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57-492: While UCAS Tariff Points are often based on A-Levels, AS-Levels, Scottish Highers, etc., they can also be increased through other means, including taking extra-curricular activities, such as doing an EPQ or passing a Grade 6 in an instrument. Though this must remain cautionary as many universities will still have other entry requirements or expectations that they have for a student that may not be met with additional UCAS Points. Common ways for UCAS points to be calculated are through

114-481: A "buzzword" if applying through a centre, fill in personal details, write a personal statement and choose up to five courses to apply to, in no order of preference. They must then pay an application fee and obtain a reference before submitting their application online by the appropriate deadline. The application is then forwarded by UCAS to the universities and colleges that the students have applied to. After following their internal policies, which may include an interview,

171-553: A PGCE qualification. Students begin their application in the autumn for programmes starting in the following academic year. They start by using Apply 1 – which allows them to choose up to three programmes. Training providers then have 40 working days to make an offer. During this time they will invite candidates they're considering offering a place for an interview. At the end of the 40-day period, students will have responses from their three choices and will have 10 working days to reply to any offers. However, if students don't get offered

228-530: A care leaver. The personal statement is an integral part of the application. It gives candidates a chance to write about their achievements, their interest in the subject they are applying for, as well as their suitability, interest and commitment to higher education. Personal statements can contain a maximum of 4,000 characters (including spaces) or 47 lines – whichever comes first, with a maximum of 94 characters per line. A research study conducted by UCAS with over 300,000 personal statements of students revealed that

285-604: A clearing house for university applications in the United Kingdom. It was created in response to concerns during the 1950s that the increase in University applications was unmanageable using the systems then in place, where each student applied individually to as many institutions as they chose. This concern led to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals ( CVCP ) setting up an ad hoc committee in 1957 to review

342-673: A petition demanding that Universities UK be made subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 . During the 2018 UK higher education strike many elements of Universities UK were subject to strong critique. Bill Cooke, a lecturer at York Management School, submitted a complaint to the Charity Commission in relation to the governance of Universities UK, arguing that: "UUK is lead adversary against tens of thousands of university lecturers and professional support staff. Yet its mission and Memorandum of Association claims that its purpose

399-433: A place on the course they applied to, which is called "confirmation". Many universities and colleges still accept students that narrowly miss their offer conditions. Those that do not meet their "firm" and "insurance" offer conditions are eligible to use UCAS' Clearing service – which enables unplaced students to apply for courses with vacancies directly to the university. They do so by searching for an available course, using

456-534: A place using Apply 1, or they choose to decline all of the offers they receive, they can use Apply 2 to apply for new places, adding one choice at a time, until they receive an offer. UCAS Postgraduate (also known as UK PASS) is UCAS' postgraduate admissions service. It was introduced with the objective to offer students access to over 20,000 courses at 18 participating universities and colleges in England, Scotland and Wales – both taught and research courses leading to

513-449: A reference and submit the form on the student's behalf. If applications are sent to the school, college, or centre, then they will attach a reference to send to UCAS. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their school, college, or centre submits the application before the appropriate deadline for their courses. Individual applicants should request their reference – from a teacher, adviser, or professional who knows them – before paying

570-427: A report which supported work to widening access by promoting fair access and developing evidence to help universities learn from each other. It found that 34% of those who had achieved Key Stage 4 and expressed a motivation to go to university reported that the financial aspects of higher education, such as fees and living expenses, had made them think about not applying. In 2019, Universities UK, in collaboration with

627-559: A specific location. CVCP Universities UK ( UUK ) is an advocacy organisation for universities in the United Kingdom . It began life in the early 20th century through informal meetings of vice-chancellors of a number of universities and principals of university colleges and was previously known as the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom (CVCP). As of August 2023, UUK

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684-588: A time until they receive an offer they're happy with. Extra runs between mid-February and the end of June. If they do not receive an offer during this time, they have the option to enter into Clearing when it opens in July. When applicants receive their examination results, they will know if they have met the conditions of their firm and insurance choices. Universities give out unconditional offers and rejections when applicants receive their examination results. Those that do have their offers confirmed are invited to accept

