Starting next year, the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS) will be phasing out personal statements for university admissions. Instead, applicants will be required to answer three questions related to why they are interested in their preferred course of study and how they are prepared for it. Admissions officers will use these answers to assess students’ suitability for the courses to which they have applied.
According to UCAS, the move is expected to make the application process more inclusive and encourage more students from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply for higher education. The body also noted that students who had been waived the application fee for free school lunches could continue to submit their applications for free.
UCAS recently reported that the admissions gap between the most and least disadvantaged students was alarmingly high and urged the British government to offer additional support to students in need. Experts endorsed UCAS’ new approach to admissions, claiming it would make the process more equitable and transparent.
The three questions are designed to assess prospective students’ passion, skills, and experiences in the context of their preferred study programs. The questions collectively have a 4,000-character limit, which is equivalent to the length of the existing personal statement.
By eliminating personal statements, UCAS has taken an important step toward creating a more accessible and fair university application process. It is hoped that the new approach will lead to a more diverse student population and promote equity in higher education
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