UCAS Scottish Standing Group
Headline issues for Higher Education applicants
- UCAS is very aware of the potential for more SQA appeals. Pupils narrowly missing offers are advised to get in contact with admission tutors to discuss possibilities
- Universities are aware that foreign student number could drop due to current difficulties. While there is no guarantee that places released would be offered to Scottish domiciled pupils, again it would be good to contact admissions tutors to discuss possibilities.
- Universities are drawing up plans to allow courses beginning in the autumn to involve significant online input, at least in the early months. Each university will make plans known on their website in the early summer.
- UCAS is aware that there may be more requests to defer starting dates. While this might create places for those wanting to start in 2020 it may also create a backlog and make it more difficult for those wanting to start in 2021
- Universities will be delivering open days online. Potential applicants are advised to keep a close check on websites.
- Universities are aware that 2021 applicants might have more uncertainly about their SQA results from 2020. Again, schools are asked to contact admissions tutors where the Highers achieved in 2020 might be a “narrow miss” for those normally required for an application to be considered.
- Universities are aware that applicants will not have been able to do the level of work experience normally required in an application. Potential students are advised to contact admissions tutors to see what alternatives might be on offer by the university.
- UCAS and the Universities are aware of the increased challenges faced by those applying for entry in 2020 and beyond. They are working incredibly hard behind the scenes to deliver their usual excellent service to applicants. They are showing commendable flexibility and understanding of the impact of the current situation.
