LinkedinGoogle+YouTubeFacebookTwitter

Consultation

What was the consultation about?

Information about qualifications is an important factor in admissions to HE. The consultation represented a comprehensive review of the qualifications information needs of higher education institutions (HEIs), schools, colleges, advisers and applicants to higher education (HE).

Following extensive analysis and engagement UCAS launched the QIR consultation in February 2012. This sought views on six recommendations to improve the availability of information about qualifications to HE providers, learners, HE funding bodies, regulators and policy makers.

The recommendations made in the consultation were informed by feedback from across the HE sector about the types of information needed about qualifications. The consultation sought feedback on six recommendations which together represented an exciting new shared UCAS qualifications information service for HE, students and their advisers and other stakeholders, with the aim of supporting fairness, transparency and efficiency in HE admissions. The QI Review consultation asked all stakeholders for their views on whether the proposals meet these aims and how they would be affected if they are implemented.

Download the consultation document (pdf format) here.

What were the recommendations?

The six recommendations were:

  1. the development of Qualification Information Profile (QIPs) to give admissions staff the information they need about qualifications
  2. that HEIs consider the gradual withdrawal of the UCAS Tariff for setting entry requirements and making offers
  3. the development of a rigorous means of comparing 'demand' across different qualifications
  4. the development of a simple qualifications metric for management information purposes
  5. the publication of an annual report on the use of qualifications within HE admissions
  6. the provision of optional admissions tools for HEIs.

Who took part in the consultation?

The Qualifications Information Review consultation was launched on 9 February and closed on 16 April 2012. 317 written responses were received by email, post and via the online survey tool. In addition, a series of consultation workshops were held throughout March. Eighteen events were held which were attended by 169 stakeholders. Participation in the consultation included representatives from:

  • HEIs and representative bodies
  • schools, colleges and advisers
  • learners
  • awarding organisations and SSCs
  • government, regulatory and funding bodies
  • other stakeholders.

There was some overlap between participation in workshops and written respondents.

All responses to the consultation were fully analysed and formed the basis of final recommendations for a new system of qualifications information, which were considered by the UCAS Board in June 2012. The recommendations and next steps agreed by the UCAS Board are explained in the consultation report, which was published on 26 July 2012.

Download the consultation findings and recommendations report (pdf format) here.

Download appendix 1 (quantitative analysis) to the consultation findings and recommendations report (pdf format) here.

Download appendix 2 (qualitative analysis) to the consultation findings and recommendations report (pdf format) here.

UCAS is developing a detailed implementation plan to take forward the recommendations outlined in this report and will be able to share more detailed timescales for development and delivery of the review outcomes in the autumn.

Go to the project implementation page