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UCAS updates and developments
Matthew WelbournProfessional Development Officer
Setting the scene
▪ Central organisation through which applications are
processed for entry to full-time higher education courses in
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
▪ We operate on behalf of all full-time courses at member
institutions
▫ Undergraduate degree
▫ Foundation degree
▫ HND / HNC
▫ Diploma / Certificate of higher education
The provision of higher education in the UK
▪ Number of institutions
▪ Number of courses
304
50,000+
Setting the scene
Our other electronic application systems:
▪ Conservatoires Admissions Service UK (CUKAS)
▪ Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR)
▪ UK Postgraduate Application & Statistical Service (UKPASS)
UCAS service delivery on 20 August 2009
▪ 970,578 Track logins through the day 118 Track logins / second at peak
▪ 1,237,532 Clearing vacancy searches
1. Law
2. Economics
3. Psychology
4. History
5. Business Studies
▪ 14,098 calls answered
Source: UCAS media release (21/08/2009)
Final figures for 2009
Source: UCAS media release (21/01/2010)
▪ Total applicants 639,860 8.7% ▪ Total accepted applicants 481,854 5.5%
▫ Degree 427,901 4.7%
▫ Foundation degree 25,031 17.3%
▫ Other 28,922 9.3%
Applicants by mode of acceptance
Source: UCAS media release (21/01/2010)
428,180
(88.9%)
428,180
(88.9%)
5,619
(1.2%)
5,619
(1.2%)
36,867
(7.7%)
36,867
(7.7%)
10,806
(2.2%)
10,806
(2.2%)47,673
(9.9%)
47,673
(9.9%)
382
(0.1%)
382
(0.1%)
(total)
Applicants by subject of acceptance for 2009
Source: UCAS media release (21/01/2010)
First figures for 2010 entry
Source: UCAS media release (02/11/2009)
▪ Total applicants 71,883 11.6%
▫ Medicine 21,389 13.7%
▫ Veterinary 2,320 14.0%
▫ Dentistry 3,720 12.6%
The competitive advantage
Gaining a place at university or college has three stages:
▪ Research
▪ The UCAS application
▪ Consideration by HEIs
Adviser Guide Changes for 2010 entry Application flowchart Big Map
Volume and depth of study, Tariff Points and Grades
GCE A level or equivalent Minimum number required: 3
Tariff score
GCE A level grade range AAA
Subjects and grades requiredChemistry with either Biology or Physics or Mathematics
Excluded subjects General Studies
Volume and depth of study, Tariff Points and Grades
GCE A level or equivalent Minimum number required: 3
Tariff score 240 – 320
GCE A level grade range
Subjects and grades required
Excluded subjects
The A*
▪ Awarded to students who achieve:
▫ Grade A overall
(i.e. 80% of the maximum UMS over the whole A level)
▫ 90% of the maximum UMS across the A2 units
The A* in entry requirements
▪ Most universities have insisted A* students will not be
favoured until 2011 or 2012 at the earliest
▪ Imperial College London, University College London and
others may take the A* grade into account for their most
selective courses
▪ Cambridge have confirmed most students will need at
least one A* grade to secure a place on undergraduate
degree courses
The A* in entry requirements
▪ Cambridge’s revised standard offer level to include A*
“Cambridge welcomes the introduction of the new A*
grade at A level…the standard A level conditional offer
made by the Cambridge colleges for 2010 entry will be
A*AA. The subject in which the A* is to be achieved is
unlikely to be specified in most cases.”
Source: www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/apply/requirements.html
Similarity Detection Service
▪ Personal statements are checked against a library of
those already in the system, and from a variety of
websites and paper publications
▪ Each new statement is added to the library after
processing
Similarity Detection Service
▪ Statements showing a significant level of similarity will be
reviewed by the UCAS Similarity Detection Service
▪ HEIs are notified on a daily basis of any cases where there
are a significant level of similarity
▪ Applicants will also be notified that the UCAS Similarity
Detection Service has identified their personal statement as
potentially plagiarised
▪ The decision about what action, if any, to take regarding
notified cases rests with the admissions tutors at individual
HEIs
Similarity Detection Service
▪ Initial trial in 2007 of 50,000 genuine personal statements
▫ 5% were found to have ‘borrowed’ material
▫ Medicine applicants in particular were keen ‘borrowers’
▫ 370 started their statement with
“…a fascination for how the human body works”
▫ 234 quoted a dramatic incident about
“…burning a hole in my pyjamas at age eight”
▫ 175 apparently shared the same
“…elderly and infirm grandfather”
370
234
175
I have always been fascinated by the way writers can influence and even manipulate readers’ emotions by their expression of thoughts and by their ability to encourage the expansion of our imaginations and understanding. My favourite authors include Phillip Pullman and Caroline B Cooney whose novels are inspiring because of their enviable lucidity and innovative character development. I had a vivid imagination as a child possibly influenced by my interest in the captivating work of such authors as Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl and Charles Kingsley. I still enjoy reading in my spare time. It is impossible for me to choose my favourite book but I have taken pleasure numerous times in reading 'A Child Called It' by Dave Pelzer, a book which I find mesmerising and deeply moving and 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott, a powerful and inspiring novel. I enjoy literature that can provoke a range of emotions in the reader from start to finish and I think that these books fit the bill perfectly. What attracts me most to English is not only the chance to expand my literary knowledge, but the opportunity I am given to communicate my own thoughts and ideas.
Development of Entry Profiles
▪ Provide clear, up to date information about undergraduate
courses
▪ Facilitate fully informed choices
▪ Same course title – different experience
▪ Transparent selection process
▪ Current coverage around 90% of all courses
▫ Target of 100% Entry Profile this year
The UCAS Schools’ Team
▪ A dedicated priority telephone line for schools, colleges
and careers offices
▪ Your call will bypass our queuing system and you will be
put straight through to one of our Customer Service
Advisers
▪ Please do not distribute to applicants or parents
0845 123 8001
