Admissions Policies and Procedures
Scope
The Admissions Policy of Markfield Institute of Higher Education (MIHE) applies to all programmes of study leading to awards from both the Institute itself and from the validating University. The policy and procedures follow the recommendations and guidance contained in the UK Quality Code for Higher Education: Chapter B2: Recruitment, selection and admission to higher education (October 2013). They also acknowledge the Institute’s obligations under the Points Based System (PBS) for issuing visas to international students (Points Based System – Policy Guidance on the UKVI website [PDF]
General Principles
MIHE has an established reputation as an Islamic Higher Education provider with a commitment to inclusivity and widening participation. It is committed to recruiting high-quality students by identifying merit and potential and ensuring that its admissions process is fair and transparent to all regardless of background. MIHE values a rich diversity of students and through our admissions policies and procedures assess applicants consistently, transparently, fairly, equally without discrimination. We aim to recruit students from a variety of backgrounds who have the potential ability to complete an award successfully.
Equality and Diversity
This policy and associated procedures are framed to ensure equality of opportunity for all applicants irrespective of colour, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, age, disability, religion or socio-economic background.
MIHE welcomes students with disabilities and seeks to facilitate their inclusion. However, health and safety considerations of staff and students and the physical location of sections of the MIHE campus may restrict access for a few students. MIHE will make reasonable adjustments where existing arrangements or provision place disabled candidates at a substantial disadvantage and offer all reasonable assistance in enabling such students to meet academic requirements. MIHE will operate strict, legally compliant procedures in maintaining confidential procedures.
Widening Participation
MIHE will provide high quality learning opportunities to students from a broad range of backgrounds, and from communities of people who have traditionally not accessed Higher Education. MIHE sees widening participation as an integral part of its mission and ensures that its strategy is sufficiently proactive and continually under review.
All those who are capable of benefiting from Higher Education are encouraged to apply. Consideration is applied to enhancing access to education by enabling work and other relevant experience to be presented as a supplement, or alternative to formal academic qualifications. We will endeavour to facilitate the entry of participants into Higher Education who, by virtue of either their possession of a recognised qualification (or other record of achievement) or their maturity and experience, are deemed likely to fulfil their specific learning objectives, have the ability to benefit from the learning experience and to achieve the standard of the award. MIHE’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy is provided in MIHE’s Institutional Governance and Quality Assurance Handbook. A guide for students is available on the MIHE website. Where appropriate, students are offered transitional support to assist them in reaching the standards required.
Roles and responsibilities
Admissions to MIHE are regulated and monitored by the Management Board, which approves selection criteria and ensures that all admissions are conducted in accordance with general principles. Our Admissions Office, headed by the Student Administrative Officer (Admissions), is responsible for all administrative processes and works together with a team of academic staff from MIHE and professional staff from partnership organisations. The Student Administrative Officer is responsible for ensuring that admissions procedures are operated effectively, fairly and consistently, and that administrative staff, have been fully trained. All staff in Admissions regularly attends training sessions at MIHE and those held by the validating University where updates on new qualifications and admissions information are given. MIHE’s Principal is responsible for ensuring that only appropriately qualified, trained and experienced academic staff undertakes selection procedures in accordance with the criteria approved by the Management Board.
The Admissions Office is responsible for compliance with the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Points Based System in the issuing of CAS documents to applicants from outside the European Union, logging of relevant data about all new applicants and ensuring that anyone admitted to a programme at MIHE is a genuine student.
Recruitment Information
All applicants to full-time and part-time programmes must apply and adhere to MIHE application procedures. MIHE will ensure that accurate, relevant, current information is available to applicants, which will enable them to make informed decisions about their options. The main sources of information on undergraduate and postgraduate admissions are:
- MIHE’s course brochures containing course specific and general information on MIHE;
- MIHE’s web-site, which displays regularly updated information on admissions;
- MIHE’s open days.
We will ensure that all information issued on our course brochures and website is accurate at the time of publication or posting, and that information posted on our website is current. Any changes to programmes will be notified to applicants affected at the earliest opportunity. Where a programme has to be withdrawn, MIHE will explore, with the applicant, a transfer of the offer to an alternative programme, where appropriate.
The same regulations apply to international students. In cases where students intend to spend a shorter period of time at MIHE, as part of an exchange programme, study abroad, or collaborative provision with an overseas institution, the admission criteria and procedure will be set out in the partnership agreement. However, PBS guidelines will remain in force with regard to the issuing of visas where required by UK Visa and Immigration.
Selection Procedures
Offers at the agreed level are made to applicants who can demonstrate that they do or will meet the academic entry requirements for the programme at the level that the Institute has identified for admission before the course start date. Applicants are encouraged to visit MIHE on open days. For candidates who do not possess the relevant academic qualifications, will be normally called for interview in order to assess their suitability to engage with undergraduate or postgraduate programmes. Applicants may be required to pass an interview and undertake a written test, and/or to have undertaken recent and relevant work experience in an area connected to the programme applied for.
