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UCAS update and developments Mat Welbourn Professional Development Executive
UCAS update and developments
Mat WelbournProfessional Development Executive
The higher education landscape
▪ Number of institutions▪ Number of courses
2012▫ Applicants▫ Acceptances
32035,000+
653,637 6.9%464,910 5.5%
Source: UCAS End of Cycle Report 2012 (13 December 2012)
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20120
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
66.0%
68.0%
70.0%
72.0%
74.0%
76.0%
78.0%
80.0%
Accepted applicants Unplaced applicants Acceptance rate
The 2012 cycle in review
The 2012 cycle in review
Source: UCAS End of Cycle Report 2012 (13 December 2012)
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
AdjustmentClearingExtraMain scheme
55,7218.9% 1,329
140.8% 400,0017.1% 7,859
17.6%
2013 cycle applicant figures
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan
020,00040,00060,00080,000
100,000120,000140,000160,000180,000200,000
2011 2012 2013
Cumulative95,4655.4%
Cumulative558,8983.5%
Source: UCAS 2013 cycle applicant figures (30 January 2013)
Preparations for Confirmation and Clearing
What Number
‘Track-lite’ logins 900,295
Full Track logins 243,820
Course vacancy searches 830,000
Emails 09:00 to applicants 200,000+
Contact centre calls 18,195
A level results day, 2012
Preparations for Confirmation and Clearing
▪ Greater use of email in communications to applicants▪ Earlier release of GCE results to universities▪ More results delivered electronically through the ABL
process▪ IT infrastructure and operating systems will be enhanced
significantly▪ More systems will be delivered through cloud technology
▫ Full Track ▫ Weblink▫ Course Finder
The current (UCAS) admissions system
▪ Does it put the applicant at the heart of the process?▪ Does it support different types of applicant?▪ Does it support different types of courses?▪ Does it support the best match of applicant to course?▪ Is it a fair admissions process?▪ Does it support the best admissions decisions?▪ Is it efficient?▪ Does it provide excellent service? APR
The APR Consultation
▪ The APR Consultation proposed changes to the admissions process for undergraduate courses in the UK
▪ It was launched 31 October 2011 and closed 20 January 2012
▪ Diverse, thoughtful and insightful responses received from across the education sector
APR research highlighted several big issues
▪ Complexity▪ Young have to apply too early▪ Insurance▪ Clearing▪ Predicted grades
Proposals from the APR
▪ Six categories of proposals:▫ Strong support and recommended for implementation▫ Amended in light of feedback and recommended for
implementation▫ Support but further refinement required▫ International▫ Part-time▫ Limited support not recommended
Progress against recommendations
▪ Improved information capture and data quality▫ Qualification search and capture
▪ Personal statement enhancements▪ Revised personal statement in Extra▪ Pop-ups and wizards at key stages of application process▪ Improved terminology for applicants – CF, CI▪ Guidance for referees▪ Supporting documentation
▫ Images of passports▫ Portfolio examples
▪ Extending collection of results (BTEC, Access)
Proposals that required refinement
▪ Single offer date▫ Minimise the need or perceived advantages of early
applications▪ Disciplined deadlines and Service Level Agreements for
decision making▪ Extra open to all applicants without two offers▪ Replacement of Clearing with a managed process of
applications▫ Confirmation window▫ Clearing break
▪ Developments in IAG
Developments in IAG – Course Finder
▪ The new replacement for Course Search▫ Launching live for applicants in the second quarter of
2013▪ Improved filtering of courses▪ Additional data fields (for example Entry Requirements)▪ Welsh language version▪ Smart links and recommendations▪ Other improvements to the site based on feedback and
user testing
// www.ucas.com/prep
Questions
Mat WelbournProfessional Development Executive
01242 544 958 [email protected]
// www.ucas.com/training
