UCAS : An overview

1. UCAS : An overview Alison King Professional Development Officer

2. Session outline • Context • Scope of UCAS • Overview of the application process • Paper based research • Providing and advising on international qualifications • Electronic research • Course search • Entry Profiles • Method of application • Payment processes • Key features • Personal statement • Reference • What happens next? • Track • Extra • Confirmation and Clearing • Changes for 2008 • Verification and fraud • New developments • Questions

3. Context : Statistics Turkey

4. Scope of UCAS • We are the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges • We process applications for all full-time higher education courses on behalf of member institutions • Undergraduate Degrees • Foundation Degrees • Certificates / Diplomas of Higher Education • HNCs / HNDs

5. Scope of UCAS 309 Universities / Colleges 50,000+ courses

6. Overview of the application process • Gaining a place at university or college has two stages: • The research stage – the key to making the right choices and • The application stage • UCAS supports both stages through an integrated service

7. Paper based research • Big Map (Checklist) • Big Guide • Progression Series

8. Providing and advising on international qualifications

9. Electronic research UCAS website can help with: • Links to HE websites • Stamford Test • Course Search • Entry Profiles • Entry Requirements

10. Applicants use the service to search for courses and institutions and can select by region, course type etc.

11. Entry Profiles • Provide clear and up to date information about undergraduate courses • Facilitate fully informed choices • Same course title – different experience • Improve the match between applicant and course • Widen participation • Transparent selection process

17. Method of Application • UCAS is mainly an electronic application system • Gives speed, efficiency and flexibility for the future • Popular with applicants • Apply: a web-base application system accessed through UCAS website – over 99% usage for 2007 • Via school/college, agent/centre or as an independent applicant • UCAS will still accept paper-based applications – payment by money order, voucher, cheque etc. • Processes exist for applicants who wish to apply on line but cannot pay by credit/debit card

18. Payment processes : billing by UCAS UCAS will send a monthly statement listing applicants’ names and amounts owing. Applicants make payment to the centre, and the centre pays UCAS

19. Payment processes : credit/debit card If the selected payment method includes card payment, applicants see this screen

20. Payment processes :paper version of electronic form Applicant prints paper version and sends it directly to UCAS along with money order or cheque payment. The payment process is finalised by UCAS staff. Presents challenges for UCAS

21. Key features of admissions scheme • Maximum of five choices • Some choice restrictions: • Medicine, Veterinary, Dentistry – max 4 choices • Oxford or Cambridge • ‘Invisibility’ • Simultaneous consideration • Route B for some Art & Design courses • UCAS acts as a liaison point between the applicant and institution throughout the applicant process. • System includes deadlines and controls to ensure process remains efficient and applicant/institution kept informed.

22. Late June 17 September October 15 October 15 January 26 February 9 May 6 June 30 June 21 July 15 September 20 September 27 October Online Apply open for registration First day for receipt of applications RPA available for international acceptances Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry Oxford or Cambridge ‘On time’ applications Extra commences Outstanding decisions “rejected by default” on 15th January applications Outstanding replies “declined by default” Applications received after this date held for Clearing Outstanding decisions on “late” applications “rejected by default” Outstanding confirmation decisions “rejected by default” Last date for receipt of applications Last date for receiving RPAs Key features of admissions scheme

23. Key features of admissions scheme Key dates for Route B • September: Receipt of applications through Route B no referral to institutions until 12 February • 12 February: Round 1 applications starts • 7 March: Advisory date for all route B applications to reach UCAS • 24 March: Last date for receipt of applications to be considered in Round 1 • 28 March: Round 2 applications start to be sent out to institutions- including those unplaced in Round 1. • 9 May : Outstanding decisions on Round 1- RBD • 23 May: Round 3 applications sent to institutions- including those unplaced in Round 2 • 6 June: Outstanding decisions on Round 2 - RBD • 12 June: Last date for receipt of Route B applications • 7 July: Outstanding decisions on Round 3 - RBD

24. Reference Guidance notes for reference writing on the UCAS website at: http://www.ucas.com/getting/how/reference.html

25. What happens next? • UCAS will send the applicant a ‘Welcome Letter’ (AS2) , confirming your personal details and choices • Copies of your application will be sent to the applicants choices • Institutions and UCAS will advise the applicant on decisions made • Applicants can select 2 “Conditional” offers – Firm & Insurance until results confirmed • Unconditional – not dependent on conditions – some non-academic conditions maybe attached • Conditional – dependent on conditions- e.g. 4.5 in State High School Diploma, IELTS, financial details etc.

26. Track • Access anytime to applicant’s own record anywhere in the world • Shows choices, offers, personal information • Used to reply to offers • Used for EXTRA and Clearing • Option to receive communications by email • Apply and Track together offer a fully on-line application process • Up-date applicant details

27. Track : the online service for applicantsto follow their application An online product allowing applicants to track the progress of their applications. Secure site – need application number and username and password to access

32. Extra • Available from February • Gives extra choice to applicants who have used all five choices and hold no offers • Reduces need to rely and wait on Clearing • Applicants informed automatically if eligible • Vacancies published on UCAS website • Further promotion over next few years

33. Confirmation and Clearing • Available from July. Main activity from mid-August • Gives opportunities for applicants who have not been placed at Confirmation • Can also be used by late overseas applicants • Applicants informed automatically if eligible • Given a Clearing number • Relies upon applicant initiating contact with institutions with vacancies • Vacancies published on UCAS website

34. Changes for 2008 • Reduction in the number of choices from to 6 to 5 • Overall look has changed :- • Branding • User friendly • Guided tour

35. Verification and fraud mission statement To ensure that the applications we receive for processing are from genuine applicants seeking places in higher education and that the applications they submit are true, complete and accurate.

36. Plagiarism Software • UCAS Personal Statement Only • Use as a Deterrent – explained in declaration • Timescale: • September 2007 (Manual for First Year) • Fully Integrated by June 2008

37. Verification and fraud : preventing fraud • we screen all applications • we investigate suspicious applications • we cancel fraudulent applications • we share information withotheragencies • we have an anti-fraud contact at each HEI

38. Verification and fraud : detecting fraud • current application incomplete • previous application inconsistent • education and employment dates incompatible • personal statement and reference similar • supporting documents suspicious • authentication stamps suspect

39. New developments • www.yougofurther.com • UKPASS : postgraduate application and statistics service launched in Spring 2007 • Development of features to respond to the needs of international market

40. Questions Alison King Professional Development Officer a.king@ucas.ac.uk