GSB 3Oct11 13
GRADUATE SCHOOL BOARD - OCTOBER 2011
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENTS REPORT
Introduction to PGR student reporting
This is the third year in this new style of report to Graduate School Board, which aims to standardise the data relating to PGR students, so that each meeting can consider a particular aspect to inform policy and decision making. This is similar to the format of Research Committee reports, whereby over the year, the committee will consider all aspects of the PGR data in a natural cycle. This will also standardise University PGR data, to enable a consistent approach and review of RI targets.
For this new format, data will be presented (pictorially where possible) to consider the policy implications for the University, followed by consideration of the performance of each RI. Longitudinal data will be used, to allow monitoring of trends so that corrective action may be taken, if necessary.
These reports consider metrics relating to PGRs on an annual basis, but obviously there are several levels of monitoring and it is expected that RIs regularly monitor their metrics to ensure they maximise PGR student numbers, ensure quality of supervision and importantly the four year completion rates (that will occur between these reports).
The cyclical nature of PGR students activity is reflected in the content of the following separate reports to the three GSB meetings:
1st Meeting (October) – Applications and Intakes/new starters
· Applications data with analysis of: University and each RI, by Home/overseas and full/part time, longitudinal data over 3 years
· Applications progress i.e. conditional/unconditional offer/reject/no decisions
· Intakes/new starters or those who have enrolled in new academic year to date
2nd Meeting (Feb) – PGR population, withdrawal rates and studentships
· Home and EC PGR population at Keele – looking at trends over the last 3 years (and the impact on QR funding)
· Non EC PGR population at Keele – looking at trends over the last few years
· Withdrawal rates of students - overall analysis of year and reasons, and by RI
· New studentships – longitudinal data
· Progress against RI targets
3rd Meeting (May) – Submissions rates, Awards, and Supervisory capacity
· Submission rates (also called progression and completion rates) – by University and each RI, and for each Research Council
· Awards made by Senate
· Learning plans and progress reports analysis by RI
· Approved and active supervisors – analysis by RI
This first report focuses on applications rates and the subsequent intakes/new starters. As this meeting is just after the end of the previous academic year, it’s a good point to review RIs application rates overall. This will include the progress of the applications and hence the variation in conversion rates.
In 2009/10 Keele received around 70% of its yearly intake by October so it is also timely to review intakes/new starters to compare to previous years data, and give some indication of trajectory.
1) Applications data
For applicants wanting to commence studies during the current academic year (2011/12) the number of applications are already at record levels for this time of year (565 applications) which are almost as high as the total for 2010/11 (635). The 2010/11 total will be exceeded as we continue to receive applications throughout the year. This increase in applications could be due to several factors including a push from academic community to increase PGR student numbers (to meet RI targets), which could include more studentships. There has also been continuing development of online PGR application processes, which have improved efficiencies and therefore response times.
Chart 1: PGR applications (headcount) by RI for the past 4 academic years
Source: SCIMS report APP01
The chart above considers the longitudinal applications data by RIs, and shows some variations. Over the past few years applications have increased in most RIs, with a notable increase for 2011/12 applications in Humanities and PCHS. SSRI continue to receive the largest number of applications (with higher proportions from overseas). However this data should be compared with intakes to assess conversion rates (see below)
Chart 2: Total University PGR applications (headcount) home/overseas
Source: SCIMS report APP01
Chart 3: Total University PGR applications (headcount) full/part time
Source: SCIMS report APP01
The charts above examine the University applications in more detail. The first chart shows the proportion of applications that were from home students, which has increased in total number, but the proportion has lowered to around 50%, indicating that every other PGR application is from an overseas students.
The second chart shows the proportion of applications which are for full time study. This shows that a large majority are applications for full time study (93%), and this proportion has increased over the past few years.
2) Applications progress
The progress of each PGR application in tracked on the student database (SCIMS). Further analysis can therefore be provided on the decision made about each application.
