Queen's University Admissions: Fair Selection & English Language Requirements, Study notes of Marketing

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POSTGRADUATE

ADMISSIONS

ADMISSIONS POLICY

2021 ENTRY

ADMISSIONS AND ACCESS

SERVICE

Postgraduate Admissions Policy

 - Entry in the Academic Year 2021- 

• 1.1 Introduction 1. Context, Governance and Responsibilities Page
• 1.2 Scope of the Policy
• 1.3 Institutional Context - 1.3.1 Vision - 1.3.2 Corporate Plan 2016-2021
• 1.4 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• 1.5 Quality Assurance
• 1.6 Roles and Responsibilities
• 1.7 Training
• 2.1 Entrance Qualifications and Admissions Procedures 2. Pre- Application Information
• 2.2 Applicant Enquiries
• 3.1 Criteria for Admission and Application Procedures 3. The Application Process - 3.1.1 Postgraduate Taught - 3.1.2 Postgraduate Research
• 3.2 Closing Dates for Applications
• 3.3 Data Protection
• 3.4 Fraudulent Submissions, Statements and Omissions
• 3.5 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• 3.6 Name Change
• 4.1 Selection Procedures 4. Selection and Communication of Decisions
  • 4.1.1 Postgraduate Taught
  • 4.1.2 Postgraduate Research
• 4.2 Turnaround Time for Applications
• 4.3 Applicants with a Criminal Record
• 4.4 Notifying Applicants
• 4.5 Offers
• 4.6 Terms and Conditions
• 4.7 Applicants with a Disability or Long Term Condition
• 5.1 Deferral Requests 5. Post-Decision Procedures
• 5.2 Applicants with Mitigating Circumstances
• 5.3 Significant Changes to Programmes

1. Context, Governance and Responsibilities

1.1 Introduction

Queen’s University Belfast, a member of the Russell Group of 24 leading UK research-intensive universities, is a world-class international university that supports outstanding students and staff, working in world-class facilities, conducting leading-edge education and research, and which is focused on the needs of society. At the heart of the University’s Vision is dedication to creating a vibrant and ambitious postgraduate and postdoctoral culture across the University, with significant increases in postgraduate taught, postgraduate research and postdoctoral numbers ahead.

The University is committed to providing a professional admissions service. The Postgraduate Admissions Policy and accompanying procedures are transparent, fair and consistently applied which ensures that prospective students understand how the admissions process works and applications are processed in a timely manner. In addition, the University:

• Encourages applications from suitably qualified applicants
• Selects on the basis of fair, transparent, reliable and objective criteria, applied equitably and consistently
• Admits the best qualified applicants to postgraduate taught degree courses and research programmes in line with the University’s research priorities, the targets agreed in University Faculty and School^1 academic plans and the overall constraints applied by government and professional bodies.

1.2 Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to the admission of postgraduate (research and taught) students to Queen’s University Belfast. It provides information on procedures and related matters together with details of the responsibilities of those involved in the process. It applies to entry in the academic year 2021- and is kept under review and updated periodically to reflect progress in realising the University’s Vision.

1.3 Institutional Context

1.3.1 Vision 2020

The University Vision will take the institution to 2020 and beyond. The Vision is based on world-class leadership in the pursuit of excellence, impacting society:

“A world-class international university that supports outstanding students and staff, working in world-class facilities, conducting leading-edge education and research, focused on the needs of society.”

The priorities for growth underpinning the Vision are:

(^1) Throughout this policy, where reference has been made to University Schools (‘Schools’) and Heads

of School, this includes University Institutes.

• Increasing external research income
• Increasing the postgraduate student population
• Increasing the international student population

1.3.2 Corporate Plan 2016-

The Corporate Plan 2016-2021 provides a roadmap for Queen’s to support the delivery of Vision 2020 and can be accessed at:

http://www.qub.ac.uk/corporate-plan

The Admissions Policy derives from Vision 2020 and the Corporate Plan 2016-2021.

