Our Admissions Policy

Aims

1. The University is committed to creating an inclusive, student centred, academic community in which students thrive, actively engage and are glad to belong. As such, the University welcomes applications from potential students of all social and ethnic backgrounds. It aims to promote equal opportunities while at the same time admitting students who have the ability and motivation to benefit from the programmes of study offered.

2. The University will ensure that all applicants are treated fairly by showing appropriate sensitivity to individual differences, and that decisions about recruitment, selection, admission and progression to University programmes at all levels are based on criteria that have been made available to applicants prior to application. The University will seek to promote and develop diversity of its student body by:

• treating each applicant on his/her own merit;
• identifying student potential as well as acknowledging past academic and other achievements;
• providing information and advice to enquirers or, where appropriate, referring the applicant to external specialist providers.

3. The University aims to play a crucial role in educational provision for the local community, in higher education across the United Kingdom, and in the wider European and international market. It therefore encourages and supports applicants from all localities.

Transparency in Admission and Selection

1. The University is committed to operating a transparent admissions policy. Course entry requirements are reviewed annually and published in our prospectus and website as well as other sources such as the UCAS website.

2. Applicants to the University are considered on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, ethnic or national origin, age (subject to the University regulations on minimum age), disability, religion, sexual orientation or any other irrelevant distinction, although, in certain circumstances the University may base admissions decisions on non-academic criteria in order to meet its obligations under UK law.

3. The University recognises that not all applicants have had an equality of educational opportunity and as such it will consider applicants in the light of the opportunities available to them. The University welcomes applications from individuals who have followed non-standard educational routes, or those who meet entry criteria through experience rather than academic qualification. The University will admit candidates who have the potential to succeed on their chosen course regardless of background.

4. The University will always conduct its admissions processes efficiently, effectively and courteously. It will communicate clearly with applicants and students, and provide clear and explicit information concerning admission to, and enrolment on its courses, as well as associated fee implications.
   
5. The University will ensure that all staff involved in the admission process, including collaborative partners, external advisers and agents, understand the criteria for admission to the University and are aware of the issues affecting fair treatment of potential students and applicants.
   
6. The University will ensure that the admission of international students is conducted with strict adherence to the Home Office Immigration Rules in order to protect the University’s Licence.

7. The University will ensure that potential students are provided with the information needed to make a fully informed decision about the suitability of the course they are considering applying to and the costs associated with undertaking that course.
   
8. The University will do its upmost to run courses as advertised but reserves the right to vary the content and delivery of courses, to discontinue, merge or combine courses where required.

Responsibilities and Oversight

1. The University’s Academic Leadership Group has institutional responsibility for the content of the University’s Admissions Policy and Procedures and for regularly monitoring and reviewing their appropriateness.
   
2. The University’s Academic Affairs Committee is responsible for overseeing and approving the standard course entry requirements.
   
3. The University will ensure that all staff involved in the recruitment of students understands the criteria for admission to the University, are aware of the issues affecting fair treatment of potential students and are clear on their responsibility to provide transparent, up-to- date and accurate information to allow informed choices to be made.

4. The university will review student performance and look for trends and inconsistencies in performance that might be linked to the admissions criteria. The University will also monitor and be guided by principles outlined by external bodies. Please see Admissions Procedures for operational detail on the implementation of this policy.

Our Admissions Procedures

1. Making an application

• Those wishing to undertake a full-time Undergraduate programme with the University (with the exception of some international programmes), must apply through the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Those applying for part-time Undergraduate programmes, Apprenticeships and Postgraduate, Professional and Research courses should apply directly to the University via its online application form. Those applying to study on a University of Gloucestershire programme delivered by a partner organisation should contact the partner institution to confirm application procedures, course details and entry requirements.
  
• By making an application to the University you are agreeing to the University’s Student Contract. Under its Student Contract the University of Gloucestershire reserves the right at any stage to request applicants to provide further information relating to any aspect of their application. If such information is not provided within the period stipulated then the University reserves the right to refuse to consider the application further and notify external agencies as appropriate. Additionally, the University reserve the right to withdraw any applicant or student who is found to have made a fraudulent application regardless of their status in the institution.

2. Minimum entry requirements

• Entry requirements, course fees and pre-application information is made available to applicants through a range of sources including the University’s website, third-party sites (eg UCAS), the Prospectus and course literature as well as through open days and applicant visit days. Please refer to these sources as part of the application process.
  
• The University considers a wide range of qualifications for entry. We welcome and accept all qualifications that are part of the UCAS tariff as well as an extensive range of international qualifications. For an assessment of qualifications not listed please contact Admissions at [email protected] .
  
• Applicants to Undergraduate degree courses should have a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent qualifications in order to be considered. Applicants to a Foundation Degree, or a course with an integrated foundation option, must have a minimum of 1 A Level or equivalent qualifications in order to be considered.
  
