04 October 2024

Programmes

Admissions programmes are the programmes offered by your institution, such as a BA English Language and Literature and a BSc Computer Science.

Admissions programmes are defined in the reference data Admissions programme. Admissions programmes are loaded automatically from integrated student management systems or added manually.

Direct or agency applications

The entry system of programmes defines whether applicants apply to the programme directly or through an admissions agency. For example, applications apply directly to postgraduate programmes and through admissions agencies, such as UCAS, for undergraduate programmes.

For UCAS reporting purposes, you can also define the faculty code, course type, and programme code. Note that the fields for clearing information and adjustment places are not used in Admissions.

ATAS programmes

ATAS registered programmes are subject to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). This applies to all international applicants, apart from some exempt nationalities, such as Australians, who are intending to study at postgraduate level in specific subjects, such as weapons development or delivery. For applicants to ATAS registered courses, a clearance check should be added to check the applicant possess a valid ATAS certificate. For more information on ATAS programmes, go to Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) .

Joint admissions programmes

Programmes can belong to the UCAS joint admissions process. That is, an applicant may apply to one institution but complete part of the programme at another. UCAS joint admissions are typically used for medical programmes, as different institutions deliver specialised modules of study.

Programme options

Programme options, such as a year aboard, are typically separate programmes. However, programme options can be used to create programmes that combine a major subject with a minor subject.

For example, the programme English literature BA has the following options:

• Bachelor of arts with honours - English literature with creative writing

• Bachelor of arts with honours - English literature with French

• Bachelor of arts with honours - English literature with German

Programme options are defined in the reference data Admissions option and combine admissions programmes with award groups and routes. For example, the admissions programme English literature BA is combined with the award group Bachelor of arts and the route English literature with creative writing.

For each option, you must define the sequence order that the options are listed when creating an application and the select the admissions programme, such as English literature BA, that the option is available for. You must also define the award group, such as Bachelor of arts. The award group should match the intended award level of the programme. For example, an admissions option with an award group of Bachelor of arts should not be used for a programme with an intended award level of Postgraduate.

The route defines the combination of subjects that will be studied on the programme, ordered by major subject followed by minor subject, such as English literature with creative writing. Note that routes with subjects of equal weighting should be ordered alphabetically.

Modules

Modules define the individual units of a programme and the credits gained for completing each module. For example, a student on a programme accumulates credits by completing modules to reach the required number of credits for that academic year.

Modules are grouped together using schemes. Creating schemes for specific study areas, such as Undergraduate - English allows students taking a programme, such as English literature BA to select from all modules that are part of the Undergraduate - English scheme and allows for the creation of modular admissions programmes.

Entry points and requirements

Programmes have entry points that define the dates of entry for programmes, delivery locations, and so on. Programmes also have entry requirements based on academic and non-academic conditions. Offer libraries define the entry requirements for the programme. Academic conditions are defined by qualifications and non-academic conditions are defined by clearance checks.

Entry points

The entry points of programmes are dates and years, such as October start– Year 1 and February start– Year 1. Entry points also define delivery locations, modes of attendance, and so on.

Entry points assign applications to a desk for processing. For example, applications to the English Literature BA (Hons) programme are assigned to the languages desk and then processed by admissions officers for that faculty. For more information, go to What are desks?

Entry requirements

The entry requirements of programmes are defined for each entry point. Standard offers can define the following for each entry point:

• Main decision (Offer 1) of the entry requirements, such as BBB excluding general studies.

• Additional conditions (Offer 2) of the entry requirements, such as ATAS clearance for ATAS courses.

The diagram Entry points for programmes shows how programmes are linked to entry points, standard offers, offer libraries and how entry requirements and points of entry are used as part of the admissions process.

In addition, programmes can also specify interview, audition, or portfolio evidence as part the admissions process. For example, Conservatoires that provide performance-based programmes for music, drama, and so on.

Enrolment

The enrolment structure should be set up to match the values in the integrated system as applications are transferred to the integrated system for enrolment. Enrolment structure is defined in the reference data Enrolment structure and Enrolment structure type.