| 3.1 Company structure The Company structure is as follows:
3.1.1 Chief Executive's Office
The Chief Executive provides leadership, direction, guidance and resources to enable all areas of the Company to carry out their responsibilities effectively in meeting business challenges and opportunities. The Chief Executive's Office consists of:
- The personal office of the Chief Executive and
- The Planning and Quality Unit, which manages and supports the corporate planning process and provides guidance on quality processes and information security.
3.1.2 Customer & Applications Services Department
The Customer & Application Services Department (CAS) is responsible for all of the processes associated with the operation of the UCAS, GTTR, CUKAS and UKPASS schemes. CAS looks after all of the admission services, from initial receipt of applications through to the final placement of applicants. The department contains four units:
- Customer Service Unit - responsible for dealing with enquires from applicants and advisors, higher education institutions and the general public about the application process
- Application Services Unit - matches applicants against qualifications and passes the results to institutions, provides an inspection and verification service for fraudulent applicants
- Data processing and Printing Unit - processes applications, prints letters for applicants and copy forms for institutions
- Process and Quality Unit - responsible for ownership and quality assurance of processes and products within the application systems.
3.1.3 Digital Services Department
The Digital Services Department is responsible for the provision of all Information Technology development & support services. It manages the support, maintenance & development of the current admissions systems administered at UCAS (UCAS, GTTR, CUKAS & UKPASS), is responsible for providing technical support to all UCAS customers, both internal and external. The department is split into the following units:
- Business Systems Unit - Chaired by the Director of Customer & Application Services and comprised of specialists from both the business and Digital Services, this unit will focus on the strategic direction that UCAS' services should take, translating the first ideas and concepts into a considered and meaningful change programme.
- Technology Office - owns and maintains the UCAS IT system architecture, ensuring that new system developments can be integrated effectively, efficiently and economically. This unit also looks ahead at emerging technologies to ensure that UCAS is not exposed by them and, where appropriate, can exploit and gain benefit from them.
- Programme Unit - responsible for the management of the programme of activities within the organisation, including Quality Assurance.
- Development Unit - responsible for the development and enhancement of the UCAS administration system applications.
- Service and Support Unit - responsible for the provision, support and management of the IT service.
3.1.4 Business Development Department
The Business Development Department is responsible for the identification of appropriate external and internal business opportunities. It also prepares bids and tenders, instigates the resultant new work and maintains the ongoing business relationship with existing and future clients and customers.
UCAS Media Limited, a commercial subsidiary of the charity managed by the Director of the Business Development Department, supports the core mission of UCAS with surplus-generating activities and by achieving increasing recognition of the organisation as a first-class supplier of quality goods and services. UCAS Media is divided into the following seven operational areas:
- UCAS events
- publications services
- the development of special projects
- income generation via the education sector
- income generation via the commercial sector
- the delivery of contracts
- the development and provision of accurate and effective data products and services for member institutions, government and other agencies.
3.1.5 Policy & Communications Department
The Policy & Communications Department informs and is responsive to UCAS' client base and stakeholders. It consists of four units:
- Policy which considers the impact of national policy on UCAS, its systems and processes and actively engages in discussion with stakeholders. It also covers research, market research, and the work on the UCAS Tariff
- External Relations and Development which, via a team of external relations staff, provides a direct contact point for each member higher education institution, gathers intelligence and carries out research to inform the development of existing and future policies and services. The unit also houses the Professional Development team which covers consultancy and all external and internal training
- Data and Statistics which manages and analyses data, provides a data, statistical and management information service, and ensures that UCAS has accurate data conforming to data standards
- Communications which covers corporate and internal communications, web and print publishing, media and public relations and the overall marketing of UCAS
3.1.6 Resources Department
The Resources Department ensures the co-ordinated management of all the Company's resources in order to meet the UCAS' strategic vision and provide best value. By pursuing a transformational agenda, it ensures that the appropriate resource (human, physical and financial) is available as and when UCAS required. Professional support and advisory services are also provided for other departments.
The department comprises the following services:
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Company Secretary
- Facilities
- Procurement
UCAS structure chart
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