Admissions Policies and Procedures
Scope
This admissions policy aims to enable our applicants, their parents, teachers/advisors, partner institutions, and other supporters to understand how the Institute recruits, selects, and admits our students. The Policy also acts as a framework for staff involved in the admissions process to provide consistent advice and transparent decision-making on applications.
The policy applies to all programmes of study that lead to awards from both the institute and the validating universities. The policy and procedures follow the advice and guidance provided by the QAA: Advice and Guidance Admissions, Recruitment and Widening Access (2018).
The QAA guidance states:
· The provider has a reliable, fair and inclusive admissions system.
· The provider actively engages students, individually and collectively, in the quality of their educational experience.
· The provider has fair and transparent procedures for handling complaints and appeals, which are accessible to all students.
This Policy also acknowledges the Institute’s Sponsorship Duties for issuing CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) to overseas students during the admissions process.
General Principles
MIHE has an established reputation as an Islamic Higher Education provider committed to inclusivity and widening participation. It is committed to recruiting high-quality students by identifying merit and potential and ensuring its admissions process is fair and transparent to all, regardless of background. MIHE values a rich diversity of students and, through our admissions policies and procedures, assesses applicants consistently, transparently, fairly, and equally without discrimination. We aim to recruit students from a variety of backgrounds who have the potential ability to complete an award successfully.
MIHE endeavours to ensure that its admissions process adheres to the following principles:
· Policies and procedures for applying, selecting and admitting to higher education courses are transparent and accessible.
· Using fair, reliable and appropriate assessment methods that enable the Institute to select students with the potential to complete the course successfully.
· Reduce or remove unnecessary barriers for prospective students.
· Information provided to prospective students for recruitment and widening access purposes supports students in making informed decisions.
· All staff, representatives and partners engaged in delivering admissions, recruitment and widening access are appropriately trained and resourced.
· Continually develop widening access strategies and policies inline with local and national guidance.
Equality and Diversity
The Markfield Institute promotes equal opportunities and ensures no discrimination on the grounds of political opinion, age, colour, disability, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, race, religion or sexual orientation in the admission of students. It has a legal responsibility to adhere to the Equality Act 2010, which includes the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995,the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act of 2001 and the Disability Discrimination Act of 2005. These Acts require that the Institute pays due regard to the need to: “advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it”. The Act confirms that a person has a disability if (a) they have a physical or mental impairment and (b) the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
MIHE welcomes students with disabilities and seeks to facilitate their inclusion. However, considerations to our Fitness to Study Policy, health and safety of staff and students and the physical location of sections of the MIHE campus may restrict access for a few students. MIHE will make reasonable adjustments where existing arrangements or provisions place disabled candidates at a substantial disadvantage and offer all reasonable assistance in enabling such students to meet academic requirements. MIHE will operate strict, legally compliant procedures in maintaining confidential procedures.
We aim to ensure that all students achieve their full academic potential and that no student is disadvantaged because of a disability in their admission to and participation in the learning environment of MIHE and in demonstrating that they have achieved the learning outcomes of their programme of study. Our dedicated staff will endeavour to support you through your journey at MIHE, from admissions to enrolment and graduation.
Widening Participation
MIHE will provide high quality learning opportunities to students from a broad range of backgrounds, and from communities of people who have traditionally not accessed Higher Education. MIHE sees widening participation as an integral part of its mission and ensures that its strategy is sufficiently proactive and continually under review.
All those who are capable of benefiting from Higher Education are encouraged to apply. Consideration is applied to enhancing access to education by enabling work and other relevant experience to be presented as a supplement, or alternative to formal academic qualifications. We will endeavor to facilitate the entry of participants into Higher Education who, by virtue of either their possession of a recognized qualification (or other record of achievement) or their maturity and experience, are deemed likely to fulfil their specific learning objectives, have the ability to benefit from the learning experience and to achieve the standard of the award. MIHE’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy is provided in MIHE’s Institutional Governance and Quality Assurance Handbook. A guide for students is available on the MIHE website. Where appropriate, students are offered transitional support to assist them in reaching the standards required.
