As many of you will already be aware, the Prime Minister wrote in the Guardian today that name-blind applications could help increase participation in higher education from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups.
This is our response, which has been published on our website:
UCAS Chief Executive Mary Curnock Cook said: "We'll be consulting with universities and colleges on name-blind applications, as well as a wider range of changes which could impact applications from BME students. This is a good time to consider such changes as part of the wider redevelopment of our application management service.
"One of the benefits of our unique national admissions service means that it is possible both to identify and address issues of under-representation. UCAS is deeply committed to increasing participation from disadvantaged groups.
“Our analysis [p.90 UCAS End of Cycle Report 2014] shows that entry rates to higher education for young students from black and ethnic minority groups have increased since 2006. The entry rate for English 18 year old state school students recorded in the black ethnic group has increased from 20.9 per cent in 2006 to 34.3 per cent in 2014, a proportional increase of 64 per cent.”
We have produced the FAQs below, which we hope will address some of your most immediate questions.
Is there evidence that the admissions system discriminates against BME students?
- UCAS’ recent analysis note which looked at offer rates to ethnic groups from higher Tariff universities, found no systemic bias in admissions against ethnic minorities.
While we did find that the offer rate is higher to the white group of applicants, we found most of those differences could be accounted for by the fact that other ethnic groups – when holding the same predicted grades – are simply more likely to choose courses and universities with lower offer rates.
You can read our press release and full analysis with underlying data here.
How will we support applicants through the admissions process if we don’t know who they are?
We will be asking you to feedback both the benefits and challenges of this proposal.
You will continue to have the information you need to engage with applicants and manage interviews and auditions.
What about Scotland/Wales/NI?
We will encourage all universities and colleges who use UCAS' services to share their views, including those in Scotland, Wales and NI.
How is UCAS going to consult about this?
We had already planned to consult the sector about what student details should be shared with you, and when, as part of the redevelopment of our application management service.
We will explore this idea with you via existing engagement channels as part of the conversation about the new application management service.
Can UCAS deliver the functionality?
Yes – subject to the outcome of the conversations we have with you, we plan to deliver this functionality as part of our redeveloped application management service.
What happens next?
We will keep you up-to-date through our normal communication channels. If you have any questions regarding the approach to this proposal, please do not hesitate to get in touch through your Relationship Manager.