741-469: A unified system for both the universities and polytechnics, a separate system for polytechnics emerged from the negotiations, modelled on UCCA but known as PCAS. Applicants to courses were given the option to apply separately for universities or polytechnics, or both. The PCAS system came into effect in 1985. It was led by its first Chief Executive, Tony Higgins and in the first year it handled around 140,000 applications to polytechnic courses, of whom 40,000

798-462: A variety of qualifications – including MA, MSc, MBA and LLM. UCAS has launched UCAS Progress, a service enabling GCSE students to search and apply for post-16 work and education-based training courses – including academic and vocational courses (such as A levels and BTECs), as well as Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes. The scheme is free for students to use and is implemented as a national service – listing post-16 opportunities from all across

855-408: A year went on to study at polytechnics. Although many polytechnics offered art and design programmes and some also offered teacher training courses, these admissions systems remained outside PCAS. Art and Design admissions worked to a later timetable as a result of the role Art Foundation courses had in developing a student's proposed specialism (painting, sculpture, graphic design, and so on). Work

912-512: Is a charity and private limited company based in Cheltenham , England, which provides educational support services. Formed on July 27, 1993 by the merger of the former university admissions system, Universities Central Council on Admissions and the former polytechnics admissions system, Polytechnics Central Admissions System , the company's main role is to operate the application process for British universities and colleges . The company

969-620: Is a commercial enterprise that raises money by offering commercial organisations and education providers a channel to communicate with prospective students: in effect, it sells targeted advertising space. UCAS is a non-governmental and not-for-profit company. UCAS undergraduate admissions handled almost three million applications from 700,000 UK, EU and international students. UCAS Media does not disclose information about applicants to its advertising clients. However, it does send advertisements to applicants on behalf of its clients and can target specific groups such as 'early adopters' or those located in

1026-400: Is a conditional offer. Certain universities have engaged in the dubious practice of making a "conditional unconditional" offer, meaning that a student was advised by the university that they would get an unconditional offer (and not then need to meet grade targets) but only if they made that university their firm choice. This served to guarantee both that the student would have a place and that

1083-555: Is funded by fees charged to applicants and universities as well as advertising income. Services provided by UCAS include several online application portals, several search tools and free information and advice directed at various audiences, including students considering higher education, students with pending applications to higher education institutes, parents and legal guardians of applicants, school and further education college staff involved in helping students apply and providers of higher education (universities and HE colleges). UCAS

1140-507: Is led by President Sally Mapstone – Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of St Andrews – and Chief Executive Vivienne Stern. UUK is registered charity with an annual income of £13.7 million, which is largely raised from its member institutions. In 1918 the first consultative meeting of all vice-chancellors was held. At that time, the committee consisted of just twenty-two universities and university colleges. In 1930, under

1197-556: Is most known for its undergraduate application service (the main UCAS scheme), however it also operates a number of other admissions services: UCAS is based near Marle Hill in Cheltenham at the junction of the B4075 ( New Barn Lane ) and the A435 ( Evesham Road ), near Cheltenham Racecourse and a park and ride . It is situated just inside the parish of Prestbury, Gloucestershire . UCAS

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1254-542: Is worth 56 UCAS points, an A 48, a B 40, and so on. For the IB, a score of 45 equals 720 UCAS points, a score of 40 is 611 points, a score of 35 is 501 etc. Once logged into "Apply", applicants complete a number of personal details – including their current qualifications, employment, criminal history, national identity, ethnic origin and student finance arrangements. Applicants also have the option to declare if they have any individual needs – such as any disabilities; or if they are

1311-627: The Central Register and Clearing House about the possible future shape of one or more admissions systems. At this stage applicants dealt directly with each individual polytechnic and the polytechnics themselves were strongly regional or local in their appeal. A study in 1977 found that between sixty and seventy per cent of those admitted to a polytechnic had applied to that institution only and that forty percent of admissions to polytechnics resulted from applications made in August or September of

