Polytechnics Central Admissions System
Encyclopedia
The Polytechnics Central Admissions System (PCAS, pronounced pee-kass) was an administrative body handling higher education admissions to polytechnics and some other institutions in England and Wales for the entry years 1986 to 1992.
The Polytechnics (see Polytechnic (United Kingdom)
were involved as early as 1972 in discussions with UCCA
and the Central Register and Clearing House
about the possible future shape of one or more admissions systems. At this stage applicants dealt directly with each polytechnic and the polytechnics themselves were strongly regional or local in their appeal. A study in 1977 found that between sixty and seventy per cent of those admitted to a polytechnic had applied to that institution only, and that forty per cent of admissions to polytechnics resulted from applications made in August or September of the year of entry. The contrast with the UCCA system's timetable was clear.
However, in July 1981 large cuts in funding to universities were announced. Admissions to universities fell from almost 85000 in 1980 to under 75000 in 1983. This led to an increase in national interest in polytechnic places at an earlier stage of the annual admissions cycle. The Committee of Directors of Polytechnics started negotiations with UCCA to share computing, technical and office facilities in Cheltenham with their new PCAS system, which would remain a separate entity. By March 1985 systems were ready to start operations for the 1986 year of entry. After a few years some non-polytechnic colleges of higher education joined the scheme. PCAS merged with UCCA in 1992 following the upgrading of most of its members to university status. The new merged body, UCAS
, retained part of both names.
The Polytechnics (see Polytechnic (United Kingdom)
Polytechnic (United Kingdom)
A polytechnic was a type of tertiary education teaching institution in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. After the passage of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 they became universities which meant they could award their own degrees. The comparable institutions in Scotland were...
were involved as early as 1972 in discussions with UCCA
Universities Central Council on Admissions
UCCA, the Universities Central Council on Admissions, provided a central clearing house for university applications in the United Kingdom from its formation in 1961 until its merger with PCAS to form UCAS in 1993....
and the Central Register and Clearing House
Central Register and Clearing House
The Central Register and Clearing House was an administrative organisation in teacher education in England and Wales which existed for almost sixty years. It pre-dated by some thirty years a similar organisation for university courses ....
about the possible future shape of one or more admissions systems. At this stage applicants dealt directly with each polytechnic and the polytechnics themselves were strongly regional or local in their appeal. A study in 1977 found that between sixty and seventy per cent of those admitted to a polytechnic had applied to that institution only, and that forty per cent of admissions to polytechnics resulted from applications made in August or September of the year of entry. The contrast with the UCCA system's timetable was clear.
However, in July 1981 large cuts in funding to universities were announced. Admissions to universities fell from almost 85000 in 1980 to under 75000 in 1983. This led to an increase in national interest in polytechnic places at an earlier stage of the annual admissions cycle. The Committee of Directors of Polytechnics started negotiations with UCCA to share computing, technical and office facilities in Cheltenham with their new PCAS system, which would remain a separate entity. By March 1985 systems were ready to start operations for the 1986 year of entry. After a few years some non-polytechnic colleges of higher education joined the scheme. PCAS merged with UCCA in 1992 following the upgrading of most of its members to university status. The new merged body, UCAS
UCAS
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service is the British admission service for students applying to university and college. UCAS is primarily funded by students who pay a fee when they apply and a capitation fee from universities for each student they accept..-Location:UCAS is based near...
, retained part of both names.