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Applicants love to hear from students so how we capture their views matters

Wed 31 August 2022 - 12:26

By Carys Willgoss, Principal Policy Adviser, UCAS  in Higher education

The latest consultation on changes to the National Student Survey (NSS) could be summarised as evolution, not revolution. This phase covers several thematic areas, building on findings from earlier stages of the review, dating back to 2020. Nonetheless, applicants consistently speak of the value of hearing from current students. For example, when we asked this year’s applicants how important certain factors were in deciding which universities or colleges to apply to, 88% told us that good student reviews were ‘extremely important’ or ‘important.’

This means that ensuring that the NSS remains fit for purpose as an information tool will be critical to UCAS’ objective of inspiring and...

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...

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...

Now live! Our new Freshers Report reveals a reshuffle of student brand preferences…

Thu 3 March 2022 - 10:05

In UCAS advice


It’s all change at the top. And the middle. And the bottom.

It’s another one to shake things up – we’ve just published this year’s revelation report, the UCAS 2022 Freshers Report. We spoke to more than 7,000 students to understand how the last year has affected the way they shop, spend, and interact with their favourite (and least favourite) brands.

Brand preference and perception has proved to be one of the most dramatic shifts in this year’s report. It’s nothing new for Gen Z to hold businesses to account – just look at corporate cancel culture or the industry fall out of BLM – but lots of brands have seen their younger markets stepping away in response to PR...

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