1368-541: The National Union of Students (NUS) , published "Closing the Gap", which investigated attainment gaps between students of different ethnicities at UK universities. The report was led by Baroness Valerie Amos . In November 2013, Universities UK published the document "External speakers in higher education institutions" which provoked controversy because it suggested that audiences might be segregated by sex to satisfy

1425-551: The NHS education reforms; research and innovation and AHSNs; healthcare employment and health education regulation. In 2012, "A picture of health and education" was published, which depicts the vital connections between higher education and healthcare. In July 2015, Universities UK launched a campaign in support of the UK's continuing membership of the EU , which generated wide media coverage. This

1482-844: The UCAS Tariff Calculator, official tariff tables, or through third-party software and websites. The UCAS Tariff was first introduced in 2001. Since then, however, both the range of qualifications held by applicants, and the variety of progression routes into higher education have increased. Therefore a new Tariff was introduced. The new UCAS Tariff points are based on a different methodology. The change to new UCAS Tariff will not in itself change entry requirements for university or college courses. Universities and colleges are independent organisations and each year they decide how to set their entry requirements. Those universities and colleges that use UCAS Tariff points to express their entry requirements will simply set their requirements using

1539-621: The UCAS Track service by universities and are either unconditional or conditional, where the latter means that the student will receive a place dependent on exam performance. Applicants also find out if they have been rejected through UCAS Track. Once an applicant has received a reply from their choices, they must reply to their university before the deadline in May. Applicants normally choose two offers through UCAS, one as their firm choice and one as their insurance choice. A firm choice means that, if

1596-511: The UCAS search tool and contacting each university or college concerned for a place. Although most available places are published following results days in August, it opens at the start of July each year and closes in October. Through what was known as "Adjustment", if applicants exceeded the conditions of their firm offer, they had the option to search for a place at another university or college while retaining their original offer. Adjustment

1653-518: The UK. UCAS Progress also helps schools, colleges and local authorities address recruitment issues and statutory obligations resulting from raising the age of participation in secondary education; an initiative that legally obliges students to remain in full-time education or work-based training until the end of the academic year that they turn 17. However, this is about to change after government reforms; when students will be required to remain in education or training until their 18th birthday. UCAS Media

1710-730: The applicant's part (not replying to emails in time for example). For applications to universities in the UK, entry requirements for individual courses can either be based on grades of qualifications (e.g. AAA at GCE A-Level, a score of 43/45 in the IB International Baccalaureate Diploma, or a music diploma) or in UCAS points (e.g. 300 UCAS points from 3 A-Levels or an IB score equal to 676 UCAS points). To convert individual scores or grades of specific qualifications into UCAS points, UCAS has created tariff tables indicating indexes and ratios of UCAS points and results of qualifications. For example, an A* at A-level

1767-534: The appropriate deadline for their course. Whilst UCAS advises universities and colleges to send their decisions by the end of March, the universities have the responsibility of responding to applicants and may operate in their timescale. Many universities (like the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge ) require that applicants come to an interview or be interviewed online before offers are received, or they may be asked to submit an additional piece of work before receiving an offer. Offers are made through

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1824-552: The case study which triggered this debate was withdrawn. The "Efficiency and effectiveness in higher education", a report by the Universities UK Efficiency and Modernisation Task Group chaired by Ian Diamond, launched in 2011. In response to the report, the "Efficiency Exchange" was set up to help higher education institutions to share ideas and good practice. The Exchange facilitates the sharing of resources. Universities UK's health work programme addresses

1881-405: The chairmanship of Sir Charles Grant Robertson , vice-chancellors secured a mandate from their respective universities that "it is desirable in the common interests of the United Kingdom to constitute a Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals for purposes of mutual consultation". In the early 1960s, working parties set up by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals were responsible for

1938-543: The creation of the Universities Central Council on Admissions (UCCA). In the early 1980s, they commissioned the Jarratt report , published in 1985, and which framed universities as businesses delivering a product to student-consumers. Over the succeeding years the number of universities increased as a result of new universities being created and the change in legislation in 1992, which recognised

