Undergraduate application FAQs

What are your entry requirements?

Please use our courses database to search for the courses/subjects you are interested in. Entry requirements are found under the Entry tab. If you are interested in an undergraduate course, please check the GSCE requirements and specific subjects that we require at A Level or equivalent as well as the UCAS tariff.

Successful entry is usually dependent on obtaining specific UCAS tariff points although for more practical courses such as art and design an interview and viewing of creative work form an important part of the admissions process.

What are UCAS tariff points?

The UCAS Tariff is a system for allocating points to qualifications which can be used for entry to higher education. It enables students to use a range of different qualifications to help secure a place on an undergraduate course.

Universities and colleges use the UCAS Tariff to make comparisons between applicants with different qualifications. Tariff points are often used to specify entry requirements, although other factors are also taken into account.

How can I find out how many tariff points I have?

View the UCAS tariff tables for information on the tariff points for different qualifications

I have more questions about UCAS tariff points, where can I find more information?

View the UCAS tariff FAQs for more information about UCAS tariff points.

I have a qualification which is not listed in the UCAS tariff tables, does this mean I cannot apply to UWE?

Not necessarily.

UWE accepts Access to HE Diploma’s. You can find detailed entry requirements for Access learners for our undergraduate degree programmes using our courses database or the UCAS course search. Some programmes have special requirements in addition to the award of a QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma eg credits in specific subject units, an interview or a viewing of creative work (portfolio presentation).

In addition to this, we welcome applications from those who do not have the entry requirements outlined in our courses database. The University will consider applications on the basis of evidence of personal, professional and educational experience which indicate an applicant's ability to meet the demands of a degree. We like to give such applicants every opportunity to show that they have the motivation and ability to succeed in their chosen programme of study. For advice, please contact Admissions and International Development.

I’m currently studying (or have previously studied) at another university. I would like my previous study to be taken into account if I apply for a place at UWE Bristol. What do I need to do?

Acceptance onto one of our programmes with credit for the study you have already undertaken will depend on a number of factors:

1.       We need to ensure that you have studied subjects which provide you with the same learning outcomes as those completed by students on the programmes of study offered at UWE.  To assess this you will need to send us details of the UWE course you would like to undertake together with a copy of the syllabus for each subject you are studying and reports or transcripts showing any grades or marks you have obtained so far, so that we have an indication of your performance.  An offer of a place may be subject to you successfully completing certain modules/credits.

2.       We need to be satisfied that your previous academic qualifications are acceptable for entry onto the programme of study, so please include details of all your qualifications.

In order to proceed with your application you should send us the information we have requested in points 1 and 2 above and make a formal application through UCAS.

I want to apply for a course at UWE, how do I do that?

Please see our application guide.

What are the UCAS deadlines for applications?

View the UCAS important dates information for details.

Does UWE accept late UCAS applications?

Yes - we continue to accept applications for a course until that course is full. We notify UCAS when we are no longer taking new applications and you will not be able to apply through UCAS.

We do advise applicants to try to meet the January UCAS deadline for the best chance of being considered.

Please can you tell me the campus code for my course?

The only courses for which you will need a campus code are courses run at our partner Further Education Colleges, including Hartpury College, or for nursing degrees.

The campus codes for our partner colleges and for nursing courses are as follows:

A – Hartpury College
B – Bridgwater College
D - City Academy, Bristol
E – Weston College
F – Yeovil College
G – Glenside (for nursing courses only)
I – City of Bath College
J – Filton College
K – Cirencester College
L – Hartpury (Gloucester Education Centre for nursing)
N - New College Swindon
R - City of Bristol College
S - Swindon (for Nursing)
T – Bath (Royal United Hospital for nursing)
U – Stroud College
V – Gloucestershire College
X - Richard Huish College – Taunton
Y – Wiltshire College
Z – Gloucestershire Counselling service

I would like to study part-time, how do I apply?

You can apply directly to the University, either online or by paper application form depending on the details on our courses database

How can I register for one of your Open Days?

Please visit our Open Day webpage to register for an Open Day and to view Open Day itineraries.

I cannot attend your Open Days; can I visit the university another time?

If you are unable to attend one of the Open Days, we do welcome visitors to the Frenchay Campus so please feel free to come along at your convenience any weekday between 9am and 4pm. If you report to the main reception on the Frenchay Campus we can issue you with a self-guided tour which takes around 45 minutes.

At Main Reception you may ask to speak to a member of staff in Admissions without pre-arranging an appointment.  If you would like to discuss specific course details, it may be best to speak with someone in the department.  However, it will be necessary to book an appointment in advance with them.

Similarly, if you want to view campus accommodation you will need to contact Accommodation Services to arrange a viewing.  They can be contacted on 0117 32 83601, or by email at accommodation@uwe.ac.uk. Please see our accommodation pages for more information.

I wish to change my course / year of entry, how do I go about doing this?

You will need to contact the Admissions and International Development department in writing - either by email (admissions@uwe.ac.uk) or post. If we are able to change your course details or year of entry you will see your application details have been updated on your Welcome website and if you applied through UCAS you will also receive an update from UCAS.

I want to withdraw my application, what should I do?

We must receive written notification from you that you would like your application to be withdrawn either by letter or email addressed to the Admissions and International Development Department.

I currently have a firm offer at UWE Bristol, but would like to be released into Clearing.

Your acceptance is a serious contractual agreement, and you cannot simply decline the place at this stage. If you have a firm offer at UWE Bristol, and wish to be released into Clearing, please e-mail us at clearing@uwe.ac.uk explaining the reason why you wish to be released into Clearing. Once we have this information we will be in a position to consider your request.