1.4 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The University values and promotes equality and diversity and will seek to ensure that it treats all individuals fairly and with dignity and respect. It is opposed to all forms of unlawful discrimination.

The University will provide equality of opportunity and treatment to all, regardless of a person’s gender identity/expression (this includes Transgender and Non-Binary people); pregnancy or maternity status; marital or civil partnership status; whether or not they have dependants (including caring responsibilities); religious belief or political opinion; race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, including Irish Travellers); disability; sexual orientation and age.

The University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy applies to:

 All staff, applicants for employment and anyone who works for the University on a paid or voluntary basis, (including members of Senate and its core committees) and relates to all decisions in respect of recruitment and selection, progression, promotion, access to training and the provision of terms and conditions of employment; and

 All students and applicants for courses and relates to all decisions in respect of the admission of students and the provision of all services to students including teaching and supervision, assessment, progression and award, and support services.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy is reflective of the University’s commitment to develop fully and utilise the talents of all its staff and students. The policy is available at:

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/hr- filestore/Filetoupload,866894,en.pdf

In addition to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy , the University’s Trans Equality Policy states that “Students will not be denied access to

• Faculty and Schools’ webpages

The University makes every effort to ensure that the information it provides is accurate when it is published. Printed materials such as the Prospectus and subject-specific literature are provided more than 12 months before a programme begins. Applicants should therefore refer to the online Course Finder to check for updated information about programme content and application criteria.

2.2 Applicant Enquiries

The Admissions and Access Service processes the vast majority of postgraduate applications to the University and provides pre-application advice and guidance. This includes responding to enquiries on how to apply, the acceptability of qualifications and entrance requirements. The Admissions and Access Service can be contacted by telephone, email or post:

Admissions and Access Service Lanyon North Queen’s University Belfast Belfast BT7 1NN

Email: postgrad.admissions@qub.ac.uk/intl.student@qub.ac.uk Telephone: +44(0)28 9097 3004

3. The Application Process

3.1 Criteria for Admission and Application Procedures

3.1.1 Postgraduate Taught

For the majority of courses, applications are considered by the Admissions and Access Service on behalf of the School. Decisions are made by the Service on the basis of clear and approved written criteria supplied by the School and non-standard applications are referred to the School, when necessary.

For the remainder of courses, applications are considered by the School. The School has overall responsibility for the admission of postgraduate students and Heads of School are responsible for ensuring that suitable arrangements for postgraduate admissions are in place (see Appendix 1 – Roles and Responsibilities).

The minimum academic requirement for admission to a Master’s degree is normally a Second Class Honours Degree from a UK or Republic of Ireland Higher Education Provider or an equivalent qualification from outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, acceptable to the University. Specific and alternative entrance requirements (academic and non-academic) for individual courses are available on the online Course Finder.

Applications for admission to the majority of postgraduate taught courses are submitted online via the Postgraduate Applications Portal (http://go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply). Exceptionally where this is not possible, a University paper application form (available from the Admissions and Access Service) will be accepted.

The online application should not be used for the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Studies offered by the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, which has a separate process (www.qub.ac.uk/ipls/Admissions). See also Appendix 2.

At the time of application, applicants will be asked to indicate whether they wish to study on a full-time or part-time basis. Applicants are advised to consult the online Course Finder for information on modes of study available for postgraduate taught courses.

The majority of postgraduate taught courses commence in late September however a small number of postgraduate taught courses also commence in late January. Information on starting dates is available on the Postgraduate Applications Portal (http://go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply).

3.1.2 Postgraduate Research

The Study Regulations for Research Degree Programmes comply with the QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education, Chapter B11: Research Degrees (2012). These are available on the University’s website at:

http://go.qub.ac.uk/CoPResearchDegrees

Applications are considered by the School which has overall responsibility for the admission of postgraduate students. Heads of School are responsible for ensuring that suitable arrangements for postgraduate admissions are in place in their School (see Appendix 1

• Roles and Responsibilities).

