UCAS – What’s new at UCAS? Tony Charlton Professional Development Executive www.ucas.com At the heart of connecting people to higher education

UK higher education – key facts 327 institutions 50,000+ courses 360+ 35,000+ At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Some interesting facts about 2013 applications... 3.5% increase in number of UK applicants Application rate of 18 yr olds in 2013 has increased by 1.6% (to 48.2%) Significant increase in applications from 19 yr olds 41,293 applicants living in England who were unplaced in 2012 have re-applied in 2013 Did you know? Source: UCAS Media release, 30 January 2013 At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Key context Changes in fees Complex range of pre-HE qualifications Growth of private providers of HE Resits Student Number Control Modular vs. linear Resits Age & Stage Group awards Vocational quals QIPs EPQs Changes to A levels At the heart of connecting people to higher education

New developments Last year nearly 200,000 students did not get placed at university who applied to go. Timely 2 way process. At the heart of connecting people to higher education

New developments UCAS website Course search tool Apply 2014 Student Number Control At the heart of connecting people to higher education

How to navigate the new look website... The old style tabs (as below) have been replaced ...but if you click on How it all works... ...you will be able to find information for students, parents & guardians and advisers & referees At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Enhanced course search tool At the heart of connecting people to higher education

At a glance listings, plus... At the heart of connecting people to higher education

...a helpful location map At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Track will also have a new look Security Marking: PUBLIC Document Owner: UCAS

Apply 2014 Apply centre login details sent out Friday 31 May Will go live for student registrations in week beginning Monday 17 June At the heart of connecting people to higher education

UCAS Apply – Video guidance Videos have been introduced in most sections of UCAS Apply Applicants have a show-hide option, and the setting will be remembered. At the heart of connecting people to higher education

UCAS Apply – Personal statement limit The minimum character limit has been increased to at least 1000 characters for applications made before 30 June 2014. During Clearing the minimum will be reduced to 1 character. Need to flag what advice to give if applicant has been told they don’t need a personal statement prior to Clearing At the heart of connecting people to higher education

The Admissions Process Review and its impact on 2014 (and beyond) At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Recommended enhancements Opportunity to create new personal statement for Extra stage For international applicants, ability to upload images of passport and residential status documents At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Student Number Control - the UK Picture SCOTLAND Scottish/ EU count for SNC Rest of UK exempt Fees: Free for Scottish/EU students up to £9,000 for rest of UK NORTHERN IRELAND NI/EU count for SNC Rest of UK exempt Fees: Variable fee up to £3,575 for NI/EU up to £9,000 for rest of UK ENGLAND All UK/ EU count for SNC ABB+ exemptions Biddable margin (5,000) Small specialist Arts/ performing institutions can opt-out Fees: all UK/EU up to £9,000 WALES No differentiation based on domicile. Fees: Variable fee up to £3,575 for Wales/EU up to £9,000 for rest of UK At the heart of connecting people to higher education

What does an applicant need to know for 2013 Entry? If you meet or exceed your offer you will secure your place (and may be eligible for Adjustment) If you do not meet the terms of your offer, it is at the discretion of the institution as to whether or not they accept you Applicants who are made an offer of ABB (or equivalent) and do not meet the terms of their offer will move from being in an uncapped place to a capped place. This is an additional consideration for the HEI At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Possible implications for applicants / advisers for 2013 Entry Achieving ABB + does not mean a guaranteed place Those predicted ABB + may find it more difficult to secure place at Firm or Insurance choice if ‘near miss’ ‘Near miss’ applicants may need additional support Adjustment may see more registrations and movements At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Qualifications reform At the heart of connecting people to higher education

First reach HE for 2017 entry AS level First reach HE for 2016 entry   2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 A level First teaching 2015 First reach HE for 2017 entry AS level First reach HE for 2016 entry GCSEs Potentially first reach HE for 2017 entry Welsh Bacc Graded from 2013 Scottish National 5 First teaching 2013 Potentially first reach HE for 2014 entry Scottish Higher First teaching 2014 First reach HE for 2015 entry Scottish Adv. Higher Access to HE Dip This information is based on current proposals. New A levels are first taught in 2015, therefore will be used in applications for 2017 entry. Not all subjects. New AS levels are first taught in 2015 and could potentially be used for 2016 entry. However, I would anticipate that numbers would be small. New GCSEs are launched in 2015. A standard linear programme of study would mean that these reach HE for 2019 entry. An accelerated course could be taken in a year. The earliest date they could reach HE is for 2016 entry. The new Welsh Bacc will be launched in 2015, therefore will reach HE for 2017 entry. However, the existing Welsh Bacc is graded from Sept 2013 teaching, therefore this will be a consideration for HEIs. The new Access to HE Diploma will be taught in 2014, therefore will reach HE for 2015 entry. Scottish Quals: New National 5   1st teaching  - 2013-14 1st certification -  Summer 2014  1st year of entry to HE -   2014 entry if taken as an adjunct to Highers - v small numbers – 1st major cohort Summer 2016 Revised Scottish Highers 1st teaching  - 2014-15 1st certification - Summer 2015 1st year of entry to HE - 2015 entry – first major cohort – 2016 entry Revised Advanced Highers 1st teaching - 2015-16 1st certification  -  Summer 2016 1st year of entry to HE - 2016 entry

Resources for advisers At the heart of connecting people to higher education

E-newsletter Launched in Jan 2013 Provides monthly updates At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Paper-based communication Illume – our new termly magazine for advisers At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Downloadable resources At the heart of connecting people to higher education

+ Useful websites www.ucas.com http://unistats.direct.gov.uk http://university.which.co.uk www.bestcourse4me.com www.thestudentroom.co.uk www.studential.com www.push.co.uk www.woodyswebwatch.com www.prospects.ac.uk + At the heart of connecting people to higher education

Questions? At the heart of connecting people to higher education