You have likely heard that UCAS are making to References as part of the higher education application process. This blog will provide an overview of the changes that are planned and have been announced by UCAS, and how you can best prepare yourself and your colleagues to support your students’ applications to university.
Rationale
Earlier this year, UCAS released a report titled the ‘Future of Undergraduate Admissions’ in which they outlined their intention to change some aspects of the higher education application process. In particular, they intend to make changes to application references and personal statements.
Whereas previously a referee had a single block of free text to write their applicant’s reference, now referees are asked to provide responses to three questions outlined below, which is known as the Three Step Approach.
Three Step Approach
- Enter a general statement about your school or college (Mandatory for applications sent via a registered centre)
- Enter any information regarding extenuating circumstances which may affect an applicant’s performance in examinations or other assessments (Optional)
- This section allows the referee to outline any other circumstances specific to the applicant that you feel universities and colleges should be aware of (Optional)
In Summary
These changes are being introduced for applicants applying in Autumn 2023 for entry in September 2024, so they will affect your current Year 12/Lower Sixth cohort as they progress into Year 13/Upper Sixth.
Upon reflection, this new format will give you less flexibility in what you can write for each applicant, but should be less time consuming overall, as you should be able to use the same statement about your school or college for each applicant. Furthermore, many applicants may not require any additional information to be written in section two and three, which is fine, as these sections are optional and can be left blank.
Tips
- Make use of the resources provided by UCAS on their webpage where you can find: a general overview of the changes, video insights from universities and colleges, and example reference statements. UCAS are also hosting live events which you can sign up to.
- When it comes to writing your references, it is worth saving copies of each students’ reference in a separate document or database (for example on MS Word). This not only means you have a backup in case of any technical issues but means you can keep these references on file to use for future job references if required.