Unifying Higher Education Admissions in Art and Design?

In 1996, the Art and Design Admissions Registry (ADAR) merged with the Universities and Colleges Admissions System (UCAS). This ended a 30-year specialist admissions system designed for the needs of Art and Design. One of the main reasons put forward for this change was to unify admissions and harness the benefits of a 'one address system'. This study set out to test this claim and evaluate any advantages or disadvantages which the UCAS system has had on the Art and Design students applying to Higher Education (HE), and the role of the Further Education (FE) tutor in providing progressional support and guidance. The study focused on the level of unity, choice and clarity which the system offered FE students and staff, and found that duality (as opposed to unity) currently exists; student choice is increased only for those using Route A or making split applications, but has been reduced for those using Route B only. There is a lack of clarity over UCAS procedures and form-filling, and there is confusion over the diverse use of Route A and Route B by HE and students. The study observes that HE administrators, rather than FE staff and students, are the primary benefactors of a unified system of applications.