Medicine Admissions Statistics 2022 and Scoring System 2023

Mr. R. Hashem made this Freedom of Information request to Cardiff University Automatic anti-spam measures are in place for this older request. Please let us know if a further response is expected or if you are having trouble responding.

The request was refused by Cardiff University.

Dear Cardiff University,
These questions are for UK/Home only applicants for the A100 Medicine course for 2022 admission.

(1)
1. a) How many applications did you receive
1. b) How many were invited to interview
1. c) How many offers were made.
1. d) What score (based on achieved academics) resulted in shortlisting for interview?

(2)
Pls also provide same statistics as above but for UK/Home applicants specifically who applied with Achieved A Levels.
2. a) How many applications did you receive
2. b) How many were invited to interview
2. c) How many offers were made.
2. d) What score (based on achieved academics) resulted in shortlisting for interview?

3) Please confirm achieved A-Level candidates add their GCSE score and their A-Level score together based on your published scoring system as per below. (as per 2023 Admissions Policy). Please confirm this is correct.

GCSEs
9, 8, A* = 3 points
7, A = 2 points
6, B = 1 point
A-level
A* = 3 points
A = 2 points

4) If a candidate had scored 33 based on your published academic scoring system - would this have resulted in an interview in the 2022 admissions cycle?

For your information: This score of 33 has been derived from your scoring scheme described above, as per your published scheme.

f) In the situation where high academic candidates are oversubscribed, you say: "Those who meet or exceed the minimum academic threshold will then be ranked and a cut-off point determined to proceed to consideration of the non-academic criteria “ what UCAT score resulted in shortlisting in 2022?

Yours faithfully,
Mr. R. Hashem

InfoRequest, Cardiff University

Dear R Hashem,
I acknowledge receipt of your email received by this office on 22nd of September 2022.

Your request will now be dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and has been allocated reference FOI22-331 which should be quoted in all correspondence. We will respond to your request within 20 working days starting the next working day after receipt, therefore you can expect to receive a response no later than 20th of October 2022.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and, if that is the case, we will let you know. A fees notice will be issued to you, and you will be required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.
Yours sincerely

Swyddfa Ysgrifenydd y Brifysgol
Prifysgol Caerdydd
Ebost : [email address]

Mae'r Brifysgol yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu'n Saesneg. Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn creu unrhwy oedi. University Secretary's Office
Cardiff University
Email: [email address]

The University welcomes correspondence in Welsh or English. Corresponding in Welsh will not lead to any delay.

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InfoRequest, Cardiff University

Dear R Hashem,

 

I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information request dated
22^nd September 2022.

 

For ease of reference, I have reproduced your questions below and set out
our corresponding responses.

 

These questions are for UK/Home only applicants for the A100 Medicine
course for 2022 admission.

 

(1)

 

1. a) How many applications did you receive

 

1. b) How many were invited to interview

 

1. c) How many offers were made.

 

1. d) What score (based on achieved academics) resulted in shortlisting
for interview?

 

(2)

 

Pls also provide same statistics as above but for UK/Home applicants
specifically who applied with Achieved A Levels.

 

2. a) How many applications did you receive

 

2. b) How many were invited to interview

 

2. c) How many offers were made.

 

2. d) What score (based on achieved academics) resulted in shortlisting
for interview?

 

3) Please confirm achieved A-Level candidates add their GCSE score and
their A-Level score together based on your published scoring system as per
below. (as per 2023 Admissions Policy). Please confirm this is correct.

 

GCSEs

 

9, 8, A* = 3 points

 

7, A = 2 points

 

6, B = 1 point

 

A-level

 

A* = 3 points

 

A = 2 points

 

4) If a candidate had scored 33 based on your published academic scoring
system -  would this have resulted in an interview in the 2022 admissions
cycle?

 

For your information: This score of 33 has been derived from your scoring
scheme described above, as per your published scheme.

 

f) In the situation where high academic candidates are oversubscribed, you
say: "Those who meet or exceed the minimum academic threshold will then be
ranked and a cut-off point determined to proceed to consideration of the
non-academic criteria “ what UCAT score resulted in shortlisting in 2022?

 

The Admissions cycle for 2022 entry is still currently in process. As
such, whilst the University holds this information however we consider
this information exempt from disclosure under S43(2) of the Freedom of
Information Act entitled “Commercial Interests”. In particular, section
43(2) states that information is exempt if its disclosure under this Act
would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any
person (including the public authority holding it).

 

The release of information on applications and offers for the current
admissions period into the public domain would be highly likely to
prejudice the University’s commercial interests, by allowing competitor
institutions to undermine the University’s recruitment activity by
responding with different approaches to offer making, particularly in the
run up and during the confirmation and clearing period. We further
consider that releasing this information would be likely to influence
admissions practices of individual applicants, and this would be likely to
impact on recruitment offers and outcomes and potentially disrupt the
admissions processes across the sector and undermine the principles of
competition law.

 

Disclosure of this information would reveal details of the outcome of the
University’s recruitment activities and strategy and to release this
information into the public domain would enable our competitors to benefit
by adapting their offer making strategies and altering their behaviour in
the run up and during confirmation and clearing; as well as benefitting by
copying our strategy or programmes. In so doing this will affect the
University’s ability to distinguish itself from its competitors in a
highly competitive market.

