ABSTRACT

Highly selective higher education institutions (HEIs) are simultaneously mandated to enable access for populations which have traditionally been excluded (‘equality’), and to ensure that admitted students have the potential to succeed in higher education (‘excellence’). This article uses original empirical case study data from 2018, from nine highly selective English HEIs, to explore current uses of contextual data in undergraduate admissions. The results show that all participating HEIs thought holistically about their applicants. In particular, HEIs considered the context in which applicants had achieved their grades, and aimed to identify academic potential not captured by those grades. However, ideological and theoretical disagreements, as well as practical barriers, hamper a more widespread and consistent application of contextual data in English undergraduate admissions. The article therefore identifies further practical steps for HEIs and other stakeholders that would enable a more valid, evidence-based and coherent position on contextual data use across the HE sector. Overall, advancing more consistency in how contextual data are used might enable greater certainty among applicants, and those advising them, regarding how applications for admissions are likely to be judged. Ultimately, contextual admission policies have the potential to increase diversity among the admitted students at selective HEIs.

摘要

同时还要求高度选择性的高等教育机构（HEIs）能够使传统上被排斥的人口（“平等”）获得入学机会，并确保被录取的学生有潜力在高等教育中获得成功（“卓越”）。本文使用来自2018年的原始经验案例研究数据（来自9个高度选择性的英语HEI）来探索上下文数据在本科招生中的当前用途。结果表明，所有参与的HEI都对其申请者进行了整体思考。特别是，HEI考虑了申请人达到其成绩的背景，并旨在确定那些成绩未获得的学术潜力。但是，意识形态和理论上的分歧以及实际的障碍，妨碍在英语本科生录取中更广泛，更一致地应用上下文数据。因此，本文为HEI和其他利益相关者确定了进一步的实际步骤，这些步骤将使整个HE部门在使用上下文数据时能获得更有效，基于证据的一致意见。总体而言，在如何使用上下文数据方面提高一致性，可以使申请人和为他们提供建议的申请人在如何判断招生申请方面更具确定性。最终，情境录取政策有可能增加选择性高校录取学生的多样性。在整个高等教育领域中使用基于证据的一致立场。总体而言，在如何使用上下文数据方面提高一致性，可以使申请人和为他们提供建议的申请人在如何判断招生申请方面更具确定性。最终，情境录取政策有可能增加选择性高校录取学生的多样性。在整个高等教育领域中使用基于证据的一致立场。总体而言，在如何使用上下文数据方面提高一致性，可以使申请人和为他们提供建议的申请人在如何判断招生申请方面更具确定性。最终，情境录取政策有可能增加选择性高校录取学生的多样性。