How we assess your application

Once your application has been received, it will be considered by the Admissions Office and Admissions Tutors in academic departments. They will  focus on the following.

• Any qualifications you have completed and the grades achieved.
• Your predicted grades in any qualifications not yet completed.
• Your personal statement and motivation to study your chosen course.
• Your reference.

Interviews and examples of work

You usually won’t have an interview or need to submit work when given an offer but some subjects do require further information before they can make a decision.

Any specific requirements are detailed in the individual course finder entries. If you’re applying from overseas and cannot attend an interview, alternative arrangements will be made if possible.

Personal statements - what to include

As a general guide, your personal statement should include:

• What interests you in your chosen subject area? If you've studied the subject before, was there a particular area that grabbed your interest?  If you've not studied the subject before, what is it that has made you want to try something new?  
• Remember: if you're applying to study a combined degree, you should make a connection between the different subjects.  
• What reading, research or extra work have you done into your subject area?  Don't just tell us what you've read or done - tell us what you found interesting about it and how it has developed your knowledge and interest in your chosen subject.   
• What skills and personal qualities do you have?  Don't just tell us what they are - tell us how you've developed these skills and how they fit to your chosen course or career - you may be a good communicator through working in a customer service role, or work well with others through being involved in a sports team.  How will they develop in your chosen course?
• Do you have a particular career you would like to go into after study?  If so, how could this degree help you get there?

You should remember that, although parts of the personal statement should be subject specific, they should not just feature general information about a subject.  

As the admissions tutor already knows about their subject area, they are interested in learning something about you - so make your personal statement personal.