The new UCAS Tariff – for entry into higher education from September 2017 onwards Toolkit 2 for teachers and advisers February 2016

UCAS is introducing a new Tariff for the 2017 admissions cycle. Originated from the 2012 Qualification Information Review (QIR). Addresses many of the shortcomings of the current model. Based on a significantly different methodology to the current Tariff. Key principle is that of minimum disruption. Note that the AS has been deliberately repositioned to 40% of an A level. The primary purpose of the new Tariff is to provide a broad metric for management information and reporting purposes to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for the student record onwards. In brief…

New Tariff method Tariff points = size band x grade band Size bands – qualifications will be allocated a size band of 1 to 4, based on their guided learning hours/notional learning hours. Grade bands – qualifications will also be allocated a grade band. The new Tariff has 12 grade bands across a value range of These grade bands spread across the breadth of Level 3/SCQF Level 6.

The Tariff tables show the new Tariff points, plus the awarding organisations that offer the qualification. The size and grade bands are also shown. These bands determine the total points. The full calculation for each qualification is shown in the qualifications list, which is a technical document primarily aimed at higher education providers. New Tariff points

Current Tariff requirementNew Tariff requirement UCAS Tariff points: 300 points required. (Minimum 200 from two A levels or equivalent, excluding general studies). UCAS Tariff points: 120 points required. (Minimum 80 from two A levels or equivalent, excluding general studies). BA Hons Business Studies BSc Hons Dietetics Current Tariff requirementNew Tariff requirement BBB. Minimum BBB points required. Minimum of BBB from three A levels (excluding general studies and critical thinking) to include chemistry and one other science subject. No change (non-Tariff) Provider example

Current Tariff requirementNew Tariff requirement 280 UCAS points, to include two A-levels or equivalent, with minimum grade C in A-level Mathematics or equivalent. General Studies not accepted. Plus five GCSEs (A*–C), including English Language and Mathematics For full details and other entry routes, see UCAS points, to include two A-levels or equivalent, with minimum grade C in A-level Mathematics or equivalent. General Studies not accepted. Plus five GCSEs (A*–C, or comparable numeric score under newly reformed GCSE grading), including English Language and Mathematics For full details and other entry routes, see Provider example BSc Hons Physiotherapy

Current Tariff requirementNew Tariff requirement – including an AS alternative 300 points including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications or one AVCE double award. We accept general studies. Key Skills qualifications are not included. 112 UCAS Points, including at least 64 points from two A Levels or equivalent BTEC National Qualifications. We accept AS levels and general studies. Or 96 UCAS Points from three A Levels or equivalent BTEC National Qualifications. We accept general studies. BA Hons Accounting and Finance Provider example

Current Tariff requirementNew Tariff requirement- including AS alternative 320 points with at least 200 from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, one of which must be in physical education, sport studies or a science subject such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics or psychology. AS levels may count towards these points but Key Skills may not. We do not accept general studies A level. 128 UCAS points with at least 80 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications, one of which must be in Physical Education, Sport Studies or a Science subject (such as Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology.) We accept AS levels. We do not accept General Studies. Or 112 UCAS points from three A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications one of which must be in Physical Education, Sport Studies or a Science subject (such as Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology.) We do not accept General Studies. Provider example BSc Hons Sports Science

(Source: UCAS adviser survey 2015) All HEPs will change their minimum entry requirements for 2017 because of the new Tariff. Only a third of courses on course search use the current Tariff. We are not expecting HEPs to move to the new Tariff. Those that use the current Tariff and are moving to the new Tariff are unlikely to change their minimum entry requirements. Some might, but this will not be due solely to the new Tariff. The new reformed AS will be treated as 40% by universities and colleges and the unreformed AS will be treated as 50%. No this is not the case. There is one switchover point for all AS qualifications. Qualification regulators have stated for some time that the AS is not the same standard as A level. Some universities including Tariff using HEPs have never accepted the AS. … and some more myths

UCAS has produced a video for learners to explain the new Tariff. It is available on ucas.com. New Tariff video

A level grade Old TariffNew Tariff A*A*A* A*A*A A*AA AAA AAB ABB BBB BBC BCC CCC CCD CDD DDD Example grade combinations

BTEC Extended Diploma GradeOld TariffNew Tariff D*D*D* D*D*D D*DD DDD DDM DMM MMM MMP Example grade combinations

The new UCAS Tariff – for entry into higher education from September 2017 onwards Toolkit 2 for teachers and advisers February 2016