1. UCAS Update January 2014 Alan Jones Professional Development Executive

2. The 2013 cycle in context http://www.ucas.com/system/files/UCAS%202013%20End%20of%20Cycle%20Report.pdf At the heart of connecting people to higher education

3. 2013 headline statistics ▪ 677,400 applicants in 2013 (+24,000 / 3.6% compared to 2012) ▫ 83% of all applicants UK domiciled ▫ UK applicants +3.4% ▫ EU applicants +3.9% ▫ Non-UK/EU +5.1% ▪ 495,600 accepted in 2013 (+30,700 / +6.6% compared to 2012) ▫ UK accepts +6.7% * (more than reversing the fall in 2012 & the highest number of acceptance in any cycle) ▫ EU accepts +5.5% * ( follows -13% 2012 compared to 2011) ▫ Non-UK/EU +5.8% *(following -7.9% in 2011 compared to 2010 and +0.5% 2012 compared to 2011) At the heart of connecting people to higher education More people placed in UK HE than in any other cycle Numbers boosted by10,700 deferred acceptances from 2012 cycle

4. Some other key findings from 2013 EoC (1) ▪ Large increase in overall acceptance rate in 2013 ▪ +30,700 (+6.6%) to 495,600 ▪ but remains below levels typical of 5 years ago ▪ Acceptances increase by 9-10% at all types of institutions ▪ acceptances reach a new high at higher tariff institutions ▪ Fewer applicants without offers ▪ offers made increase by 9% to 1.7m (highest recorded total) ▪ over 1/2 of apps received offers ▪ nearly 1/3 of apps received 5 offers ▪ offer rates increase for all age groups, but differences between age groups increase (for young apps close to previous highs) ▪ Acceptances to firm choice and direct to Clearing highest recorded At the heart of connecting people to higher education

5. Some other key findings from 2013 EoC (2) ▪ UK domiciled acceptances increased to a record number ▪ most acceptances ever recorded from England &NI ▪ near highs for Scotland & Wales ▪ Large increase in acceptances from all UK domiciled age groups ▪ 18yos +3.4%; 20-24yos +8.3%; 25+yos 5.8% ▪ UK 18 & 19 yos more likely to enter HE than in any previous year ▪ UK 18yo apps – over half of UK domiciled acceptances are from 18 yos* – a record number accepted to firm choice – fewer entered via Clearing & Adjustment ▪ UK 19yo apps – entry rates +18% in England – new highs in England, Wales & NI *see following slides for 18yo entry rate by UK country and 18yo demographic projection At the heart of connecting people to higher education

6. Young (18yo) entry rate (cohort) by country At the heart of connecting people to higher education Source: Figure 18 from ’UCAS End of Cycle Report 2013’, www.ucas.com

7. 18 yo entry rates by region At the heart of connecting people to higher education

8. English 18 year old ratio of acceptances holding BTECs to acceptances holding A levels Source: Figure 47 from ’UCAS End of Cycle Report 2013’, www.ucas.com

9. 18 year olds set to fall circa another 10%! At the heart of connecting people to higher education

10. ▪ Entry rates for disadvantaged young people in 2013 ▫ England +1.4% to 16.9% - highest level ever recorded ▫ NI – increased to a new high; Scotland & Wales – remain at highest values At the heart of connecting people to higher education EoC 2013 – disadvantaged applicants ▪ Differences by background to record lows ▫ England – advantaged young people 2.8 x more likely to enter HE than disadvantaged young people (compared to 4.4 x more likely in 2004) ▫ NI 3.0 x compared to 4.8 x ; Scotland 4.0 x compared to 6.5 x ; Wales 3.1 x compared to 4.4 x) ▪ At higher tariff institutions ▫ Show more polarised entry rates but... ▫ Circa.10% increase proportionally of disadvantaged applicants accepted new highest levels for each UK country

11. ▪ 350 HE course providers with courses in Clearing ▪ 34,000 courses listed in Clearing ▪ 19,600 applicants direct to Clearing (submitted after 30 June) ▪ +17% compared to previous cycle ▪ 57,098 Clearing acceptances ▪ +2.5% compared to previous cycle ▪ Russell Group institutions openly advertising Clearing vacancies ▪ 109 providers accepted applicants through Adjustment ▪ 1,219 acceptances via Adjustment (-8.3% compared to previous cycle) At the heart of connecting people to higher education Confirmation, Clearing & Adjustment (the real PQA!) Clearing Confirmation Adjustment

12. What does all this mean for 2014 and beyond? A Levels (or other academic qualifications) most sought after (esp. for high tariff HEPs) Very high offer rates and accept rates mean applicants can perhaps afford to take a bit more risk...BUT... Picking the right course and the right institution is still THE most important thing to get right Changing recruitment and offer-making practices among some course providers! At the heart of connecting people to higher education Research 15 January stats look positive and promising

13. At the heart of connecting people to higher education ♪♫ “Them that’s got shall get, Them that’s not,shall lose.” ♫♪ God Bless the child – Billie Holiday

14. // www.ucas.com/prep

15. UCAS recent and future changes & developments to be (and to keep) aware of At the heart of connecting people to higher education Apply Adviser resources Adviser track? Website & search tool Clearing? Track UCAS training & visits New tariff DDC ???

