Admissions Policy

Aims

Albion is committed to creating an inclusive, student centred, academic community in which students thrive, actively engage and are glad to belong. As such, Albion welcomes applications from potential students of all social and ethnic backgrounds. It aims to promote equal opportunities while at the same time admitting students who have the ability and motivation to benefit from the programmes of study offered.

Albion will ensure that all applicants are treated fairly by showing appropriate sensitivity to individual differences, and that decisions about recruitment, selection, admission and progression at all levels are based on criteria that have been made available to applicants prior to application.

Albion will seek to promote and develop diversity of its student body by:

• Treating each applicant on his/her own merit;
• Identifying student potential as well as acknowledging past academic and other achievements; and
• Providing information and advice to enquirers or, where appropriate, referring the applicant to external specialist providers.

Albion aims to play a crucial role in educational provision for the local community, in higher education across the international market. It therefore encourages and supports applicants from all localities.

Transparency in Admission and Selection

Albion is committed to operating a transparent admissions policy. Course entry requirements are reviewed annually and published in our prospectus and website as well as other sources such as the UCAS website.

Applicants are considered on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, ethnic or national origin, age (subject to regulations on minimum age), disability, religion, sexual orientation or any other irrelevant distinction, although, in certain circumstances Albion may base admissions decisions on non-academic criteria in order to meet its obligations under UK law.

Albion recognises that not all applicants have had an equality of educational opportunity and as such it will consider applicants in the light of the opportunities available to them. Albion welcomes applications from individuals who have followed non-standard educational routes, or those who meet entry criteria through experience rather than academic qualification. Albion will admit candidates who have the potential to succeed on their chosen course regardless of background.

Albion will always conduct its admissions processes efficiently, effectively and courteously. It will communicate clearly with applicants and students, and provide clear and explicit information concerning admission to, and enrolment on its courses, as well as associated fee implications.

Albion will ensure that all staff involved in the admission process understand the criteria for admission and are aware of the issues affecting fair treatment of potential students and applicants.

Albion will ensure that the admission of international students is conducted with strict adherence to the national, local and regional rules, where applicable.

Albion will ensure that potential students are provided with the information needed to make a fully informed decision about the suitability of the course they are considering applying to and the costs associated with undertaking that course.

Albion will do its upmost to run courses as advertised but reserves the right to vary the content and delivery of courses, to discontinue, merge or combine courses where required.

Responsibilities and Oversight

Albion’s Board of Directors has institutional responsibility for the content of Albion’s Admissions Policy and Procedures and for regularly monitoring and reviewing their appropriateness.

Albion’s Course Development and Review Committee is responsible for overseeing and approving the standard course entry requirements.

Albion will ensure that all staff involved in the recruitment of students understands the criteria for admission, are aware of the issues affecting fair treatment of potential students and are clear on their responsibility to provide transparent, up-to date and accurate information to allow informed choices to be made.

Albion will review student performance and look for trends and inconsistencies in performance that might be linked to the admissions criteria. Albion will also monitor and be guided by principles outlined by external bodies. Please see Admissions Procedures for operational detail on the implementation of this policy.

Our Admissions Procedures

Making an Application

Those wishing to undertake a programme of study with Albion should apply via its online application form.

By making an application to Albion you are agreeing to the Albion’s Student Contract. Under its Student Contract Albion reserves the right at any stage to request applicants to provide further information relating to any aspect of their application. If such information is not provided within the period stipulated, then the Albion reserves the right to refuse to consider the application further and notify external agencies as appropriate. Additionally, the Albion reserve the right to withdraw any applicant or student who is found to have made a fraudulent application regardless of their status in the institution.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Entry requirements, course fees and pre-application information is made available to applicants through a range of sources including the Albion’s website, third-party sites (e.g., UCAS), the Prospectus and course literature as well as through open days and applicant visit days. Please refer to these sources as part of the application process.

Albion considers a wide range of qualifications for entry. We welcome and accept all qualifications that are part of the UCAS tariff as well as an extensive range of international qualifications. For an assessment of qualifications not listed please contact our admissions team.

