Science Practical – the UCAS perspective Ben Jordan Senior Policy Executive 30/11/2018

An HE admissions perspective New Core Maths qualification - England Decoupled AS - England New Nationals - Scotland New A levels – England, Wales, NI New Highers - Scotland Science practical grades - England VQ reform - England New Welsh Bacc - Wales Coupled AS – Wales and NI New GCSEs - England Increased use of VQs Declining 18 year old population 30/11/2018

Biog, chem and phys – numbers (trend) DATA Biog, chem and phys – numbers (trend) 1/2/3 science progression trends – HML Tariff and POLAR 1/2/3 science - JACs 30/11/2018

How might the Science Practical be used in HE admissions? Expressed in entry requirements Listed in offers Incentivised or listed as desirable As part of the holistic consideration of an application 30/11/2018

The HE view Science Practical may be used when appropriate to the course. Provides an additional piece of information for institutions to use. HEPs would like Science Practical to be visible in Apply and results processing. 30/11/2018

Why HE admissions may use the Science Practical Science related courses Non-Science related courses Indication of the practical skills that will be required for science related courses. Additional filter when assessing applicants for Science related courses. Part of holistic assessment of an applicant. Likely to be essential for STEM. Potential additional filter when assessing applicants. Desirable but not essential. 30/11/2018

Why HE admissions may not use the Science Practical Cross border differences. Unique in terms of qualification – Pre-U, IB, BTEC and Higher all embedded. Ofqual say standard the same regardless of practical achievement. May not be relevant to the course– may not offer science provision or not include practical teaching. How many applicants will fail/be predicted to fail? Potential concerns regarding equalities and diversity. Personal statement and reference may alleviate concerns here. 30/11/2018

How HEPs may list Entry Requirement or make offers using Science Practical Entry requirements “AAA” “AAA including the practical pass grade in all Science related A levels” “AAA including Biology (Pass grade preferable)” “112 Tariff points” “112 Tariff points including Biology” “112 Tariff points including Biology and a pass in the practical” Offers “You need to achieve AAA in your A levels including a Pass in your practical” “You need to achieve AAA in your a levels.” “112 Tariff points, of which 48 must be from a Biology A level, including a pass in the practical” 30/11/2018

What will determine whether a HEP uses the Science Practical grade? The course in question Is it Science related? Does the course require practical skills? The admissions strategy of the individual course – Selective vs Recruiting The institution’s qualification intake and perception of qualifications 30/11/2018

Key Question If an applicant has met the terms of their offer apart from achieving the Science Practical, would the HEP reject them? 30/11/2018

size (points) x grade (points) = Tariff points The UCAS Tariff New UCAS Tariff will be used for 2017 entry The new Tariff will not allocate points to the practical grade: Ofqual has said the standard is the same. New Tariff is based on size by grade - wouldn’t be appropriate to allocate differing grade bands to Science A levels based on the practical attainment. size (points) x grade (points) = Tariff points 30/11/2018

What is UCAS doing? Creation of Qualification Information Profiles for new A levels. This will cover the Science Practical. Qualification Guides providing detailed information regarding qualification changes. Qualification reform information on our website. New Tariff. Analysis and Research. Conferences and events. Add Science Practical to Apply and result services. 30/11/2018

Keeping in touch Ben Jordan Senior Policy Executive  01242 544883  b.jordan@ucas.ac.uk 13