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Part E Admission of Students

section 1: REGULATIONS

Regulation E1: Admission to the University

E1.1   The fundamental principles of the University's admission policy are that:

a) there should be a reasonable expectation that the applicant will be able to fulfil the outcomes/objectives of the programme and reach the academic standards required;

b) admission should be free from barriers which restrict access and progression;

c) equal opportunities should exist for all.

E1.2   It is the responsibility of all concerned to recruit with integrity. Admissions staff should therefore:

a) provide applicants with appropriate information and advice;

b) identify applicants' needs;

c) select on the basis of each applicant's personal ability, previous qualifications and experience.

E1.3 The programme admission regulations (see programme definitive document) describe the basis on which students will be admitted to the beginning or to subsequent stages of the programme of study by:

a) identifying the knowledge and skills required at admission and relating these to the length, content and outcomes/objectives of the programme;

b) describing the way in which these arrangements accord with the awarding body's requirements for the standard of the award;

c) setting out the criteria and means by which the suitability of students for admission will be judged;

d) setting out, where appropriate, the procedure to be used in assessing for the purpose of award classification and any relevant previous work of students admitted with specific credit;

e) providing for other circumstances to enable students with specific attainments and needs to be admitted to programmes, including entry at different stages of any particular programme. Students with appropriate credit might be permitted to complete their programmes in a shorter time than the norm;

f) building on other qualifications, such as those of Edexcel/BTEC and others regulated by QCA. Where appropriate, programme admission regulations should take account of these qualifications.

E1.4 All candidates must register as students of the member institution at the commencement of the first module and pay the appropriate fees.

Regulation E2: Admission of Students to a Programme

E2.1 Admission to programmes of study offered by the University shall be subject to the regulations for the award to which the programme leads.

E2.2 Procedures for admission, which are appropriate to the mode of study, and award to which the programme leads, shall be approved by Academic Board. The procedures shall ensure equality of opportunity for all applicants.

E2.3 The University shall require evidence of personal, professional and educational experiences that provide indications of applicants' ability to meet the demands of the programme.

E2.4 The final decision to admit an applicant rests with the University. The University reserves the right to refuse admission to an applicant. The decision to refuse admission cannot be the subject of an appeal.

E2.5 The University may decline to admit an applicant to a programme, or require a student to withdraw from a programme, if the application is found to have been based on, or have included, false information.

Regulation E3: Entry Requirements

E3.1 Minimum level of attainment required for entry to the taught Master's Degree

E3.1.1 Irrespective of a student's entry qualification, the University must satisfy itself that a student is of the required academic standard to complete the programme of study proposed. A student who has not already done so is required to matriculate in the University of Wales at the commencement of the programme of study.

E3.1.2 The minimum level of attainment required for entry to the start of the programme leading to an award, where the programme is of minimum length, is one of the following:

a) an initial degree of the University of Wales;

b) an initial degree awarded by another approved degree awarding body;

c) a non-graduate qualification which the University of Wales has deemed to be of a satisfactory standard for the purpose of postgraduate admission;

d) a non-graduate, whose relative lack of formal qualifications is compensated for by his/her age and relevant work experience, may also be admitted provided that the student has held, for a minimum of two years, a responsible position which is relevant to the programme to be pursued;

e) prospective students who already hold the degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall show that the Master's Degree programme to be pursued is in a different field of study from that for which the PhD was awarded.

E3.2 Minimum level of attainment required for entry to the Initial Degree, without Academic Credit

E3.2.1 Applicants may be admitted to the start of a programme leading to an initial degree award only if they satisfy the entry requirements for that programme.

E3.2.2 The normal entry requirements shall be validated to satisfy the benchmark standard of the award, which normally refers to the University's general entry requirement(s).

Applicants who enter with at least one of the following qualifications/entrance profiles are likely to benefit more readily from a standard undergraduate programme:

a) profile of three A/S levels (or equivalent) plus enrichment, including key skills. Two or three A2 courses or equivalent plus enrichment. This could lead to two or three full, 6 unit, A levels at Grade E or above. A/S levels done over two years would not normally suffice. Admission tutors should be looking for depth as well as breadth in the entry profile.

