Our Admissions Team is outstanding!

The University’s Admissions Team has been billed outstanding at the 2013 Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards in London, and was described by judges as an excellent winner.

The team, who has had to cope with the numerous policy changes taking effect over the last year, including the introduction of £9,000 tuition fees, were commended for efficiency, customer service and promoting widening participation within admissions.

Alan Carlile, Head of Admissions, said: “This award means such a lot to the team.

“To be recognised as outstanding in this field is really pleasing and showcases the excellent admissions work being completed across the University, in academic departments and professional services.”

Beating off competition from five other finalists, the team was praised for overhauling their systems to ensure a swift and efficient service, which included the introduction of the Applicant Information Desk (AiD).

AiD, which was set up in October 2011, is a dedicated enquiry desk that deals with questions from students, parents, teachers and other interested parties, either in person or by email or telephone.

In 2011 and 2012, the service processed more than 30,000 enquiries and responded to more than 20,000 emails and 8,000 telephone calls with a target response of 48 hours.

Sheffield’s Disrupted Studies Scheme, introduced last year, also drew particular praise from the judges.
Run by a senior admissions officer, the scheme helped students to inform the University about any circumstances that may have affected their academic achievement, such as bereavement, care duties, a long-standing medical condition or illness.

The lead judge in the category, Ken Sloan, registrar and chief operating officer at the University of Warwick, said the scheme should be commended for promoting efforts to widen participation and allowing students to provide more context about specific difficulties they had faced.

“The combination of initiatives in admissions meant the University of Sheffield is an excellent winner here,” he said.

The annual Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards celebrate the sector’s leadership, management, financial and business skills and showcase the extraordinary innovation, teamwork and commercial acumen of UK higher education institutions. To find out more please visit: http://www.thelmawards.co.uk/