Graduate Admissions

Day 1 - Tuesday 21st August, 2012

5:20

Closing remarks from the Chair & close of day one

4:40

Interactive round table discussion

Delegates will break into groups to discuss key learnings and outcomes from the conference

4:00

Moving towards global university entrance standards

Examining challenges for existing secondary systems in ensuring quality
What are the implications of student mobility for university admission?
How do you compare secondary qualifications for entry to university?

Examining the impact of school curriculum

3:20

Exit standards & the new Australian Curriculum for schools

Implementing a national school curriculum for years 11 and 12
Assessment practices in years 11 and 12 under the Australian Curriculum
International comparisons

2:40

Afternoon tea

2:00

What are the risks associated with lowering ATARs?

Are ATARs being driven down to unrealistic levels?
What are the implications for quality, retention and financial sustainability?

1:00

Lunch

12:20

Selecting for success & diversity

Selecting for success and ensuring diversity of participation
Embedding student equity in university selection

11:40

Shifting the conversation from input to output

Creating a university of opportunity: Strategies for driving successful outcomes

11:10

Morning tea

Widening participation in higher education

10:30

Fair chance for all: Boosting low SES participation

9:50

Identifying trends in the future of university admissions

Demand-driven funding in tertiary education in New Zealand: How does it compare with the recent moves in Australia?
How did institutions in New Zealand respond to the demand-driven environment?
What are the distinctions and likely trends for Australian providers?

International perspectives on admission strategies

9:10

Driving fair access in higher education (via video-link)

*session time subject to change

What could universities be doing to attract underrepresented students?
What should a government regulator do to encourage universities?
The role of the Office for Fair Access (OFFA): Approving and monitoring access agreements

9:00

Opening address from the Chair

8:50

Welcome to country

Wurundjeri Elder

8:30

Registration, coffee & networking

Day 2 - Wednesday 22nd August, 2012

5:20

Closing remarks from the Chair & close of conference

4:40

Widening access to high stakes courses

Raising aspiration and achievement in high school students
Engaging and supporting students from secondary school through university admission and beyond
Developing two distinct programs to boost participation in rural and low SES metropolitan regions

Embedding effective pathways

4:00

Attracting & retaining Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students

Addressing the gap in both access and retention
Developing effective Indigenous access programs
Embedding culturally appropriate support

3:30

Afternoon tea

2:50

Attracting ‘best fit’ students to ensure offers translate to enrolment

Using direct marketing to recruit students in accordance with your institution’s mission

Recruiting for admissions

2:10

Aligning admissions processes with your student type to boost retention

Bringing together different modes of entry via a streamlined admissions process
Examining the link between student preparedness and

1:30

Is the ATAR the best method of selection?

Should the sector adopt international models?
How could alternative schemes be implemented?
What are the risks and challenges of adopting alternative schemes?

12:30

Lunch

11:50

Examining alternative & supplementary competency tests

Selecting for mature entrance: The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), uses and outcomes
Using aptitude tests and academic results to improve outcomes
Admitting school leavers and boosting low SES participation: UniTEST
Up-skilling employees via the AEA test (Whyalla case study)

Exploring student selection schemes

11:10

Developing alternative admission schemes to widen participation