Admissions

How to make university admissions processes more efficient and transparent, and widen access to first-generation students, students of diverse backgrounds and mature students

An illustration of an open book with a lightbulb and several figures working

How can we imagine a new university?

In this existential moment for higher education, the corporate university is not the only end point possible – we can imagine so much more. David J. Staley offers 10 new ways of thinking about universities, in this excerpt from his book ‘Alternative Universities: Speculative Design for Innovation in Higher Education’

David J. Staley

Ohio State University

A motarboard sits atop a pile of coins

How to attract students who think they cannot afford higher education

As people all over the world grapple with rising costs, what can universities do to ease the financial burden of higher education from the very start of the process? Brooke Wilson offers her advice

Brooke Wilson

Colorado State University Global

African American student accepted to university

Transforming admissions for first-gen university student enrolment

Attracting and retaining first-generation college students is a pivotal goal for higher education institutions seeking diversity and inclusivity, and college admissions faculty play a vital role in this process, writes Juan Espinoza

Juan Espinoza

Virginia Tech

Multiracial group of young people

How can UK universities support applicants affected by student visa changes?

Higher education institutions can help international students feel welcome and valued through their admissions processes, administrative help and public statements, writes Kate Morse

Kate Morse

Sheffield Hallam University

A buffet table, groaning with food, stretches nearly as far as the eye can see

A smorgasbord of strategies to help international students feel included

Educators are like seasoned chefs with the responsibility to create harmonious classroom environments that celebrate the flavourful cultural diversity of international students, says John Sinclair

John Sinclair

Colorado State University Global

Webinar graphic

Campus webinar: Build a successful student recruitment strategy

Four experts from Campus+ institutions discuss how student recruitment is responding to the latest trends in higher education, strategies to engage hard-to-reach students and ways to use data to drive recruitment campaigns

Tracey Allen, Gabriela Krupa, Julissa Duran, Adeola Matthew

Virginia Tech, Claremont Graduate University, Montclair State University, The University of the West Indies

Black person excluded at university

Diversity efforts in academia are leading us towards ‘the oppression Olympics’

EDI campaigns and scholarships keep failing ethnic minority students because they are tailored to the needs of white people, writes Andrea E.L. Attipoe

Andrea E.L. Attipoe

Imperial College London

Woman travelling solo train

New students leaving care need extra support to beat the odds (again)

Corin Barton says universities must recognise the various impacts a lack of family support can have on care-experienced students and offers simple steps to promote success

Corin Barton

The University of Law

A student giving a presentation

Student ambassadors, key players in widening participation

How to design and run an effective student ambassador programme to support widening participation initiatives

Ellie Nik

University of Technology Sydney

International students showing off their national flags

How to support more international student applications

UK universities can increase their appeal for international students with better transparency and support through the application and enrolment process, Christina Matthews explains

Christina Matthews

Aston University

Mother congratulates daughter on university admission

It’s time to change the narrative on affirmative action

Public institutions are doing the heavy lifting of levelling the playing field, writes Jonathan Koppell, so let’s amplify access-oriented institutions as instruments of social mobility and equity

Jonathan Koppell

Montclair State University

Student open days

Universities need to show – not just tell – students what they stand for

Modern institutions must adjust their recruitment approaches from data-driven to values-driven and realise the importance of putting people, not spreadsheets, first, says Dan Barcroft

Dan Barcroft

University of Sheffield

Students in group

The benefits of leveraging student interest groups

Kelly Lam shares how universities can work with student interest groups to add value to the university and aid student development

Kelly Lam

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Diverse student group

The affirmative action ban is not an insurmountable setback for higher education access

As institutions across the US reassess their admissions practices following the ban on affirmative action, the president of Arizona State University Michael Crow points to many other ways institutions can increase the diversity of their students

Michael Crow

Arizona State University

People in balance

What can we do about the diversity problem in economics?

A group of economists offer five ideas on how to allow and encourage wider access to economics degrees – which is crucial to making the discipline more effective

Amrit Amirapu, Amanda Gosling, Emma Gorman

University of Kent, University of Westminster

Multi-racial students walking arm in arm on graduation day

Supreme Court holds affirmative action unconstitutional, so what’s next?

