Admissions system developments

This details the changes that have been introduced for the 2008 application cycle and those that took place in the 2007 application cycle.

2008 cycle: Application number

We had previously proposed removing the application number and replacing with an application code in tandem with the existing personal id. As a result of discussions with HEIs, for the 2008 cycle, UCAS has made the decision to retain application numbers in the existing format (eg 081234567) and not as originally presented and discussed in the UCAS 2004 circular (UC69-04) and the UCAS Technical Software Seminars in January 2007. UCAS is now proposing to make this change for the 2009 cycle.

2008 cycle: Reduction in choices

In the Government response to the consultation on Improving the Higher Education Applications process a number of changes to the process were outlined. The Delivery Partnership Steering Group (DPSG) is now taking these changes forward. As previously advised the major change for 2008 is that applicants applying to the UCAS scheme will be restricted to a maximum of 5 choices (choice numbers 1 to 5 to be used). This will not affect the number of choices for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science/Medicine - four choices, or the number of choices for Route B courses - three choices.

Deferred applicants from the 2007 UCAS cycle will still show up to 6 choices.

Applicants will be eligible for Extra if they are not successful in their original five choices. Choice number 7 will continue to be used for Extra and Clearing choices.

The HEI test environment will be updated to reflect these changes by the end of June 2007.

The DPSG is now concentrating on changes for 2009 entry, details of the work of the group can be found at www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/activities/admissions.asp

2008 cycle: NMAS incorporation into UCAS

As previously advised the NMAS scheme will cease as a stand alone service at the close of the 2007 cycle and will be absorbed into the UCAS scheme. Consequently, from 2008 entry there will be the following changes for the processing of applications to courses currently in the NMAS scheme:

  • applicants will apply to all nursing and midwifery diploma courses through UCAS
  • the number of choices available to applicants will change from four to five in line with the UCAS scheme
  • institutions will be able to make conditional offers (NMAS supports only unconditional offers)
  • applicants 'reply to offers' options will be to accept Firm and Insurance choices (there will be no provisional acceptances)
  • the closing date for on-time applications will be 15 January
  • course codes will remain the same as currently for 2008 entry, but will be assigned secondary JACS codes for HESA purposes as per current UCAS courses
  • a new abbreviation code will be introduced to allow joint diploma and degree offers to be made
  • special arrangements will be made for deferred NMAS applicants, details will be communicated at a later date.

2008 cycle: Redesign of UCAS Apply - Student, staff and support tools functionality

Following the integration of NMAS into UCAS the online application system for UCAS has been modified. We have taken this opportunity to make further improvements to the system with the aim of improving the user experience in relation to:

  • functionality between registration and application
  • entry of qualification details
  • provision of Welsh language version
  • disability and usability compliance
  • data validation in Apply to enable students to correct errors before submission.

We will also be improving the support tool used by UCAS Customer Services to assist applicants with queries whilst they are completing their application. These changes will not affect the structure or content of data received by HEIs in any way.

2008 cycle: Withdrawal of Marvin

A reminder that for the 2008 cycle Marvin will no longer be available to transfer data between HEIs and UCAS. Technical support is available throughout the current cycle to assist HEIs with transitioning from Marvin. Please contact our Service Desk in the first instance 01242 544683 or email techsupport@ucas.ac.uk.

2008 cycle: Courses and Qualifications data

We are improving the collection, maintenance and storage of qualifications data. Whilst this will have no direct impact on HEIs, a benefit will be that applicants will be better able to identify UK, EU, international and Access to HE qualifications in their applications.

Course data collection and storage is also being changed for 2009 entry. This means that institutions will have new screens in which to enter and edit course data when the 2009 collection begins in the autumn of 2007. A workshop is being held at the Admissions Conference with reference to the changes to the courses for 2009 entry.

2008 cycle: Web-link / Copy forms

From 2008 institutions will be able to specify via web-link whether or not they wish to continue receiving paper copy application forms.

Contextual Data Sub-Group

The papers, agendas and minutes of the Contextual Data Sub-Group (CDSG) have been placed on the secure area of this website. This is a Sub-Group of the Change User Group and Data Advisory Group and has been charged with the task of reviewing the possible provision of additional contextual data to be collected both through additional questions in Apply and by possible linkage to external databases held by bodies such as DfES and the Scottish Executive. The Sub-Group has been working intensively and is currently finalizing its proposals in preparation for a major consultation with both HEIs and pre-HE providers, following which recommendations will be made to the Change User Group and Data Advisory Group.



2007 Entry Cycle Changes

  1. Applicant Personal IDs

    Applicant Personal Ids will now be introduced for the 2009 entry cycle. This means that you will still use the application number in sending transactions to UCAS during the 2008 application cycle.

  2. Awarding Body Linkage (ABL) processing 2007 onwards

    1. Two qualifications have come into the Tariff
      1. OCR Nationals
      2. Wider Key Skills
    2. Unit Grade Provision
      1. Unit grades will be made available to all those institutions opted in for this information.
      2. Available for summer results provision only
      3. No amendment grades for individual units just for the overarching result
      4. They will be available for all applicants not just those holding an offer
      5. Each unit will have a title and a grade
        1. Grade will be in lower case as sent by the board
      6. 4 ways to receive the data
        1. Flat file
          1. Fixed length record
          2. Layout
            1. Application identifier
            2. Exam details and overall result (up to 21 results)
              1. Unit details (up to 12 units per result)
        2. ODBC link
          1. Additional Views
            1. ivUnitResults (UCAS)
            2. ivcUnitResults (CUKAS)
        3. XML link
          1. New methods
            1. getUCASApplicantUnits
            2. getCUKASApplicantUnits
        4. weblink
      7. Units received for GCE/VCE A and AS level examinations
        1. GCE AS Level - 3 units
        2. GCE A Level - 6 units
        3. VCE AS Level - 6 units
        4. VCE A Level - 12 units
      8. Boards involved are
        1. AQA - Assessment and Qualifications Alliance
        2. Edexcel
        3. OCR - Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations
        4. NICCEA Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment
        5. WJEC - Welsh Joint Education Committee
  3. HESA Student Record Layout (*J)

    The following changes will be made to the *J data for the end of the 2007 cycle

    1. Special papers are to be included in the HESA returns
    2. All failed grades should be excluded from the tariff scores