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Background to the Qualifications Information (QI) Review

During the last decade, the number, diversity and complexity of qualifications offering pathways to higher education has expanded substantially. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland alone the number of registered level 3 qualifications has grown from 1,211 in 2002 to 3,921 in 2010. Successful entrants to higher education hold a more diverse range of qualifications than ever before.

The Tariff mechanism has not kept pace with the changing nature of the qualifications environment and is being used for purposes for which it was not designed. In response to demand from the higher education sector, UCAS launched the Qualifications Information Review (previously known as the Tariff Review) in July 2010.

Purpose of the Qualifications Information (QI) Review

The Qualifications Information Review seeks 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.

What has the Review found out so far?

From February to June 2011 the Qualifications Information Review carried out an initial information gathering phase. This phase included UK-wide stakeholder focus groups and a series of online surveys.

Participants in the QI Review during this phase included a cross-section of:

  • HE admissions staff
  • representatives from schools, sixth form colleges and FE colleges
  • learners currently applying to HE and first year HE students
  • awarding organisations
  • government and regulatory bodies.

Click here to read the analysis of the findings from the focus groups.

Click here to read the analysis of the findings from the online surveys.

What is happening now?

The findings from the information gathering phase led to the development of a series of proposals for a new system of qualifications information. These proposals were then further developed following feedback from HE admissions staff and members of the Review reference group at technical workshops held across the UK during September and October 2011. The consultation on the resulting Review recommendations was given approval by the UCAS Board in December 2011 and was launched in February 2012.

For information about the recommendations, consultation and next steps, please visit the QI Review consultation page.