Chart 4: University applications progress over the past 3 years
Source: SCIMS report APP01
Note 2011/12 data will change as decisions are made
The introduction of eVision during the last academic year has improved efficiencies around PGR application processing, with this being done entirely electronically. Application outcomes, either offer letters or rejections are also now sent electronically to improve turnaround times.
The data indicates that proportion of conditional offers is increasing, which shows colleagues are making increasing use of this option, in order to provide a prompt response to applicants. For 2010/11 over one third of applications are made unconditional offers, so looking at total applications, nearly every other application results in an offer (either conditional or unconditional). An increasing proportion of offers are rejected, this could be consequence of increased number of applications.
Some applications show that no decision has been recorded. Further investigation has revealed that some of these type of applications were actually withdrawn (before chance to respond). The other reason for ‘no decision’ is the applicant requiring funding, and the RI has therefore been trying to sort out resourcing. There is now a facility in eVision for applications to be put on hold. The introduction of the online applications and having mandatory documents which have to be uploaded before an application can be submitted, has helped eradicate the applicant not providing enough information for a decision to be made, and references are automatically requested and uploaded to SCIMS.
3) Intakes and new starters data
Intakes and new starters data shows how many new PGR students started (or enrolled on) their programme during the academic year. This data gives RIs an indication of how many PGRs they’ll have to support. When compared to the applications data, it can also give a broad indication of conversion rates.
Chart 4: University PGR intakes over the past few years (in FTEs)
Source: SCIMS report ENR01 (note Part time =0.5 FTE)
The above chart shows the total University PGR intakes over the past few years.[1] The chart shows an upward trajectory of PGR intakes, which will increase Keele’s PGR population (performance against PGR targets will be reviewed in later reports).
2010/11 was a record breaking year for PGR intakes, with 111.5 FTEs enrolling. To date (29.9.11) 55 FTE students have enrolled for study in 2011/12 with students continuing to enrol each day – some PGR students may be later than expected due to VISA issues. There are a further 31 PGR students expected to start during the year (i.e. those who have accepted an offer) and this number will continue to rise throughout the year. It this therefore expected that up to 100 FTEs will enrol for study during 2011/12, continuing last year’s good intakes.
Chart 5: New starters data by RI over the past 3 academic years, and this year provisionally (note part time =0.5 FTE, full time= 1 FTE)
Source: SCIMS report ENR01
Chart 5 is showing a variation in intakes across the RIs, Social Sciences had record breaking intakes during 2010/11. Intakes for 2011/12 are to 29.9.11 and will continue to rise throughout the year.
Conversion rates
For 2010/11 study the University received 636 applications which converted to 111.5 FTEs, a conversion rate of 18%, up from 17% in 2009/10. The conversion rate for 2011/12 cannot be calculated until the end of the academic year, when all applications have been received and assessed. But assuming a similar level (18%) the current 635 applications would convert to 114 FTEs, and there are still more applications for 2011/12 tol come throughout the year. This indicates that the target PGR intakes for the University should be met.
Table 1: PGR applications, Enrolements and conversion rates, by RI over the past 3 years
Source: SCIMS reports APP01 and ENR01, note enrolment are in FTE
Th e table above shows the range of applications to enrolments conversion rates, across each of the RIs. In 2010/11 conversion rates ranged from 15% to 25%.
4) Conclusions
This report has indicated that PGR applications are continuing to increase and seem to be having a positive conversion into PGR intake numbers. Just less than half of these applications come from overseas students, and majority (93%) are for full time study.
Around 50% of the applications result in an offer from Keele (mostly unconditional offers). Applications progress data shows just over one third of applications being rejected.
Intakes or new starters reached record levels in 2010/11 and are looking promising for 2011/12. The University conversion rate of applications to intakes was up to 18% in 2010/11 - so for around every 5- 6 applications, Keele will enrol 1 PGR student.
This years improvements to online applications and utilisation of eVision have improved the application processing and efficiencies, but there is still further developments in eVision which could enhance the student experience.
Ellie James
29th September 2011
[1] Note 2011/12 data is enrolments up to 29th September 2011 and PGR student enrol throughout the year