University groups and committees

These include:

Future Students Committee

The Future Students Committee (FSC) is responsible for all strategic matters relating to attracting and delivering cohorts of future students. It is responsible to the University Executive Group (UEG) and will provide institutional-level oversight and decision-making on student recruitment, recruitment marketing, admissions, fees, scholarships, and related funding strategies across all levels and modes of study. Its work is informed by the University Strategy.

Convener: Professor Colm Harmon, Vice Principal (Students)

Secretariat Support: Rob Cain (Student Recruitment and Admissions)

Admissions Qualifications Group

Remit:

To oversee the development of policy approaches regarding qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate admission. 

To identify and oversee the University’s response to external qualifications developments 

To consider the suitability of UK, EU and international qualifications for entry to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes delivered on campus and online. 

To take forward the detailed work of scrutinising new and revised qualifications and to decide on their acceptability for general entry purposes. This includes: 

• academic and vocational qualifications for entry purposes
• English language qualifications for entry to programmes at all levels of study. 

To ensure that the University’s recognition of qualifications for entry is consistent with consumer protection law and the principles of fair admissions. 

Chair: Gillian Simmons (Student Recruitment and Admissions)

University Admissions Group

Remit:

To implement and review admissions policies approved by the FSC, ensuring fair, transparent, and efficient decision-making.

To monitor admissions cycles, identify bottlenecks or challenges, and recommend operational changes to enhance the applicant experience and conversion.

To plan and deliver process improvements, innovation in qualifications assessment, and selection methodologies to support optimal applicant and staff experience.

To engage with Colleges, Schools, and support services to ensure consistent application of admissions standards and criteria.

To monitor and provide assurance of entry and selection criteria, including academic entry requirements and English language qualifications, including assurance of validity of accepted qualifications.

To assess emerging trends in applicant demographics, qualifications, and market expectations, informing strategic admissions decisions.

Coordinate with the other sub-groups to ensure admissions activities support recruitment, marketing, fees, and scholarship strategies. 

Convener: Katrina Castle (Student Recruitment and Admissions)

Secretariat support: Rob Cain (temp) (Student Recruitment and Admissions)

University Fees and Scholarships Group

Remit:

To propose and refine tuition fee strategies for all programmes, ensuring competitiveness, coherence, and compliance with regulations.

To recommend scholarship and funding policies that support institutional diversification, financial targets, and strategic priorities, including widening participation and global market development.

Coordinate fee and scholarship decisions with financial planning cycles and advise FSC on the implications for budget-holders.

To review and assess the impact of existing scholarships, sponsorship agreements, and fee waivers on recruitment objectives, making recommendations for improvements.

To ensure transparent communication of fee and scholarship policies to prospective students and key stakeholders.

Convener: Pauline Manchester (Governance and Strategic Planning)

Secretariat Support: Jessica Armstrong (Governance and Strategic Planning)

University Student Marketing and Recruitment Group

Remit:

To inform and implement FSC-approved strategies to meet recruitment targets for all student levels, modes and regions.

To use business intelligence and market insight to inform recruitment tactics and improve applications and conversions accordingly.

To monitor recruitment performance in real-time and recommend tactical adjustments to optimize outcomes.

To plan, align, and monitor regional planning of marketing, communication and outreach resource across the institution, with a view to meeting market aims.

To coordinate marketing, communication and outreach efforts across Colleges, Schools, and central services, ensuring coherence, efficiency, and return on investment.

To monitor and influence reputation via marketing, communication and outreach among key recruitment audiences

Convener: Clare Mackay (Student Recruitment and Admissions)

Secretariat Support: Sarah-Jane Brown (Communications and Marketing)

Widening Participation Strategy Committee

Remit:

To lead and steer the University’s strategic commitment to widening access and participation – across the student lifecycle

To set objectives and targets related to widening access and participation in line with overall University strategic objectives

To receive regular intelligence and reports from the WP implementation group on the progress of the WP plan and associated targets, to be assured of progress and to make recommendations where necessary.

To make recommendations to and receive confirmation of delivery from relevant groups where wider planning action is needed to enable implementation. Including but not limited to SRFSG, SEC etc.

To consider future, current and alumni students within the brief of the committee and all students irrespective of fee status and domicile

To formally report to University Executive Group

Convener: Colm Harmon, Vice Principal (Students)

Secretariat Support: Alison Noble (Student Recruitment and Admissions)