The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas)
has unveiled avirtual
island on the Second Life website, to give
applicants a fun-filled way to enter university.
The launch coincides with
A-level students
getting their results. The Ucas Island will complement
information provided by the Ucas
website and the customer service helpline.
Professional advisers will have a presence on the island as Ucas
avatars throughout the degree clearing process, offering real-world
clearing and application advice to students.
Following the construction of Second Life university campuses
from UK institutions, Ucas felt that it too should have a presence
in the
growing online world.
The Ucas Island has a series of "bio-domes" to house information
for applicants, with the opportunity to meet Ucas avatars who will
answer their questions.
The area also has a performance stage where up-and-coming bands
will perform. There are also areas for applicants to meet each
other, such as the beach area, where they can sunbathe, play
beach-ball or take a trip on a pedalo.
The island has a PG rating and is designed to be free from
swearing, sexually explicit language or behaviour and violent
behaviour - just like every university campus.