Recruitment Information
MIHE endeavours to provide high-quality information, advice, and guidance to help potential students decide whether to apply to study at the Institute. The Institute’s website (www.mihe.ac.uk) provides updated information on all courses, including entry requirements, course structure, and module details.
MIHE will ensure that accurate, relevant, and current information is available to applicants, enabling them to make informed decisions about their options. The primary sources of information on undergraduate and postgraduate admissions are:
a) MIHE’s course handbooks containing course-specific information;
b) MIHE’s website, which displays updated information on admissions and courses;
c) MIHE’s open days and online information sessions.
We will ensure that all information issued on our courses is accurate at the time of publication or posting and that information posted on our website is current. If any programme changes are made, the affected applicants will be notified immediately. Where a programme has to be withdrawn, MIHE will explore, with the applicant, a transfer of the offer to an alternative programme, where appropriate.
Before applying, enquirers and their families are encouraged to visit the main campus in Markfield, either at a formal open day or by arranging an informal tour. Available dates and further details are available on our website. Potential applicants can also join our online information sessions to learn more about the courses and facilities available for students.
Overseas applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK are advised to apply as early as possible to ensure sufficient time to issue a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) and secure a visa. Information for international applicants can also be found on the Institute’s website: https://www.mihe.ac.uk/international-students
Each programme page on our website lists the entry requirements. Applicants holding qualifications not specified on our website may wish to enquire with the admissions teams before applying whether or not their qualifications meet the entry requirements. For less commonly encountered qualifications, this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor/course leader. MIHE reserves the right to exercise academic judgment and discretion when assessing prior attainment.
All applicants to full-time and part-time programmes must apply and adhere to MIHE application procedures. The application form should be completed in its entirety. Applicants are welcome to seek advice on completing the form from the admissions team before applying.
Declaration of Criminal Convictions
In accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), students with criminal records may apply to undertake courses at MIHE. The Institute is committed to equal opportunities and ensuring that individuals with criminal convictions/cautions receive fair treatment per the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, these aims must be achieved without prejudice to the safety and well-being of the other Institute’s community members. Indeed, there may be occasions where this has to be placed ahead of all other considerations.
Applicants are required to disclose any relevant and unspent criminal convictions they hold. If an applicant discloses a conviction that is not relevant or is spent, the information will not be kept on the applicant’s record. Relevant criminal convictions are currently defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as those convictions for offences against the person, whether of a violent or sexual nature, and convictions for offences involving unlawfully supplying controlled drugs or substances where the conviction concerns commercial drug dealing or trafficking.
Spent convictions, as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, are not considered to be relevant and do not need to be disclosed unless the individual programme specifically requires it. However, it is important to note that custodial sentences of more than four years in duration will never be considered spent. Further advice and guidance on whether a conviction is spent can be found through organisations such as Unlock at http://www.unlock.org.uk/
Applicants for the Certificate in Muslim Chaplaincy course may be required to obtain Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks, which are required to secure placements in public sector organisations.
Procedure for considering criminal convictions: If an applicant is made an offer of a place, they will be sent an offer letter detailing the conditions of their offer. They must disclose any relevant and unspent convictions by contacting the Admissions Office as part of that offer.
If the conviction is not relevant (according to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) or is spent, the applicant will be informed that their conviction is not relevant, and the information will be deleted and not held against their record.
If the conviction is relevant and unspent, the Admissions Office will make an initial assessment – it may send the applicant a criminal convictions declaration form, which includes a request for permission to contact a third party, such as a probation officer, if appropriate. The Admissions Office will complete a risk assessment, which will consider the nature of the offence, the context of the circumstances, when the offence occurred, and the type of sentence given.
If the offence is deemed low risk, then no further action will be taken in relation to the offence. If the case is considered medium or high risk, then it will be considered by the Admissions Committee and, if appropriate, the Registrar and the Rector of the Institute. If required, the Institute will consult with the programme validating body on this matter. Once a decision is made, the applicant will be informed formally. Decisions will typically be one of the following:
· The offer will be unaffected, and no additional non-academic conditions will be applied
· The academic offer will be unaffected, but certain non-academic conditions will be applied
· The offer will be rescinded
The applicant has the right to appeal a decision. Appeals must be made in writing to the Institute’s Registrar within14 days of receiving the written notification.
