Implementing a full post results applications system as proposed for 2016 is not feasible at this time. A post results system was classed as desirable in principle but it was unrealistic to implement due to the fact it would need to meet the different requirements of the English, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh education systems as well as meeting the needs of international and mature applicants.
It was felt that a post results application system would not necessarily support applicants aspiring to the most competitive courses. There were concerns about the potential negative impacts on widening participation. If applications were made over the summer holidays when students were removed from the guidance and support of their school, this would penalise those applicants who do not have additional avenues of advice from their families. Loss of teaching time during A levels/Highers due to an earlier results day was a concern for schools and parents. Many applicants and schools had concerns that a post results system would lead of a more mechanistic approach to the assessment of applications, with universities making decisions based solely on academic performance due to the lack of time and resources to consider contextual data.
However, the changes to the current system for 2014 were generally well received and many have been recommended for implementation.
Proposed changes to clearing
The proposals to reform the current clearing process into a managed online service received a lot of support. Many applicants, universities and schools cited that the current clearing process is unfair due to the "first come first served" nature of it. It is proposed that there will be a short break between results day and the opening of clearing. Clearing will then operate as a gathered field like the main application cycle with applicants having 24 hours from 9am Monday (for example) to submit an online application before being considered by their chosen university.
Universities would be required to make decisions about all applicants before clearing started giving everyone who needed it the chance to apply on day one. Universities will have access to more information about applicants before results day to aid their decision making and UCAS will work to provide universities with more qualification results automatically.
Proposed changes to UCAS Apply
MyUCAS will be developed. This is a portal to provide improved information to applicants to support their research, their choices and their applications.
Applicants will be able to upload certificates, portfolios and supporting documentation to UCAS Apply. This will stop an applicant being asked for their exam certificates by each individual university.
UCAS will work with relevant bodies to capture data needed for student loans, student visas and criminal record bureau check during the UCAS Apply period.
Changes to the UCAS personal statement
Whilst applicants were in favour of being able to submit multiple personal statements this was considered to be logistically infeasible by schools, colleges and advisers. Universities also noted that they would be unable to tell how serious an applicant was about their course from the content of the statement.
Instead, it is recommended that applicants will be able to submit an additional personal statement in pre defined circumstances. This includes applicants who:
are using UCAS Extra or clearing to apply for a different subject,
wish to apply to a mixture of Welsh and/or Gaelic and English medium courses,
are applying to medicine and related courses due to the difficulties in writing a personal statement suitable for both medicine and the fifth option.
The insurance choice
Whilst universities were in favour of the removal of the insurance choice, this was unpopular with applicants, schools and advisers who strongly felt the need for a safety net. The most competitive universities also noted that they felt some applicants would be reluctant to put them as a firm choice without an insurance option due to the increased chance of ending up in clearing. As a result, the insurance choice will remain as now.
Other proposals which are no longer recommended:
Reducing the number of choices in Apply was very unpopular with applicants and some schools.
Changing the equal consideration deadline to 31st January. Schools felt that this would distract from the importance of the January A level exams and some schools proposed that the deadline was before the Christmas holidays to ensure that students do not delay their application.