The new UCAS Tariff for 2017 entry onwards

Why change the current Tariff? Many qualifications cannot be accommodated within the current method as the Tariff domains are not suited to vocational qualifications; the process is Awarding Organisation led, expensive and complex. Benefits of the proposed new Tariff method Benefit 1Transparent Benefit 2Meets the needs of the HE sector Benefit 3Efficient and cost effective Benefit 4Comprehensive Benefit 5Sustainable and flexible Benefit 6Fair

Project Advisory Group Development of the new Tariff was overseen by a project advisory group comprising: HEPs Teachers Teaching representative bodies such as the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (SPA) Association of Colleges (AoC) Higher Education Liaison Officers Association (HELOA)

New Tariff points – e.g. A levels The new Tariff numbers are very different (i.e. considerably lower) 2017 Tariff PointsCurrent Tariff Points

New Tariff points – e.g. BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)

New Tariff method size (points) x grade (points) = Tariff points Size bands - qualifications are allocated a size band of 1 to 4, based on their guided (or notional) learning hours Grade bands – qualifications are also be allocated a grade band across a value range of These grade bands spread across the breadth of Level 3 / SCQF Level 6 (but grade bands 1 and 2 are excluded because they do not give the requisite multiplier effect) Points are determined by multiplying size and grade bands

New Tariff size bands Size bands have been designed to ensure that existing size relationships between qualifications are maintained whilst not over-emphasising the importance of size AS remains half the size of an A level Scottish Highers are allocated a size band in between AS and A level Scottish Advanced higher, A levels, IBHL, Pre U Principal Subjects are regarded as being of comparable size Welsh Baccalaureate is being revised for programmes starting in The new qualification is equivalent to an A level and has therefore been allocated size band 4

New Tariff size band examples Size band GLH/NLHSize band value Qualifications includedGLH/NLH 1 < 1201Free Standing Mathematics Qualifications Extended Project Qualification IB Core AS BTEC L3 Certificates IB Standard Certificates Scottish Higher Scottish Advanced Higher A level IB Higher Certificates BTEC National L3 Subsidiary Diploma Pre U Principal Subjects

New Tariff grade bands Aim to establish a grade scale that maps across the whole of level 3, providing broad grade bands that all qualifications can be mapped to. Grade PointsA levelAS (New Tariff) Scottish Highers Scottish Adv Highers 14A* A 13 12A B 11 A 10BAC 9 B 8CBD 7 C 6DC 5 DD 4E 3 E “The material studied at AS is less demanding than an A level” Ofqual AS repositioned to circa. 40% of A level (rather than 50%) Adjustment applied to other qualifications (e.g. Pre-U short courses aligned to AS rather than A level) “The material studied at AS is less demanding than an A level” Ofqual AS repositioned to circa. 40% of A level (rather than 50%) Adjustment applied to other qualifications (e.g. Pre-U short courses aligned to AS rather than A level)

Example Tariff values QualificationTariff score A level – A*56 AS – A20 BTEC Extended Diploma - DDD144 Welsh Bacc (2017 award) – A*56 CACHE Extended Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce - C 96 Scottish Higher - A33 Example of offersCurrent Tariff points total New Tariff points total Three A Levels at grades A, B, B Five Scottish Highers at grades A, A, B, B, C340141

Final questions & discussion points Thank you for listening Discussions will follow Alan Jones UCAS PD team