the importance of experience of the world of work in admissions to russell group universities a...
TRANSCRIPT
The importance of experience of the world of work in admissions to Russell
Group universities
A desktop review of admissions criteria for six courses
Anthony Mann with Charlie Spring, James Dawkins, Dave Evans and Dave Bevan
What “we all know” (or assume):
•WXP can help young people get into University
•Particularly in high-value vocational courses
Background
What we don’t know:
•The extent of this
•The effect on social mobility and equality of opportunities
Background
This study does not:
•Provide ‘the full picture’
•Engage with those thornier questions
Overview
This study does:
•Make a first step towards quantifying the phenomenon
•Provide a starting point for those other questions
Overview
• Desk research using public sources
• Websites of all 20 Russell Group Universities
• Categorised into ‘essential’ and ‘desirable’
• Quotations collated for a fuller picture
• Fieldwork: Spring/early summer 2010
Methodology
LSE Manchester Newcastle Nottingham Oxford Queen's University Belfast Sheffield Southampton UCL Warwick
Birmingham Bristol Cambridge Cardiff Edinburgh Glasgow Imperial College King's College Leeds Liverpool
Russell Group Universities
Chosen as representing high wage returns:
•Business / Economics / Management•Dentistry•Engineering•Law•Medicine•Veterinary science
Courses
Summary
Sample quotations
Business / Economics / Management:
“Your extra-curricular activities such as work experience, participation in competitions, sport or volunteering are important, particularly when they can provide evidence of useful skills such as problem solving, working under pressure and time management...” (LSE)
Dentistry:
“to ensure that the applicant has knowledge of and insight in to the profession […] it is desirable on all dental programmes that candidates have completed a period of work experience/shadowing […] and preferably in more than one establishment.” (Liverpool)
Sample quotations
Engineering (1 of 2):
“It can also be helpful to obtain some work experience… Such experiences should increase an applicant’s appreciation of why [the subject is] important in the modern world.” (Cambridge)
Sample quotations
Engineering (2 of 2):
“Whilst we recognise that it is not possible for everyone to […] get some engineering-related work experience, if you have managed to do this say so - and don’t forget to include what personal and engineering lessons you have learned from it.” (Oxford)
Sample quotations
Law:
“Normally, you should have some direct experience of legal practice or the criminal justice system and should be able to illustrate what you learnt from the experience.” (Leeds)
Sample quotations
Medicine (1 of 3):
“It is equally important to be able to demonstrate that you are well-motivated towards a career in medicine especially through volunteering and/or work experience.” (Birmingham)
Sample quotations
Medicine (2 of 3):
“The University recognises that opportunities for certain types of work experience […] will vary according to individual circumstances, including an applicant's cultural or socio-economic background or the activities available in their local area.” (Cardiff)
Sample quotations
Medicine (3 of 3):
“Medical Schools expect applicants to have a range of work experience for two reasons. Firstly, this demonstrates that you have a realistic insight to the profession […] Work experience is also important in enabling you to develop (and to demonstrate that you have) the relevant skills and qualities that are essential to becoming a good doctor.” (Sheffield)
Sample quotations
Veterinary Science:
“Experience of working with animals is a key part of our entry requirements.” (Edinburgh)
Sample quotations
YouGov survey: perceived impacts of WXP
14-19* deciding on a Job getting a job getting into HE NNon-selective 54% (16%) 27% (9%) 25% (6%) 441-470Grammar 59% (19%) 31% (10%) 28% (11%) 94-105Independent 81% (36%) 47% (15%) 42% (13%) 53-67
P-Value 0.000 0.036 0.032(Including a sixth form or college)
986 Britons aged 19-24Fieldwork: February 2011
School type attended between 14-19:
Has WXP helped you in:
Further questions (1)
Is this representative of a wider state of affairs?i.e. to what extent:
• Work experience influences admissions to the full range of undergraduate courses offered by the Russell Group universities
• The admissions behaviour exhibited by Russell Group universities is shared by other higher education institutions
Further questions (2)
So what?i.e. to what extent:
• This affects admissions for definable social groups of young people, notably:
By type of school / college
By gender, socio-economic status and ethnicity
Summary
James DawkinsEducation Research Analyst
http://www.educationandemployers.org/research.aspx