Entry requirements
2017 entry
You can find out more about the new tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table.
120 UCAS tariff points - to include A-Level in Biology or Human Biology at grade B (40 points). Also to include GCSE in English Language, Mathematics and Biology (or Combined Science) at grade C or above. Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English will also be accepted for applicants starting in 2018.
Please check selection criteria for any additional entry requirements.
Selection criteria
Successful recent study at level 3 within last 3 years.
Alternate qualifications accepted for entry include:
- Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Please refer to our guidance document for details on the qualification subjects we will consider and the 60 highlighted specific credits needed in Biology-based units. For September 2018 entry, please contact healthadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for further information about the new BTECs and which modules will meet the Biology based requirements
- OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care DDM - very specific units required to meet Biology requirement.
- Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits overall. Minimum 45 credits at Level 3 to include 21/18 credits at level 3 in Human Biology. Achieve Distinctions in all Level 3 units.
- 120 tariff points from maximum of 4 Scottish Highers. To include grade A (33 points) in Biology.
- 120 tariff points from maximum of 4 Irish Leaving Certificate Highers. To include A2 (30 points) in Biology.
Experience of health/social care-related setting such as a hospital or primary care health centre prior to application is preferred.
All applicants for the BSc must be able to demonstrate successful study at Level 3 in the last 3 years. Applicants who are able to demonstrate some recent Level 3 study, but not the breadth (e.g. 3 A Levels), may be considered providing they can demonstrate relevant life skills and preparation for the course.
In addition to academic qualifications
Our Midwifery degree is very popular and competition for places is intense. Therefore applicants are required to provide evidence of their motivation and commitment to this programme in their personal statement. Please note that your application will not be considered if you have applied to us for additional professional courses apart from Midwifery.
Applicants must clearly explain what has led them to apply to a midwifery programme and the attributes they would bring to it. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have thought carefully about the influences on women's health and the nature of midwifery in the UK in the 21st Century.
Work experience in a health-related setting such as a hospital or a primary care health centre prior to interview is advisable but NOT essential. Applicants must be able to explain how they anticipate transferring their personal qualities, skills, knowledge and values from life and/or any work experiences to a midwifery programme.
All offers to the programme are subject to successful interview with university and practice staff, satisfactory reference(s) and occupational health screening and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure.
Download BSc (Hons) Midwifery person specification.
Fitness to practise and health requirements
All offers of a place are subject to satisfactory health screening. Further information will be provided following the offer of a place.
Please note that Professional Bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) have certain requirements regarding health and character status of applicants and their ability to meet the required core professional competencies and to practise safely without direct supervision. Please read the NMC and HCPC information to find out more. Please ask us for advice and/or support as early as possible in the application process if you have any questions about this requirement.
For more information about core competencies and medical fitness to train please click here. There are fitness standards provided here for most programmes of study: health professions, social work and teaching.
In some instances, an applicant may be invited to attend a professional practice panel to discuss any recommended reasonable adjustments, and whether or not core professional competencies are achievable.
In order to be admitted and continue on the course, students must be deemed as medically fit for both practice and theory by the Occupational Health Department. If you have any concerns about a health condition/issue and its impact on your ability to undertake the course please contact the Occupational Health Department as early as possible in the application process.
Disclosure and Barring Service check
If you are offered a place we require you to comply with an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check. Details on the policy can be found here.
Values Based Recruitment
Seven key principles guide the NHS in all it does. They are underpinned by core NHS values which have been obtained from discussions with NHS staff, patients and the public.
Values based recruitment (VBR) is a way of helping to attract, select and recruit students, trainees and employees, whose personal values and behaviours align with the NHS values outlined in the NHS Constitution.
The links below provide information to help you in considering whether you have the personal values and behaviours needed to follow a career in midwifery. VBR is used at the University of Cumbria for recruitment and questions at interview are aligned to the core NHS values.
Application information
Full-time courses
Apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), between September and January; they will send your application on to us. Applications submitted after this date will be considered late and the course you have applied for might be full by this time; however, we will consider you for alternative suitable courses.
Their website provides all the information you need about universities, courses, locations, entry requirements and financial support. You are allowed to select up to five course choices. You need to use the correct UCAS campus and course codes as not all courses are offered at every campus. You will be asked for the following information when you apply online:
Institution code name: UoC
Institution code: C99
Campus location:
- A Ambleside
- B Brampton Road, Carlisle
- E University of Cumbria at Energus, Workington
- F Fusehill Street, Carlisle
- L Lancaster
- T University of Cumbria in London
- Y University of Cumbria at Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness
Part-time courses
Applications should be made online directly to the university; visit our website or contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk for details and guidance. There is no official closing date but we would encourage you to apply as early as possible, as many courses are competitive.
What makes a good application?
We consider all aspects of your application, not simply your qualifications and grades. We look at your academic background and performance, relevant experience (particularly for professional courses where some voluntary or paid experience is required) and your reference. Above all, we look for motivation, commitment and potential-evidence that you can benefit from study at higher education level.
Make sure you include:
- Relevant qualifications/evidence of ability: check our website for the specific entry requirements required for each course. Tell us your previous academic results and your projected grades.
- A supportive reference, from an employer or your school or college.
- A good personal statement.
- Explain clearly what attracts you to the course and tell us about your wider interests and experience. If you are applying for a course that incorporates professional training and placements, you should include any relevant experience or visits you have made in the workplace. Highlight your individual strengths and qualities, personal skills, capacity for teamwork, contribution to the community and your enterprise, originality and determination. Select some activities which bring out these qualities.
You will need to consider
- The role of the midwife and the range of health issues affecting women in the UK
- The qualities of a midwife
- The demands of any midwifery programme in the UK
- The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements of the course
- The NHS Constitution (2012)
- The distinct features of the programme at the University of Cumbria (UoC)
- our use of the Virtual Learning Environment – ‘Blackboard’ and e-portfolio in ‘PebblePad’
- the local geography and implications for both the practice placements and the University based parts of the programme in terms of travelling distances.
- UoC midwifery entry requirements
- Applying and UCAS
What next?
When we receive your application, we will send you an acknowledgement and if you are successful at this stage you will get either an offer (with an invitation to visit the campus to which you have applied), or an invitation to interview on a particular date. If we are not able to offer you a place on your chosen course we will usually try to offer you a place on a similar course and will contact you to discuss this. Alternatively, if we think you are suitable, but cannot offer you a place on your preferred campus because of the level of competition, we will offer you a place at another campus if one is available.
And if I accept?
The admissions team will contact you and send further information from February onwards about accommodation, and from May/June onwards about preparing to join the university. If you have any other queries, please telephone the admissions offices for information and advice on 0845 6061144.
Deferred entry
We welcome applications for deferred entry on some courses. If you have specific plans during your year out, indicate these on your personal statement as they may be relevant to your course and could enhance your application.
International students
Applications for full-time undergraduate study are made through UCAS. Please see the international pages of our website for full details of our entry requirements (including English-language skills) as well as contacts for advice and support.
From 2009 the UK Border Agency introduced a Points-Based Immigration System (PBS) for students coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Students entering higher education will need to obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) plus finance confirmation to obtain a Tier 4 student visa. UK education providers are licensed by the UK Border Agency. When students apply for their visa (or entry clearance) they will need a valid Certificate of Acceptance of Studies from the university. Please note that a CAS is not a guarantee that a visa will be issued.
See the following websites for further details: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk
