Theme 2: Student Profile: Access, Transition and Admission Processes
Introduction
The following is a collection of AQA resources and selected external weblinks intended to assist New Zealand universities in facilitating excellent student experience and learning outcomes. These pages relate to each of the seven academic activity themes of Cycle 5, plus the overarching topic of 'self-review'. It should be noted that useful and relevant resources are not necessarily limited to those included here. In addition, because of the historical and reflective nature of audit, new or different practices may have emerged including within universities not identified here.
Please note: Where a resource does not derive from an AQA activity, we offer these on the basis that have been assessed or validated by another reputable agency. Readers should note that good practice takes place in context; any activity identified as good practice must be assessed by potential users for relevance and applicability to the context in which it might be used.
Theme 2: Student Profile: Access, Transition and Admission Processes
The Cycle 5 academic audit framework included three Guideline Statements under this Academic Activity Theme:
2.1 Admission and selection
Universities’ admission and selection policies and practices should be clear and publicly available to students.
2.2 Access and transition
Universities should use policies and/or procedures which are designed to assist the access and transition of equity groups or other priority groups.
2.3 Academic advice
Universities should use processes for providing academic advice and course information to both new and continuing students.
AQA Resources
AQA, 2014. New Zealand University Cycle 5 academic audit reports. (see recommendations, commendations and affirmations) *
AQA, 2014. USP Academic Audit 2013.
AQA, 2013. Cycle 5 Academic Audit Handbook for Universities.
AQA, 2013. Academic Quality in New Zealand Universities: An analysis of academic audit findings 2008 - 2012.
AQA, 2008 - 2012. Cycle 4 academic audit reports. (see recommendations, commendations and affirmations)
Other Resources
Bowles, Angela & Dobson, Alexandra & Fisher, Ron & McPhail, Ruth (2011). An Exploratory Investigation into First Year Student Transition to University. In Krause, K., Buckridge, M., Grimmer, C. and Purbrick-Illek, S. (Eds.) Research and Development in Higher Education: Reshaping Higher Education, 34 (pp. 61 – 71). Gold Coast, Australia, 4 – 7 July 2011.
Centre for the Study of Higher Education (Australia), 2010 onwards. Research publications (link to resources).
First Year Higher Education Centre- various (conference proceedings), 2013. 16th International First Year Higher Education Conference 2013, Wellington, New Zealand.
First Year Higher Education Centre, 1995 onwards. First Year Higher Education (FYHE) Centre (resources for universities).
Professor Trevor Gale and Professor Stephen Parker, commisssioned by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, 2011. Good Practice Report: Student transition into higher education.
Irena Madjar, Elizabeth McKinley, Marianna Deynzer, Alice van der Merwe, 2010. Stumbling blocks or stepping stones? Students’ experience of transition from low-mid decile schools to university.
Office for Learning and Teaching (Australia), various. Good Practice Resources (searchable database).
QAA, 2013. UK Quality Code for Higher Education. (see B2: Admissions)
QAA, 2005 onwards. First Year: Engagement and Empowerment. (Enhancement theme 2005-2008; resources, case studies and research).
Last updated: July 2018