16. Matthew Welbourn Professional Development Executive  01242 544 958  m.welbourn@ucas.ac.uk // www.ucas.com/training Questions? a.jones 690 Alan Jones Professional Development Executive  01242 544 690  a.jones@ucas.ac.uk

17. Admissions Trends and Behaviours Ian Blenkharn, Head of Admissions and Registry Services

18. Topics for discussion  2014 cycle so far  Reflections on 2012 and 2013  To ABB or not to ABB  2015 cycle  Fees and Funding  Fair access  Contextual data  Questions

19. The Exeter picture  Another large increase in applications – Home/EU undergraduate applications currently up 10%, after a 29% increase in applications for 2013 entry.  Increases across almost every subject area and across all campuses – in Exeter and in Cornwall.  Quality of applications also appears to be up. The increase in the number of AAA+/IB36+ students is ahead of our increase in applications.

20. Reflections on 2012  A ‘perfect storm’ for universities  Fall in application rates, fewer deferrals from 2011, tougher marking in A Levels  First year of new AAB+ controls  Some advantages for students – more choice/capacity at Confirmation, Clearing and Adjustment. We saw much more movement of students in this period.

21. Reflections on 2013  A much better year for universities (and students!)  Rise in application rates, deferral patterns back to normal  More relaxed number controls (AAB-ABB) plus a greater tolerance band for universities  A record year for student acceptances and also some pleasing progress in terms of widening participation (narrowing the progression gap between most and least advantaged)

22. To ABB or not to ABB….  New form student number controls introduced in 2012.  HEIs able to recruit as many ‘high quality’ students as they like since then.  Definition of ‘high quality’ is ABB+ or equivalent – but there are plenty of exceptions. Certain combinations of qualifications now allowed.  Things will all change again in 2015 – no number controls at all….! However, we have yet to hear the details.

23. 2015 cycle  A lot of unknowns about 2015 entry, particularly around how numbers will be managed and impact on HEIs  Impact of A level reforms on attainment / predictions / progression to university  Fee/funding levels won’t be agreed until close to the start of the recruitment cycle.  Falling 18 year old demographic – will there still be demand for HE in such high volumes?

24. Fair Access  Confusion between ‘Fair Access’ and ‘Widening Participation’  Milburn’s Social Mobility Report – particular focus on research intensive / selective institutions  Fair Access primarily focused on admissions and assessing potential (Hoare, 2010)

25. Contextual Data  What is it?  Additional information to aid and support the decision making process and improve inclusivity  Evidence based judgement  Applicants may not be treated in exactly the same way as different factors maybe be considered, all applicants are individuals with different backgrounds.

26. Educational Factors  School/college progression rates  School performance at GCSE  Progression from year 11 to FE  Average QCA points per qualification

27. Personal Factors  Disability  Ethnicity  Age/experience (eg Mature Students)

28. Socio-economic Factors  In receipt of free school meals  Living in a low progression neighbourhood  Socio-economic class IIM-VII  In care for longer than three months

29. Exeter’s use of contextual data  Very much focused on educational factors: See http://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/applications/policy/ http://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/applications/policy/  Evidence-based approach, reviewed annually  Part of our holistic assessment of an applicant’s potential to succeed

30. Questions…?

31. STUDENT FINANCE 2014/15 Andy Shenton Regional Advisor – South West

32. APPLYING KEY MESSAGES Jan 20 New students can apply for student finance from 20 th January 2014 May 30 The application deadline for new students is May 30 th 2014 APPLY NOW!

