Entrance Requirements

The University encourages students to follow a broad curriculum and to experience a range of teaching and learning styles by combining general and vocational qualifications.

Entry to all our Bachelor degree courses is normally dependent upon the successful completion of at least one, more often two, GCE A levels or vocational qualifications of the same depth and volume. Throughout this site the term A level applies equally to GCE A levels and Applied A levels (including archived AVCEs of the same depth and volume). It is not anticipated that any offers based on A-level qualifications will include reference to specific unit (title) or grade requirements, and such information is only likely to be used at Confirmation and Clearing to support the acceptance of “near miss” and Clearing candidates where evidence of a particular level of performance is sought (e.g., where an overall grade B was required and the candidate, although obtaining an overall grade C, could demonstrate evidence of having performed at level B or above in one, or more, of the individual units). Where available, unit grade information will thus only be used to support and not disadvantage applicants.

Unless there are compelling reasons to do otherwise (mitigating circumstances), candidates will not be accepted to the first year of an undergraduate degree programme solely on the basis of their performance in AS levels (including double award). However, in most cases, two AS levels or, alternatively, an AS double award, may be accepted in lieu of a non-essential A level. Only one such substitution will normally be allowed.

Students who may be taking inappropriate qualifications, i.e., not able to meet essential subject requirements, or who consider themselves unlikely to meet the points score requirement for direct first-year entry to a particular course may, where the provision exists, apply for consideration of foundation-year (year zero) entry to that degree programme. In such cases, applicants should enter under 'Further Details' in the 'choices' section of their application the code for the course that they wish to go on to study.

Please note that the standard offers included within our course pages are provided only as a guide to the likely offers. Factors other than academic achievement will be taken into account (e.g. evidence of relevant experience, skills or aptitude) when considering individual applicants. Sometimes departments may make lower offers to candidates they feel are particularly attractive in terms of academic and other relevant qualities.

More in-depth information on entry requirements is available on each department’s website and in the special course booklets which may be requested. Alternatively, you can make direct contact with the individual Admissions Tutors about any courses you may be interested in.

Tariff-based qualifications

Offers extended by most departments (see individual course sections) will be based on the UCAS Tariff (see: the “UCAS Points System” below) qualified, where appropriate, to take into account any essential subject(s) and/or overall grade requirements. Most departments will take into account the points gained from all other tariff-based qualifications (and any gained from those qualifications necessary to satisfy any specific qualifying statement) when totalling up the overall points gained. However, this practice can differ between individual departments, and you are advised therefore to check the relevant course pages carefully. In particular, whilst recognising the qualities of some of the more recently introduced tariff-based qualifications (e.g., CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education, the graded Music qualifications, IFS Certificates), it is not the practice of this University that these awards will be accepted as contributing to the points requirement of offers made in relation to the majority of courses. Where a prospective applicant is unsure of the acceptability of a qualification in its own right, or in combination with others, it is recommended that advice is sought from the relevant Admissions Tutor before a formal application is submitted via UCAS. Where the points awarded for a particular qualification will not be accepted as contributing to the overall points requirement, this will be clearly stated (an exclusion statement) within any offer extended.

• Other qualifications