UCAS updates and developments Matthew Welbourn Professional Development Officer.

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


▪ 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


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


First figures for 2010 entry


▪ 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


▪ 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


▪ 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

Questions

Matthew WelbournProfessional Development Officer

01242 544 958

[email protected]

UCAS updates and developments Matthew Welbourn Professional Development Officer.

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