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Reforming references for the 2024 cycle

As previously communicated, the reference process for Advisers is being reformed for the 2024 cycle.

Posted Wed 1 February 2023

Advisers will have the following three structured questions for all undergraduate applications starting with the 2024 entry cycle:

  1. Enter a general statement about your school/college (mandatory for applications sent via a registered centre)
  2. Enter any information about extenuating circumstances which may affect this applicant’s performance in examinations or other assessments (optional)
  3. Use this section to outline any other circumstances specific to the applicant that you think universities/colleges should be aware of (optional)

Independent referees will be presented with the following three questions:

  1. Provide an overview of your relationship with the applicant *
  2. Enter any information about extenuating circumstances which may affect this applicant’s performance in examinations or other assessments
  3. Use this section to outline any other circumstances specific to the applicant that you think universities/colleges should be aware of

No technical changes will be required by you or your software vendors, and the reformed reference will feed through to web-link and xml-link via the existing reference field. The outputs will clearly display what answers refer to which questions under the following headings.

Adviser referee output:

  • ESTABLISHMENT INFORMATION
  • EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES
  • OTHER

Independent referee output:

  • RELATIONSHIP TO APPLICANT
  • EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES
  • OTHER INFORMATION

Over the next few days Advisers will have oversight of the new reference guidance for 2024, on ucas.com.