b) two General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced levels, supported by three subjects at General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at Grade C or above [two pre 2001 Advanced /Supplementary (AS) level subjects equating to one Advanced level subject]; or

c) three subjects at GCE Advanced Level, supported by two subjects at GCSE at Grade C or above; or

d) three subjects at Higher Grade (D or above) of the Scottish Certificate of Education, supported by two subjects at Standard Grade; or four subjects at Higher Grades; or

e) an Edexcel/BTEC National Certificate or Diploma, with merits; or

f) an Advanced GNVQ (6 unit AGNVQ = 1 'A' level, 12 unit AGNVQ = 2 'A' levels); or

g) National Vocational Qualification Level III in the number of subjects specified in the regulations for the programme; or

h) an Access Course, validated by an authorised validating agency, recognised by the Access Courses Recognition Group; or

i) the European Baccalaureate; or 60%; or

j) the International Baccalaureate; 24 points; or

k) the Welsh Baccalaureate; plus 2 A2 levels ; or

l) the 14 – 19 years old Diploma; or

m) any other qualifications deemed equivalent by NARIC; or

n) another qualification recognised, by the Academic Board, as an equivalent qualification.

E3.3 Minimum level of attainment required for entry to Higher National awards (HNC/HND)

E3.3.1 The normal entry requirements shall be validated to satisfy the benchmark standard of the award, which normally refers to the University's general entry requirement.

E3.3.2 Applicants who enter with at least one of the following qualifications are likely to benefit more readily from a Higher National programme of study:

a)One A2 level (6 units) at Grade E or above, supported by a profile of at least two AS levels, in complementary subjects, at a pass level.

b)the equivalent to a pass in one A level, supported by passes in three other subjects at GCSE. At GCSE, grade C or above will be considered as a pass. Two Advanced (pre 2001) Subsidiary/Supplementary (AS) passes may be offered in lieu of one A level pass.

c)A variety of vocational, professional and other qualifications will be acceptable for entry purposes: e.g.

i) a BTEC National level programme or (SQA equivalents);

ii) pass grades at GNVQ Advanced Level with 6/12 units;

iii) the 14-19 years old Diploma

iv) an Access course;

v) a Foundation course;

vi) equivalent international and overseas qualifications;

E 3.4 Minimum level of attainment required for entry to Foundation Degree awards

E3.4.1 The normal entry requirements shall be validated to satisfy the benchmark standard of the award, which normally refers to the University's general entry requirement.

E3.4.2 Applicants who enter with at least one of the following qualifications are likely to benefit more readily from a Foundation Degree programme of study:

a) One A2 level (6 units) at Grade E or above, supported by a profile of at least two AS levels, in complementary subjects, at a pass level.

b) The equivalent to a pass in one A level, supported by passes in three other subjects at GCSE. At GCSE, grade C or above will be considered as a pass. Two Advanced pre 2001 Supplementary (AS) passes may be offered in lieu of one A level pass.

c) A variety of vocational, professional and other qualifications will be acceptable for entry purposes: e.g.

i) a BTEC National level programme or (SQA equivalents);

ii) pass grades at GNVQ Advanced Level with 6/12 units;

iii) the 14-19 year old Diploma

iv) an Access course;

v) a Foundation course;

vi)equivalent international and overseas qualifications;

E3.4.3 Candidates have fulfilled any further entry conditions which may be required by the University and/or institution in respect of the scheme in question.

E3.5 Minimum level of attainment required for entry to Graduate Certificate and Diploma schemes

E3.5.1 To be eligible for admittance for a Graduate Certificate or Diploma scheme, a candidate shall:

(i)have qualified for an initial degree of a recognised University, , or hold another qualification which is recognised by the University as being of Graduate equivalence;

(ii)have fulfilled any further entry conditions which may be required by thein respect of the scheme in question.

E3.6 Regulations for entry to the Master's Entry Certificate and Diploma Schemes

E3.6.1. To be eligible for admittance to study for a Master's Entry Certificate or Diploma of Swansea Metropolitan University a candidate shall:

(i)have qualified for an initial degree of the University, or of another University approved for the purpose;

or

(ii)hold another relevant qualification which is recognised by the University as being equivalent to at least 240 credits, of which 120 shall be at level 5 or above and the remainder at level 4 or above;

or

(iii) have sufficient relevant work experience at an appropriate level as determined by the admission tutors to follow successfully the programme. Normally such candidates are interviewed and supply a career experience briefing document fulfilled any further entry conditions which may be required by the University and/or partner institution in respect of the scheme in question.

Regulation E4: Admission with Academic Credit

E4.1 An applicant may be admitted to a programme with credit towards an award. Admission 'with academic credit' will be subject to the same principles as admission to the beginning of the programme. Subject to the requirements of the relevant programme regulations, students may be admitted with exemption from certain modules/units, but might be required to take alternatives; or be admitted with specific credit, and considered to have passed certain modules/units that will be graded. Where credit transfer has been approved, the University may calculate a pro-rata reduction to the overall time limit for the individual student. This time limit should be communicated to the student at the outset.