• The University recognises that applicants considered as ‘mature’ (aged 21 or over at point of entry) may not hold the minimum qualifications required for entry but may have relevant work and/or life experience. Applicants in this position may be invited to an advisory interview with the appropriate Course Leader. If, after an advisory interview, it is felt that further study would be beneficial before being accepted for the course the University may recommend one of the following to qualify for entry:
  • Take an Access to Higher Education course
  • Take specified modules at University of Gloucestershire as a part-time Associate Student
  • Take any qualifications needed to meet professional accreditation requirements (eg GCSE Science for Initial Teacher Training applicants). Please note that courses that are professionally accredited (eg Social Work, Nursing and Teacher Training) have minimum requirements for entry that we cannot waiver or be flexible with.
    
• Applicants may be required to be interviewed, submit a portfolio, complete a test or participate in an audition as a part of applying for your course. If an interview is a required then it is the applicant’s responsibility to make arrangements to attend as required. If this is not possible, the University will attempt to accommodate your requirements if it can, however, this may not be possible in all circumstances.
  
• All students applying to study at undergraduate level must demonstrate they hold GCSE English Language grade 4 or above or the equivalent qualification for entry and some courses require a GCSE Mathematics grade 4 or above or the equivalent for entry. For teacher training and health related courses applicants are also expected to hold GCSE Science grade 4. Applicants should consult specific course pages for details or contact [email protected] for advice.
  
• Exemptions to the English Language and Maths requirement may be made when a student has completed, or successfully studied an award, at National Qualifications Framework levels 4, 5 or 6. Exceptions may also be made following interview, but it is the decision of the interviewer based on an applicants performance.
  
• Where a course is professionally accredited, the university must rigidly apply the entry criteria as stipulated by that body (see ‘d’ and ‘g’).
  
• All applicants who are non-native English speakers must evidence their English Language abilities for acceptance onto a course by meeting our published requirements. The range of accepted qualifications can be found here.
  
• Wherever possible, and for transparency, the university has assessed equivalence to the UK for international qualifications. Published entry criteria for key countries can be found here.
  
• Where applicable a student may be permitted to enter a programme of studies with advanced standing, and be awarded credit for prior learning. Procedures are published in the Guide to Accreditation of Prior Learning.
  
• Where an applicant has failed to achieve the conditions of their offer but has mitigating circumstances they can submit evidence for consideration to [email protected]

3. Making an Offer

• The University bases its admissions decisions on an applicant’s previous or predicated academic performance. Other information such as personal statements, references, research proposals and the outcome of selection interviews will also inform the decision.
  
• Applicants with disabilities will be considered with the standard subject requirements applied. Where appropriate, Disability Advisers will be notified when an application from a student with a disability is received. Disability Advisers will liaise with applicants and the course team to organise a preliminary visit if required.
  
• On occasion it is necessary for the University to use non-academic criteria in deciding whether to offer a student a place. This will usually be because of the University’s requirement to meet its obligations under UK law.
  
• Some courses require applicants to undertake a Disclosure via the Disclosure Barring Service Applicants will be informed where this is a requirement. Where it is not possible for the University to offer a place to an applicant on their preferred course because of the outcome of a Disclosure, an alternative course may be offered if appropriate.
  
• Offer decisions will be communicated either directly to the applicant via an offer letter or email or through the University’s Online Applicant Portal. Evidence required to meet the conditions of an offer (see below) can be uploaded to University systems via this portal. This communication outlines the conditions of entry and provides instruction on how you can accept and meet the terms of the offer. Once applicants have received an offer application details and related documents can be viewed in this Portal.
  
• Offers can either be ‘conditional’ or ‘unconditional’.

Conditional offers

Conditional offers are subject to meeting requirements through either completion of qualifications or evidencing them and submitting documents. Applicants can evidence that they meet the conditions of their offer by uploading documents to their student portal or through the UCAS confirmation process. Some examples of conditions of offer are:

1. Completing or providing evidence of completion of a qualification
2. English Language evidence
3. Providing an academic reference
4. Health Check/Disclosure and Barring Service check

Unconditional offers

Unconditional offers are made where an application has completed all relevant qualifications and evidenced them as part of their application or where the university has measured an applicants potential to succeed on the course in another way.

In instances where an applicant is interviewed for admission and performs to a high level, the University may make an exceptional ‘unconditional offer’.

Unconditional offers can also be made to non-interviewing courses where the applicant has excelled in prior academic performance. GCSE grades, references and predicted academic performance may be used to measure an applicants potential.

Courses and students excluded from this offer include those where admissions criteria adhere to external body requirements (eg Initial Teacher Training programmes) or where non-native English language speakers must provide evidence of English language ability.

