1 / 42

UCAS update, applicant journey and factors for successful applications

UCAS update, applicant journey and factors for successful applications. Alan Jones. Professional Development Executive. July 2014 slide 1. Setting the scene. Scope of the scheme.

cybill
Download Presentation

UCAS update, applicant journey and factors for successful applications

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. UCAS update, applicant journey and factors for successful applications Alan Jones Professional Development Executive July 2014 slide 1

  2. Setting the scene Scope of the scheme • Central organisation through which applications are processed for entry to full-time higher education (HE) courses in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland • We operate on behalf of all full-time courses at member institutions • Number of institutions • Number of courses 370+ 37,000+ July 2014 slide 2

  3. The competition for university places The competiton for HE places Applicants 677,373 3.6%  Acceptances 495,596 6.6%  July 2014 slide 3

  4. The 2013 cycle breakdown The 2013 cycle breakdown How applicants got their places (approximate %) Main scheme 83% Clearing 12% main scheme 9% direct 4% Extra 3% Adjustment 0.02% 14,814 20.5%  1,219 8.3%  42,284 2.6%  19,081 9,2%  7,815 0.6%  410,383 7.3%  Source: UCAS End of Cycle report 2013 July 2014 slide 4

  5. 2013 headline statistics 2013 headline statistics (1) • More people placed in UK HE than in any other cycle • UK accepts +6.7%(more than reversing the fall in 2012) • EU accepts +5.5% ( followiing a 13% fall in 2012 compared to 2011) • Non-UK/EU +5.8% (following a 0.5% rise in 2012 compared to 2011 • and a 7.9% fall in 2011 compared to 2010) • 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 increased by 9% to 1.7m (highest recorded total) • offer rates increased for all age groups, but differences between age groups increased (for young applicants close to previous highs) • Acceptances to firm choice and direct to Clearing highest recorded July 2014 slide 5

  6. Some other key findings from 2013 EoC (2) 2013 headline statistics (2) • UK 18 & 19 yos more likely to enter HE than in any previous year • UK 18yo – over half of UK domiciled acceptances are from 18 yos • UK 19yo apps – entry rates +18% in England • Entry rates for disadvantaged young people in 2013 rose to the • highest levels ever recorded • England 16.9% • Advantaged young people 2.8 times more likely to • enter HE than disadvantaged young people • In 2004 they were 4.4 times more likely • Higher tariff institutions more polarised, but 10% increase proportionally July 2014 slide 6

  7. Admissions in context 2013 End of cycle report • Published each December (www.ucas.com pdf) • Applicants, acceptances and the shape of the cycle • Application rates • New applicants and re-appliers • Acceptance rates • Outcomes for young people holding offers • Deferred applicants and acceptances by entry year • Breakdowns by UK country 2013 End of Cycle Report available at: http://www.ucas.com/news-events/news/2013/record-number-applicants-accepted-uk-higher-education-he July 2014 slide 7

  8. 2014 application cycle statistics (so far) 2014 application statistics (so far) • October 15 deadline: • 58,200 (+2%) • 580,000 (+4%) • 612, 750 (+4%) 61, 560 (reapplied) 30 June (main scheme) ???,??? (+? %) July 2014 slide 8

  9. “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail” Research • Very high offer rates and acceptance rates mean applicantscan perhaps afford to take a bit more risk...BUT... • Picking the right courses and the right providers remains THE most important thing to get right • Theright ones are wise ones – well researched; will meet applicant aspirations and desires; subjects closely enough aligned for one personal statement to cover them all; providers with entry requirements that will help spread risk and give the greatest chance of success Research Research June 2014 slide 9

  10. 2 year plan/programme 2 year plan / programme • See applicant support case study handout... June 2014 slide10

  11. Applicants – 2 stage ‘voyage of discovery’ Applicants: 2 stage voyage of discovery • Reflection: • looking inward / putting yourself under the microscope • What do Ineed / want from HE ? • How do Iwork best? • What will suitme best? • Deliberation: • looking outward / thinking: What do I need • to find out to ensure that my choices will... • Fulfil my needs / desires? • Provide the best chances of succeeding? At the heart of connecting people to higher education June 2014 slide11

  12. Research methodology Research methodology Apologies if this is like teaching your granny to suck eggs! • Effective research requires sufficient: • Time • Resources • Organisation • Knowledge (of where to look and what to look for) • Encouragement (and support) • Works best when: • Systematic • Methodical • Thorough • Analytical • Conclusions can be drawn At the heart of connecting people to higher education June 2014 slide 12