Details relating to an applicant’s criminal history may be held confidentially in line with the Institute’s retention policy. They will not normally be disclosed to departments in the Institute with the exception of rare cases where relevant colleagues in certain departments, such as the Accommodation Office or Security, will need to be made aware.
Selection Procedures
When reviewing your application, the admissions team will consider your academic background and potential. They will also consider your personal interests, experience, and suitability for a course. Applicants are offered places on most courses based on their academic qualifications, personal statements, and references. The admissions process aims to select students who have the ability and motivation to benefit from the degrees they intend to pursue. Offers at the agreed level are made to applicants who can demonstrate that they meet the academic entry requirements for the programme at the level that the Institute has identified for admission before the course start date.
MIHE reserves the right to refuse entry to applicants who cannot demonstrate the requirements for admission.
The decision on whether or not to interview candidates is based on the application. Course tutors may decide they need more information than that provided by the applicant and, therefore, wish to interview the candidate. It is a regulatory requirement to interview all international applicants. However, UK applicants will not usually be called for an interview if they provide evidence that they meet the entry requirements for the course they have applied for. However, applicants who do not have the standard/equivalent entry qualifications, such as the level of English language, will be required to attend an interview and/or take an English language test to ascertain their potential for taking the course.
Candidates without the standard/equivalent academic qualifications will be generally called for an interview to assess their suitability to engage with the course they wish to apply for. Applicants may be required to attend an interview and, if required, undertake a written test and/or to have undertaken recent and relevant work experience in an area connected to the programme applied for. Interviews and set tasks will be conducted in line with appropriate good practice. In some cases, a group interview may be deemed appropriate. Feedback on an applicant’s performance will be made available within two weeks from the date of the interview/test if requested. Personal statements and references may also play apart in the selection process as they can demonstrate an applicant’s suitability for the course.
Applicants holding non-UK qualifications will require confirmation that they possess the UK equivalent of their overseas qualifications and must produce a valid certificate from UK-ENIC (formerly the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom – NARIC): https://enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx.The UKVI Student Route guidelines will remain in force concerning issuing CAS where required by UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI). Overseas applicants will also be required to demonstrate their proficiency in English. MIHE adheres to the Home Office's approved Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) as evidence of English language ability. Applicants must ensure they comply with these requirements. Please see this link for further guidance on English language requirements:
Research degree applicants must complete the postgraduate application form and submit a research proposal. The MIHE Research Degrees Committee reviews these documents and makes application decisions based on the merits of the application, supporting documentation, and the availability of supervisory capacity and subject expertise.
All applicants must also provide at least one reference; some programmes may require additional references, which will be communicated to the applicant. Undergraduate applicants will typically be required to provide a reference from their school/college and postgraduate applicants will normally be required to provide a reference from their university study. Where an applicant has not been in education for more than five years, a reference from an employer may be used at the Institute’s discretion.
Offers
Following the appropriate recruitment process, successful applicants will be offered either a conditional or unconditional offer, based on MIHE's required entry qualification level for each particular course and admissions cycle. Applicants exceeding or meeting the conditions will be offered a place. Applicants who fail to meet the conditions by a small margin may be offered a place on an alternative programme (if student numbers allow).
Exemptions to modules or entry to the second or other year of undergraduate programmes will depend on the availability of places and approval and assessment by the RPL process, for which a fee may be charged. A reference from a previous institution as evidence of work/professional experience may also be required to support the RPL application.
MIHE will ensure adequate and appropriate arrangements to provide feedback to applicants who were unsuccessful in securing their course's admission. We will also provide applicants who have accepted a place with information on arrangements for enrolment, registration, induction, and orientation and ensure that these arrangements promote efficient and effective integration of entrants fully as students.
Enrolment and Induction of New Students
MIHE will provide written guidance on enrolment and induction for new students. New students will be invited to attend an induction programme prior to the commencement of their course so that they can be appropriately introduced to MIHE's culture and operation.