Applicants to Undergraduate degree courses should have a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent qualifications in order to be considered. Applicants to a Foundation Degree, or a course with an integrated foundation option, must have a minimum of 1 A Level or equivalent qualifications in order to be considered.

Albion recognises that applicants considered as ‘mature’ (aged 21 or over at point of entry) may not hold the minimum qualifications required for entry but may have relevant work and/or life experience. Applicants in this position may be invited to an advisory interview with the appropriate Course Leader. If, after an advisory interview, it is felt that further study would be beneficial before being accepted for the course Albion may recommend one of the following to qualify for entry:

1. Take an Access to Higher Education course, or a comparative qualification.
2. Take specified modules at Albion as a part-time student.
3. Take any qualifications needed to meet professional accreditation requirements.

Applicants may be required to be interviewed, submit a portfolio, complete a test, or participate in an audition as a part of applying for your course. If an interview is a required, then it is the applicant’s responsibility to make arrangements to attend as required. If this is not possible, Albion will attempt to accommodate your requirements if it can, however, this may not be possible in all circumstances.

All students applying to study at undergraduate level must demonstrate they hold GCSE English Language grade 4 or above or the equivalent qualification for entry and some courses require a GCSE Mathematics grade 4 or above or the equivalent for entry.

Applicants should consult specific course pages for details or contact our admissions team for advice.

Exemptions to the English Language and Maths requirement may be made when a student has completed, or successfully studied an award, at National Qualifications Framework levels 4, 5 or 6. Exceptions may also be made following interview, but it is the decision of the interviewer based on an applicant’s performance.

All applicants who are non-native English speakers must evidence their English Language abilities for acceptance onto a course by meeting our published requirements. The range of accepted qualifications can be found on Albion’s website.

Wherever possible, and for transparency, Albion has assessed equivalence to the UK for international qualifications. Published entry criteria for key countries can be found on Albion’s website.

Where applicable a student may be permitted to enter a programme of studies with advanced standing, and be awarded credit for prior learning. Procedures are published in the Guide to Accreditation of Prior Learning.

Where an applicant has failed to achieve the conditions of their offer but has mitigating circumstances, they can submit evidence for consideration to our admissions team.

Making an Offer

Albion bases its admissions decisions on an applicant’s previous or predicated academic performance. Other information such as personal statements, references, research proposals and the outcome of selection interviews will also inform the decision.

Applicants with disabilities will be considered with the standard subject requirements applied. Where appropriate, Disability Advisers will be notified when an application from a student with a disability is received. Disability Advisers will liaise with applicants and the course team to organise a preliminary visit if required.

On occasion it is necessary for Albion use non-academic criteria in deciding whether to offer a student a place. This will usually be because of the Albion’s requirement to meet its obligations under UK law. Some courses require applicants to undertake a Disclosure via the Disclosure Barring Service Applicants will be informed where this is a requirement.

Where it is not possible for the Albion to offer a place to an applicant on their preferred course because of the outcome of a Disclosure, an alternative course may be offered if appropriate.

Offer decisions will be communicated directly to the applicant via an email.

Evidence required to meet the conditions of an offer can be sent to Albion via secure systems, original or certified copies of some documents may be requested.

This communication outlines the conditions of entry and provides instruction on how you can accept and meet the terms of the offer.

Offers can either be ‘conditional’ or ‘unconditional’.

Conditional offers Conditional offers are subject to meeting requirements through either completion of qualifications or evidencing them and submitting documents. Applicants can evidence that they meet the conditions of their offer by providing the requisite documents.

Unconditional offers are made where an application has completed all relevant qualifications and evidenced them as part of their application or where Albion has measured an applicant’s potential to succeed on the course in another way.

In instances where an applicant is interviewed for admission and performs to a high level, Albion may make an exceptional ‘unconditional offer’. Unconditional offers can also be made to non-interviewing courses where the applicant has excelled in prior academic performance.

