During 2014, we’ve made changes to the way we collect data regarding sex and gender identity for the 2015 admissions cycle. Once these changes went live we received feedback from students and representative bodies that the wording of these questions was potentially offensive to some applicants.
We aim to be fully inclusive of the broad range of learners who use our products and services; and the applicant experience is our paramount consideration. We do not wish to cause offence to any applicant or deter applicants in any way from applying to higher education. Due to this, we have reviewed how we collect data in relation to sex and gender and made changes to the questions and supporting texts seen by students in Apply.
Changes to questions in Apply:
- We previously asked applicants their Legal sex, with the options of choosing Male or Female. We’re now asking applicants for their Gender with the options remaining Male or Female.
- We’ve also amended the question of Is your gender identity different to the sex you were assumed to be at birth? to Do you identify as transgender? The applicant will still have the option of answering Yes, No or I prefer not to say.
Revised help text to assist applicants
The help text applicants will see when answering these questions explains that if they decide to disclose information regarding their sex and gender, the response will be treated in the strictest confidence. Schools, colleges, advisers and referees will not have access to it; and during the application process it will not be seen by the conservatoires where they are applying.
It is made clear that conservatoires will only have access to this information once the applicant’s place has been confirmed and all data disclosed will be stored in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. The help text continues to explain that by disclosing this information conservatoires will better understand the composition of their student population and be able to create an inclusive environment for all students. In addition, this information will help conservatoires monitor progress in equal opportunities and meet their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
The sex and gender identity changes have been live since 24 January and should have a minimal impact on your systems.
- Although the wording of the questions has changed, the options as answers remain the same.
- The help text has been updated to reflect these changes.
- For the 2015 cycle this change will only impact on the text visible to applicants.
- The gender identity question will only appear for UK domiciled applicants.
- We will not change any field or column names in odbc-link or xml-link.
- web-link export files will be amended to show new question titles.
- The data passed to you will not change.
If you have any questions relating to the way we collect data about sex and gender identity please email Ben Jordan at b.jordan@ucas.ac.uk. For any queries regarding changes to your systems to accommodate these changes, please email our Technical Relationship Managers at trm@ucas.ac.uk.