UCAS have removed the requirement for all students to declare whether they have unspent criminal convictions. Universities have their own approach and some continue to ask at a later stage, some no longer ask at all, and some ask applicants about any restrictions that may affect their studies.
Applicants for courses leading directly to regulated professions – medicine, teaching, or social work, among others – will be asked on their UCAS application to declare all criminal records unless they are protected/filtered. Universities should provide information on whether a course will require a disclosure and enhanced DBS check.
See our searchable database of all current policies.
Evidence
Research from the US found no evidence that admitting people with criminal convictions led to a higher rate of crime on campus.
“There is no evidence that screening for criminal histories increases campus safety, nor is there any evidence suggesting that students with criminal records commit crimes on campus in any way or rate that differs from students without criminal records.”
- Asking applicants about convictions has a ‘chilling effect’, deterring applicants
- Attrition rates are a greater barrier to admission than rejections based on criminal conviction
- Criminal history screening policies have a disparate impact on African American applicants
The study recommended that universities stop asking about and considering criminal history information in admissions.
The case for change
People with criminal records are largely drawn from the groups least likely to progress to university. Evidence shows that some groups are disproportionately criminalised: people from low income households and people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, those from some racialised communities and care experienced people. Along with mature students and first-in-family, these groups are under-represented at university. Despite education being widely recognised as a key factor in successful rehabilitation, benefiting people with convictions, their families, communities and the institution itself, admissions policies present serious psychological and practical challenges to access.
Higher education is a route to improving life chances. Almost half the prison population left school with no qualifications, 42% were permanently excluded and nearly a quarter (compared with 2% of the general population) have spent time in the care system as children. University applicants who have spent time in prison have already overcome huge educational, practical and psychological obstacles to even be in a position to apply.
People with criminal records are discouraged from applying. UCAS has removed the tick-box on its application form requiring every applicant to disclose “relevant unspent convictions”. However, most universities continue to ask during admissions. This discourages people with a criminal record from applying.
Universities have complex and differing policies and procedures. Good practice is often not followed. Some universities have a poor track record of treating individuals fairly.
What we’re doing
We are calling on all universities to sign up to our Fair Admissions Pledge.
We are taking forward this work through our Unlocking students with criminal records programme.
Useful links, resources and publications
Developing a fair approach to applicants with criminal records – A toolkit for higher education providers (October 2019)
Understanding applicants with criminal records – Briefing for universities and colleges (September 2018)
Criminal convictions good practice for HE providers (UCAS, with support from Unlock, September 2018)
University admissions and criminal records: Lessons learned and next steps (June 2018)
From the US
Beyond the Box (US Department of Education, 2016)
Boxed out: Criminal history screening and college application attrition (Centre for Community Alternatives, 2015)
The use of criminal history records in college admissions: Reconsidered (Centre for Community Alternatives, 2010)
Case studies
Case of Adam – A criminal record preventing the award of a PhD
Case of Isabel – Refused permission to study at University with no right of appeal
Case of Saeed – A criminal record stopped an A-grade student studying medicine at university
For more information
- See our guidance on applying to university
- Visit our section for universities
- See posts relating to university and college admissions
- Share your views and experiences on our online forum