The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours Degree from a UK or Republic of Ireland Higher Education Provider, or an equivalent qualification from outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, acceptable to the University. Specific entrance requirements for individual programmes are available on the online Course Finder.

The main criteria will be academic together with an outline of the research proposal.^2 Relevant publications, professional research experience or other achievements by the applicant may also be considered as additional evidence of suitability for admission. The aim is to ensure that only students who appear likely to successfully complete a research programme of study are admitted.

(^2) See Appendix 2 for information on procedures specific to the Doctorate in Educational, Child and

Adolescent Psychology.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/AcademicAffairs/ResearchDegreePr ogrammes/HigherDoctorates/

Applications for admission to postgraduate research programmes are submitted online via the Postgraduate Applications Portal (http://go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply). Exceptionally, where this is not possible, a University paper application form (available from the Admissions and Access Service) will be accepted.

The online application should not be used for the Doctorate in Educational, Child and Adolescent Psychology which has a separate process (www.qub.ac.uk/psy). See also Appendix 2. Applicants to the PhD by Published Works and Higher Doctorate degrees must complete a paper application form which is available from the Admissions and Access Service.

Applicants will be asked to propose a start date in their application form^3. If the School requires the start date to be changed, this will be communicated to the applicant by the Admissions and Access Service.

3.2 Closing Dates for Applications

In principle, there are no closing dates for the majority of postgraduate taught courses. However, applicants are advised to apply as early as possible, and ideally no later than 31 July for courses which commence in late September. Early application is particularly important for those courses where there is a high demand for places and for international applicants to allow sufficient time for visa application. Where closing dates are applicable, details will be provided on the online Course Finder. Information is also provided on the Postgraduate Applications Portal (http://go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply). If demand for a course is high, it may be necessary for the University to introduce an earlier closing date and this will be advertised on the Course Finder.

For postgraduate research, each School has its own closing date and applicants should check the relevant School webpage for confirmation of this deadline and eligibility requirements.

For University administered funding, the School will consider any application that is received by its closing date if the applicant meets the published eligibility criteria for the funding and has indicated that they wish to be considered for an award. Applications submitted beyond the proposed deadline will still be accepted at the discretion of the School concerned but consideration for funding cannot be guaranteed. Applicants who wish to be considered for AHRC funded Doctoral Training awards should refer to the Graduate School website for further details regarding the application process. Applicants are also advised to check the relevant School webpage for information on deadline dates for the submission of applications for any additional funded research projects, which may become available outside the normal timescales.

3.3 Data Protection

Queen's University Belfast is required to comply with data protection legislation. The University is committed to ensuring that all employees, registered students, agents, contractors and data processors comply with the legislation regarding the processing and confidentiality of personal data held by the University.

The University has a Data Protection Policy and a Student Privacy Notice, which detail how and why personal data is collected, how it is used and an applicant’s rights in relation to this data. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Student Privacy Notice are available at:

http://www.qub.ac.uk/about/Leadership-and-structure/Registrars- Office/Information-Compliance-Unit/Data-Protection/

Applicants for postgraduate study should understand that the University has a legitimate interest in processing their personal data for the purposes of:

• Assessing their eligibility for admission as a postgraduate student and for funding purposes.
• Contacting their Higher Education Provider to ascertain exact marks achieved by them in their undergraduate and/or postgraduate degrees for the purposes of ranking their application in the competition(s) for postgraduate funding at Queen’s University Belfast.

3.4 Fraudulent Submissions, Statements and Omissions

Information provided on an application form for postgraduate study should be true, complete and accurate and no information requested should be omitted. If any information is inaccurate, has been omitted or if a transcript is not provided (if applicable), the University reserves the right to cancel the application and the applicant shall have no claim against the University in relation to this.