33. Apply online at gov.uk/studentfinance as soon as possible to make sure student finance is in place for the start of their course They do not need a confirmed place at university or college to apply APPLYING KEY MESSAGES

34. www.gov.uk/studentfinance GOV.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO APPLY

35. NEW LOOK ‘MY ACCOUNT’ MAKING IT EASIER TO NAVIGATE & UNDERSTAND

36. NEW LOOK ‘MY ACCOUNT’ MAKING IT EASIER TO NAVIGATE & UNDERSTAND Full online demo will be available from launch See every screen a student and sponsor sees http://slc-apps.co.uk/appdemo/

37. Bursaries & Scholarships Tuition Fee Loan Maintenance (Living Cost) Support Additional Support The Student Finance Package THE STUDENT FINANCE PACKAGE SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS INCLUDES:

38. Universities and colleges* can charge new full-time students up to £9,000 per year (£6,750 part-time) for tuition fees Eligible students won’t have to pay any tuition fees up front A non-means tested Tuition Fee Loan is available to cover the fee charged by the university or college *Publicly funded institutions with an approved Offa Access Agreement - www.offa.org.uk/access-agreementswww.offa.org.uk/access-agreements TUITION FEES & LOANS OVERVIEW

39. Where Students Live & StudyMaximum Loan Available Parental Home Live at home £4,418 Elsewhere Live away from home and study outside of London £5,555 London Live away from home and study in London £7,751 Overseas Study overseas as part of a UK course £6,600 MAINTENANCE LOAN 2014/15 MAXIMUM RATES Additional loan is available for each extra week of study for students attending their course beyond 30 weeks

40. Full-Year Student* 65% Non Means Tested 35% Means Tested Maximum Loan Parental Home£2,871£1,547£4,418 Elsewhere£3,610£1,945£5,555 London£5,038£2,713£7,751 Overseas£4,290£2,310£6,600 MAINTENANCE LOAN MEANS TESTING *Slightly lower rates of support apply to final year students

41. A Maintenance Grant will only be available to some students: The Maintenance Grant does not have to be repaid If/how much grant a student can get depends entirely on their household income (100% means tested) MAINTENANCE SUPPORT Household Income: Up to £25,000 Household Income: Up to £42,620 Full Grant of £3,387 Partial Grant MAINTENANCE GRANT OVERVIEW

42. Household Income Maintenance Grant Maintenance Loan Total £25,000 & under£3,387£3,862£7,249 £30,000£2,441£4,335£6,776 £35,000£1,494£4,808£6,302 £40,000£547£5,282£5,829 £42,620£50£5,530£5,580 £42,875£0£5,555 £50,000£0£4,836 £62,132 & over£0£3,610 COMBINED MAINTENANCE SUPPORT LIVING AWAY FROM HOME, OUTSIDE LONDON Students can get a quick estimate of their student finance entitlement using the calculator on gov.uk/studentfinancegov.uk/studentfinance

43. Bursaries: Linked to personal circumstances and often household income Awards can include fee waivers or cash Scholarships: Can be linked to academic results or outstanding ability in an area such as sport, music or art Can be subject specific and are often limited in numbers BURSARIES & SCHOLARSHIPS OVERVIEW Students should check university websites early and ask at open days for information on support available and how to apply

44. Extra money or support may be available to students if they: Have children or adults dependent on them Have a disability, long-term health condition, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty Are studying an NHS or Social Work course including: nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, chiropody, dietetics, radiography, occupational therapy, the later stages of medicine and dentistry For further information and applications students should visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students ADDITIONAL SUPPORT OVERVIEW

45. DSA Rates 2014/15: Allowance Part-Time Maximum Support Full-Time Maximum Support Frequency of Payment Non-medical personal helper £15,543£20,725Annual Specialist equipment£5,212 Duration of Course Other disability-related expenditure £1,305£1,741Annual Disability related travelNo Limit – Reasonable spending can be claimed For both full-time and part-time postgraduate students there is a single allowance of up to £10,362 a year ADDITIONAL SUPPORT DISABLED STUDENTS’ ALLOWANCE

46. Childcare Grant: Based on 85% of actual registered/approved childcare costs up to maximum of: £150.23 per week for one child £257.55 per week for two or more children Dependants grants are income related. Universities may offer extra support to students with childcare/caring responsibilities ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DEPENDANTS’

47. Parents’ Learning Allowance: Help with course-related costs for students with dependent children. Amount received will be between £50 and £1,523 Dependants grants are income related. Universities may offer extra support to students with childcare/caring responsibilities ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DEPENDANTS’

48. Adult Dependants’ Grant: Normally for the student’s partner. Can be for another adult who is financially dependent on the student where the adult’s net income is not more than £3,796 p.a. Maximum grant available: £2,668 Dependants grants are income related. Universities may offer extra support to students with childcare/caring responsibilities ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DEPENDANTS’