Courses and students excluded from this offer include those where admissions criteria adhere to external body requirements (e.g., Initial Teacher Training programmes) or where non-native English language speakers must provide evidence of English language ability.

Applicants will not be permitted to enrol on a course until all the conditions of the offer have been met.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide evidence that entry requirements have been met.

Albion will not accept additional costs or charges incurred as a result of delays in enrolment.

Any applicant or student found to have submitted false or incorrect information to gain entry to or claim credit against a programme of study will have their application withdrawn regardless of their status in the institution.

Applicants should either accept or decline the offer made to them. Applicants will be entering into a contract to study with Albion at the point at which the offer is accepted.

In accepting the offer and entering into a contract, applicants are confirming that they will abide by a number of regulations, policies, and procedures all of which are detailed in the Student Contract.

Applicants have the right to cancel The Contract between themselves and Albion within 14 days from the date on which the offer is accepted. To exercise this right, applicants may inform admissions team of the decision to cancel the Contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post or email), including your name, address, and the programme for which you accepted an offer.

Sometimes Albion is unable to offer a place to an applicant. This is usually because the qualifications previously achieved or predicted are not sufficiently high, or because some other condition of entry is not met. Those applicants not meeting the selection criteria for their chosen course may be considered for, and offered a place, on an alternative course.

Applicants may also be ‘rejected’ if they do not respond Albion’s requests for more information within a reasonable timescale – usually within 10 working days of a request for more information being sent.

Albion will use reasonable endeavours to deliver programmes in accordance with the descriptions set out in the Contract. However:

1. due to the period between prospectus publication and enrolment, circumstances may change due to factors beyond the Albion’s reasonable control and therefore it may sometimes be necessary to vary the terms or content of the programme or services described in any documentation.
2. Albion will use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that changes are kept to a minimum, but if significant changes are required to the terms of the Student Contract or the programme (as described in the Offer and/or prospectus) before enrolment, then Albion shall bring these to the attention of applicants and if applicants reasonably believe that the proposed change will prejudicially affect them, they may either cancel the Contract and withdraw from the programme without any liability to Albion for programme fees (even if the cancellation period has expired) or transfer to such other programme (if any) as may be offered by Albion for which they are qualified;

1. If there are not sufficient enrolments to make a programme or module viable, then Albion may be forced to cancel the programme or module.
   1. If applicants have received an Offer for a programme which Albion discontinues prior to enrolment.

Albion will notify applicants as soon as possible and will use reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable replacement programme for which applicants are qualified. Applicants may cancel the Contract and withdraw from the programme without any liability for programme fees (even if the cancellation period has expired).

Following suitable consultation with students, Albion reserves the right to vary minor elements of programmes from that described in the Contract in order to improve the quality of educational services, in order to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body, in response to student feedback, and/or due to a lack of student demand for certain modules. If the Albion proposes to make a significant change to a programme (such as (without limitation) the removal of a module), applicants will be notified as soon as possible and in the case of the removal of a module, a suitable replacement module will be provided.

Feedback, Review and Complaint

Applicants may request feedback on their application.

In the first instance please contact the admission team. Requests for feedback will normally be responded to within 10 working days of receipt.

Applicants can request a review of the decision on their application. There are 3 grounds for such a request:

1. Additional information has become available since the original application was submitted which was unavailable at the time;
2. Some form of extenuating circumstances apply that affected the original application; and
3. There has been an administrative error or procedural irregularity on the part of Albion.

Applicants should contact the admission team for advice about a review.

Should applicants wish to make a complaint about the handling of their application then the procedure below applies:

1. Initially, there should be an attempt to resolve concerns through discussions with the admission team.
2. Should the complaint not be resolved after initial discussions, the applicant should email the Director of Operations describing the nature of the complaint and why the previous discussions have not resolved the matter.
3. If the complaint remains unresolved, applicants may have the complaint heard formally through the Albion’s Appeals and Complaint procedure. To initiate this final stage, applicants must follow the guidance found here.