UCAS - Using xml-link

Using xml-link

xml-link is our server-to-server mechanism, supplying you with all available applicant data in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format. Development work will be required by either your in-house IT team or your Software House in order to view the data within your own system(s).

It improves our B2B communications with all UK universities and colleges. xml-link enables UCAS to extend the types of data made available, while member institutions are able to take advantage of the new data types, at their own pace, to integrate into their own system.

xml-link uses web services technology to make predefined data available to institutions. A permission level set for each user when a log-on is granted, determines which data can be retrieved and updated by each institution. The data is held centrally at UCAS.

An xml-link web services client - local to the institution, and probably integrated with the institution's own student management and admissions system and developed by the institution, is required to invoke methods made available to institutions.

xml-link is available for all four admissions systems: UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), GTTR (Graduate Teacher Training Registry), CUKAS (Conservatoires UK Admissions Service), and UKPASS (UK Postgraduate Application and Statistical Service).

xml-link manuals

The technical manual provided by UCAS details the WSDL file and xml schemas available to assist institutions with their required development.

The manual also lists the methods available and the parameters required to access:

applicant data such as personal details, choice data, qualifications, employment details
institution data
management data
transactions available.