The 2023 cycle contextual data measures are available from 1 September 2022.
For the 2023 cycle, we’ve updated the school and college level data where available. Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic not all the usual data measures were available, particularly those relating to exams or assessments for 2019/20, 2020/21 2021/22. Those measures we have updated are listed below
| Measure | England | NI | Scotland | Wales |
| % of students entitled to free school meals (FSM) | Yes | Yes | ||
| % of students entitled to Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| % of students registered to free school meals (FSM) | Yes | |||
| Average UCAS points for Highers per student | Yes* | |||
| Average UCAS points score for Highers per entry | Yes* |
*Only available in web-link
This is alongside the POLAR4, POLAR3 and the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) updates.
The contextual data can be used to assess an applicant’s achievement and potential, in light of their educational and socioeconomic background.
To use the contextual data service, you need to register with us, and make it clear to applicants that you’re accessing this, and how it is being used in the admissions process.
You only need to sign up once to receive contextual data annually. If you haven’t already registered and want more information, please email our customer success team at CST@ucas.ac.uk
Systems will remain available while this work takes place however once it completes you may see a larger volume of data that expected in your next import of data via xml-link or odbc-link. The view/methods being updated are:
- ODBC View - 'IVCONTEXTUAL'
- XML Method - getUCASApplicantContextualData , getContextualData