Annual Admissions Conference 2018

Ian became Head of Admissions at the University of Edinburgh in 2004, following 13 years at Heriot-Watt University, where he undertook the roles of Education Liaison Officer, Widening Participation Manager, and latterly, Head of Admissions. 

Edinburgh is a large university, with admissions services devolved across three academic colleges. Ian’s role involves working with staff throughout the university, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, to develop policies and best practice procedures that are responsive to changes in the education sector and legal framework, and that balance the needs of applicants, advisers, and the university.

Ian chaired the Scottish Universities Admissions Practitioners Group from 2015 – 2017, and currently sits on the UCAS Undergraduate Advisory Group, Russell Group Undergraduate Admissions Forum, and attends, on occasion, the Cambridge Assessment Higher Education Consultative Forum.

Ian graduated from the University of Edinburgh as a mature student in 1998, with first class honours in geography. Prior to this, Ian was a time served printer, who undertook the necessary qualifications to enter university via a further education college.