Overview
A foundation degree, HND or equivalent Level 5 qualification at a minimum merit standard. Applicants from courses based at institutions other than University of Cumbria will be assessed on their suitability depending upon the modules they have studied.
Fair Admissions
When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.
Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.
Selection Criteria
As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any practical experience you have gained.
Contextual Admissions
We believe that qualifications and grades tell only part of the story. Where you grew up, what you have been through, and the opportunities available to you all shape what you have been able to achieve so far. Our contextual admissions approach means we look at your whole picture, not just your results.
If you meet one or more of our contextual criteria, you may be eligible for a contextual offer. This means we will make you an offer at a lower point in our published tariff range for level 4 entry. Any adjustment is applied once, regardless of how many criteria apply to you. We will never offer a place below the level at which we are confident you can succeed.
Who is eligible?
You may qualify for a contextual offer if you meet any of the following:
Where you live
You live in a postcode area with low participation in higher education (POLAR4 Quintile 1). Check your postcode here.
Your personal circumstances
You are, or have been:
- A care leaver
- Are estranged from both parents
- Have, or have had, caring responsibilities
- Receive, or received, Free School Meals during secondary education
- Are a refugee
- Are classed as armed forces families
Armed forces and veterans
You are a veteran, service leaver, or currently serving member of the armed forces.
Pre-entry activities (2027/2028 entry)
You have attended a University of Cumbria widening participation programme, such as our Masterclasses.
What does a contextual offer look like?
Where you are eligible, we will make you an offer at a lower grade or tariff point than the published standard. Course pages on this site include the standard entry requirements, the Contextual Admissions page will show you what a contextual offer would look like for your course. Your offer letter will confirm that your application has been considered contextually.
View contextual offer levels by course
Cumbria’s Alternative Route for Entry Scheme
If you are 21 or over and do not hold standard Level 3 qualifications, the CARE Scheme offers you a different way in. It is designed for people whose life experience, work, and motivation demonstrate the potential to succeed at degree level, even without the qualifications typically required.
The CARE Scheme involves two stages:
- A written piece - you submit a short piece of writing that lets us assess your communication, motivation, ability to respond to a set question or task and your readiness for degree-level study.
- An interview - one of our Academic team will speak with you about your application and ambitions.
Our decision takes into account everything we know about you: your written piece, the interview, your UCAS application, and any relevant professional context. For some Health, Social Care and Education programmes, there are additional requirements at interview stage.
If you are a veteran or service leaver, we recognise the skills and experience you bring and consider these as part of the CARE Scheme process.
Not sure if this applies to you?
Contact us at ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk and we will talk it through with you.
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