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If you have submitted a Freedom of Information request please accept this
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expect a response from us within 20 working days.
Data Protection & FOI
Legal Services
UCL

Dear Mr Wirth,

We have completed the compilation of information in response to your
request.

We can confirm that we do hold the information of the description
specified in your request.

Q1) For the current entry cycle for Law (i.e. 2018 entry/2019 deferred
entry), please may I have, in a single tab at applicant/individual level:

a) An ID to distinguish an applicant (e.g. "1")

b) The applicant's GCSE grades

c) The applicant's A level predicted/achieved grades where applicable

d) The applicant's LNAT multiple choice score, and their essay score, if
this exists (separated)

e) The applicant's UCAS form score, if such a score exists

f) Whether they were given an offer or not

A1) The above requested information has been withheld. Section 40 exempts
personal information about a ‘third party’ (someone other than the
requester), if revealing it would breach the principles of the Data
Protection Act (DPA) 1998. The DPA prevents personal information from
disclosure if it would be unfair or at odds with the reason why it was
collected, or where the subject had officially served notice that
releasing it would cause them damage or distress. It is the First Data
Protection Principle concerned with the fair and lawful processing of
personal data which is of issue in this instance.

Although there are no identifiable details within the data being
disclosed, that data may be used by ‘motivated intruders’ and other
knowledgeable third parties to identify the particular applicants as part
of a jigsaw-effect. This is where strands of data available to an
individual can be put together to create personal data not in the public
domain. There would be no expectation that this type of information would
be disclosed to the wider public and it would be considered unfair to do
so.

It is for these reasons that this information is exempt under section
40(2) of the Act.

Q2) Could you please also disclose any methods or procedures used for
shortlisting and scoring the UCAS form and LNAT essay.

A2) All applications are screened first to ensure that they are predicted
to achieve or exceed the minimum academic requirements of A*AA (to be
achieved in one exam sitting - the first - unless extenuating
circumstances exist) or overseas equivalent together with the GCSE
requirements. The UCAS application is not scored directly. The LNAT essay
is scored from 1-5 (with .5 steps) by an Admissions Tutor.

Scores equate to

1 = Poor

2 = Satisfactory

3 = Good

4 = Very Good

5 = Excellent

Admissions decisions are reached by building up an overall profile for
each individual candidate which is informed by all information provided in
their UCAS application and supporting documentation. This includes
academic performance at GCSE, A2 level (or the overseas equivalent), the
motivation demonstrated towards studying law, extra-curricular activities,
the academic reference, the LNAT multiple-choice score and LNAT essay. We
are primarily looking for candidates that can demonstrate that they have
the necessary skills and aptitude for studying law.

You are free to use any information supplied for your own use, including
for non-commercial research purposes. The information may also be used for
the purposes of news reporting. However, any other type of re-use, for
example by publishing or issuing copies to the public, will require the
permission of the copyright owner.

If you are unhappy with our response to your request and wish to make a
complaint or request a review of our decision, please email
[1][email address]. Emails should include the words ‘Internal
Review’ in the subject and be marked For the Attention of the Vice Provost
Operations, alternatively you should write to:

Vice Provost Operations

University College London

1-19 Torrington Place

London WC1E 7HB

Please note, complaints and requests for internal review received more
than two months after the initial decision will not be handled.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you may
apply directly to the Information Commissioner at the address given
below.  You should do this within two months of our final decision.

If you have any queries or concerns, please contact me using the details
provided in this letter and including the request reference number.

Further information on the Freedom of Information Act is available from
the Information Commissioner’s Office:

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

SK9 5AF

01625 545700

[2]www.ico.org.uk

[3][email address]

Kind regards,

Mehwish Sultan

Data Protection and Freedom of Information Adviser

University College London

Legal Services, Finance and Business Affairs

Internal address: 6th Floor, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB

E: [4][email address] Data Protection: [5][email address]
FOI: [6][UCL request email].

Telephone: +44 (0)203 108 7862 (internal 57862)

References

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