The first embargo period during Confirmation and Clearing 2020 starts today, Monday 27 July. All staff involved in activities relating to this are requested to complete the embargo training here.
On completion of the training, please ensure you provide your name and institution when prompted as completion rates by institution are logged by UCAS.
There are two embargo periods which cover the release of exam results by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) (A Levels and other qualifications). The timings are below:
- 18:00 Monday 27 July to 09:00 Tuesday 4 August – SQA
- 14:00 Friday 7 August to 08:00 Thursday 13 August – JCQ (A Levels and other ABL qualifications)
Why is there an embargo?
The Universities Colleges and Admissions Service (UCAS) releases exam results to universities and colleges before results day under a strict embargo. The embargo gives universities time to consider if the applicant has met the conditions of an offer.
How could I breach the embargo?
You can breach the embargo by:
- disclosing exam results
- indicating the outcome of a Confirmation decision
- revealing associated information which may give away our Confirmation decision, such as an email about accommodation, reading lists etc.
How can I avoid breaching the embargo?
- Stop all communications with applicants who have embargoed results until the embargo has been lifted.
- Complete the embargo training here. [Use link in the middle section titled “2020 results embargo training”]
UCAS have made further improvements to the training for 2020 based on feedback, and so even if you have completed this in previous years, please follow this year’s course. There are two training options available. For colleagues who are unfamiliar with the embargo period or would welcome a detailed reminder please follows the full results embargo training (25 minutes). For colleagues who are very familiar with the process you can follow the 2020 key results embargo information, which is a refresher training session (15mins).
What to do if you suspect the embargo has been breached
If you suspect the embargo has been breached, please contact Nicky Stecker-Doxat, Associate Director (Admissions and VISAS).
