This narrative describes current practice for a typical successful applicant. The programme is a heavily selecting course in a professional area, so it is worth noting that most applicants are not in fact successful. It uses holistic assessment, including interviews, practicals and other methods, in addition to assessment of academic criteria.

The admissions process in this example can be characterised as 'choosing the right students for the course'. In essence the purpose of the process is to whittle down the large numbers of available applicants to find the very best students, to whom places will be offered. The applicants themselves are involved in the process, through tests, interviews and practicals; the process involves much more than simply the application form. All applicants are requested to complete and online questionnaire, which supplements the standard UCAS application.

The applicant has already submitted her application and completed the online supplementary questionnaire. Her application has been processed by UCAS. The university's Admissions Office receives a copy of her paper application form from UCAS. Her qualifications are reviewed and her application is passed through to the School on the basis that her high A level grades allow her to progress to the next stage.

Applicants without the necessary previous academic performance are reviewed against Widening Participation criteria rejected and the reason for rejection recorded (this is common throughout the process). The forms of potentially suitable candidates are passed to the School's administration section (Admissions Officer and team).

The School's admissions team marks up the forms (on paper) and rank candidates against all the other candidates not yet rejected. Our applicant is in the normal range to qualify for the interview stage, so the team gives her form in a batch of others to the academic admissions tutors. Two academics score her form and her online questionnaire responses. Some candidates are marked for rejection at this stage, but our applicant is successful. Her application is ranked amongst those who can move to the next part of the process: interviews and practicals.

The school administrators organise the interviews and practicals. Our applicant is called for interview with a panel of academics (including externals), which is responsible for interviewing and practical assessment. Her performance at all the tasks is scored. At this stage some of her rivals are rejected.

Remaining acceptable students, including our's, are now ranked again. Depending on intake numbers a specific proportion of the ranked students will be offered places via UCAS; others are placed on a waiting list. Our applicant is one of the best candidates, so she is offered a place. Proportionately very few candidates reach this stage, even though almost all candidates have very high A-level grades.

Administration of the liaison with UCAS for the applicant reply process is handled by the central Admissions Office. As replies are received, further applicants from the waiting list may be offered places. Our applicant replies promptly to accept a standard conditional offer. The Admissions Office notifies the School.

Confirmed examination results are received from UCAS via the Admissions Office, and Anne (who has been successful) is sent a congratulatory message and freshers' pack by the School. Unsuccessful applicants are formally rejected via UCAS.