 16–25 who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend with an illness or disability.
Applicants who have attended a school which has a low number of students progressing to Higher Education (POLAR4 Quintile 2).
Applicants who have government recognized refugee or asylum status.
Applicants who live in an area of socio-economic deprivation (English Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Decile 1, 2, 3 or 4).
Applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition.
Applicants defined as mature (aged 21 or over at the start of the course).
Applicants who are estranged from their family.
Applicants from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
2.3. In line with our current procedures, we will continue to review applications on an individual basis with reference to the academic grades (achieved and predicted), personal statement and academic reference. Applicants are required to demonstrate, via their UCAS application, their interest in and commitment to their chosen subject of study. This is particularly important for those subject areas which involve an interview, audition or portfolio review as part of the admission process.
3 Admission process
3.1. Admission decision making continues to be carried out on an individual basis with reference to the applicant’s achievements. The operation of a contextual admission process does not change this – applicants are still expected to demonstrate an aptitude for, and interest in their chosen subject area.
3.2. Minimum offer requirements: Where an offer of admission is made to contextual applicants, these offers will be set at a ‘minimum’ level for year one entry. Minimum offer entry grades are listed within the entry requirements section of the course information pages on our website. Where the entry requirements include qualifications in one or more specific subjects, these subjects must still be achieved at the minimum classification set out in our published entry requirements.
3.3. To qualify for contextual admission, a student must by the point of entry have achieved passes in a minimum of three different subjects.
3.4. At offer stage we use contextual data to (a) consider the application further, e.g. to invite the applicant to attend an interview; (b) make an offer when normally an offer cannot be made on the basis of the predicted grades; (c) make an offer to an alternative course; (d) make a reduced offer up to two grades to those candidates involved with the university’s outreach activities.
3.5. On confirmation of results from applicants, final admission decisions will be made on an individual basis, taking into consideration grades achieved, alongside any contextual factors.
3.6. Student support: The university will continue to offer a wide range of student support services, such as student mentoring and academic skills workshops, to help ease the transition to higher education. Full details can be obtained by e-mailing the Access to Business Education Centre (abec@london.amity.edu).
3.7. For further information relating to admission to Amity University (IN) London please refer to the university’s admission policy.
4. Review and monitoring of the policy
4.1. The university will closely monitor those students who have been admitted on the basis of contextual factors. This data will be used to inform and, where appropriate, to guide any changes to this policy. The policy will be reviewed on an annual basis or as often as required.