 

Any loss of market share and reduction in enrolled student numbers would
have a significant impact on the University’s student fee income and would
further impact the University’s long term financial sustainability. As
public funding sources for higher education have declined, student fee
income has become an increasingly important source of income and is a key
factor in ensuring the University’s long term financial sustainability.
The ability for the universities in general, and Cardiff University in
particular as a major research intensive university in Wales, to compete
effectively in a global market is an important strategic objective as set
out by the Welsh Government in 'For Our Future: the higher education
strategy plan for Wales' and in the Welsh Government Policy Statement on
Higher Education which is available at:
[1]http://wales.gov.uk/docs/dcells/publicat....
It is also important that Cardiff University is able to continue competing
on an equal footing with similar large, research-intensive institutions in
the UK and overseas.

 

Based on the above it is considered that the commercial interest of the
University would be likely to be prejudiced by release and as such the
Section 43(2) exemption is engaged.

 

In applying the Section 43 exemption the University has taken account of
the public interest as required by the Act. The University has reviewed
the arguments in favour of disclosing the information (openness and
transparency in public life) and found them to be outweighed by the
greater general public interest in protection of the University's
competitive edge and market positioning.

 

The University must consider the public interest test when applying this
exemption and this is considered below.

 

Public Interest Test

 

Factors in Favour of Disclosure

It is in the public interest to release information that provides a
greater public understanding of the way the University operates and its
provisions for future delivery of its services.

 

Factors in Favour of Non-disclosure

It is not in the public interest to release information that would be
likely to damage the commercial interests of the University by undermining
its ability to compete in the marketplace.

 

It is not in the public interest to release information that would reduce
the efficiency and effectiveness of the University by having the effect of
damaging the ability of the University to pursue its recruitment
strategies on an equal footing to other public and privately funded
education institutions.

 

On balance it is considered that it would not be in the public interest to
release this information and therefore the information will not be
released at this time.

 

I trust this information satisfies your enquiry.  Should you feel
dissatisfied with this response or the way in which your request was
handled you can request an Internal Review. This should be made in writing
within 40 working days of the date of this email. Please provide your
unique reference number of your request, information on why you are
dissatisfied and any detail you would like us to consider as part of the
Internal Review process.Email your request to [2][email address]
where it will be forwarded to the Head of Compliance and Risk who will be
responsible for overseeing the review.

 

If you remain dissatisfied following the outcome, you have the right to
apply directly to the Information Commissioner for consideration.  The
Information Commissioner can be contacted at the following address:
Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in
Cardiff University. If you require further assistance please feel free to
contact me

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Swyddfa Ysgrifenydd y Brifysgol University Secretary’s Office

Prifysgol Caerdydd Cardiff University

Ebost : [3][email address] Email: [4][email address
 
 
 
The University welcomes
Mae'r Brifysgol yn croesawu correspondence in Welsh or English. 
gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu'n Saesneg.  Corresponding in Welsh will not lead
Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn creu to any delay.
unrhwy oedi.

 

 

 

References

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Dear Cardiff University,
Can you pls clarify why you cannot respond on Question (4) and (f)?

Yours faithfully,

Mr. R. Hashem

InfoRequest, Cardiff University

Dear R Hashem

 

Thank you for your email.

 

Both questions 4 and (f) of your Freedom of Information request are asking
for information about the 2022 Admissions cycle.

 

As noted in our reply of 28th September 2022, to your Freedom of
Information request, the Admissions cycle for 2022 entry is still
currently in process. As such, whilst the University holds this
information however we consider this information exempt from disclosure
under S43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act entitled “Commercial
Interests”.

 

Should you feel dissatisfied with this response or the way in which your
request was handled you can request an Internal Review. This should be
made in writing within 40 working days of the date of this email. Please
provide your unique reference number of your request, information on why
you are dissatisfied and any detail you would like us to consider as part
of the Internal Review process. Email your request to
[1][email address] where it will be forwarded to the Head of
Compliance and Risk who will be responsible for overseeing the review.

 

If you remain dissatisfied following the outcome, you have the right to
apply directly to the Information Commissioner for consideration.  The
Information Commissioner can be contacted at the following address:
Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow,
Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Swyddfa Ysgrifenydd y Brifysgol University Secretary’s Office

Prifysgol Caerdydd Cardiff University

Ebost : [2][email address] Email: [3][email address
 
 
 
The University welcomes
Mae'r Brifysgol yn croesawu correspondence in Welsh or English. 
gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu'n Saesneg.  Corresponding in Welsh will not lead
Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn creu to any delay.
unrhwy oedi.

 

 

 

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Dear Cardiff University,
You mention current 2022 admissions cycle is ongoing. Are you able to release the requested information when the cycle completes?

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. R. Hashem

InfoRequest, Cardiff University

Dear R Hashem,

We understand once the process will be finalised information will be available from January 2023.

Yours sincerely

Swyddfa Ysgrifenydd y Brifysgol
Prifysgol Caerdydd
Ebost : [email address]  

Mae'r Brifysgol yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu'n Saesneg.  Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn creu unrhwy oedi.
University Secretary's Office
Cardiff University
Email: [email address

The University welcomes correspondence in Welsh or English.  Corresponding in Welsh will not lead to any delay.

show quoted sections