Undergraduate applications: how we make decisions

After receiving your application, we need to work out if you are able to succeed on the course that you have applied to in order to make a decision.

We believe all applicants should have a fair and equal chance to access higher education. We welcome undergraduate applicants with a range of different qualifications and experience from a variety of backgrounds.

Assessing your application

We use a number of different entry criteria to assess your application depending on the course that you have applied for. Standard entry requirements can be found on each course webpage.

We have also provided more detailed information about entry requirements for UK applicants and for international applicants.

We use the information you provide on your application including your qualifications (predicted and actual grades). We also evaluate any barriers that you may have faced when achieving these. If the course entry criteria require specific subjects, we assess all qualifications listed on your application to identify if you have the necessary subject knowledge and skills.

As part of our selection process, some courses require an interview, audition or portfolio showcase. Where applicable, you will be invited to one of these following an initial assessment of your application.

We also consider work and life experience through an assessment of prior learning.

Making offers

Following a review of your application, and if we are able, we will make you an offer. Where possible, we will always aim to make an offer, usually conditional on achieving course entry criteria. Typically, we use UCAS tariff points to make an offer, however where there is no equivalent, we will make a comparable offer.

Offers will either be:

Conditional offer – you’ve not yet met all of the entry requirements or conditions to secure your place. You will have a place on the course if you meet the conditions.
Unconditional – you’ve already met the entry requirements, so you have a confirmed place on the course.
Offer for another course – if you have not, or are unable to, meet the entry criteria, we may make you an offer for an alternative course, such as a degree with integrated foundation, that may still help you to achieve your educational or career goals.

Conditions may include achieving academic requirements, submission of documents or satisfactory checks such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or Occupational Health Check.

We are currently running three additional offer schemes:

Contextualised offers: Our Fair Access Scheme acknowledges the circumstances in which you are studying. Find out if you are eligible for a contextualised offer.
Phoenix Partner Offer Scheme: Students who apply from one of our Phoenix Partner Schools or Colleges receive an offer one A Level grade lower (or equivalent) than our standard offer for all of our courses with the exception of Diagnostic Radiography. This is automatically applied to an offer made following a positive assessment of an application.
Enhanced Offer Programme: This programme gives you the chance to influence the offer you get from us. If you receive a standard conditional offer from us on an eligible course you will be invited to take part in a short subject-related activity, usually in person but can be completed virtually. For Arts related courses you can submit a portfolio via email for assessment. You don’t have to do the activity, your standard offer will be there, however, if you successfully complete the activity, you will either receive an unconditional offer or a reduction in the overall grades required.

Contextual offers – Fair Access Scheme

We understand that sometimes our applicants face challenges that are beyond their control. To provide equal and fair access to higher education we make contextual offers to eligible applicants. For example, we consider where you live, your school, if you have a disability, are a carer or a care leaver or have experienced disruption to your education.

Our Fair Access Scheme recognises this context that may result in a reduced offer by up to 24 UCAS Tariff points or equivalent.

Read about the contextual offers we make through our Fair Access Scheme.