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Entry requirements

The University is committed to an admissions policy that gives opportunities for people of all educational backgrounds and experience to participate in Higher Education. The University welcomes applicants with a mix of academic and vocational qualifications and will consider each application on its individual merits.

The University accepts a wide variety of qualifications to meet the general entry requirements to its undergraduate programmes of study, for example, A-Levels, Vocational A-Levels, National Diploma, Art Foundation, Access, International Baccalaureate and international equivalent qualifications.

The entry requirements are designed to make sure that you are sufficiently prepared and have the general ability to follow your chosen programme of study.

You will also be expected to have an adequate standard of literacy and numeracy as appropriate. Normally therefore, GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above are required. The University prefers (non mature - under 21 years of age) students to follow a full programme in year 13 and therefore applicants should have or expect to obtain Advanced GCE or Advanced Vocational A-Levels in at least two subject areas as a minimum entry requirement to degree programmes. Applicants offering AS levels and one Advanced GCE (or equivalent) qualification will be acceptable for entry to a number of Higher National Diploma courses offered by the University.

A Key Skills qualification is not a compulsory part of the general entry requirements. However, individual courses will take these into account and where appropriate will include these as part of an offer for the programme of study.

All applicants are advised to consult the blue box on each course page for individual course requirements. Some of our courses are accredited by external professional bodies, which require specific entry requirements.

Before you complete your application form you should check whether you have, or expect to gain, the necessary qualifications for entry.

Applicants with qualifications achieved prior to the introduction of Curriculum 2000, such as passes at A-Level and AGNVQ, will be welcomed and will not result in any disadvantage. The Tariff and/or grades stated in the individual entry requirements should give sufficient guidance for comparison. If in any doubt, please contact the admissions tutor using the telephone or email address given in the course fact file box.

The following represent the general entry requirements for the different levels of course, however, you should also refer to the individual course fact file box for any specific or additional entry requirements.

First degree courses

You should satisfy one of the following:

• GCSE/GCE passes in five subjects, of which at least two subjects are at GCE/VCE A-Level
• GCSE/GCE passes in four subjects, of which at least three subjects are at GCE/VCE A-level
• A Pass in Vocational A-Level (VCE) Double Award (12 units)
• A Pass in an Advanced General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ)
• Scottish Certificate of Education/Scottish Qualifications Authority Intermediate/Higher/Advanced Higher passes in five subjects of which three are at the Higher Level
• Scottish Certificate of Education/Scottish Qualifications Authority passes in four subjects at the Higher Level
• Scottish Certificate of Education/Scottish Qualifications Authority Intermediate/Higher/Advanced Higher passes in five subjects of which two are at Advanced Higher Level.
• An Irish Leaving Certificate with five subjects at grade C or above, four of which are at the Higher Level
• A National Certificate or Diploma (awarded by BTEC/EdExcel)
• A Higher National Certificate or Diploma (awarded by BTEC/EdExcel) · An International Baccalaureate with a minimum of 24 points
• The satisfactory completion of a full-time Foundation Course in Art and Design (this is preferred for entry to art and design courses) not less than one academic year in length, together with one of the following:
  • GCSE passes in five subjects
  • GCSE/GCE passes in four subjects including one at GCE A-Level
  • GCSE passes should be at least at Grade C or above
  • Successful completion of an approved Access course
  • Other qualifications which are considered acceptable by the University

Higher National Diplomas

You should normally satisfy one of the criteria as listed for first degree courses. However, for some HND courses a GCSE/GCE pass in four subjects, of which at least one subject is at GCE A-Level, is acceptable.

National Diplomas

A minimum of four GCSE passes, one of which must be English.

Compacts

The University participates in a number of Compact arrangements whereby the Compact will be included as part of an applicant's offer of a place.

Applicants without standard entry qualifications/mature students

We welcome applications from mature students (anyone over 21 years of age) who may not satisfy the general entry requirements. Such students often produce outstanding results and make a major contribution towards the success of the student community.