1995-685: The demands of ultra-orthodox religious speakers. The guidelines follow the principle that segregation is permissible if the Equality Act 2010 is followed and equal priority is given to all groups, in a manner similar to the former " separate but equal " doctrine in United States constitutional law that justified racial segregation until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . Following comments by Prime Minister David Cameron that universities should not enforce gender segregation on audiences,

2052-404: The fee and submitting the form themselves. For most current applications, the cost per student is £22 to apply for a single course or £26.50 for two or more courses (as of 2022 entry). Depending on the subject and on the university that they are applying for, candidates must submit their application by the relevant submission deadline to ensure their application is given "equal consideration" by

2109-408: The former polytechnics as universities thus doubling and diversifying the membership. On 1 December 2000, CVCP’s name, logo and identity were changed to Universities UK in order to reflect changes which had taken place in the organisation in recent years. Universities UK's task is to support the work of universities and promote their interests. Its mission is to help UK universities be the best in

2166-477: The higher education providers they are applying to. The term "equal consideration" refers to the obligation on all course providers to "consider all applications received by this time equally". It is possible for students to submit applications up until 30 June each year; but a late submission may not be given the same consideration as those submitted before the deadline. Applications received after 30 June are placed directly into Clearing . Students must adhere to

2223-417: The institutions then decide whether to make students an offer of a place. An institution can make a student either an unconditional offer, where the student is assured a place, or a conditional offer, where the student will receive a place subject to specific grades being met. In certain circumstances, the university may withdraw the application before interviews, though this usually only occurs by some action on

2280-497: The matter; this committee in its Third Report of January 1961, recommended the setting up of a central agency, which subsequently became known as UCCA. Its First and Second Reports had already made several recommendations aimed at harmonising admissions procedures across different universities. The name UCCA referred originally to the management board (the Central Council) overseeing the new process but soon came to refer to

2337-493: The merger of PCAS with UCCA. In 1992, following the change of status and name of most polytechnics to universities, the two bodies combined under Higgins's leadership. Initially the application form was branded jointly UCCA/PCAS but in 1994 the new merged body was officially renamed UCAS. In 2015, the Amsterdam Fashion Academy became the first non-UK educational establishment admitted to UCAS. Since

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2394-528: The new number system. The following qualifications can count towards the tariff: These are only offered by AQA and Edexcel. UCAS initially introduced a university points tariff which created a points system to cover the GCE A-Level and AS-Level qualification for students starting higher education in September 2001. (GCE A and AS Levels awarded before 2001 do not attract UCAS points). UCAS revamped

2451-503: The organisation responsible for its day-to-day operation. This was based initially in London and moved to Cheltenham , Gloucestershire in 1968. The new scheme had a pilot year handling a subset of applications for entry in 1963 and its first full year of operation handled admissions for 1964. The scheme was essentially a collaborative venture between independent universities and membership was voluntary. Most English universities joined from

2508-558: The original tariff to a single points system which included the majority of post-16 academic qualifications (including the allocation of points to Advanced GNVQS and Key Skills). This change applied to students starting courses in 2002. Additional post-16 qualifications were allocated points after this date. Full Diploma or each of its components. These are only counted if at grade 6 or above. These are only counted if at grade 1 or above. UCAS The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service ( UCAS / ˈ j uː k æ s / )

2565-509: The personal statement (among the student's grades) is the most important part within the application process. Plagiarism in personal statements is common and UCAS uses Copycatch software to detect personal statements that are considered to have 30% or more "similarity" to statements submitted by others. The free-form nature of the application also lead some applications to complete the essay in an absurdist manner. Due to being viewed by some as being rooted in class bias, UCAS began phasing out

2622-566: The place would not be turned down if the student hit the grades required for a better or preferred course. This practice was temporarily banned at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the UK government discourages universities from giving out these offers. If an applicant uses all of their five choices and does not receive any offers, or they decide to decline the offers they receive, they can apply for additional courses using UCAS' Extra service. This allows them to keep applying, one course at

