Can I provide UCAS References and Predicted Grades for my student?

Can private tutors provide UCAS references and predicted grades for private candidates?
Yes, but only in specific circumstances. Providing UCAS references and predicted grades carries significant responsibility and should only be undertaken by tutors who meet the following criteria:

1. Experience and Qualifications:
   You should be a highly experienced professional tutor or a qualified teacher with prior involvement in assessing and grading students. This ensures you have the necessary expertise to provide an accurate and fair reference or grade.

2. Length of Tutoring Relationship:
   You should have been tutoring the student over an extended period, such as several months. This gives you a thorough understanding of their abilities, progress, and academic goals.

3. Accurate Assessment:
   Providing a predicted grade requires a deep understanding of the student’s current performance and potential. It’s important to ensure the grade is realistic and supported by evidence of their work.

What should I do if a student requests this but I don’t meet the criteria?
If you don’t feel qualified or haven’t worked with the student for long enough, we strongly advise against agreeing to this. Instead, politely decline and suggest they speak to someone more familiar with their academic record, such as a previous teacher or an exam center.

Should I accept requests from students with little preparation time?
No. For example, if a student contacts you in January, just ahead of their UCAS deadline, asking for one or two lessons and requests a specific grade to meet university entry requirements, it is not advisable to agree. You won’t have sufficient time to accurately assess their abilities or provide an informed reference.

What about university-specific requirements?
Some universities have specific criteria for references and predicted grades submitted by tutors. For example:

• The tutor may need to have a school or institutional email address.

• References and predicted grades might need to be submitted on letterheaded paper.

It’s essential for the student to check with each individual university to ensure the reference and predicted grade you provide will be acceptable. Without meeting these requirements, there’s a risk that the submission might not be considered valid.

Key Takeaways:

• Only provide UCAS references and predicted grades if you are highly experienced and have been tutoring the student for several months.

• Avoid accepting requests from students with minimal preparation time or limited lesson history with you.

• Always consider whether you can provide a fair and accurate assessment before agreeing to any requests.