UK plays host to international HE admissions meeting

The first ever meeting of higher education admissions organisations from around the world has taken place in London.

Eighteen delegates from a diverse range of nations including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Oman, Sweden and the UK met at the RSA last week. The event was chaired by Anthony McClaran, Chief Executive of UCAS, the United Kingdom's shared admissions service.

Over a period of two days, the meeting of Chief Executives and senior managers covered a range of topics including the issues and challenges that each organisation faces in their own country and in the global higher education marketplace; the relationship between charitable status and commercial activity; how technology is modernising admissions practices; and the issue of student mobility.

The benefits of bringing together these organisations in one place were widely felt amongst the delegates. 'Central admissions organisations occupy unique positions in their respective countries, states and provinces,' said Mr McClaran.

He went on to say: 'Set up by and serving our universities and colleges, we have in common the challenge of balancing the needs of the higher education sector with the needs of schools and applicants, in a world that is rapidly changing. The formation of a network of international admissions organisations will offer us the opportunity to exchange information, and to share ideas and best practice, and will provide us with professional support.'

Furthermore, it was agreed that such a meeting would be held on an annual basis, hosted and chaired each year by a different nation. The network would be supported in the intervening period by an electronic mailing list, web-conferences, and staff exchanges and secondments.

Press contacts

Eleanor Stevens, Senior Communications Executive
T: 01242 545707
Email: communications@ucas.ac.uk
Mobile: 07768 740 461

Notes to editors

  • UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to UK higher education courses.
  • RSA is an abbreviation of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
  • Anthony McClaran is available for interview.