  13. Reasons for declining offers Reasons for declining offers UCAS 2012 End of cycle report At the heart of connecting people to higher education June 2014 slide 13

  14. Research resources (every applicant) Research - UCAS resources • Resources every prospective applicant should use: • UCAS website (www.ucas.com) • Information on process • UCAS search tool • Apply • Track • Course providers’ websites (links from UCAS website) • Unistats website • Key Information Set (KIS) • National Student Survey (NSS) • Relevant funding site e.g. • www.gov.uk/browse/education/student-finance • http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/content.php?r=399-student-finance At the heart of connecting people to higher education June 2014 slide 14

  15. Research – UCAS resources Research - UCAS resources • Wealth of information including imbedded videos throughout UCAS website and the Apply system • pdf documents e.g. for personal statements • Uni and college Open Day search • UCAS search tool • All videos available www.ucas.com/open-days www.ucas.tv At the heart of connecting people to higher education June 2014 slide 15

  16. UCAS search tool UCAS search tool June 2014 slide 16

  17. Search tool – subject clusters Search tool – subject clusters & A-Z list At the heart of connecting people to higher education June 2014 slide 17

  18. UCAS Open Days search and virtual tours The new-look UCAS e-card is now live At the heart of connecting people to higher education June 2014 slide 19

  19. Research resources (additional) Research - UCAS resources • Other resources • HE Fairs /conventions • HEP Open Days visits • Summer schools • Short/taster courses • Social media & Youtube • Course provider outreach • Employers • Teachers • Careers officers • Parents / family / friends • Work experience • etc.,...etc.,...etc.,... • Printed resources • Prospectuses • Course booklets • Books & Guides • League tables* Talk to course providers directly At the heart of connecting people to higher education June 2014 slide25

  20. HEP selection processes Transparent selection process • Qualifications • Past, present and future • Predicted grades for ‘pending’ qualifications • Personal statement • Reference • Interview • Piece of written work • Portfolio • Audition • Admissions tests June 2014 slide 28

  21. Admissions tests • Information on UCAS website, HEP websites and admissions tests websites • UCAS search tool and Apply should indicate if required • Practice makes perfect – the following are often available (though sometimes charges apply): • Practice questions • Specimen papers • Practice tests • http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-options/entry-requirements/admissions-tests • 2014UKCAT • registration opened 1 May • testing begins 1 July • last test 3 October • Tests may only be available on specific dates or at specific test centres and may have a fee Sometimes fees vary depending on where and when the test is taken June 2014 slide 31

  22. Admissions tests • This illustration suggests that missiles are: • a sophisticated technology • an unsophisticated technology • a precisely controlled technology • a particularly dangerous technology June 2014 slide 32

  23. Admissions tests If the [ENLARGE] control of a photocopier is set to 200%, each side of a resulting rectangle will be twice as long as the original. If the [ENLARGE] control is set to 300%, each side of the resulting rectangle will be three times as long as the original. Suppose the original rectangle is 8cm x 12cm. In order to produce a rectangle of area 2400 cm2, what should the [ENLARGE] control should be set to? Answer 500% June 2014 slide 33

  24. The applicant journey Interviews • Information on HEP websites • UCAS search tool and Apply should indicate if required • Some HEPs invite via Track, others contact applicants • direct • Not the same as employment interviews • Re-read personal statement before interview • HEPs can withdraw applicant from choice for non-attendance June 2014 slide 34

  25. Post submission management Post submission management of application • Track is for more than just tracking progress of an application – • it is an application management tool • Adviser track enables staff with logins to follow the progress of students’ applications and can help inform the management • process • Remember UCAS Extra – it can be a time for reflection, • reassessment, reality checks, new directions • Currently no option for a new personal statement via UCAS, • but check options with new choices June 2014 slide 35

  26. Track – the application management tool TRACKing and managing the application June 2014 slide 36

  27. Decision making by course providers Decision making by institutions • Admissions tutors may initially make one of six decisions: • Unconditional offer • Conditional offer • Rejection • Withdrawal • Full • Invitation • Or recommend/offer: • A place on an alternative course June 2014 slide 37

  28. Decision making by course providers Decision making by institutions • Conditional offers based on whole of 6th Form programme unless specifically excluded: • UCAS Tariff e.g. 300 points or • Exam grades e.g. ABC at A level or • Combination of both e.g. 300 points including grade A in English June 2014 slide 38

