HE in FE
According to UCAS figures ...
- Over 40% of institutions recruiting through UCAS are FE colleges
- Over half HE in FE applicants only apply to a single choice
(compared to only 15% of all applicants) - Over 70% of those accepted to HE in FE live within 25 miles of their chosen college
(compared to fewer than 40% of all HE acceptances) - Over 80% of those accepted to HE in FE have qualifications other than A Levels
(compared to fewer than 50% of all HE acceptances)
If you factor in part-time provision (e.g. in England alone, according to HEFCE, just under 50% of HE in FE students are part-time), a high proportion of mature students, the vocational/professional/work-based focus in various subject areas and the efforts many colleges make to act as hubs for low-participation communities, it is clear that HE in FE not only constitutes a significant portion of admissions practice in the UK, but plays a critical role in the diversity of access to HE.
SPA is keen to help support the strategic and operational development of HE in FE admissions and works closely with colleges and partner universities to promote fair admissions. SPA also liaises with other key stakeholders, including AoC, ACP, HEA, LLNs and QAA.
Please contact us if you have any HE in FE admissions queries.
"We found the visit from SPA to be invaluable in preparation for IQER. Reflecting on their visit we revised and improved our HE strategy. This has had a positive impact on our practice."
Mary Herbert, Acting Director of Campus Weybridge (Adult Skills and HE), Brooklands College
Created: May 2011