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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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
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10. Key Question
If an applicant has met the terms of their offer apart from achieving the Science Practical, would the HEP reject them?
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11. 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

12. 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

13. Keeping in touch Ben Jordan Senior Policy Executive  01242 544883 13