UCAS - Units

UCAS CPD units

The UCAS CPD units can be used to develop a professional development plan and/or to demonstrate skills and knowledge in an admissions role.

The good practice standards or 'units', that constitute a route in the UCAS Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme, have been developed by a representative sample of institutions under the auspices of UCAS.

The standards were developed following an analysis exercise that identified all the tasks and functions undertaken by student recruitment and admissions staff. The analysis addressed the whole service, and lead to the development of good practice standards covering all these tasks and functions describing quality performance. Collectively they provide a menu of standards for everybody within a recruitment and admissions service.

The units are:

UCAS CPD units
	Unit	Unit title
	A1.	Coordinate events and activities
	A2.	Contribute to events and activities
	A3.	Produce publicity materials
	B1.	Provide information and advice to applicants and the wider community
	B2.	Provide specialist information and advice to others
	C1.	Establish criteria for the student population within a subject area
	C2.	Process applications
	C3.	Contribute to the processing of applications
	C4.	Make decisions on applications
	C5.	Quality assure decisions on applications
	C6.	Oversee the Confirmation and Clearing process
	C7.	Contribute to the Confirmation and Clearing process
	D1.	Develop admissions strategies, policies and procedures
	D2.	Implement admissions policies, procedures and targets
	D3.	Manage the admissions process
	D4.	Oversee the operation of UCAS systems
	D5.	Develop recruitment strategies, policies and procedures
	D6.	Implement recruitment policies, procedures and targets
	D7.	Manage the recruitment process
	D8.	Lead the work of teams and individuals to meet their objectives
	D9.	Manage the use of financial resources
	E1.	Liaise with other services
	E2.	Maintain effective working relationships
	F1.	Produce statistics and status reports
	F2.	Manage systems and procedures
	F3.	Develop systems and procedures

Achieving a unit

A unit can be achieved by gathering and presenting evidence in a portfolio that meets the criteria as given in the descriptions on the units. The portfolio will be assessed at UCAS and if the evidence meets the criteria, a UCAS certificate of achievement will be issued.

Support

Initial information and advice will be given by a member of the UCAS Professional Development Team on identifying suitable evidence and putting together your portfolio. Support and guidence will be available throughout your time of working on your portfolio by email, telephone and face-to-face review sessions.

You will also be encouraged to gain support from your line manager and a workplace 'buddy' to guide you through the assembly of your portfolio.