Applicants are considered on the basis of their experience and capacity to benefit from the course. In such cases, a wide range of indicators will be assessed, including evidence of previous study and educational attainment, relevant work experience, references, reports and reasons for wanting to join the course.

You should contact the relevant Faculty Office so that your individual circumstances can be assessed before an application is made.

Associate students' programme

Most of the courses at the University are run on a modular basis. It may be possible therefore for students to attend lectures in a particular module or modules.

In this way you can update your skills and knowledge, or alternatively see how you might be able to cope with higher education, without committing yourself to a full degree programme. You should contact the relevant Faculty Office for further information and advice.

Credit accumulation

The majority of courses have adopted a modular or unit-based structure, which provides opportunities for credit accumulation. Each unit or module is assessed individually and credits are awarded for each as it is passed, enabling greater flexibility in study. Credits are transferable between courses and institutions and, in some cases, credits can be given for previous relevant experience or earlier certificated learning. For those with family or other commitments, the credits necessary to achieve a full award can be accumulated over a longer period of time. Transfer between full-time and part-time study is also possible. For more information contact the relevant Faculty Office.

Direct entry to later stage of course

If you already have certain advanced qualifications or significant relevant experience, you may be eligible for admission to a later stage of a course. Further information and advice on which stage of the course you would be qualified to enter can be obtained from the relevant Faculty Office.

Competence in English

If you are an international student whose first language is not English then we require you to demonstrate that you have reached a certain level of ability in the language. For details of the various qualifications that we accept as well as the English language support that we provide, please see this page.

Applicants with Special Needs

You will be considered on the same academic grounds as all other applicants. You will have the opportunity to discuss any arrangements that may be necessary to enable you to succeed in your studies. The University has published a Disability Statement, entitled 'Students with Disabilities - A Guide to Support,' a copy of which can be obtained by contacting a Disability Adviser on 0121 331 6265/5128.

Applications

The details on specific course pages within this site indicate to whom you should apply. General information about applying for full-time first degrees, foundation degrees and higher national courses is given below.

Applications for part-time study and for the further education courses described in this prospectus should be made on a University Application Form which is available from the Admissions Support Department, Academic Registry, Birmingham City University, Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 2SU. Completed forms should be returned to the address indicated on the form.

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)

Applications for full-time first degrees, foundation degrees or higher national diploma courses should be made online through UCAS unless the application is for the Graduate Diploma in Nursing or the Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing or for a Music degree.

Applications for the Graduate Diploma in Nursing or the Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing should be made through a separate application service which is called the Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service (NMAS).

Applications for the Music degrees offered by Birmingham Conservatoire should be submitted through the Conservatoires UK Admissions Service (CUKAS). More information about NMAS and CUKAS is given below.

To make the application process as easy as possible there are full instructions and help text available at www.ucas.com for all types of applicant. UCAS publishes a comprehensive guide called ‘Applying Online’, which can be downloaded from its website at www.ucas.com/apply/guides06.html

When completing your UCAS application form you will be able to get advice from your school or college. If you are a mature applicant there are various careers organisations, Connexions for example, who can be consulted. They have a great deal of experience in advising mature applicants and will be happy to help.

For international applicants, advice about the UCAS application process is available from British Council offices.

UCAS can be contacted at:

Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, GloBirmingham City Universitystershire, GL52 3LZ

T: 01242 223707
F: 01242 544961
E: enquiries@ucas.ac.uk
Mini: 01242 544942
W: www.ucas.ac.uk

UCAS institution code – CEB C25

NMAS (Nursing and Midwifery Admissions System)

Applications for the Graduate Diploma in Nursing and the Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing RN should be made online through NMAS.