Offers of a place are based on the information provided by the applicant and are made in good faith by the University. Queen’s University is not prepared to admit applicants who provide false statements/certificates/transcripts or other supporting documentation, who omit relevant information or submit work which is not deemed by the University to be unique to the applicant. Such applications are likely to lead to the withdrawal of an offer of a place or the student may be required to withdraw from the University, if registered. The applicant shall have no claim against the University in relation to this.

3.5 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• Evidence (from applicants for whom English is not their first language) of an acceptable level of proficiency in the use of the English Language, in the form of one of the qualifications on the University’s list of acceptable English Language qualifications, available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs. Applicants who are non-EU/EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements for English language for visa purposes. Further information is available at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.

4.1.2 Postgraduate Research

Admissions decisions will involve at least two members of the School’s staff (one of whom may be the Head of School), approved by the Head of School (or nominee).

The main selection criteria will be academic together with an outline of the research proposal.^4 Selectors will make their admissions decisions on the basis of the criteria for the individual programme which will normally include:

• The applicant’s academic qualifications.
• Interviews, admissions tests, written work, portfolio submission or relevant work experience.
• References (normally two supportive references are required).
• The proposed topic of research:

o Can it be studied to the depth required for the degree? o Can it be completed within the time limits for the degree?

• The availability of a suitable supervisory team for the duration of the research.
• The availability of the resources which will be required to support the research.
• Evidence (from applicants for whom English is not their first language) of an acceptable level of proficiency in the use of the English Language, in the form of one of the qualifications on the University’s list of acceptable English Language qualifications, available at:

http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

Applicants who are non-EU/EEA nationals must also satisfy UKVI requirements for English language for visa purposes. For further information please visit:

(^3) See Appendix 2 for information on procedures specific to the Doctorate in Educational Child and

Adolescent Psychology.

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.

• The applicant’s funding arrangements.

Applicants will not be admitted unless appropriate supervision, resources and facilities can be provided for the duration of the research.

Each research student will have a minimum of two supervisors who will be part of a supervisory team. There will be a principal supervisor, and a second supervisor will normally be appointed in a supporting role. A third supervisor may, exceptionally, be appointed where a student’s research is interdisciplinary.

4.2 Turnaround Time for Applications

Selectors aim to make a decision online within ten working days of receipt of a complete postgraduate research application and within five working days in the case of a complete postgraduate taught application. Decisions may take longer at peak times, if further information is required by the Selector or if an application deadline is in operation^4 as shortlisting and/or interviews may be required.

Decisions for the majority of postgraduate taught courses are made centrally by Admissions Officers in the Admissions and Access Service. However, where decisions are processed by Schools the decision is returned to the Admissions and Access Service, together with the names of the selectors involved in the decision-making process. An application is deemed to be complete when sufficient information has been received in order to make a decision.

Information for applicants on key milestones in the application process is available at:

http://go.qub.ac.uk/PGApplicationGuide

4.3 Applicants with a Criminal Record

The University acknowledges the key role of education in the rehabilitative process and a criminal record will not preclude an applicant from being offered a place at the University. However some programmes are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and students are required to disclose all spent and unspent convictions. If your programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act you will be asked either by UCAS (UG students) (or on the Direct Admissions Portal (DAP) PG students) to declare the information as part of your application to the programme. It is your responsibility to check any specific programme requirements. Failure to disclose could jeopardise your enrolment status.

There are also specific disclosure requirements for courses leading to membership of a profession/professional body and/or for Fitness to Practise considerations. These requirements normally include disclosure of spent and unspent convictions and may also include disclosures concerning health. Again, it is the student’s responsibility to comply with relevant professional body standards. The University will investigate the criminal record of a new applicant

The offer letter (which, for postgraduate research applicants, is sent with an additional information sheet) and the Admissions and Access Service guidance notes include or refer applicants to details on:

• The expected total fees.
• Extra charges (such as 'bench' fees) which will be levied and any other expenditure on practical items relevant to the individual applicant, if applicable.
• ATAS clearance and a supporting letter, if applicable.
• How to pay a deposit, if applicable^5.
• The expected start date.
• The expected period of study for which the research applicant will be enrolled, if applicable.
• The requirements which the University places on the research student, if applicable.

