ucas update and developments mat welbourn professional development executive
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UCAS update and developments
Mat WelbournProfessional Development Executive
The higher education landscape
▪ Number of institutions
▪ Number of courses
2012▫ Applicants
▫ Acceptances
320
35,000+
653,637 6.9%
464,910 5.5%
Source: UCAS End of Cycle Report 2012 (13 December 2012)
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20120
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
66.0%
68.0%
70.0%
72.0%
74.0%
76.0%
78.0%
80.0%
Accepted applicants Unplaced applicants Acceptance rate
The 2012 cycle in review
The 2012 cycle in review
Source: UCAS End of Cycle Report 2012 (13 December 2012)
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
AdjustmentClearingExtraMain scheme
55,7218.9%
1,329140.8% 400,0017.1%
7,85917.6%
2013 cycle applicant figures
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
180,000
200,000
2011 2012 2013
Cumulative95,4655.4%
Cumulative558,8983.5%
Source: UCAS 2013 cycle applicant figures (30 January 2013)
Preparations for Confirmation and Clearing
What Number
‘Track-lite’ logins 900,295
Full Track logins 243,820
Course vacancy searches 830,000
Emails 09:00 to applicants 200,000+
Contact centre calls 18,195
A level results day, 2012
Preparations for Confirmation and Clearing
▪ Greater use of email in communications to applicants
▪ Earlier release of GCE results to universities
▪ More results delivered electronically through the ABL
process
▪ IT infrastructure and operating systems will be enhanced
significantly
▪ More systems will be delivered through cloud technology
▫ Full Track
▫ Weblink
▫ Course Finder
The current (UCAS) admissions system
▪ Does it put the applicant at the heart of the process?
▪ Does it support different types of applicant?
▪ Does it support different types of courses?
▪ Does it support the best match of applicant to course?
▪ Is it a fair admissions process?
▪ Does it support the best admissions decisions?
▪ Is it efficient?
▪ Does it provide excellent service? APR
The APR Consultation
▪ The APR Consultation proposed
changes to the admissions process for
undergraduate courses in the UK
▪ It was launched 31 October 2011 and
closed 20 January 2012
▪ Diverse, thoughtful and insightful
responses received from across the
education sector
APR research highlighted several big issues
▪ Complexity
▪ Young have to apply too early
▪ Insurance
▪ Clearing
▪ Predicted grades
Proposals from the APR
▪ Six categories of proposals:
▫ Strong support and recommended for implementation
▫ Amended in light of feedback and recommended for
implementation
▫ Support but further refinement required
▫ International
▫ Part-time
▫ Limited support not recommended
Progress against recommendations
▪ Improved information capture and data quality
▫ Qualification search and capture
▪ Personal statement enhancements
▪ Revised personal statement in Extra
▪ Pop-ups and wizards at key stages of application process
▪ Improved terminology for applicants – CF, CI
▪ Guidance for referees
▪ Supporting documentation
▫ Images of passports
▫ Portfolio examples
▪ Extending collection of results (BTEC, Access)
Proposals that required refinement
▪ Single offer date
▫ Minimise the need or perceived advantages of early
applications
▪ Disciplined deadlines and Service Level Agreements for
decision making
▪ Extra open to all applicants without two offers
▪ Replacement of Clearing with a managed process of
applications
▫ Confirmation window
▫ Clearing break
▪ Developments in IAG
Developments in IAG – Course Finder
▪ The new replacement for Course Search
▫ Launching live for applicants in the second quarter of
2013
▪ Improved filtering of courses
▪ Additional data fields (for example Entry Requirements)
▪ Welsh language version
▪ Smart links and recommendations
▪ Other improvements to the site based on feedback and
user testing
// www.ucas.com/prep
Questions
Mat WelbournProfessional Development Executive
01242 544 958 [email protected]
// www.ucas.com/training