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 (199.46 KB)
- Provider Advisory Group
- Qualifications Advisory Group
- HE Marketing Services Advisory Group
- Technology 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
|
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*
|
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:
Adviser Advisory Group - Terms of Reference (47.42 KB)
Adviser Advisory Group Membership (204.35 KB)
Next meeting: 14 February 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, Talent Acquisition Group / Cognizant Worldwide Ltd, Daniel.Doherty@cognizant.com
Apprenticeship Advisory Group - Terms of Reference (58.35 KB)
Apprenticeship Advisory Group - Membership (198.9 KB)
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
- College & Independent Providers Advisory Group Terms of Reference (49.79 KB)
- College & Independent Providers Advisory Group membership (204.91 KB)
Next meeting: 15 February 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
- English Policy Group Terms of Reference (43.13 KB)
- English Policy Group Membership (209.74 KB)
Next meeting: 19 May 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
- HE Marketing Services Advisory Group Terms of Reference (47.24 KB)
- HE Marketing Services Advisory Group Membership (193.04 KB)
Next meeting: 3 March 2022
International Advisory Group
Advises and guides UCAS' strategic international development.
Chair: Annie Brunt, Manchester Metropolitan University, A.Brunt@mmu.ac.uk
- International Advisory Group Membership (193.24 KB)
- International Advisory Group Terms of Reference (51.24 KB)
Next meeting: 10 February 2022
Northern Irish Policy Group (previously Northern Irish Standing Group)
- Northern Irish Policy Group Terms of Reference (42.97 KB)
- Northern Irish Policy Group Membership (190.97 KB)
Next meeting: Monday 21 March 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: Dom Davis, City University - dominic.davis.1@city.ac.uk
Provider Advisory Group Terms of Reference (47.75 KB)
Provider Advisory Group Membership (201.93 KB)
First meeting: 3 February 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
- Qualifications Advisory Group Terms of Reference (44.17 KB)
- Qualifications Advisory Group membership (197.33 KB)
Next meeting: 1 March 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
- Scottish Policy Group Terms of Reference (44.41 KB)
- Scottish Policy Group Membership (199.62 KB)
Next meeting: 10 May 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 College Birmingham, b.stone@ucb.ac.uk
- Technology Group Terms of Reference (205.8 KB)
- Technology Group Membership (205.8 KB)
Next meeting: 8 March 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
- UCAS Conservatoires User Group Terms of Reference (43.22 KB)
- Conservatoire User Group membership (180.98 KB)
Next meeting: 17 May 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:
- Welsh Policy Group Terms of Reference (43.32 KB)
- Welsh Policy Group Membership (198.98 KB)
Next meeting: 12 May 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