Polytechnics Central Admissions System
The Polytechnics Central Admissions System (PCAS, pronounced pee-kass) was an administrative body handling higher education admissions to polytechnics and some other institutions in England and Wales for the entry years 1986 to 1992.
The Polytechnics (see Polytechnic (United Kingdom) were involved as early as 1972 in discussions with UCCA and the Central Register and Clearing House about the possible future shape of one or more admissions systems.[1] At this stage applicants dealt directly with each polytechnic and the polytechnics themselves were strongly regional or local in their appeal. A study in 1977 found that between sixty and seventy per cent of those admitted to a polytechnic had applied to that institution only, and that forty per cent of admissions to polytechnics resulted from applications made in August or September of the year of entry.[1] The contrast with the UCCA system's timetable was clear.
However, in July 1981 large cuts in funding to universities were announced. Admissions to universities fell from almost 85000 in 1980 to under 75000 in 1983.[1] This led to an increase in national interest in polytechnic places at an earlier stage of the annual admissions cycle. The Committee of Directors of Polytechnics started negotiations with UCCA to share computing, technical and office facilities in Cheltenham with their new PCAS system, which would remain a separate entity. By March 1985 systems were ready to start operations for the 1986 year of entry. After a few years some non-polytechnic colleges of higher education joined the scheme. PCAS merged with UCCA in 1992 following the upgrading of most of its members to university status. The new merged body, UCAS, retained part of both names.