UCAS – What’s new at UCAS?
Tony Charlton
Professional Development Executive
www.ucas.com
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UK higher education – key facts
 360+
327 institutions
 35,000+
50,000+ courses
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Some interesting facts about 2013 applications...
 3.5% increase in number of UK applicants
 Application rate of 18 yr olds in 2013 has increased
by 1.6% (to 48.2%)
 Significant increase in applications from 19 yr olds

41,293 applicants living in England who
were unplaced in 2012 have re-applied in
2013
Source: UCAS Media release, 30 January 2013
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Did you know?
Key context
• Changes in fees
• Complex range of pre-HE
qualifications
• Growth of private providers of
HE
• Resits
Group
awards
Vocational
quals
Modular
vs.
linear
Changes
to A levels
Age
&
Stage
QIPs
• Student Number Control
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Resits
EPQs
New developments
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New developments
•
UCAS website
•
Course search tool
•
Apply 2014
•
Student Number Control
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How to navigate the new look website...
• The old style tabs (as below) have been replaced
...but if you click on How it all works...
...you will be able to find information for students,
parents & guardians and advisers & referees
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Enhanced course search tool
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At a glance listings, plus...
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...a helpful location map
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Track will also have a new look
Security Marking: PUBLIC
Document Owner: UCAS
Apply 2014
•
Apply centre login details sent out Friday 31 May
•
Will go live for student registrations in week beginning Monday 17 June
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UCAS Apply – Video guidance
Videos have been introduced in most sections of UCAS
Apply
Applicants have a
show-hide option,
and
the setting will be
remembered.
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UCAS Apply – Personal statement limit
The minimum character limit has been increased to at least 1000 characters
for applications made before 30 June 2014. During Clearing the minimum will
be reduced to 1 character.
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The Admissions Process Review and its impact on
2014 (and beyond)
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Recommended enhancements
•
Opportunity to create new personal statement for Extra stage
•
For international applicants, ability to upload images of passport
and residential status documents
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Student Number Control - the UK Picture
NORTHERN IRELAND
• NI/EU count for SNC
• Rest of UK exempt
• Fees: Variable fee up to £3,575 for
NI/EU
• up to £9,000 for rest of UK
SCOTLAND
• Scottish/ EU count for SNC
• Rest of UK exempt
• Fees: Free for Scottish/EU
students
• up to £9,000 for rest of UK
ENGLAND
• All UK/ EU count for SNC
• ABB+ exemptions
• Biddable margin (5,000)
• Small specialist Arts/
performing institutions can
opt-out
• Fees: all UK/EU up to
£9,000
WALES
No differentiation based on
domicile.
Fees: Variable fee up to
£3,575 for Wales/EU
up to £9,000 for rest of UK
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What does an applicant need to know for 2013
Entry?
• If you meet or exceed your offer you will secure your place
(and may be eligible for Adjustment)
• If you do not meet the terms of your offer, it is at the
discretion of the institution as to whether or not they accept
you
• Applicants who are made an offer of ABB (or equivalent) and
do not meet the terms of their offer will move from being in
an uncapped place to a capped place. This is an additional
consideration for the HEI
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Possible implications for applicants / advisers
for 2013 Entry
• Achieving ABB + does not mean a guaranteed place
• Those predicted ABB + may find it more difficult to secure
place at Firm or Insurance choice if ‘near miss’
• ‘Near miss’ applicants may need additional support
• Adjustment may see more registrations and movements
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Qualifications reform
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2013-14
A level
AS level
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
First teaching 2015
First reach HE for 2017 entry
First teaching 2015
First reach HE for 2016 entry
First teaching 2015
GCSEs
Welsh Bacc Graded
from 2013
Potentially first reach HE for 2017
entry
First teaching 2015
First reach HE for 2017 entry
Scottish First teaching 2013
National 5
Potentially first reach HE for 2014 entry
Scottish
Higher
Scottish Adv.
Higher
Access to HE
Dip
First teaching 2014
First reach HE for 2015 entry
First teaching 2015
First reach HE for 2016 entry
First teaching 2014
Resources for advisers
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E-newsletter
 Launched in Jan 2013
 Provides monthly updates
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Paper-based communication
• Illume – our new termly magazine for advisers
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Downloadable resources
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Useful websites
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
www.ucas.com
http://unistats.direct.gov.uk
http://university.which.co.uk
www.bestcourse4me.com
www.thestudentroom.co.uk
www.studential.com
www.push.co.uk
www.woodyswebwatch.com
www.prospects.ac.uk
+
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Questions?
Tony Charlton
Professional Development Executive
 01242 544 885
 t.charlton@ucas.ac.uk
// www.ucas.com/training
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