• Applicants will not be permitted to enrol on a course until all the conditions of the offer have been met. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide evidence that entry requirements have been met. The University will not accept additional costs or charges incurred as a result of delays in enrolment.
• Any applicant or student found to have submitted false or incorrect information to gain entry to or claim credit against a programme of study will have their application withdrawn regardless of their status in the institution.
• Applicants should either accept or decline the offer made to them. Applicants will be entering into a contract to study with the university at the point at which the offer is accepted. Please see our Student Contract for more details. In accepting the offer and entering into a contract, applicants are confirming that they will abide by a number of university regulations, policies and procedures all of which are detailed in the Student Contract.

• Applicants have the right to cancel The Contract between themselves and the University within 14 days from the date on which the offer is accepted. To exercise this right, applicants may inform Admissions, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, GL50 2RH (Tel: 03330 141414 or email: [email protected]) of the decision to cancel the Contract by a clear statement (eg a letter sent by post or email), including your name, address and the programme for which you accepted an offer. Full details are available in the University’s Student Contract.

• Sometimes the University is unable to offer a place to an applicant. This is usually because the qualifications previously achieved or predicted are not sufficiently high, or because some other condition of entry is not met. Those applicants not meeting the selection criteria for their chosen course may be considered for, and offered a place, on an alternative course.

• Applicants may also be ‘rejected’ if they do not respond to University requests for more information within a reasonable timescale – usually within 10 working days of a request for more information being sent.
  
• The University will use reasonable endeavours to deliver programmes in accordance with the descriptions set out in the Contract. However:
  
• due to the period between prospectus publication and enrolment, circumstances may change due to factors beyond the University’s reasonable control and therefore it may sometimes be necessary to vary the terms or content of the programme or services described in the prospectus. The University will use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that changes are kept to a minimum, but if significant changes are required to the terms of the Student Contract or the programme (as described in the Offer and/or prospectus) before enrolment, the University shall bring these to the attention of applicants and if applicants reasonably believe that the proposed change will prejudicially affect them, they may either cancel the Contract and withdraw from the programme without any liability to the University for programme fees (even if the cancellation period has expired) or transfer to such other programme (if any) as may be offered by the University for which they are qualified;
  • if there are not sufficient enrolments to make a programme or module viable, the University may be forced to cancel the programme or module. If applicants have received an Offer for a programme which the University discontinues prior to enrolment, the University will notify applicants as soon as possible and will use reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable replacement programme for which applicants are qualified. Applicants may cancel the Contract and withdraw from the programme without any liability for programme fees (even if the cancellation period has expired);
  • following suitable consultation with students, the University reserves the right to vary minor elements of programmes from that described in the Contract in order to improve the quality of educational services, in order to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body, in response to student feedback, and/or due to a lack of student demand for certain modules. If the University proposes to make a significant changes to a programme (such as (without limitation) the removal of a module), applicants will be notified as soon as possible and in the case of the removal of a module, a suitable replacement module will be provided.

4. International Applicants – Student Route Visa

• To ensure that a Student Route visa student meets the ‘intent to study’ guidance from the Home Office, all applications must be completed with a supporting statement, references, qualifications and a copy of the applicant’s passport. Applications should not be submitted without this documentation and will be rejected.
  
• Student Route visa students must obtain a minimum English Language level to obtain a Student Route visa (English language level CEFR B2), this requirement is built into our own English Language requirements and must be met in order to study at the University.

• All students requiring a Student Route visa visa must pay a £5,500 advanced tuition fee payment before the University undertakes a commitment to sponsor their visa.

• All offers for students who require a Student Route visa are subject to checks by the Immigration Compliance team. The University reserves the right to not issue a CAS should the Immigration Compliance team have concerns about the students’ immigration history or the risk to our sponsor license.

• A document will be considered as a valid translation if it has an original stamp from an official translation company.
• Please contact the Immigration Compliance team via [email protected] for more information.

5. Feedback, Review and Complaint

• Applicants may request feedback on their application. In the first instance please email [email protected] Requests for feedback will normally be responded to within ten working days of receipt.
  • Applicants can request a review of the decision on their application. There are 3 grounds for such a request:
    • Additional information has become available since the original application was submitted which was unavailable at the time
    • Some form of extenuating circumstances apply that affected the original application
    • There has been an administrative error or procedural irregularity on the part of the University.

• Applicants should email [email protected] for advice about a review.
  
• Should applicants wish to make a complaint about the handling of their application then the procedure below applies:
  • Initially, there should be an attempt to resolve concerns through discussion with the Senior Admissions Manager via [email protected]
  • Should the complaint not be resolved after initial discussions, the applicant should write to the Head of Admissions & UK Recruitment via [email protected] describing the nature of the complaint and why the previous discussions have not resolved the matter.