E4.2 An applicant may be admitted with credit to any point in a programme, in accordance with the assessment regulations for the award sought. The maximum credit allowed is normally no more than two thirds of the credit points counting towards the award.

E4.3 An applicant may be admitted with credit awarded by other higher education institutions, upon the presentation of verifiable evidence. Such evidence may be presented for General Credit, and will, normally, be assessed for Specific Credit to the award sought. If it is clear that a student has fulfilled some of the progression and assessment requirements of the programme, and will be able, by completing the remaining requirements, to fulfil the outcomes of the programme and attain the standard required for the award, the applicant may be admitted to any appropriate point in the programme subject to the provisions of the credit limit.

E4.4 In exercising their discretion in this respect, admissions officers should be rigorous in ensuring that such admissions accord with the awarding body regulations relating to the standards of its award and with good practice throughout higher education in the UK.

E4.5 Decisions regarding the admission of applicants with credit and the amount of specific credit a student will be awarded will rest with the programme's Examining Board for which entry is sought, or by an authorised sub-committee of that Examining Board. External Examiners must be associated with any assessment for specific credit that contributes to the assessment for an award.

E4.6 An applicant may not be admitted with more than 50% exemption to a programme. Exemption may not be granted for any modules contributing to the classification of an award. Credit must be awarded against such modules.

E4.7 The same credit cannot be counted towards more than one award at that level.

E4.8 Applicants who have accumulated credit within or outside the University may be admitted to any appropriate point in the award, but would be expected to take the following minimum credit through study and assessment at the University registered on the relevant award: -

E4.9 Students who have completed an Edexcel/BTEC HND will be considered for entry to initial degree programmes with up to a maximum of 240 credits.

Regulation E5: Admission through Non Standard Entry Profiles

E5.1 Possession of knowledge and skills needed for admission to the awards offered by the University may be demonstrated by means other than possession of the normal entrance requirements.

E5.2 An applicant who does not satisfy the normal minimum entrance requirements for an award or module may be admitted on provision of evidence which demonstrates to the University's satisfaction that the applicant can benefit from study at the appropriate level and is likely on the evidence presented to achieve the required standard. The University may accept the following as satisfying all or part of its entry requirements:

a) qualifications, credit or other forms of accredited learning from institutions of higher education or recognised bodies;

b) evidence of experiential learning not previously assessed by or contributing to the awards of other institutions or bodies which is open to scrutiny and where necessary assessment.

E5.3 Admission to programmes conducted by the University leading to awards of other bodies shall be subject to the requirements of the body concerned.

Regulation E6: Admission with Industrial Experience, Responsibility and Development.

E6.1 An applicant whose relative lack of formal qualifications is compensated by his/her relevant work experience may be admitted to an undergraduate programme provided that s/he has experience, responsibility and training since leaving school, which is relevant to the programme to be pursued.

Regulation E7: Admission of Applicants with Disabilities

E7.1 Applicants, who indicate that they have a disability, must be considered for admittance on academic grounds, according to the approved entry requirements.

E7.2 Applicants who satisfy, or who are expected to satisfy, the academic entry requirements, and who have been/will be made an offer for admittance, will be offered an interview with the Student Services Adviser to assess the University's ability to provide appropriate learning facilities and support services to cater for the applicants' disabilities. During the course of the interview, the applicant should be shown around the campus(es) where s/he is likely to be based. A visit to the relevant studios, laboratories, workshops, libraries, refectories, Students' Union and administration centres should normally be included.

E7.3 Where it is agreed that the University cannot reasonably provide the support services and facilities for the applicant, it is the responsibility of the applicant to decide whether to accept the academic offer.

E7.4 An offer should not be rescinded or not made, other than on academic grounds.

Regulation E8: Admission with previous Criminal Conviction(s)

E8.1 Applicants who have disclosed that they have a previous criminal conviction must be assessed on academic and motivational merit alone. If there are no grounds for making an offer to the applicant, the application should be rejected in the normal way.

Applicants to the PGCE programmes, or programmes which may bring them into contact with children or vulnerable adults, are subject to the statutory requirement of a Criminal Records Bureau check. If a previous conviction is revealed by that check the University can determine whether or not the applicant should be admitted. If the decision to admit is taken then the applicant will be warned that the University cannot guarantee teaching practice placement or future employability.

E8.2 If, from an academic viewpoint, the applicant is felt to merit an offer of a place the Academic Registrar should be informed, and s/he will obtain as much information as possible about the applicant and the nature of the offence concerned.