Interviews and tasks will be conducted in line with appropriate good practice. In some cases a group interview may be deemed appropriate. Feedback on an applicant’s individual performance will be made available within two weeks from the date of the interview/test if requested. Personal statements and references may also play a part in the selection process as they can demonstrate an applicant’s suitability for the course.
MIHE reserves the right to refuse entry to applicants who have are not able to demonstrate the requirements for admission.
In accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, students with criminal records may apply to undertake courses at MIHE. MIHE Chaplaincy students may be required to obtain Disclosure and Barring Services checks (DBS) with regard to placements.
Applicants holding non-UK qualifications will require confirmation that they possess the UK equivalent of their overseas qualifications and must produce a valid certificate from the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC – www.naric.org.uk). Admissions staff facilitates direct entry from individual students and applications made under the aegis of partnership agreements with overseas universities.
Overseas applicants will also be required to demonstrate their proficiency in English. MIHE adheres to the Home Office’s approved Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) as evidence of English language ability. Applicants must ensure they comply with these requirements.
Applicants for research degrees are required to complete the postgraduate application form and a submit a research proposal. These documents are reviewed by MIHE Research Degrees Committee who make application decisions based on the merits of the application, supporting documentation, and the availability of supervisory capacity and subject expertise.
Offers
Following the appropriate recruitment process, successful applicants will be offered either a conditional or unconditional offer, based on MIHE required entry qualification level for each particular course and admissions cycle. Applicants exceeding or meeting the conditions will be automatically offered a place. Applicants who fail to meet the conditions by a small margin may be offered a place on an alternative programme (if numbers allow).
Entry to the second or other year of a programme will be dependent on the availability of places and on approval and assessment by the RPL process for which a fee may be charged. A reference from a previous institution may also be required.
In the case of any significant change to a programme to which students have already applied, MIHE will inform successful applicants at the earliest opportunity, and they will be advised of any alternative options available including the arrangements for enrolment, registration and induction.
MIHE will ensure that effective and appropriate arrangements are in place for providing feedback to applicants who have not been offered a place. We will provide applicants who have accepted a place information on arrangements for enrolment, registration, induction and orientation, and ensure that these arrangements promote efficient and effective integration of entrants fully as students.
Enrolment and Induction of New Students
MIHE will provide written guidance on enrolment and induction for new students. New students will be invited to attend an induction programme prior to the commencement of their course, so that they can be appropriately introduced into the culture and operation of MIHE.
Deferral
Applicants holding unconditional offers may defer entry for one academic year or to another date within the same academic year (e.g. can defer the start of studies from one semester to the following one). However, this is at the discretion of the Institute. They will need to apply in writing specifying reasons for deferral. Applicants may have to undertake renewed or additional selection criteria if the course admission requirements have changed since the time of the original application.
Responsibilities of Applicants
Applicants are expected to provide MIHE with accurate information on their qualifications and abilities, and act in good faith in their dealings with the Institute. We reserve the right to withdraw an offer to any applicant who has gained that offer following the submission of incorrect and fake/misleading information or produced forged documents in any form. Applicants are required to meet all admissions deadlines set by MIHE and to respond fully to any communications within a given time scale.
Complaints and Appeals
Applicants who have concerns about possible procedural errors, irregularities and/or maladministration in the way in which their application was handled may make a complaint under MIHE’s formal complaint system. Details may be obtained from the Students Administrative Officer. Unsuccessful candidates will be offered feedback, but a formal Appeal against the outcome of an admissions decision is only allowed where applicants can show that MIHE’s decision was discriminatory. A formal appeal must be made in writing directly to the Student Administrative Officer. Any applicant requesting detailed feedback or making a complaint or appeal will not be discriminated against in further applications on that basis. MIHE will ensure that procedures are in place for responding to applicants’ complaints about the operation of the admissions process and appeals about the outcome of a selection decision, and ensure that all staff involved with admissions are familiar with the procedures. Please go here for further information the complaints procedure.
Confidentiality
All admissions activity is undertaken between the applicant and MIHE. Unless an applicant has consented in writing to share their data, personalised feedback will not be provided to a parent, teacher or other third party.
Monitoring and Review
MIHE is keen to ensure that its recruitment and admissions processes work effectively, are fair and transparent and are subject to continual enhancement. All policies, procedures and processes related to recruitment, admissions, selection, induction and enrolment are reviewed on a regular basis.
MIHE will regularly review its Admissions policies and procedures to ensure that they continue to support the mission and strategic objectives of the institution, and that they remain current and valid in the light of changing circumstances.
