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Five reasons to find a place in Clearing this year

Thu 18 August 2022 - 14:02

By Sam Sykes, Digital Learning Manager in UCAS advice

If you’re thinking about reapplying next year, here are five reasons you may want to consider going through Clearing this year instead:

  1. There are still thousands of Clearing places available. With so many options available, there’s still a place out there that could be right for you. Revisit all the research you did – whether that was open days, notes on league tables or modules on offer for inspiration. Those courses and unis were on your shortlist for a reason.
  2. You can stick to your plan. Think back to why you applied to uni in the first place. You made a plan to experience a new place and meet new people this year. Uni is still a great way to discover new things and embrace some independence. You could use UniBuddy to chat to students currently at uni to get their insight into what they like about their course and where they study.
  3. It is likely to be...

Time for some post-match (consultation) analysis

Thu 11 August 2022 - 12:17

By Carys Willgoss, Principal Policy Adviser in UCAS advice

In June, we had a hint from then Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan, announcing that ‘no-one is talking about limiting the overall number of people who go to higher education.’ However, ministerial changes since then mean that details remain unclear.

Both leadership campaigns have made pledges related to education and skills and, once in post, figuring out the next steps for higher education reform will be high on political agendas. By way of reminder, here’s an overview of UCAS’ evidence to date.

What’s happening with demand for HE and training?

UCAS projects the 2026 cycle could see one million applicants – around 27% more than in 2021, and double those seen in 2006. About 55% of this increase will be attributable to a growth in demand from UK 18-year-olds (...

Strengthening advice and guidance on technical pathways will allow all young people to make the best decision for their future

Mon 8 August 2022 - 08:11

By Holly Brown in UCAS advice

Here at UCAS, we know that this experience can be even more challenging when the pathways to access these different options aren’t always clear, and we are conscious that this is an issue facing many today. Our research into what influences the choices school leavers make found that two in five young people reported that more information and guidance would have led to them making better choices.

Information about apprenticeships needs to be provided equally to all groups of students

This same UCAS research found that, in particular, information on vocational and technical pathways is often lacking - almost one in three school leavers said they did not receive any information about apprenticeships from their school. Similarly, over half of the pupils we...

A year in the life of a data scientist at UCAS

Tue 5 July 2022 - 09:24

By Emily Bennett in UCAS advice

In the Policy Unit at UCAS, I’ve had the opportunity to lead our research and identify key insights on student progression, and help tell their stories. Over the past twelve months, we have delved into the depths of the data held here at UCAS to pick out behaviours and traits of applicants to UK higher education that haven’t been explored before.

Back in September 2021, we took a closer look at applicants who shared an LGBT+ identity in the UCAS application form – a first of its kind release. This piece of work provided brand new insights into the differences, and similarities, between LGBT+ applicants and their non-LGBT+ peers, including their experience in education to date, their likelihood to share a mental health condition, and their likelihood to be from less advantaged backgrounds. It also highlighted the more challenging...

Disabled students make diversity and inclusion a priority when making their choices

Fri 1 July 2022 - 11:03

By UCAS in UCAS advice

Whoever you are, whatever your motivations, hitting ‘submit’ on your UCAS application is a big moment. It is the culmination of months (sometimes years) of research, soul-searching, discussions about the right choices … not to mention the work that goes into crafting your personal statement. Everyone responds differently: some students feel absolute certainty in their decision, others feel more trepidatious. As the decisions roll in and the start of the course looms closer, anticipation and nervousness can set in because starting university or an apprenticeship can feel daunting – it marks a significant change in your life, after all. Ultimately though, it’s a time of excitement: there is the promise of a fresh start where you can be yourself and open yourself up to new experiences, both social and academic.

Higher education is about more than the academic side. Developing new friendship groups and support networks...

Personalisation is becoming essential in intentional recruitment

Fri 27 May 2022 - 15:25

By Des Cutchey, UCAS International and Linda Liu, College Board in International students

The past two years have undeniably presented significant barriers to international student mobility. Closed borders, digital learning, social unrest, virtual outreach, visa uncertainties and geopolitics to name but a few – but, far from hitting the panic alarm, millions of students continue to follow their dream of studying overseas. 

Within UCAS’ new report, published today in collaboration with the US-based non-profit organization College Board which delivers programs like the SAT and Advanced Placement, we estimate that during the pandemic, over 155,000 international students chose the UK as their destination of choice and begun their studies. The global HE marketplace appears to have weathered the COVID storm. 

However, growth has not been equal – around two in every nine new international undergraduates entering the UK are from China. Consequently, nine universities and colleges recruit more than 10% of their intake from China. 55% of all...

No longer in contact with your parents? Tick the UCAS ‘estranged student’ box!

Thu 19 May 2022 - 09:57

By Susan Mueller, Higher Education Director at Stand Alone in Widening access and participation

Are you are applying to higher education without the support from your parents or even your wider family due to a breakdown in your relationship with them? Are you already living independently and have little or no contact with your parents and maybe also other close family members? Or is this likely to be your situation before you start uni? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, then you might be classified as an ‘estranged’ student which means you could get support to study.

In higher education, if your relationship with your parents has permanently and irreconcilably broken down and you have no contact with them, this is referred to as ‘estranged’. If that is the case for you, you may be wondering about things like: how to finance your studies, where you will live, and how to make friends and fit in. Maybe you are also thinking about how you can keep yourself safe from unwanted contact and...

Are you from a UK Armed Forces family? Let your university or college know!

Thu 19 May 2022 - 09:56

By The Global Education Team – Ministry of Defence in Widening access and participation

UCAS has introduced a new flag that will immediately identify to universities and colleges whether an applicant is from a UK Armed Forces background (sometimes referred to as ‘Service children’).  This flag will be generated simply by students ticking a box on the UCAS application form.

This is positive news from several perspectives. 

It is a clear sign to universities that children from Armed Forces families deserve additional attention; recognising that many Armed Forces children have a unique set of experiences and personal skills that are highly valuable in academic and employment settings.

Of course, it also enables universities to consider applications against the context of some of the more challenging aspects of Armed Forces life. For example, admissions teams will be able to assess students’ achievements...

How 2021 changed student shopping and spending for 2022

Thu 17 March 2022 - 16:48

In UCAS advice

It’s a new age for student marketing, as Gen Z shrewdness forces brands to rethink advertising and authenticity.

One of the things that makes working with students so challenging and fascinating is the lightning-quick pace of change. On an almost yearly basis, we see entire decision-making strategies come and go, as each new intake brings young people from all over the world and from every socioeconomic status. Add a global pandemic to that, or a widespread cultural movement like Black Lives Matter, and you’ve got a crucible for change that dwarfs anything we’ve seen before.

That’s why this year’s UCAS Freshers Report has been both a revelation and revolution to work...

UCAS Freshers Report reveals new student shopping trends for 2022

Thu 3 March 2022 - 10:04

In UCAS advice

It’s time to think differently about consumer engagement with students.

We can finally talk about the 2022 Freshers Report, which has just been published after months of research and analysis. Today’s launch reveals insight gathered from more than 7,000 students, about what really makes them tick when it comes to spending and shopping. For brands and businesses looking to engage with this unique market, it’s a crucial read.

And they are extremely unique, especially compared to their predecessors. They are the Gen Z vanguard when it comes to maturity, spending, and influence, but they’ve also lived through a global pandemic. This year’s freshers have all but skipped...

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