UCAS update and developments

Mat WelbournProfessional Development Executive

The higher education landscape

▪ Number of institutions

▪ Number of courses

2012▫ Applicants

▫ Acceptances

320

35,000+

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%

1,329140.8% 400,0017.1%

7,85917.6%

2013 cycle applicant figures

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

200,000

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 m.welbourn@ucas.ac.uk

// www.ucas.com/training