NMAS can be contacted at:

Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, GloBirmingham City Universitystershire, GL52 3LZ

T: 01242 223707
W: www.nmas.ac.uk

Conservatoires UK Admissions Service (CUKAS)

CUKAS is an online application service for UK music colleges. Birmingham City University Conservatoire, a faculty of the University, is a member of CUKAS. For further information please contact Birmingham Conservatoire on 0121 331 5901/5902 or for general enquiries contact CUKAS at:

Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, GloBirmingham City Universitystershire, GL52 3LZ

T: 01242 223707

W: www.cukas.ac.uk

All other courses including part-time study

Applications for all other courses should be made on a University Application Form available from the appropriate Faculty Office or the Admissions Support Unit, Academic Registry, Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 2SU. Completed application forms should be returned to the address indicated.

Entry to later stage of course

Applications for direct entry to a later stage of a degree course should also be made on a UCAS Application Form.

Additional information

The University’s standard application form and the application forms used by UCAS, NMAS and CUKAS are designed to provide admissions tutors with the information they need. However, sometimes we may need to ask you for further information. If full information is not provided we may not be able to consider your application.

The decision that we make about you application and your fee status is based on the information provided on your application form. If we find that false statements have been made or significant information has been omitted, we reserve the right to withdraw or amend our offer or to amend the fee status.

Data protection

The information you provide on your application form will be used to make a decision about whether you can be offered a place and to deal with the accompanying administration. Under the Data Protection Act 1998 we need your consent before we can do this. We will assume that by submitting an application you have given this consent.

What happens after application?

Your application form will be sent to the relevant Admissions Office at the University. Careful consideration will be given to all the information you have provided, including your personal statement and your referee’s report.

Some courses invite applicants for an interview or to visit the department before they make an offer. This will give you the chance to look around the University and the department and to meet current students. Other courses may invite you to visit their department after making you an offer. If you are invited to attend an interview you will be told what you need to bring with you, for example, you may be asked to bring your Record of Achievement.

If you are considered suitable for the course, you will be given an offer of a place, which will be either conditional or unconditional. In the case of a conditional offer, the conditions will vary between courses and will depend on a number of different factors.

If you have applied through UCAS, NMAS or CUKAS, they will send the formal offer letter to you but we may send you additional information about the University and the course and the next steps in the application process. If you have applied direct to the University we will send the formal offer letter to you together with additional information.

If we are unable to offer you a place, you will be notified by UCAS, NMAS, CUKAS or the University, as appropriate.

The offer letter will include information on how to accept or decline the offer. If you accept a conditional offer, you will be asked to tell us your examination results as soon as they are available. We will confirm your place on the course once you have met the conditions of our offer. Sometimes, even if you do not achieve the required grades, it may still be possible to reserve a place for you on the course.

All other courses including part-time study

Applications for all other courses should be made on a University application form, available from the appropriate Faculty office or the Admissions Support Unit, Academic Registry, Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 2SU. Completed application forms should be returned to the address indicated.

Entry to later stage of course

Applications for direct entry to a later stage of a degree course should also be made via the online UCAS application form.

Visiting the University

You may receive an offer of a place without attending an interview. However, you may still wish to visit us to discuss your application and to see the campus before deciding whether or not to accept the offer. A visit is particularly useful if you are eligible for more than one of our courses and would like to discuss which would be the most suitable for you.

Open Days and Visit Days

You, your family and friends are very welcome to attend one of our Open Days. Please see the Open Days homepage for further information. In addition, Visit Days are arranged by individual faculties and details will be provided when we respond to your application.

Clearing

If you are not accepted for the course you have chosen, or your place is not confirmed after we receive your examination results, you may find an alternative place through Clearing. If you do not have a confirmed offer and are in Clearing please call our advisers who can be contacted on the Clearing Helpline on 0121 331 6777 or email us at clearing@bcu.ac.uk. The Clearing Helpline opens when the A Level results are published.

Deferred entry

If you are thinking about taking a year out before coming to the University, we will be happy to consider an application for deferred entry, particularly if the time is to be used constructively.