E8.3 In the case of convictions which have, or have not, resulted in a sentence of imprisonment (including a suspended sentence) the Academic Registrar will discuss the application with the Dean of Faculty to justify objectively either acceptance of the applicant or rejection on the grounds related to his/her criminal record. Such cases should include an assessment of risk to other members of the faculty, or the wider University community. Where possible, this assessment should be supported by documentary evidence. The final decision as to whether or not an offer should be made will be the responsibility of the Academic Registrar.

E8.4 Where it is suspected that an applicant has an unspent criminal conviction, which has not been declared, the Academic Registrar must be notified of the suspicions. In the event of an applicant having failed to disclose a serious conviction then, UCAS or the Academic Registrar may decide to cancel the application. If the application is not cancelled regulation E8.3 applies.

Regulation E9: Admission with Industrial Experience and Training, and/or Supervised Work Experience.

E9.1 An applicant may be judged to have satisfied, wholly or in part, the aims of the supervised work experience on a programme. In considering such applications, the following will be taken into account:

a) the quality of training or supervised work experience previously undertaken;

b) the relevance of that training or supervised work experience to the programme;

c) the quality of the supervision and assessment of the training and supervised work experience;

d) whether the granting of such specific credit will still enable the student to meet professional, or other requirements, which the supervised work experience within the programme is intended to satisfy.

E9.2 Specific credit will normally be limited to 50% of the placement requirements of sandwich awards.

E9.3 Where the sandwich award leads to a specialised award, specific credit will not be allowed for supervised work experience undertaken outside the programme except in the case of transfer between equivalent programmes.

Regulation E10: Restrictions on the Admission of University Staff.

E10.1 Members of the University staff, or partner institutions, who contribute or assess on an award, will not normally, be admitted as students to that module or programme.

E10.2 Members of the University staff, or partner institutions, will not normally be admitted as a student on a module or an award of a programme that is considered by an examining board of which they are a member.

E10.3 Members of staff may seek approval from the chair of the Academic Quality and Standards Committee for an exception to be made to the E10.1 and/or E10.2. In such cases, the member of staff will provide detailed information to demonstrate how the integrity and independence of the assessment process will be maintained at all points. The Chair of Academic Audit, Quality and Standards Committee may seek advice from chairs of examining boards, external examiners and the Academic Registrar as necessary.

Regulation E11: Registration Period

E11.1 Taught modules shall be completed as prescribed by the relevant programme validation approval. The full award programme, including submission of any dissertation in the prescribed form, shall be completed within the following periods from the date of initial registration; excluding any preliminary/foundation year:

The above time limits may be extended in exceptional cases upon application to the awarding body.

Regulation E12: Study Mode Definitions

E12.1 A full-time undergraduate student will normally take 120 credits per year. A full-time postgraduate student will take at least 120 credits per year (and up to 180 credits per year).

E12.2 A part-time student will take less than 120 credits per year.

Regulation E13: Admission to Programmes Leading to Awards of Bodies other than the University, Edexcel and the University Of Wales

E13.1 Admission to programmes conducted by the University, leading to the awards of other bodies, will be subject to the requirements of the body concerned.

section 2: PROCEDURES

Procedure E1: Procedure for the Admission of Students

1. Responsibility

1.1 The Programme Director for the programme is responsible for the final academic decision as to whether or not an applicant may be admitted. In practice, the Programme Director may delegate this responsibility to an admissions officer/tutor, or, in consultation with the Dean of Faculty, to a team of academic staff familiar with the entry requirements of the programme.

1.2 The Academic Registrar is responsible for the administration of the Admissions process for all programmes of study offered by the University.

2. Applications

2.1 Applications must be processed by the Academic Registry in accordance with the Admissions Regulations appropriate to the year of entry, mode, and award of the programme concerned. All application forms must be sent initially to the Academic Registry. Forms should not be sent directly to academic admissions tutors or faculties.

2.2 On receipt of the completed application form in the Academic Registry, the applicant information is inputted onto the MIS, and a student I.D. number is allocated to each application.

2.3 Copies of non standard application forms are sent by the Academic Registry to the academic admission tutors and, where necessary, arrangements are made for interviewing applicants.

2.4 Academic admissions tutors are responsible for determining whether or not the applicant is qualified, or likely to qualify for admission. However in straightforward cases responsibility to make offers has been delegated to admissions officers.

3. Assessment of Applicant Suitability

3.1 Four main means will be employed to assess an applicant's suitability for a particular programme:

a) information given on the application form relating to academic ability and prior experience;

b) evidence of recent study, practical ability, or other relevant experience. An applicant's Record of Achievement, or progression/award transcript may be useful in this connection;

c) a reference from a previous school, college, employer, or other person qualified to assess the applicant's suitability;

d) an interview, where appropriate or practical.