Please ensure that you quote your UWE Welcome ID number, full name and date of birth in your communication and include 'release into clearing' in the message header.

I have submitted an application to UWE, what happens now?

Once we have received your application, we will email you log-in details so that you can access your personal UWE Welcome website which has been designed to help you manage all aspects of your application and entry to UWE.  You will also be able to view a record of the communications we send you and keep up-to-date with what is going on at UWE.

What is my UWE Welcome website and how do I login?

The UWE Welcome website is a portal specifically designed for UWE applicants and soon-to-be UWE students.

If you have applied to study at UWE, using your welcome id and password you will be able to access your personal UWE Welcome website where you can find out more about what makes UWE a great place to study, track any decisions made on your application and view a record of all the important information which we have sent to you including letters which you are able to print copies of. This will also include information on applying for accommodation and welcome information such as timetables, reading lists, registration details and more.

Please note that is NOT the same as ‘My UWE’, which is for current students and staff only.

I have applied via UCAS, should I check my UWE Welcome website or UCAS Track for information on my application?

You should check both.

You can track the progress of your application through the Track service on the UCAS website. For this you need your Personal ID, username and password. You can also use this service to check for any offers and reply to them.

You should also check you UWE Welcome website for important information that we will send you throughout the application process.

I have received a number of offers through UCAS Track. What should I do now?

Once you have received decisions from all your universities or colleges, you will receive an email from UCAS asking you to look at your Replying to Offers letter on Track. If you don't reply to your offers by the deadline, you may lose them.

You reply to your offers online using UCAS Track. For each offer, you can choose one of three options. The options are firm acceptance, insurance acceptance and decline.

You can accept a maximum of two offers - one firm acceptance, and one insurance acceptance. Your firm choice should be your preferred choice out of the offers you have received. If your firm choice is a conditional offer, you can accept another offer as your insurance choice. The majority of applicants choose an insurance choice offer requiring lower grades/fewer UCAS tariff points than their firm acceptance. Remember that once you accept an offer, including an insurance offer, you are committed to that course.

Please see the replying to offers information on the UCAS website for further information.

I submitted my application two weeks ago, when will I hear the decision?

We try and respond to all applications as soon as possible, however sometimes applications take longer to consider than we have previously anticipated. If you have been waiting three weeks or more please contact us for an update.

I was told at my interview I will hear back after 10 days, why is there a delay?

Circumstances often dictate that this deadline is not possible. However, rest assured that now you have attended your interview, your application is being considered and we will forward the decision as soon as possible.

Please note: UCAS does not let us confirm places before 09:00 on Thursday 18 August.

I have received my UCAS confirmation letter and intend to take my place at UWE.

You do not need to contact us to confirm your place. Check your Welcome website for information about joining the University.

What should I do if I have not met the conditions of my offer?

Don't panic! We will reconsider your application and we may still offer you a place on your original course choice or an alternative course which we believe better matches your interest and achievements. You should visit your UWE Welcome website to check our decision and if you have any questions call our helpline on +44 (0)117 32 83333.

I am awaiting results other than A levels?

Please send your results to us as soon as you receive them:

• By email: admissions@uwe.ac.uk
• Upload via your Welcome website
• By fax: +44 (0) 117 32 82810

We will not be able to confirm our decision until all of your results are known. You must include your UWE Welcome ID if you contact us so we can process your information quickly.

I have firmly accepted my offer, how do I apply for accommodation?

Accommodation details, including how to apply, will be sent out to your UWE Welcome website, usually at the end of April/early May. Please see our accommodation pages for more information.

You will not be able to apply for accomodation until you have accepted an offer from us. If you applied through UCAS or GTTR, you will need to accept through the Track service provided by UCAS or GTTR. If you applied directly to us then you will need to send us your reply slip.

I am taking up my insurance choice place at UWE. What should I do about accommodation?

Once you have firmly accepted your place at UWE you will be sent a link to the online accommodation application form through your UWE Welcome website.

What are the UWE term dates?

Please see our term dates for this information.

You can expect to see the definitive start dates in your ‘Joining Instructions’ that are published on our website. These will contain all the key dates to do with your future studies with UWE. This information will be available on our new students web pages and you will be sent a message through your Welcome website when this information is available.

What is the tuition fee for undergraduate full-time study?

Tuition fees can be found on our Fees and funding pages

I already hold a Higher Education Qualification; will this affect the tuition fee I pay?

Yes, this could affect the fee you pay and the support you are entitled to. Please see our information for students who already hold an HE qualifcation for details.

What is the tuition fee for undergraduate part-time study?

Tuition fees can be found on our Fees and funding pages

How can I apply for Home fee status?

If we cannot determine your fee status from your application form or if you tell us that you disagree with the fee status you have been given you will be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire.

The tuition fees for which you are liable and the financial support available to you depend upon the programme of study that you follow and whether you are classed as a Home (UK) student, European Union (EU) student, Offshore student or International student.

Please see our tuition fee status definitions for further information.

When should I apply for financial support from Student Finance?

Once you've made your UCAS application, you can apply for financial help as soon as Student Finance applications open. You don't need to wait for an offer. We recommend that you apply for student finance as soon as possible to ensure funding is available at the start of term.

How do I apply for financial support from Student Finance?

You can apply online via the Student Finance website. Please note, there is a different application procedure for part-time students, please see the part-time finance information on the student finance website.

I am applying for a course in Health and Social Care, what financial support am I entitled to?

If you’re doing a course to prepare you for a career in social work, nursing, or certain areas of healthcare, the financial help you can get may be different from the standard student finance package available to other students.

In some cases this help is paid on top of the standard finance package available to other higher education students, and in other cases instead of it. Please see the Finance for NHS and Social Work Courses information on the student finance website for further information.