Overview

Background

The University plans to enter UCAS clearing again this year with places being available for a small number of students from particular target groups in Scotland.

Scotland

Clearing will take place for SQA results day on Tuesday 6th August, a dedicated Clearing number is required to  go live from 08:00 (tbc) that day with 15-20 front line call (tbc) handlers who will screen calls before transferring eligible applicants to College admissions staff. 

A clearing call centre is therefore required on Tuesday 6th August.   In addition targeted communications will be issued in advance after the SRMG meeting (to agree the number of places available) on Friday 3rd August (tbc). 

Update for rUK / International Clearing 2019:

The University Executive decided that we will not be in Clearing for Overseas and RUK students this year. There may be an exception for one or two specific programmes and we will make arrangements for how these will be approved in due course. However, there will be no large scale Clearing operation on A level results day (15^th August 2019).

Therefore, we will only be open in Clearing on SQA results day for SIMD/care experienced applicants as usual, and we are developing plans to provide a broader IAG service to Scottish students on 6^th/7^th August using the call centre set up.

Scope

The scope includes the support and delivery of technical and telecommunication infrastructure to support clearing call centres on 6th August.  This includes; initial set up, testing, delivery, support and clear down. A Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) checker for SRA Clearing (developed and used successfully last year) will be again rolled out within the scope of this project. The SharePoint Development will continue this year and will create an additional form for information requests and an additional line for support calls.  Another additional Scope this year includes potential contingency plans as the University does not participate in RUK & International Clearing. This might increase incoming calls from non eligible students, who need to be handled in an appropriate manner.

Project management support will be provided across the project.

Objectives (O) & Deliverables (D)

Benefits

• The execution of the project will mean that UoE is well positioned to deal with Clearing which has subsequent financial and institutional benefits.
• The administrative burden of handling clearing students will also be reduced which will improve efficiency in affected administrative areas.
• Prospective students applying through clearing will have had a smooth experience that will enhance the institutions reputation.

Project Milestones