Access Thresholds
How to identify minimum entry requirements for
contextually disadvantaged applicants
Dr Vikki Boliver, Durham University
Scotland’s Fair Access Conference
20th June 2017
Significant under-representation of
disadvantaged students in HE
Source: SFC (2015/16 academic year)
Large socioeconomic disparities in
school achievement and progression
S6 average cumulative Insight tariff points by SIMD decile and gender
Source: Croll, Browitt, Anderson and Hedge-Holmes (2016: 57)
Based on data for West of Scotland local authorities
Inflation of HE entry requirements
Average UCAS points of entrants to Scottish universities in 2006 & 2015
Source: Complete University Guide 2008 and 2017
The access threshold challenge
“By 2019 all universities should set access thresholds
for all degree programmes against which learners from
the most deprived backgrounds should be assessed.
These access thresholds should be separate to standard
entrance requirements and set as ambitiously as
possible, at a level which accurately reflects the
minimum academic standard and subject knowledge
necessary to successfully complete a degree
programme.” (CoWA 2016: 15).
Identifying the minimum needed for success…
What does it mean to “successfully complete
a degree programme”?
What is an acceptable probability of success?
How can HEIs help ensure that Access Threshold
students realise their potential?
Source: HESA data for Scottish domiciled entrants to Scottish HEIs, 2008/09 to 2012/13
Source: HESA data for Scottish domiciled entrants to Scottish HEIs, 2008/09 to 2012/13
Source: HESA data for Scottish domiciled recipients of classified degrees from Scottish HEIs, 2010/11-2013/14
Source: HESA data for Scottish domiciled recipients of classified degrees from Scottish HEIs, 2010/11-2013/14
Discussion points
How might your institution interpret what it means to
“successfully complete a degree programme”?
What would your institution deem
an acceptable probability of success?
How can your institution help ensure that
Access Threshold students realise their potential?