The Admissions and Access Service guidance notes are provided via the ‘New Students’ webpage and a link to the webpage, www.qub.ac.uk/new-students/ is supplied in the offer letter. Non-EU/EEA applicants also receive a paper copy of the guidance notes with their offer letter. The ‘New Students’ webpage, which has been designed for applicants who are holding offers, includes information on replying to an offer, returning degree results, financial responsibilities, applying for accommodation and other support services provided to Queen’s students. For non-EU/EEA applicants, detailed information in relation to immigration procedures and the International Students’ Orientation programme is also provided.

For Postgraduate Research applicants, additional notes on the requirements which the University places on the research student are supplied, along with a link to the University’s Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes (http://go.qub.ac.uk/CoPResearchDegrees). The Code provides links to the Study Regulations for Research Degree Programmes and outlines University procedures, processes and areas of good practice.

The Admissions and Access Service advises applicants, in their electronic offer letter, to log on to the Postgraduate Applications Portal in order to accept or decline an offer of a place. Those who have been offered University administered funding are asked to accept or decline by completing and returning the relevant form(s) attached to the letter of offer for University administered funding, by a specified deadline (normally within ten working days). Failure to provide the completed forms may result in the offer of the studentship being withdrawn. In addition applicants awarded a studentship are required to provide a copy of their degree certificate(s) to the Graduate School with their studentship acceptance forms. For applicants with unconditional offers, this should be by the deadline specified in the studentship offer. For applicants with conditional offers, copies of degree certificate(s) should be

(^5) See Appendix 2 for information on the courses this applies to. For information specific to

international applicants, see Section 6.

provided by no later than 23 July 2021. Applicants holding an offer conditional on successful completion of a Master’s degree will be required to provide confirmation of the official final degree result when available. Applicants must satisfy the funding body’s minimum academic requirements (normally a 2. Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) and must have official, final results of all qualifications to be used to meet the academic requirements before the start of the studentship. A later start date may be required depending on when the official final degree result will be available. The University may accept alternative evidence of official qualifications obtained, eg a letter on official paper from their Higher Education Provider to verify the qualification obtained, with the official Master’s degree certificate to be provided when available.

4.6 Terms and Conditions

Applicants who receive an offer for a postgraduate taught course^6 will be provided with a copy of the University’s Terms and Conditions. This will be sent to applicants in a durable medium.

4.7 Applicants with a Disability or Long Term Condition

The University welcomes and encourages applications from students with disabilities and long term conditions. Applications are considered on the same grounds as non-disabled applicants. An individual’s disability or long term condition will not influence the University’s decision to offer a place.

On receipt of an offer from the University, applicants who have disclosed a disability or long term condition will be contacted by the University’s Disability Service and asked to provide further information on their condition.

Please note: If you did not disclose a disability or long term condition on your application and wish to do so, please contact the service directly by emailing: disability.office@qub.ac.uk.

The information provided by applicants will be used to assess the individual reasonable adjustments that they should receive if they are accepted and placed on their chosen course at Queen’s

Where it is anticipated from the information provided that the applicant will require significant support or will require modifications to the academic programme, they will be invited to meet staff from Disability Services and relevant members from the academic School to discuss the applicant’s individual needs. In a small number of cases where there are fitness to practise concerns or where reasonable adjustments may not be feasible to implement (which may arise as a result of the disclosure of a disability or long- term condition after an offer of a place has been made or after a place has been taken up), advice will be obtained by Disability Services from the School, the University’s Occupational Health Service and appropriate external agencies to ensure every reasonable effort is made to support the student in taking up the offer on their chosen programme at Queen’s. Following these discussions, staff from Disability Services and the School will offer to meet with the applicant to discuss the support available to enable them to make an informed judgement on the suitability of the programme. In the exceptional and unlikely event where

(^6) Not applicable to PGT programmes taught at CAFRE.

