UCAS - Admissions Process Review consultation published by UCAS

Admissions Process Review consultation published by UCAS

UCAS today publishes one of the most comprehensive reviews of university and college admissions in 50 years, following detailed research in partnership with the higher education sector.

The document offers a model that would support a longer term move to a post-results system, and also consults on a range of shorter term improvements to the current model.

These include proposals which would enhance the applicant experience across the entire admissions process, while also delivering cost-savings and efficiencies for institutions.

The full details are published today (31 October) and are available here.

Commissioned by the UCAS Board, the consultation seeks the views of senior leaders in higher education, schools and colleges. It also asks the opinions of applicants' representatives and other stakeholders such as awarding bodies, government departments and their agencies.

Professor David Eastwood, Chair UCAS Board and Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham said: "Changing applicant expectations, together with new modes of funding and delivering higher education, mean this review is particularly timely. UCAS has used its unique perspective on the admissions process to develop a strong evidence base to frame and inform the debate.

"Universities and colleges are responsible for their own admissions - we are clear as a board that it is ultimately for those within the sector to determine how admissions should operate in the future. In addition, we appreciate that any changes to examination timetables would require agreement from the four UK administrations."

The review offers a range of proposals designed to reposition and refine the admissions system. The Board is not committed to any one solution, but we are committed to continuing to provide an outstanding admissions service that is transparent, fair, and meets the needs of applicants and our member institutions."

Rama Thirunamachandran, Chair of the Admissions Process Review Steering Group and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Keele University said: "Universities and colleges are committed to fair and transparent admissions and it has been heartening to witness the willing engagement of so many experts and practitioners in helping to develop the proposals."

In addition to the online consultation, UCAS will be holding a number of supporting events, with details to be published on the website.

The consultation process will remain open until 20 January 2012 with a report of the findings and proposed next steps to be published in March.

Media contacts
UCAS Press Office: 01242 545469
James Woodward, Press Officer
Email: j.woodward@ucas.ac.uk
James Durant, Press Officer
Email: j.durant@ucas.ac.uk

Mary Curnock Cook, UCAS Chief Executive and Rama Thirunamachandran, Chair of the Admissions Process Review Steering Group are available for interview on Monday October 31.

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