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Further changes to decline by default (DBD) and reject by default (RBD) dates

On 20 March we confirmed that all rolling decision-making deadlines had been put on hold for four weeks. As we continue to monitor the situation with regards to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we have reviewed these decision-making dates again.

UCAS Teacher Training and the Department for Education (DfE) have agreed that all reject by default and decline by default dates will now be paused by a further six weeks, which means that no offers will be declined or applications rejected until Monday 1 June. This is to ensure that you have enough time to consider applications, and applicants are able to consider any offers they receive.

Below are details of what this means for applicants, based on where they are in the application cycle.

Applicants with RBD/DBD dates between 20 April and 31 May

  • You’ll have until 31 May to make decisions for these applicants.
  • Applicants will have until 31 May to reply to offers they’ve received, if their DBD date is within this period.
  • Track will show the extended dates for applicants, but this may take around seven days to update. We ’re also telling affected applicants about this change by email.

Applicants who have RBD dates after 31 May

  • You’ll have an extra six weeks to make decisions for these applicants.
  • The RBD dates will be updated in Track and web-link.
  • We will email affected applicants, asking them to check Track to see the new RBD date.
  • The DfE will email applicants who have applied through their new Apply service, to tell them about the changes.

Applicants who apply between 20 April and 31 May

  • The 40-day RBD timeframe will start from 1 June, so you’ll need to make decisions for these applicants by 24 July.
  • Track will show the updated date for applicants.

If it’s necessary for us to extend these dates further, we’ll email you to let you know.

The latest guidance from the DfE

The DfE recently issued guidance for initial teacher training (ITT) providers in England on the delivery of ITT and recruitment for programmes in the 2020 cycle. They’ve confirmed that recruitment will continue, and asked providers to consider how to adapt their processes, so that elements such as interviews and assessments can still be completed.

The DfE also shared guidance for applicants, which covers advice around aspects such as school experience, interviews and funding.
You can find the latest advice and updates for providers and applicants on ucas.com.

Kind regards

Provider Communications

UCAS

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