Linking applications
I am an applicant who is in the priority group (as listed in the proposed Bill) and I have linked my application to another applicant who is in the non-priority group. Will our applications remain linked?
When allocation takes place in Oriel, there are different possible outcomes for applicants who have linked their applications if one of them is in the non-priority group, and one of them is in the priority group.
Scenario 1:
At the point that main allocation takes place, if there are more programmes available than applicants in the priority group, applicants in the priority group and some applicants in the non-prioritised group will be allocated. The number of non-priority applicants allocated at this point will depend on the number of available programmes.
The allocation system will use an applicant’s computer-generated rank to determine which applicants in the non-priority group are allocated at this stage.
This means that if one of the linked applicants is in the non-priority group, they could still be allocated to a foundation school during main allocation.
If both applicants are allocated on main allocation day, the applications could remain linked, however the applications will still be subject to the standard linking process, because this applies to all applications.
There is no guarantee that you will be allocated to the same foundation school.
Refer to the full linking guidance to understand why ALL linked applications can sometimes be broken when PIA takes place.
Scenario 2
At the point that main allocation takes place, if there are more applicants than places available, for FP 2026 only the prioritised applicants will be allocated to a foundation school at this time. Non-prioritised applicants will not be allocated and will all remain on a national reserve list. Further rounds of allocation will take place if vacancies arise.
In this scenario, as the applicants are in different groups the link between the two applications would be broken and it will not be possible to link applications at allocation stage.
I have linked my application with another applicant, and we are both in the proposed priority group. Will we remain linked?
Whilst it is usually the case that applicants will remain linked at the point of allocation, there are circumstances when the link can be broken.
Refer to the full linking guidance to understand why links can sometimes be broken which would result in applicants being allocated to different foundation schools.
I have linked my application with another applicant, and we are both in the proposed non- priority group. Will we remain linked?
If you and your linked partner are allocated to a foundation school at the same time your applications could remain linked, but this is dependent on the number of programmes available and the PIA process. The applications will still be subject to the standard linking process, because this applies to all applications.
Refer to the full linking guidance to understand why linked applications can sometimes be broken.