UCAS’ CEO Mary Curnock Cook comments on today’s statement by the Minister for Universities and Science on Widening Access

I know that data about admissions to higher education is important – that’s why we have become the largest publisher of analysis and data about HE in the UK, with particular focus on applications and acceptances by background and ethnic group in our most recent End of Cycle Report.
Posted Wed 9 September 2015 - 14:11

I know that data about admissions to higher education is important – that’s why we have become the largest publisher of analysis and data about HE in the UK, with particular focus on applications and acceptances by background and ethnic group in our most recent End of Cycle Report.

We have published over 1.4 million data points in the Data and Analysis section of our website including the numbers of applications and acceptances by ethnic group for each university and college.

Our coming analysis note on ethnic group offer rates - due to be published this month - is part of our plans for continuing to enhance public understanding of widening participation (WP). It is based on data similar to that which has been available for some time - the note is simply our view on how it be should be presented.

Our announcement earlier this year that we would help applicants who wish to share their data securely, by working with the Administrative Data Research Network (ADRN), from next cycle, is another key aspect of this commitment to assist research on the impact of WP.

I’m pleased that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has recognised the centrality of our data publications in shaping the understanding of HE admissions over the past five years and the importance of our plans for further developments in this area.

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