4. Decision Making

4.1 Academic admissions tutors, or where approved, Academic Registry admission officers, are responsible for the selection of applicants and deciding whether conditions apply to the offer of a place on a programme.

4.2 Direct entry to a point on a programme, other than the beginning may be offered to applicants with credit, in accordance with the regulations on admission with academic credit.

4.3 The Admissions Officers within the Academic Registry will assist in ensuring that applicants are considered for places on alternative and/or less subscribed programmes if the programme for which they applied is oversubscribed.

5. Decision Letters

5.1 All decision letters, other than for programmes within UCAS, are produced by the Academic Registry and sent by the Academic Registry to the applicant, along with all relevant information and an 'Acceptance of the Offer' form.

5.2 Where the programme is within UCAS, the University does not send letters to applicants itself confirming the outcome of applications: it relies entirely on the formal communications to applicants by UCAS. However, the Academic Registry will inform applicants that a formal offer will be made through UCAS. This letter will not state the conditions of the offer, it will focus on establishing a positive relationship between the University and the applicant.

5.3 Any programme, which is 'subject to validation', must be referred to with that caveat until the Academic Audit, Quality and Standards Committee has confirmed that all conditions of validation have been satisfied.

6. Acceptance of the Offer

6.1 On receipt of the Acceptance Form, the Academic Registry will update the MIS and a copy of the Acceptance Form and the Application Form are kept on Registry files..

6.2 Where acceptances are conditional on further qualifications being gained prior to entry, or financial arrangements being made, and these conditions are met, a final letter confirming acceptance will be sent out by the Academic Registry or UCAS, as appropriate.

6.3 Qualifications and ID will be checked by the Academic Registry prior to or at commencement of studies, and if an applicant is proved not to have the qualifications stated on the application form, the Faculty will be advised, and the necessary action taken.

7. Rejection of the Offer

7.1 Where an applicant rejects an offer, or subsequently notifies that s/he intends to withdraw, the Academic Registry will enter this into the Student Application System and the Academic Admissions Tutor and Faculty will be informed.

8. Late Applications

8.1 All applications, even if late, must be processed through the complete procedure outlined above. Late applicants must not be enrolled without the completion of an official application form; a late admissions acceptance letter must be issued, and the acceptance form completed by the applicant. This is particularly important in the case of degree and postgraduate programmes.

9. Students with Disabilities

9.1 Admissions officers and tutors should initially ignore the disability information given on the application form when assessing the applicant and should concentrate on the applicant's academic suitability to pursue the programme of study in question.

9.2 Applicants who have indicated on their application form that they require learning support, and are to be offered a place should meet the appropriate Student Services Adviser to assess their support needs in relation to the University's ability to cater for those needs.

9.3 Each student who has indicated that s/he has a disability should complete a confidential questionnaire, so that his/her support needs may be identified and the right type of assistance provided to help each student reach his/her full potential.

10. Criminal Record

10.1 Admissions officers and tutors should initially ignore the criminal offence information given on the application form in assessing the applicant and should concentrate on the applicant's suitability to pursue the programme of study in question.

10.2 Should the admissions officers and tutors wish to seriously consider applicants who have disclosed that they have a criminal conviction, the application form must be sent to the Academic Registrar. The Academic Registrar will then write to the applicant, with reference to the Rehabilitation Offenders Act and spent convictions giving assurances about confidentiality and requesting information about the convictions.

10.3 The information provided by the applicant will be considered by the Academic Registrar. If the conviction is spent, it will be disregarded, except where satisfactory completion of the programme gives automatic right of practice to a profession exempted by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Where such professional programmes are involved, the Faculty will be consulted on the information provided by the applicant.

10.4 Where applicants fail to disclose they have a criminal conviction then the relevant Academic Registry Admissions Officers will contact the applicant to request a declaration by a specific deadline. If the response is YES then 10.3 will apply, if NO the normal procedure should be followed. If there is no response, the University reserves the right to reject the application.

10.5 The Academic Registrar has the powers to refuse the application of any individual; to lay down such conditions as the Academic Registrar thinks fit for the admission of an individual; and also to terminate the registration of a student who is subsequently discovered to have omitted or falsified relevant facts or information in connection with his/her application.

10.6 The decision of the Academic Registrar will then be sent to the Admissions Officers and Tutors for their action (i.e. to reject or to make an offer subject to any conditions as appropriate).