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UCAS' groups and forums

Our service to providers and members

Here are details of our advisory groups which support the smooth running of core UCAS services.

Learn more about how our engagement activities are used to inform the development of UCAS’ products and services –  How groups inform our developments (28.62 KB)

Interested in joining an advisory group?

We are currently actively recruiting members to join the following groups. Click here to view all current vacancies opportunities  (197.83 KB)

  • UCAS Media Advisory Group
  • English Policy Group
  • Scottish Policy Group
  • Northern Irish Policy Group
  • Welsh Policy Group

Please complete our advisory group application form to express an interest in joining one of our groups.

 Customer engagement opportunities

Group Structure Delivery Purpose Notes

Nation Groups 

  • England 
  • Northern Ireland 
  • Scotland 
  • Wales 
 Formal Groups with elected members and minutes.  F2F/virtual mix – two per year To influence and inform UCAS’ policy positions through a nation-specific lens. Meetings 90 –120 minutes, with an optional 30-minute follow-on session to enable UCAS to provide the latest updates on products and services that may be of interest to members. 
Advisory Groups  Formal groups with elected members and minutes. F2F/virtual mix – three per year To advise and make recommendations to UCAS on current and upcoming product and service developments.  Enhances opportunities for nations' representations on the Provider and Adviser Advisory Groups.

Forums* 

  • Regional (England) 
  • Nations
 Informal discussion groups. Virtual – two or three per year To facilitate good practice sharing and networking between customers. . Open to all customers.
Product development webinars*  Presentation update with an opportunity for Q&A. Fortnightly webinars To provide timely updates on product developments. Open to all customers.
Operational webinars*  Presentation update with an opportunity for Q&A Webinar To provide updates on operational dates and deadlines.  Open to all customers.

*Only available to UCAS providers.

Adviser Advisory Group (previously Secondary Education Advisory Group)

Represents advisers, schools and colleges sector in dialogue with UCAS, focusing on the impact of current and future products, systems and services in the pre-HE sector. The Group engages in discussion and debate around wider policy issues and their impact on progression to higher education, and the role of UCAS in this. 

Chair: Shoonagh Hubble, Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, shh@barton.ac.uk

Adviser Advisory Group - Terms of Reference (47.42 KB)

Adviser Advisory Group Membership (204.77 KB)

Next meeting: 15 November 2022

Apprenticeship Advisory Group

Provides UCAS with a robust and representative voice on the subject of apprenticeships, which includes key stakeholders, providers, training providers and employers.

Chair: Dan Doherty,  Cognizant UKI, Daniel.Doherty@cognizant.com

Apprenticeship Advisory Group - Terms of Reference (58.35 KB)

Apprenticeship Advisory Group - Membership (201.13 KB)

Next meeting: 5 October 2022

College & Independent Providers HE Advisory Group

Represents colleges and independent providers delivering higher education, with a particular focus on the impact of current, and potential, future UCAS products, systems and services on the sector. 

Chair: James Marczak, Myerscough College - jmarczak@myerscough.ac.uk

Next meeting: 1 November 2022

English Policy Group

Represents the diverse interests of UCAS' English customers and stakeholders and their progression to UK post-secondary education including higher education (HE) and apprenticeships. Its principal role is to influence and inform UCAS' policy positions through a fully representative, nation-specific lens.

Chair: Brian Lutchmiah, Diversity and Ability; brian.lutchmiah@diversityandability.com

Next meeting: 12 October 2022

HE Marketing Services Advisory Group

Works in partnership with UCAS Media to improve and extend its products and services, advise and make recommendations, and represent the views of the sector and UCAS’ marketing services customers.

Chair: Sam Uzzell, University of Surrey, s.uzzell@surrey.ac.uk

Next meeting: 29 September 2022

International Advisory Group

Advises and guides UCAS' strategic international development.

Chair: Jane Dunn, Aston University, j.dunn1@aston.ac.uk 

Next meeting: 6 October 2022

Northern Irish Policy Group (previously Northern Irish Standing Group)

Represents the diverse interests of UCAS' Northern Irish customers and stakeholders and their progression to UK post-secondary education including higher education (HE) and apprenticeships. Its principal role is to influence and inform UCAS' policy positions through a fully representative, nation-specific lens.
 
Chair: Roisin McEvoy, Queen's University, Belfast, roisin.mcevoy@qub.ac.uk

Next meeting: 14 November 2022

Provider Advisory Group (previously Undergraduate Advisory Group)

Provides UCAS with a robust and representative voice of its members, to challenge consultation with the sector, and to advise and make recommendations to UCAS on proposed changes to products and services. 

Chair: Pete Edge, University of Law, pete.edge@law.ac.uk

Provider Advisory Group Terms of Reference (47.75 KB)

Provider Advisory Group Membership (200.69 KB)

Next meeting: 13 October 2022

Qualifications Advisory Group

Provides strategic and expert advice to UCAS on qualifications, student progression, and the UCAS Tariff.

Chair: Amy Smith, Nottingham Trent University, amy.smith02@ntu.ac.uk

Next meeting: 4 October 2022

Scottish Policy Group (previously Scottish Standing Group)

Represents the diverse interests of UCAS' Scottish customers and stakeholders and their progression to UK post-secondary education including higher education (HE) and apprenticeships. Its principal role is to influence and inform UCAS' policy positions through a fully representative, nation-specific lens.

Chair: Rebecca Gaukroger, The University of Edinburgh, Rebecca.gaukroger@ed.ac.uk

Next meeting: 10 November 2022

Technology Group

Represents university and college interests in technical aspects of UCAS admissions products, systems and services. The Group ensures any changes are communicated to providers, and their third party software suppliers.

Chair: Ben Stone, University of Wolverhampton, Ben.Stone@wlv.ac.uk

Next meeting: 24 November 2022

UCAS Conservatoires User Group

Working at an operational and detailed level, this Group considers the specific requirements, design, and development of the UCAS Conservatoires scheme.

Chair: Elly Taylor, Royal College of Music, elly.taylor@rcm.ac.uk

Next meeting: 20 October 2022

UCAS Media Advisory Group

Supports UCAS Media in its commitment to operate ethically, demonstrate integrity and act responsibly to its student customers (learners) and wider stakeholders.

Chair: Helena Sturridge, Independent Consultant, hwsturridge@gmail.com

Next meeting: 8 November 2022

Welsh Policy Group (previously Welsh Standing Group)

Represents the diverse interests of UCAS' Welsh customers and stakeholders and their progression to UK post-secondary education including higher education (HE) and apprenticeships. Its principal role is to influence and inform UCAS' policy positions through a fully representative, nation-specific lens.

Chair: Andrew Jackson, HELOA, andrew.jackson1@southwales.ac.uk 

Next meeting: 16 November 2022

More information

You can find out more about UCAS' groups and forums, and read past minutes and papers in the password-protected providers' section of ucas.com.

Go to the groups and forums section

You can also email us for more information at groupsandforums@ucas.ac.uk.

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