1. UCAS – What’s new at UCAS?
Tony Charlton
Professional Development Executive
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2. UK higher education – key facts
327 institutions
50,000+ courses
360+
35,000+
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3. Some interesting facts about 2013 applications...
3.5% increase in number of UK applicants
Application rate of 18 yr olds in 2013 has increased
by 1.6% (to 48.2%)
Significant increase in applications from 19 yr olds
41,293 applicants living in England who
were unplaced in 2012 have re-applied in
2013
Did you know?
Source: UCAS Media release, 30 January 2013
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4. Key context Changes in fees Complex range of pre-HE qualifications
Growth of private providers of HE
Resits
Student Number Control
Modular
vs. linear
Resits
Age & Stage
Group awards
Vocational quals
QIPs
EPQs
Changes to A levels
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5. New developments
Last year nearly 200,000 students did not get placed at university who applied to go.
Timely
2 way process.
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6. New developments UCAS website Course search tool Apply 2014
Student Number Control
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7. How to navigate the new look website...
The old style tabs (as below) have been replaced
...but if you click on How it all works...
...you will be able to find information for students,
parents & guardians and advisers & referees
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8. Enhanced course search tool
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9. At a glance listings, plus...
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10. ...a helpful location map
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11. Track will also have a new look
Security Marking: PUBLIC
Document Owner: UCAS

12. Apply 2014 Apply centre login details sent out Friday 31 May
Will go live for student registrations in week beginning Monday 17 June
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13. UCAS Apply – Video guidance
Videos have been introduced in most sections of UCAS Apply
Applicants have a show-hide option, and the setting will be remembered.
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14. UCAS Apply – Personal statement limit
The minimum character limit has been increased to at least 1000 characters for applications made before 30 June During Clearing the minimum will be reduced to 1 character.
Need to flag what advice to give if applicant has been told they don’t need a personal statement prior to Clearing
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15. The Admissions Process Review and its impact on 2014 (and beyond)
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16. Recommended enhancements
Opportunity to create new personal statement for Extra stage
For international applicants, ability to upload images of passport
and residential status documents
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17. Student Number Control - the UK Picture
SCOTLAND
Scottish/ EU count for SNC
Rest of UK exempt
Fees: Free for Scottish/EU students
up to £9,000 for rest of UK
NORTHERN IRELAND
NI/EU count for SNC
Rest of UK exempt
Fees: Variable fee up to £3,575 for NI/EU
up to £9,000 for rest of UK
ENGLAND
All UK/ EU count for SNC
ABB+ exemptions
Biddable margin (5,000)
Small specialist Arts/ performing institutions can opt-out
Fees: all UK/EU up to £9,000
WALES
No differentiation based on domicile.
Fees: Variable fee up to
£3,575 for Wales/EU
up to £9,000 for rest of UK
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18. What does an applicant need to know for 2013 Entry?
If you meet or exceed your offer you will secure your place (and may be eligible for Adjustment)
If you do not meet the terms of your offer, it is at the discretion of the institution as to whether or not they accept you
Applicants who are made an offer of ABB (or equivalent) and do not meet the terms of their offer will move from being in an uncapped place to a capped place. This is an additional consideration for the HEI
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19. Possible implications for applicants / advisers for 2013 Entry
Achieving ABB + does not mean a guaranteed place
Those predicted ABB + may find it more difficult to secure place at Firm or Insurance choice if ‘near miss’
‘Near miss’ applicants may need additional support
Adjustment may see more registrations and movements
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20. Qualifications reform
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21. First reach HE for 2017 entry AS level First reach HE for 2016 entry
A level
First teaching 2015
First reach HE for 2017 entry
AS level
First reach HE for 2016 entry
GCSEs
Potentially first reach HE for 2017 entry
Welsh Bacc
Graded from 2013
Scottish National 5
First teaching 2013
Potentially first reach HE for 2014 entry
Scottish Higher
First teaching 2014
First reach HE for 2015 entry
Scottish Adv. Higher
Access to HE Dip
This information is based on current proposals.
New A levels are first taught in 2015, therefore will be used in applications for 2017 entry. Not all subjects.
New AS levels are first taught in 2015 and could potentially be used for 2016 entry. However, I would anticipate that numbers would be small.
New GCSEs are launched in A standard linear programme of study would mean that these reach HE for 2019 entry. An accelerated course could be taken in a year. The earliest date they could reach HE is for 2016 entry.
The new Welsh Bacc will be launched in 2015, therefore will reach HE for 2017 entry. However, the existing Welsh Bacc is graded from Sept 2013 teaching, therefore this will be a consideration for HEIs.
The new Access to HE Diploma will be taught in 2014, therefore will reach HE for 2015 entry.
Scottish Quals:
New National 5
1st teaching  
1st certification -  Summer 2014 
1st year of entry to HE -   2014 entry if taken as an adjunct to Highers - v small numbers – 1st major cohort Summer 2016
Revised Scottish Highers
1st teaching  
1st certification - Summer 2015
1st year of entry to HE entry – first major cohort – 2016 entry
Revised Advanced Highers
1st teaching
1st certification  -  Summer 2016
1st year of entry to HE entry

22. Resources for advisers
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23. E-newsletter Launched in Jan 2013 Provides monthly updates
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24. Paper-based communication
Illume – our new termly magazine for advisers
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25. Downloadable resources
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26. + Useful websites www.ucas.com http://unistats.direct.gov.uk +
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27. Questions?
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