  29. Moving the process along Outstanding decisions and responses • If an institution fails to make a decision by a specified date, UCAS will process an unsuccessful by default decision (RBD) • If an applicant fails to reply yo their offers by a specified date, (given in Track) all offers will be declined by default (DBD) June 2014 slide 39

  30. Applicant replies to offers Applicant replies to offers • Once the final decision has been received, a maximum of two offers may be held (reply date given in Track) • If offers are unconditional – applicant firmly accepts one and declines the rest (they are placed) • If offers are conditional - applicants have a choice of three reply options: • Firmly accepts the one they most want to go to • Can accept one other as an Insurance choice if they wish and it makes sense to (only comes into play if not placed with firm choice) • Declines any remaining offers June 2014 slide 40

  31. UCAS Extra UCAS Extra • Operates from end of February through to early July • Additional single choices, considered one at a time • 21 calendar days referral and response • Applicants are eligible for Extra when: • 5 choices have been used • Received decisions (or withdrawn) from all 5 choices • Hold no live offers (none received or all declined) • Courses considering Extra applications listed in UCAS Search Tool June 2014 slide 41

  32. Confirmation, Clearing and Adjustment Confirmation, Clearing & Adjustment • As of 30 August 2013: June 2014 slide 42

  33. ABL – Awarding Body Linkage ABL – Awarding Body Linkage • Awarding Bodies send exam results electronically to UCAS • Results are matched with applicants • Results are sent to CF/CI institutions • Institutions confirmvia UCAS if applicant is placed or not • Track status view is frozen until results publication day Time to get working! June 2014 slide 43

  34. Confirmation 1. If a student meets or exceeds the conditions of their firm choice, they are placed there It’s time to celebrate! 4. If a student is placed with their firm choice from a conditional offer and meets all of the conditions and exceeds at least one, they are eligible for Adjustment. This provides an opportunity for them to reconsider where and what to study while still holding their firm place. But the window is short (5 days) and Adjustment does not start until 14 August. 2. If a student doesn’t meet the conditions of their firm choice, they could still be accepted at the discretion of the provider; or made an unconditional changed offer; or if they are unsuccessful, but meet or exceed the conditions of their insurance choice, they will be placed at their insurance choice. It’s also time to celebrate! 3. If a student is not placed with their firm or insurance choice, they will be entered into a process known as Clearing. When they are eligible they will be given a Clearing number in Track. There are four possibilities: June 2014 slide 44

  35. Clearing process for applicants Eligible applicant researches vacancies Applicant placed on course Contacts institution(s) to discuss application If rejected, applicant starts over Applicant enters choice details on Track Institution considers application June 2014 slide 45

  36. Adjustment Adjustment Eligibility • To be eligible to use Adjustment, applicants must have: • Firm choice offer confirmed(CF  UF) - be placed at firm choice and • Academic results that meet all conditions of original offer and exceed at least one condition • Adjustment is a one shot process June 2014 slide 46

  37. Adjustment Adjustment process • When placed with firm choice, if applicant believes they are eligible and they want to try and Adjust to another provider/course • Register for Adjustment in Track(5 day clock already counting down from when placed or morning of A level results publication14 August) Once registered, applicant cannot unregister – after 5 days if not Adjusted, original place is still theirs • Contact course providers and discuss (no vacancy lists – check websites) • IF new provider wants the applicant they will probably ask them to email first... • then the new course providerupdates the record to show applicant Adjusted June 2014 slide 47

  38. Online adviser resources Downloadable resources • 2015 Adviser guide (available from end of May) • Videos (all at www.ucas.tv) • Information (e.g. Writing statements and references) • Adviser toolkits • Parents Evening PowerPoint • Back issues of news letters and Illume magazine June 2014 slide 50

  39. Contacting UCAS How to contact UCAS • 8:30am – 18:00pm • Applicant line and social media support open until 18.00pm • Students:0371 468 0 468 • School enquiries: 0845 123 8001 • Fax: 01242 544 961 • @ucas_centres June 2014 slide 51

  40. Factors for successful application Start early...take it seriously...make it the best that it can be BIG AL’s UCAS APPLICATION MANTRA... June 2014 slide 52

  41. UCASino UCASINO 1000 12 5 31 2 372 23 24 180 4 41 1.7 million 7 47 10 35,000 + 30 332 17 4000 18 20 At the heart of connecting people to higher education June 2014 slide 53

  42. Questions Questions? Alan Jones Professional Development Executive  01242 544 690  a.jones@ucas.ac.uk 690 a.jones June 2014 slide 54

More Related