Earlier this week we updated you on UCAS-link and we just wanted to tell you a little more about the specific components that we feel can benefit you!
What is it?
Via UCAS-Link, this service allows you to send Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA) data directly to UCAS from your student record system, replacing the need to manually add individual RPA’s or submit using the spreadsheet.
When is it coming?
Good news: it's already available in the test and training environment!
Why should you care about it?
This service is designed for those of you who submit high volumes of RPAs and want to do this directly from your student record system. This service will significantly reduce the need for manual input of RPAs which is time consuming.
What are the benefits?
You can quickly and easily submit RPA data to UCAS to meet your obligations under our Terms of Service. You can choose which records you want to receive back into your student record system.
Sounds great, what do I do next?
- Get in touch with your Student Record System developer/vendor and/or the Service Delivery Management (Technical) Team: SDMTech@ucas.ac.uk to find out how you can start using RPA Connect.
- You will then need to have a chat with your technical team or Vendor to ensure they have developed the capability for you to connect.
- Test it out and feed back to us and please do get in touch if you come across any issues.
What is it?
Previously known as the “Modernised Contextual Data Service” (MCDS) it is already available as a data file via MOVEit. In UCAS-link, this is now known as “Student Context Record Connect”. This is the data we collect and share for UK 18 and 19-year-olds giving providers further insight into an individual’s circumstances. There will be further communications to follow around the re-naming of MCDS.
It includes:
- Verified free school meals (FSM) status for applicants from state schools
- Verified bursary indicator for applicants from independent schools
- Multiple equality measure (MEM)1 and MEM2 groups
- Applicant grade profile adjusted for applicant’s equality context
- Index of multiple deprivation (IMD) quintile
- POLAR4 quintile
If you want to sign up for MCDS, you need to complete this form, and can request data on a daily, weekly or monthly basis via MOVEit. Any questions can be directed to mcds@ucas.ac.uk
When is it coming?
It is in the test and training environment for developers now. If you’re an existing MCDS User this means you’ll technically be able to receive the same data you receive currently in MOVEit, but in your own student system, alongside application information.
The only difference will be if you’re currently signed up to receive data on a weekly or monthly basis. The data supplied via link will be available daily.
Why is it important to you?
For providers who are committed to fair admissions but find it challenging to make contextual offers, this service allows you to access timely and relevant data at the point of application, in the same place as the other application data.
Currently we provide this data to providers who opt-in to receive it via MOVEit and it’s a manual process to match it to the application data.
For the 2025 cycle we also intend to share this information via Web-link.
What are the benefits?
- You can view timely and relevant contextual data for the student alongside the rest of their application data.
- Data can be consumed via student record systems and easily reported on.
- Data is verified and trusted.
Sounds great, what do I do next?
- Get in touch with your Student Record System developer/vendor and/or the Service Delivery Management (Technical) Team: SDMTech@ucas.ac.uk
- You will then need to have a chat with your technical team or Vendor to ensure they have developed the capability for you to connect.
- Test it out and feed back to us and please do get in touch if you come across any issues.