UCAS updates and developments

1. UCAS updates and developments Matthew Welbourn Professional Development Officer

2. Setting the scene • Central organisation through which applications are processed for entry to full-time higher education courses in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland • We operate on behalf of all full-time courses at member institutions • Undergraduate degree • Foundation degree • HND / HNC • Diploma / Certificate of higher education

3. The provision of higher education in the UK • Number of institutions • Number of courses 304 50,000+

4. Setting the scene Our other electronic application systems: • Conservatoires Admissions Service UK (CUKAS) • Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) • UK Postgraduate Application & Statistical Service (UKPASS)

5. UCAS service delivery on 20 August 2009 • 970,578 Track logins through the day • 118 Track logins / second at peak • 1,237,532 Clearing vacancy searches • Law • Economics • Psychology • History • Business Studies • 14,098 calls answered Source: UCAS media release (21/08/2009)

6. Final figures for 2009 • Total applicants 639,860 8.7%  • Total accepted applicants 481,854 5.5%  • Degree 427,901 4.7%  • Foundation degree 25,031 17.3%  • Other 28,922 9.3%  Source: UCAS media release (21/01/2010)

7. Applicants by mode of acceptance 382 (0.1%) 10,806 (2.2%) (total) 47,673 (9.9%) 36,867 (7.7%) 5,619 (1.2%) 428,180 (88.9%) Source: UCAS media release (21/01/2010)

8. Applicants by subject of acceptance for 2009 Source: UCAS media release (21/01/2010)

9. First figures for 2010 entry • Total applicants 71,883 11.6%  • Medicine 21,389 13.7%  • Veterinary 2,320 14.0%  • Dentistry 3,720 12.6%  Source: UCAS media release (02/11/2009)

10. The competitive advantage Gaining a place at university or college has three stages: • Research • The UCAS application • Consideration by HEIs

13. Adviser Guide • Changes for 2010 entry • Application flowchart • Big Map

20. The A* • Awarded to students who achieve: • Grade A overall (i.e. 80% of the maximum UMS over the whole A level) • 90% of the maximum UMS across the A2 units

21. The A* in entry requirements • Most universities have insisted A* students will not be favoured until 2011 or 2012 at the earliest • Imperial College London, University College London and others may take the A* grade into account for their most selective courses • Cambridge have confirmed most students will need at least one A* grade to secure a place on undergraduate degree courses

22. The A* in entry requirements • Cambridge’s revised standard offer level to include A* “Cambridge welcomes the introduction of the new A* grade at A level…the standard A level conditional offer made by the Cambridge colleges for 2010 entry will be A*AA. The subject in which the A* is to be achieved is unlikely to be specified in most cases.” Source: www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/apply/requirements.html

25. Similarity Detection Service • Personal statements are checked against a library of those already in the system, and from a variety of websites and paper publications • Each new statement is added to the library after processing

26. Similarity Detection Service • Statements showing a significant level of similarity will be reviewed by the UCAS Similarity Detection Service • HEIs are notified on a daily basis of any cases where there are a significant level of similarity • Applicants will also be notified that the UCAS Similarity Detection Service has identified their personal statement as potentially plagiarised • The decision about what action, if any, to take regarding notified cases rests with the admissions tutors at individual HEIs

27. Similarity Detection Service Initial trial in 2007 of 50,000 genuine personal statements 5% were found to have ‘borrowed’ material Medicine applicants in particular were keen ‘borrowers’ 370 started their statement with “…a fascination for how the human body works” 234 quoted a dramatic incident about “…burning a hole in my pyjamas at age eight” 175 apparently shared the same “…elderly and infirm grandfather” • 370 • 234 • 175

28. I have always been fascinated by the way writers can influence and even manipulate readers’ emotions by their expression of thoughts and by their ability to encourage the expansion of our imaginations and understanding. My favourite authors include Phillip Pullman and Caroline B Cooney whose novels are inspiring because of their enviable lucidity and innovative character development. I had a vivid imagination as a child possibly influenced by my interest in the captivating work of such authors as Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl and Charles Kingsley. I still enjoy reading in my spare time. It is impossible for me to choose my favourite book but I have taken pleasure numerous times in reading 'A Child Called It' by Dave Pelzer, a book which I find mesmerising and deeply moving and 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott, a powerful and inspiringnovel. I enjoy literature that can provoke a range of emotions in the reader from start to finish and I think that these books fit the bill perfectly.What attracts me most to English is not only the chance to expand my literary knowledge, but the opportunity I am given to communicate my own thoughts and ideas.

32. Development of Entry Profiles • Provide clear, up to date information about undergraduate courses • Facilitate fully informed choices • Same course title – different experience • Transparent selection process • Current coverage around 90% of all courses • Target of 100% Entry Profile this year

33. The UCAS Schools’ Team • A dedicated priority telephone line for schools, colleges and careers offices • Your call will bypass our queuing system and you will be put straight through to one of our Customer Service Advisers • Please do not distribute to applicants or parents  0845 123 8001

34. Questions Matthew Welbourn Professional Development Officer  01242 544 958 m.welbourn@ucas.ac.uk