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling against race-conscious admissions means many US universities must review their policies and practices to avoid further legal action. Audrey J. Anderson offers some useful first steps

Audrey J. Anderson

Bass, Berry & Sims Plc

An Asian school girl working at a laptop

How can universities reduce stress for students during the application process

Simple steps universities can take to make the applications process less stressful for aspiring students

Rosemary Bai

Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

Group of three women talking

Steps to address the operational challenges of widening participation

Well-being assistance, leadership development and mentoring opportunities are key to supporting students from under-represented groups. Here, Angus Howat details a programme for widening participation from a Kiwi perspective

Angus Howat

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury

Scaling up your university with student satisfaction

Scaling success: how to retain the student experience when going for growth

Improving experience and outcomes for students while growing requires changes to student support and better understanding of their needs, says Alice Wilby

Alice Wilby

University College Birmingham

College to university student journey co-branding

Co-branding the student journey from further to higher education

Facilitating an early link with HE through campus visits and support with applications can improve progression to and success at university, says Melanie Pitcher

Melanie Pitcher

Canterbury Christ Church University

THE podcast graphic

THE podcast: an interview with Dame Madeleine Atkins, president of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge

Dame Madeleine, a veteran leader in English higher education, shares how a widening access initiative led to the elite college admitting more than 90 per cent of students from state schools

Madeleine Atkins

University of Cambridge

International students pipeline needs strengthening

How to build a stronger pipeline for international student recruitment

Iain Sloan explores four key strategies universities can introduce to help them continue to attract overseas students in challenging times

Iain Sloan

Ellucian

University stand out in a crowd

Actions to help your university stand out in a crowd

With competition for students fiercer than ever in the higher education sector, Ayten Ordu outlines some of the ways universities can achieve higher visibility

Ayten Ordu

Near East University

THE Campus webinar graphic

Campus webinar: University admissions: a flawed process?

University admissions experts from Campus+ institutions in the UK, US and Canada discuss where the system is falling short, how to make it fairer for all and how AI is impacting admissions

Rick Clark, Juan Espinoza, Norma Rodenburg, Dilshad Sheikh

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities, Virginia Tech, University of Alberta, Arden University

Young woman talking into a cell phone

What’s next for university admissions?

With the impact of AI on applications as yet unknown and affirmative action in the US at risk, Rick Clark speculates on the future of college admissions. His hope? That the student voice finds new ways to be heard

Rick Clark

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Black male student happy looking at laptop

How university leaders can use an ‘innovation for’ mindset to drive enrolment

For US colleges and universities, the key to turning around falling enrolment is to directly respond to concerns about affordability, accessibility and return on investment, writes Nivine Megahed

Nivine Megahed

National Louis University

Business school diversity requires disruption

Business school recruitment: disrupt to diversify

A genuine commitment to championing greater equity, diversity and inclusion in business education demands a paradigm shift, says Arnold Longboy

Arnold Longboy

London Business School

See the whole person

Improving admissions: how to evaluate the whole student

Brooke Wilson and Karin-Jill Magaziner Schneider discuss admissions criteria and how best to ensure the process considers the whole student

Brooke Wilson, Karin-Jill Magaziner Schneider

Colorado State University Global

Illustration of different aspects of university life

To improve the admission process, get faculty involved

Faculty collaboration with the undergraduate admission team can improve class participation, retention rates, course matches and funding yield – and help reduce misinformation about the process and decisions

Rick Clark

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Indonesian students sitting outside on campus

Hidden stories in Indonesian names: you do not have a surname?

Rosemary Bai shares knowledge about the Indonesian naming system, encouraging higher education institutions and staff to be aware of its uniqueness and handle Indonesian names with respect

Rosemary Bai

Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

Green gap years can be beneficial for students transitioning to university

Offering students a ‘Big Green Gap Year’ has multiple rewards

James Derounian makes the case for a gap year in which school-leavers can engage with university while tackling climate change and helping with community development

James Derounian

University of Bolton

Student support

A holistic approach to student support

Student support, particularly for care-leavers or estranged students, is vital throughout their university journey – from pre-application to beyond graduation. Here, Fran Hornsby and Rebecca Clark offer tips for demonstrating genuine care as you do it

Fran Hornsby, Rebecca Clark

University of York

Image depicting the financial burden of higher education

Pay it forward: how to help students secure financial aid

How college administrators can help prospective and enrolled students secure financial aid to see them through higher education, by Aimee Huffstetler

Aimee Huffstetler

Gwynedd Mercy University

Universities are policing and surveilling international PGRs

Universities must stop policing and surveilling international PGRs

From controlling travel to failing to provide adequate support, universities’ treatment of international postgrads is harming the research community and the HE sector

