The UCAS Reference Supporting students for successful university applications

1. The UCAS Reference Supporting students for successful university applications Access and Student Recruitment

2. Key Information • Academic performance in post-16 education • Potential for academic success in higher education • Why the course chosen is suited to them • Personal qualities which will benefit them at university • What the applicant can bring to the university (extra-curricular activities and interests) • Halfway between what we want to hear and what you want to say. Access and Student Recruitment

3. Online Submission • Complete the UCAS reference online (UCAS Apply) • The reference can be pasted from a word package • All formatting will be removed • 47 lines or 4000 characters including spaces Access and Student Recruitment

4. Common Issues with Students • They must take responsibility for the process • Don’t let them create boundaries • Make sure they do their research • It’s time for them to learn about pragmatism Access and Student Recruitment

5. The Admissions Process • What does “competitive” mean: • High expectations for entry alone • High expectations for entry plus intense competition • Institutions (not all programmes) • Programmes (at non-competitive institutions) Access and Student Recruitment

6. Why does it matter..?

7. The Context • GCSEs/equivalent • AS/equivalent Results • A2/equivalent Predictions • Interviews • Admissions Tests • Academic Reference • Personal Statement Access and Student Recruitment

8. UCAS Reference Overview • Integral part of the UCAS form • Personal statement and reference may be the only point of contact between the Admissions Tutor and the applicant • No single correct way of producing them • Every one is read • Remember, your role is also to check the application is completed correctly, particularly qualifications Access and Student Recruitment

9. Structure General comments about School/College and student (providing context) Individual comments about each subject General remarks about the student (non-academic) including suitability for the programme for which they have applied Access and Student Recruitment

10. 1. School Context • Size and type of school • Number of students in year group • School catchment • Proportion going to HE • Typical number and patterns of qualifications • Specifics on school policy e.g. AS certification Think about including… Access and Student Recruitment

11. School Context • Does your school/college produce a generic statement that you can access for all UCAS References? • Are any of your students atypical in relation to the school/college norm? (e.g. in relation to catchment) Access and Student Recruitment

12. 2. Subject Comments • Provide short paragraphs from each subject tutor on performance • A summary statement to bring this together • UMS grades are welcomed… • AS unit grades please. Don't tell us it is your policy not to reveal them, and then expect us to make an offer to an applicant with weak GCSE grades and brilliant A-level predictions Access and Student Recruitment

13. What is Durham’s Policy on Unit Grades? • Unit Grades will be used by the University during this entry cycle. It is planned to use them at confirmation of results in August to differentiate between candidates who have narrowly missed the conditions of their offer, should the University be able to admit any of these and this level of differentiation be required. The University does not intend to include unit grades within the conditions of offers. https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/faqs/ Information correct as of 1st October 2012 Access and Student Recruitment

14. Should I Certificate my AS Level Results at the end of Year 12? • We strongly recommend that students certificate at the end of year 12 to provide a very recent formal assessment of academic merit in the application. If the school or college policy is not to certificate at the end of year 12 then this should be stated in the UCAS reference. We will consider each application on its own merits, whether or not AS-level results have been certificated. https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/faqs/ Information correct as of 1st October 2012 Access and Student Recruitment

15. 2. Subject Comments • Be honest and clear about particular subjects students are having difficulty with: • Admissions tutors will question a glowing reference with a low predicted grade • Why is the grade prediction low? Is a higher grade within their capabilities? Are there extenuating circumstances to take into account? • State where students are likely to improve in the time between the application and their exams Access and Student Recruitment

16. 3. General Remarks • Supportive statements on proposed career ambitions, motivation, attitude and commitment • Reflect on past achievement and current activities, with greatest reference to most relevant subjects • Relevant curriculum enrichment and skills (e.g. work experience and voluntary work) • Involvement in activities such as gifted and talented programmes and University Summer Schools Remember: do not give information about an applicant’s health or disability without their prior agreement. Access and Student Recruitment

17. Use superlatives with caution – make your STAR students shine! UCAS Reference Tips • Read the whole application so you are aware of their intentions • Avoid repeating information given in the personal statement, but back-up their comments if helpful • If you have only known a student for a short time an interim reference is fine, please state a full reference will follow • For non-native English applicants, comment on their ability to write and speak in English Access and Student Recruitment

18. Remember… • Be honest and where critical, constructive • Provide a clear, personal reflection on the individual – their achievement and potential • Admissions tutors appreciate an academic judgement from a fellow academic (especially where no interview is held) … under the Data Protection Act students can request to see any data held by UCAS on them. Access and Student Recruitment

19. Good Practice • Before writing the reference try to meet with the student to discuss their application and progress to date • Use this discussion to inform their UCAS Reference Access and Student Recruitment

20. Quotes from Selectors “We often compare a candidate’s application to the other ones received from his/her school, and finding that every student has the same positive attributes does not fail to give a bad impression.” “If it says in the prospectus that you need A2 level Maths, then you know what, you need A2 level Maths.” Access and Student Recruitment

21. Quotes from Selectors • “What we are really interested to know from the Referee is whether the candidate has a fast mind, can work independently, can assimilate new concepts quickly, is good at project work, is a good communicator, has imagination and dynamism, is well organised, has maturity, etc.” • “Don't hesitate to write enthusiastically about students you think highly of… if the applicant is head and shoulders above the rest of the class, make it clear.” Access and Student Recruitment

22. After the Replies • Supporting students after receiving their replies is just as important as supporting them in deciding where to apply and their application: • Deciding between offers – select realistic choices for firm and insurance whilst maintaining effort to achieve grades (it’s not over yet!) • Coping with ‘rejection’ – expectations must be realistic from the start. All universities are special so anyoffer is an achievement! Access and Student Recruitment

23. Any Questions? Lee.Worden@Durham.ac.uk 01913349125 Access and Student Recruitment