In the case of any significant change to a programme to which students have already applied, MIHE will inform successful applicants at the earliest opportunity, and they will be advised of any alternative options available, including the arrangements for enrolment, registration and induction.
Deferral:
Applicants holding unconditional offers may defer entry for one academic year or to another date within the same academic year (e.g. can defer the start of studies from one semester to the following one). However, this is at the discretion of the Institute. They will need to apply in writing specifying reasons for deferral. Applicants may have to undertake renewed or additional selection criteria if the course admission requirements have changed since the original application.
Responsibilities of Applicants
Applicants are expected to provide MIHE with accurate information on their qualifications and abilities and act in good faith in their dealings with the Institute. We reserve the right to withdraw an offer to any applicant who has gained that offer following the submission of incorrect and fake/misleading information or produced forged documents in any form. Applicants must meet all admissions deadlines set by MIHE and respond fully to any communications within a given time scale.
Complaints and Appeals
Applicants concerned about possible procedural errors, irregularities, and maladministration of their application may file a complaint under MIHE’s formal complaint system. Details may be obtained from the Admissions Office. Unsuccessful candidates will be offered feedback, but a formal appeal against the outcome of an admissions decision is only allowed where applicants can show that MIHE’s decision was discriminatory.
A formal appeal must be made in writing directly to the Student Administrative Officer. Any applicant requesting detailed feedback or making a complaint or appeal will not be discriminated against in further applications on that basis. MIHE will ensure that procedures are in place for responding to applicants’ complaints about the operation of the admissions process and appeals about the outcome of a selection decision and ensure that all staff involved with admissions are familiar with the procedures.
If an applicant is unsuccessful in securing a place on the course he/she has applied for, they can appeal to the Admissions Committee to reconsider the application. Applicants should contact the admissions office for guidance on the appeals process. The office can provide information on deadlines, required documentation, and the steps in this process. In your appeal, you should clearly explain why you believe the decision should be reconsidered. This could involve highlighting any errors in the application process, providing new information, or explaining mitigating circumstances. It is also helpful to be concise and respectful in the appeal documents. Gather relevant supporting documents, such as academic transcripts, reference letters, or other evidence that strengthens your case for reconsideration. Follow the Institute’s instructions for submitting your appeal. Ensure your appeal is well-written, respectful, and clearly outlines the grounds for reconsideration. The Admissions Committee will consider the appeal in light of the information provided and contact the applicant with their final decision.
Applicants who have been unsuccessful can reapply in future application cycles. Before reapplying, it is essential to reflect on the feedback provided (if available) and make improvements to your application.
Confidentiality
All admissions activity is undertaken between the applicant and MIHE. Unless an applicant has consented in writing to share their data, personalised feedback will not be provided to a parent, teacher or other third party.
Roles and responsibilities
Admissions to MIHE are regulated and monitored by the Management Board, which approves selection criteria and ensures that all admissions are conducted in accordance with general principles. Our Admissions Office is responsible for all administrative processes and works together with a team of academic staff from MIHE and professional staff from partnership organisations. The Student Administrative Officers are responsible for ensuring that admissions procedures are operated effectively, fairly and consistently and that administrative staff have been fully trained. All staff in Admissions regularly attend training sessions at MIHE and those held by the validating body, where updates on new qualifications and admissions information are given. The Admissions Committee comprises the Students Admissions Officer, Registrar/Senior Administrative Officer, and relevant Course Leader. The Senior Management Team is responsible for ensuring that only appropriately qualified, trained and experienced academic staff undertake selection procedures in accordance with the criteria approved by the Management Board.
The Admissions Office is responsible for complying with the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI)Sponsorship duties in issuing CAS documents to overseas applicants, logging relevant data about all new applicants, and ensuring that anyone admitted to a programme at MIHE is a genuine student.
Monitoring and Review
MIHE is keen to ensure that its recruitment and admissions processes work effectively, are fair and transparent and are subject to continual enhancement. All policies, procedures and processes related to recruitment, admissions, selection, induction and enrolment are reviewed regularly.
MIHE will regularly review its Admissions policies and procedures to ensure that they continue to support the institution's mission and strategic objectives and remain current and valid in the light of changing circumstances.