5.4 Feedback

The Admissions and Access Service will provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants on request. Admissions and Access Service staff are able to respond to most queries about decisions to the satisfaction of the vast majority of applicants. The request for feedback should be made within six weeks of the decision to the Admissions and Access Service by letter or email:

Admissions and Access Service Lanyon North Queen’s University Belfast Belfast BT7 1NN

postgrad.admissions@qub.ac.uk

The Admissions and Access Service aims to respond to requests for feedback within ten working days of receipt of the request. The Admissions and Access Service will provide feedback in writing by email or letter. Following this feedback, if applicants believe that they have grounds for a formal review of the admissions decision, they should consult the University’s Admissions Appeals and Complaints procedure.

5.5 Appeals and Complaints

The University aims to consider all applicants fairly and in line with the principles outlined in the Postgraduate Admissions Policy. However, it is recognised that there may be occasions where applicants wish to request an appeal (review of the admissions decision), or make a complaint about the handling of their application or enquiry.

The University’s Appeals and Complaints procedure (attached as Appendix 4) is based on the University-wide Student Complaints Procedure. It covers all applicants to University credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing courses, and can therefore be used by persons who are not currently Queen's students.

The procedure covers the following types of appeal and/or complaint:

• Complaints about the University's handling of a query or an application for admission.
• Allegations that admissions criteria were not applied correctly or even- handedly.
• Emergence of new material information which may have affected the decision.

5.6 Verification of Qualifications

All applicants who have accepted an offer of a place to undertake either a postgraduate taught course or research programme of study are required to present their original qualification certificates or a certified copy (and official translations in English if necessary) when they first register as a postgraduate

student at the University, or return to start a further postgraduate programme of study.

6. International Applications

International applications are welcomed and should be submitted in the normal way through the online Postgraduate Applications Portal. The University offers international recruitment agents the facility to create and manage postgraduate applications through an associated Agent Portal.

6.1 Status for Tuition Fee Purposes

The University charges different levels of tuition fee. The amount a student will be required to pay depends on a number of criteria.

Details of these criteria and further guidance can be obtained from UKCISA: The UK Council for International Student Affairs. UKCISA provides advice and information to international students studying (or intending to study) in the UK. Information and advice to students is free. For more information please visit www.ukcisa.org.uk

The University's International Admissions Team will decide an applicant’s fee status on the basis of the relevant fees regulations. Fee status is determined in accordance with the following regulations:

The Student Fees (Qualifying Courses and Persons) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (as amended).

In addition to the information supplied at the time of application, applicants may be asked to provide additional details about themselves and their family to help the University assess fee status. If this is necessary, applicants may be asked to complete a Fee Assessment Questionnaire. Applicants should also provide scanned copies of relevant documents (for example copies of passports, official letters, evidence of travel, employment etc.) to support the information provided.

The Student Finance Framework has been developed by Queen’s University Belfast to provide a consolidated guide on all matters which have an impact on tuition fees and associated charges. The Framework also includes a Fee Appeals Process. The Student Finance Framework and full details of the Fee Appeals Process (contained within Section 11 of the Framework document) including information on the Grounds for an Appeal are available at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/tuitionfees

6.2 Comparability of International Qualifications

Qualifications obtained from countries outside the UK and Republic of Ireland should be deemed comparable and meet the equivalent level for entry to the course/research programme applied for. The University will only recognise qualifications that are awarded by suitably quality-assured Higher Education Providers with recognised degree awarding authority and listed as recognised Higher Education Providers by the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC- www.naric.org.uk) or the British Council (www.britishcouncil.org).