2679-525: The services of a computer bureau with a Univac machine; in 1967 it installed its own Univac computer. Although the polytechnics were degree-teaching institutions, through the CNAA awards system, they were not eligible for admission to UCCA as it was reserved only for universities with degree-awarding powers. Despite this, the Polytechnics were involved as early as 1972 in discussions with UCCA and

2736-456: The start. Oxford and Cambridge joined (with slightly modified procedures) for the 1966 entry; the London medical and dental schools, as well as Belfast and Stirling for the 1967. In 1965, UCCA handled 80,033 applicants, rising to 114,289 in 1969. The acceptance rate of UCCA applicants by universities in 1969 stood at just over 50%. Initially, the processing of applications was carried out using punched card technology. In 1964, UCCA started using

2793-521: The statement in 2023, with the college class of 2025 being the last one mandated to complete it. The final part of the process involves paying an application fee and obtaining a written reference. The process varies depending on whether a student is applying through a school, college, or UCAS centre or as an individual. For the former, applications are sent to the school, college, or centre, who may ask applicants to pay their fee to them (which they then pass to UCAS) or pay UCAS directly, before they provide

2850-406: The student receives the grades required, then the student's conditional offer will be confirmed. An insurance choice means that, if the firm choice is a university that eventually rejects them due to their grades, then the student will get into that university if they have met the terms and conditions of the insurance choice's conditions. A student may only make an insurance choice if their firm choice

2907-416: The vast majority of UK universities and higher education colleges use the UCAS service, most students planning to study for an undergraduate degree in the UK must apply through UCAS – including home students and international students. To apply to university, students must submit a single application via UCAS's online Apply service. The application itself requires the student to register to the service, giving

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2964-496: The world, through their research and teaching, and the positive impact they have locally, nationally and globally. Universities Wales and Universities Scotland work autonomously as part of Universities UK, representing the interests of universities in Wales and Scotland . They campaign, influence and develop policy on behalf of the higher education sectors in the devolved nations. In 2013, Universities UK funded "Access for All",

3021-506: The year of entry. In 1983 the Committee of Directors of Polytechnics began negotiations with UCCA to share its computing, technical and office facilities in Cheltenham to establish a course entrance system, based on the existing model used by UCCA. A grant of £210,000, from the British Department for Education and Science , was awarded to set up a new unified admissions system, provisionally called PUCCA. However, instead of

3078-791: Was cancelled in 2022 and is no longer available. UCAS operates Conservatoires UK Admissions Service (formally known as CUKAS) in conjunction with Conservatoires UK, managing applications for both undergraduate and postgraduate music, dance, and drama courses at nine UK conservatoires: Students must apply through the online CUKAS service by: UCAS Teacher Training (UTT) is an application service for postgraduates that want to become teachers. UTT replaced UCAS' previous GTTR teacher training application service and expanded its remit to provide centralised admissions for School Direct and school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) programs. UTT programmes are either university/college-taught or school-based and typically last for one academic year; usually leading to

3135-575: Was criticised by some Conservative and UKIP Members of the European Parliament , who said that such political activity undertaken by a registered charity which is largely state-funded was wrong. In spring 2018, the transparency of Universities UK was widely called into question due to its role in negotiations over changes to the USS pension scheme , which led to the 2018 UK higher education strike . By 12 April 2018, 12,000 people had signed

3192-451: Was formed in 1992 by the merger of Universities Central Council on Admissions (UCCA) and Polytechnics Central Admissions System (PCAS) and the name UCAS is a contraction of the former acronyms UCCA and PCAS. An early proposal was made for the new merged body to be called PUCCA (Polytechnics and Universities Central Council on Admissions) but this was never adopted. UCCA was the older of the two bodies, having been formed in 1961 to provide

3249-515: Was furthermore generally submitted before a decision was made on whether to interview. However, means of absorbing the Art and Design Admissions Registry into UCAS were found by 1996. Although the aim to create a fully unified application system for universities and polytechnics was not achieved until 1994, from the '80s onwards Tony Higgins, the Chief Executive of PCAS, continued to push for

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