UCAS - Public statement

Public statement - UCAS Tariff

The UCAS Board has decided to suspend the assessment of new qualifications¹ for inclusion in the UCAS Tariff whilst the Qualifications Information Review is underway.

This will not adversely affect applicants currently applying or considering applying via the UCAS application process. UCAS analysis² shows that the majority of applications made to full-time undergraduate courses are submitted using qualifications that already attract UCAS Tariff points. Applicants with qualifications that do not attract UCAS Tariff points should, as at present, discuss their personal circumstances with their chosen institutions³.

The Board's decision does not affect any qualifications which already attract Tariff points, or any information published by universities and colleges about their use of Tariff points for setting entry requirements to higher education courses or for making offers.

UCAS is currently undertaking a review of the information about qualifications needed by universities and colleges and learners to inform fair admissions⁴. Initial findings will be available in late 2011 and will inform the future of the UCAS Tariff. For further information on the Review please go to www.ucas.com/qireview

All enquiries: UCAS Press Office, tel: 01242 545469, communications@ucas.ac.uk

UCAS Tariff Q&A and Mythbuster

Notes to editors

¹Qualifications that meet the following criteria will be considered for inclusion on the tariff during 2011:

Qualifications that need to be evaluated by dint of changes to qualifications frameworks, for example those qualifications that are transitioning to the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
New qualifications that are to all intents and purposes the same as existing qualifications that attract Tariff points
Qualifications that are on the Tariff on a provisional basis, subject to a review of candidate evidence

²For year-of-entry 2010, 96 per cent of qualification types used by more than 50 applicants in applications to full-time undergraduate courses attracted UCAS Tariff points.

³For applicants using qualifications that are not currently in the Tariff - such as those within some Apprenticeship frameworks - the application process remains unchanged. Applicants should continue to check specific entry requirements using Course Search on www.ucas.com, and speak with the admissions office at the relevant institution to determine whether their qualifications are suitable for the courses they have chosen.

⁴UCAS is undertaking a review of qualifications information throughout 2011 that aims to:

understand and articulate what requirements learners, institutions, and other stakeholders have for information about qualifications to enable fair, transparent and efficient admissions to higher education
review how effective the Tariff and other approaches are in meeting these needs
work with a wide range of stakeholders, including regulators and awarding organisations, to develop and consult on improvements and alternative approaches

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