UCAS wishes to clarify the position about the possible use of school performance data in the admissions process in the light of today's press reports which appeared to be based on some misunderstandings.

UCAS does not allocate any places to HE. This task is the responsibility of HE institutions which are autonomous in admissions matters. Neither does UCAS determine in isolation the content of the application form. The UCAS service provides universities with the key pieces of information needed to support a rounded consideration of each applicant. UCAS and the universities work together to ensure that each institution's entry requirements are clear to students.

The report from the Admission to Higher Education Review chaired by Professor Steven Schwartz, Fair Admissions to Higher Education: Recommendations for Good Practice, (published in September 2004) argued that contextual factors, in addition to formal education achievement, were a fair and appropriate part of the admissions process and helpful in assessing the merit and potential of applicants.

The report asked universities, in conjunction with UCAS, specifically to review the application form to assist the transmission of a wider range of contextual information. In response to this recommendation, UCAS established a Contextual Data Group of university admissions officers from across the sector to consider and make recommendations on the contextual information that might be made available in the future.

The Group has met regularly but has not yet made any recommendations to UCAS. When it does, these recommendations themselves will be subject to extensive consultation with universities, colleges, schools and educational organisations before any implementation.

Media Contact

Byron Price, Communications Executive
Telephone: 01242 544987
Email: communications@ucas.ac.uk
Out of hours: 07768 740 461