Tina Sikka, Heather Proctor

Newcastle University

Universities must bridge the gap between diversity and belonging

Universities must do better at bridging the gap between diversity and belonging

Lillian Nave outlines the three key interventions required for universities to help diverse students learn about, accept and participate in each other’s worlds

Lillian Nave

Appalachian State University

Female athlete performing a backflip outdoors

Flipping the university admissions process on its head

Why should it always be students who seek out their ‘best fit’ campus? It’s time for universities to rethink how they manage traditional admissions – and boost enrolment and diversity as they go, says Joe Morrison

Joe Morrison

Concourse

First generation student worried by the college applications process

How to ensure college admissions are equitable and accessible

As a first-generation college student, Aimee Huffstetler knows how daunting the application process can be. Now working in enrolment, she shares advice on what higher education administrators can do to ensure more equitable and accessible admissions

Aimee Huffstetler

Gwynedd Mercy University

Digital exclusion often strikes early for university students

Digital exclusion hits students hardest at the start of their journey

VLEs, intranets, sports and social apps – the digital ecosystem at university is vast. We must induct students into it quickly and carefully to prevent them falling behind

Claire Smith

University of Sussex

How universities can ensure first-generation students and their families feel connected

How universities can ensure first-generation students and their families feel connected

A first-generation college student herself now working in enrolment, Aimee Huffstetler, shares insight into what administrators can do to ensure first-generation students and their families feel connected to their university

Aimee Huffstetler

Gwynedd Mercy University

Syrian refugees after arriving in Turkey

Helping refugees get their qualifications recognised

Tips for how higher education institutions and accreditation authorities can recognise refugees’ qualifications even when they cannot be fully documented

Sjur Bergan

Council of Europe

Getting your university admission team's online engagement right can help attract and keep prospective students

The top three engagement challenges facing admissions teams and how to solve them

Whether it's due to ‘ghosting’ or ‘student melt’, prospective students are harder than ever before to attract and hold on to, but a combination of tech and human solutions is at hand

Ardis Kadiu

Element451

Mature students and other non-traditional students are often overlooked by university recruitment teams

How to attract and support non-traditional students in higher education

Hurdles and obstacles are created from the outset and then vice-chancellors wonder why their student population is not diverse, says Dilshad Sheikh

Dilshad Sheikh

Arden University

Educational gag orders threaten the very fabric of US higher education

Educational gag orders could destroy the structure of higher education

Universities and programmes could lose their accreditation and students could lose their financial aid if governors continue signing these legislative restrictions

Jeremy C. Young

PEN America

Opening the door to higher education requires a holistic approach for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

Universities must take a more holistic approach to social mobility

Financial support is only part of the equation – human and social capital are also crucial for helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds, says Andrew Burke

Andrew Burke

Trinity College Dublin

University admissions policies could be hold back diversity efforts for students wanting to study STEM subjects

Are STEM admissions processes hindering our diversity efforts?

The requirement for potential STEM students to have studied traditionally related subjects such as maths and physics seems outdated and unnecessary, says Judy Raper

Judy Raper

TEDI-London

Welcoming international students is increasingly important for universities worldwide

Enrolment throws up issues to be balanced, not problems to be solved

Enrolment managers must realise an increasingly complex landscape doesn’t need a quick fix to a short-term challenge but rather a reasonable strategy for managing long-term tensions

Steve Taylor

Liaison International

Advice on developing early college programmes which improve higher education outcomes for students from underrepresented group

How to design early college programmes that foster success for under-represented students

David Dugger explains what an early college programme should focus on in order to improve outcomes for students from under-represented groups

David Dugger

Eastern Michigan University

Advice on developing research informed strategies to widen participation in higher education

Widening access to postgraduate studies: from research to strategy to action

Providing equitable access into and through higher education is a constant battle, especially in postgraduate research, but barriers can be addressed when evidence is connected to action, as Diane Gill explains

Diane Gill

The University of Edinburgh

University enrolment teams could learn a lot from the lessons of graduate programmes

Graduate programmes have a lot to teach HE about enrolment

Steady increases in graduate enrolments have been one of the precious few bright spots during perhaps the most volatile period for higher education in recent memory

Toby McChesney

Santa Clara University

Australian government has invested heavily in university equity initiatives

Has government investment in higher education equity been worth it?

Evaluating the success of sector-wide initiatives is fraught, but there are some universal truths that should be considered, say Steven Howard and colleagues

Steven Howard, Sarah O'Shea, Kylie Lipscombe, Kellie Buckley-Walker

University of Wollongong