School of Optometry and Vision Sciences - Oversubscription Policy

1. Aims and Governance

1.1. In line with Cardiff University Admissions Policies and compliance with the QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education, the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences conducts its student selection process in an objective, open, transparent, fair, and non-discriminate manner. Whilst the selection process is bound by the University’s policy on Equality and Diversity, it is also subject to a maximum number of places based on a cap on numbers imposed by the General Optical Council (GOC) and limits for each Academic Year.

1.2. This policy is overseen by the Director of Admissions and the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences Admissions Team and sets out to define the conditions associated with oversubscription within the parameters of the commissioned number of places on any course.

2. Cap on number of places

2.1. The number of places available on the Optometry UG courses are capped by the GOC and additional places cannot be made available by the University.

3. Offer Making

3.1. The University manages its offer-making in such a way that, in normal circumstances, there is a place for every offer-holder who meets the exact conditions of their offer. However, there may be circumstances outside the reasonable control of the University (for example, unanticipated changes to assessment methods for GCSE or A-level qualifications, changes to the grading and/or award allocation process) which mean that the number of applicants meeting the conditions of an offer of a place on a course exceeds the number of places available (“oversubscription”).

4. Oversubscription

4.1. Oversubscription refers to the number of applicants meeting the conditions of an offer of a place on a course exceeding the number of places available for that year/date of entry.

5. Actions by Cardiff University School of Optometry and Vision Sciences in the event of oversubscription

5.1. In these circumstances, the University reserves the right to make an independent academic decision on offer holders and will allocate places in accordance with the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences Oversubscription Policy on a fair and reasonable basis. The University will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from any inability or failure to admit you to the University as a result of oversubscription that is outside its reasonable control.

6. Fair and Reasonable Basis for allocation of places

6.1. In the event of oversubscription to a programme for applicants who meet the conditions of their offer, grades achieved and tariff at A level will be used to allocate places in the first instance, with a preference to those who achieved higher grades in a science subject. To differentiate between those with equal grade profiles, the following factors will be used:

• GCSE grades
• resit status (A level grades achieved as a first attempt / second attempt / third attempt)
• scoring of the personal statement, in which a score of ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘average’, or ‘poor’ will be assigned on the basis of qualitative assessment of commitment to optometry and work experience or equivalent activity.

7. What happens if I am not allocated a place?

7.1. If you are not allocated a place on the fair and reasonable basis (as defined above) the University will:

a) Offer you the opportunity of deferring your place to the next available entry point OR;
b) Agree a place on an appropriate alternative course

7.2. In the event of oversubscription, those candidates who are unsuccessful through the selection process as outlined within this policy, or who do not meet the conditions of their offer will be released from their offer as a priority on receipt of their results to enable them to pursue insurance, clearing, or other suitable options and offers.