UCAS references

Predicted Grades

Under the heading ‘Predicted grades’, enter the title of the courses or qualifications that the student is currently studying, and the grades, results or performance outcome that you predict the student will achieve.

For GCE students who have certificated AS, but who are intending to resit one or more units in order to maximise their A level grade in the subject concerned, it would be helpful to mention this with the predicted grade (in the predicted grades box).

Information on your school or college

Provide a brief statement on your school or college curriculum policy including information on;

• the range of opportunities available to all students

• the typical numbers of AS and A level subjects taken by each

• GCE student

• policies of certification of GCE AS

• opportunities to take vocationally related qualifications and of mixing these with GCE qualifications

• how the school or college is involved in widening participation activities

If the individual student’s situation differs in some way from the normal policy then give details.

Information on the student

Examples of the type of information you should include about the student are;

• Existing achievement, with particular reference to subjects relating to the courses for which they are applying

• Motivation and commitment towards the chosen course

• Any relevant skills achievement, whether certificated or not

• Potential (other than predicted grades)

• Powers of analysis and independent thought

• Relevant curriculum enrichment and other activities

• Relevant work experience, such as work placements and voluntary work

• Proposed career plan

• Where relevant, their suitability for training for a particular profession

• Any factors, such as personal circumstances, that may have affected or might affect their performance

• Information about any special needs and other requirements but please note you must have the student’s consent to give information about a disability

• Any participation in gifted and talented programs, summer schools, etc.

• Any commitments that might prevent the student from going to an interview on a particular day

• When writing a reference, remember that, under the Data Protection Act, any student can ask for a copy of the reference and any other personal information that we have about them.

• When writing the reference, you do not need to repeat any of the information that the student has given unless you want to comment on it.

• Each university and college chosen by the student will see your reference. Those universities and colleges, however, will not know which other universities and colleges the student has applied to. If you refer to one of them in your reference, this could compromise the application.

• If the student is on an Access or Foundation course or other one-year course, you may not have known them long enough to write a full reference. In this case, please say so and explain that you are providing a temporary reference with details of how the course is assessed and the number of credits that are awarded. Include confirmation that you will send a more detailed reference direct to all chosen universities and colleges next spring.

• If the student is still studying, you should give a predicted overall achievement (in the predicted grades box). If you want, you can also comment on the student’s performance in any units they have taken so far. You should also explain if the student has yet to decide on their final qualification (for example, A level or AS).

• If the application, including the reference, has any relevant information missing (in other words, information that might influence the decision of a university or college whether – and on what terms – to offer a place to the student), or has any false or misleading information, UCAS and the universities and colleges have the right to cancel the application and withdraw any offers without giving back the application fee.