49. CUSTOMER RESOURCES

50. Series of informative guides, introducing the main areas of student finance to students and their parents, including: Financial Support for Students Disabled Students’ Allowances How Students are Assessed and Paid Student Loan Terms and Conditions SFE FULL & QUICK-START GUIDES STUDENT GUIDES NOW AVAILABLE FOR 2014/15

51. STUDENT GUIDES QUICK GUIDE SERIES 2014/15 Helpful fold-out guides highlighting essential student finance information: How and When to Apply Student Loan Repayments DSA’s and Dependants Grants Student Finance Explained for Parents of Students

52. www.thestudentroom.co.uk/studentfinance THE STUDENT ROOM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION & RESOURCES

53. MONEY MATTERS eMAG 1 st EDITION AVAILABLE NOW New resource giving students information on student finance - What’s available and how to get it, budgeting, applications and repayment Content includes interviews with students at different stages of their university and college lives Links to interactive features, including SFE ‘A Minute For’ videos

54. YOU TUBE SFE VIDEO CHANNEL www.youtube.com/SFEFILM

55. www.facebook.com/SFEngland www.twitter.com/sf_england SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOW SFE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

56. PRACTITIONER RESOURCES

57. DEDICATED WEBSITE www.practitioners.slc.co.uk

58. Access and download our wide range of IAG resources, including: Suite of Factsheets Series of Full and Quick Guides PowerPoint Presentations Policy Documents PRACTITIONER RESOURCES DEDICATED WEBSITE

59. PRACTITIONER RESOURCES FACTSHEETS Our suite of factsheets provide information on the main aspects of student finance and repayments & specialised subjects including: Applications, eligibility and evidence Finance for students at private HEIs Independent students & care Leavers Changing circumstances and withdrawals

60. CONTACT DETAILS EMAIL ADDRESSES & PHONE NUMBERS

61. QUESTIONS & COMMENTS ?

62. Exeter UCAS Convention Wednesday 19 th & Thursday 20 th March 2014

63. Westpoint Arena - Exeter Convention guides available online and on the day Teacher and Exhibitor Lounge Seminar programme on both days – 4 seminar rooms Rolling programme of 30 minute sessions with 15 minute intervals No tickets- places on first come, first served basis

64. Wednesday 19 th March 10:00 - 10:3010:45 - 11:1511:30 - 12:0012:15 - 12:451:00 - 1:301:45 - 2:152:30 - 3:00 Seminar A Student Life Student Finance Student Life Student Finance Seminar B Making your degree go further Oxbridge Making your degree go further Engineering Medicine & Dentistry LawOxbridge Seminar C Making the best application Studying in London Making the best application Art & Design; Preparing Your Portfolio Student Life Studying in London Making the best application Seminar D Medicine & Dentistry Business and Management Student LifeLiberal Arts Sport & Health Sciences Performing Arts Making your degree go further

65. Thursday 20 th March 10:00 – 10:3010:45 – 11:1511:30 – 12:0012:15 – 12:4512:45 – 13:15 Seminar A Student Finance Student Life Student Finance Student Life Seminar B Gap Year Options Oxbridge Sport & Health Sciences Oxbridge Gap Year Options Seminar C Making the best application Studying in London Liberal Arts Making the best application Studying in London Seminar D Medicine & Dentistry Art & Design; Preparing Your Portfolio Law Performing Arts Medicine & Dentistry

66. A good UCAS Convention is one where students have a sense of purpose!

67. Feedback from 2013 Exhibitors: How well prepared were the students that visited? Excellent Good Fair Poor Very poor Don't know 10.9% 72.7% 16.4% 0% 0% 0% Teachers: What is the main objective you want your students to achieve from visiting a Convention? Engage in the process of HE preparation & application, realise the range of HEI’s and opportunities. Be aware of how many other students are going through the same process and what the competition is looking like. Raise aspiration and provide information Taking the decision-making process about course and institution seriously

68. Feedback from 2013 Teachers: Did you use the PREP. material provided pre-event in class with your students? Yes 80.6%No 11.1%Don't know 8.3% Did your students use the PREP. material independently prior to attending the event? Yes 63.9%No 19.4% Don't know 16.7% All results rated a positive improvement on last year!

69. Useful websites What to do next? https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk www.brightknowledge.org http://www.careerpilot.org.uk/ Which course? www.hotcourses.com Finance www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk www.gov.uk/studentfinance www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk

70. Useful websites Applying www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/filling-your- application/your-personal-statementwww.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/filling-your- application/your-personal-statement www.ucas.com Choosing a university www.thestudentroom.co.uk www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk https://unistats.direct.gov.uk After university www.prospects.ac.uk UCAS.tv

71. Thank you for coming! Any questions? Evaluation forms Badges Car park code