Entry requirements

Once you’ve found the course you’d like to apply for, it’s important that you make sure you have, or are aiming to achieve, the entry requirements for that course, which can include both academic and non-academic elements.

What is the purpose of having entry requirements?

We want you to succeed with your studies, so you need to be able to demonstrate that you're capable of coping with the rigours of studying at the level you're applying for. Some subjects may require a certain level of knowledge of that subject or related ones, or you may need appropriate experience in a particular discipline or area.

How do I find out the entry requirements for my course?

Entry requirements can be found in the individual course listings in our courses section. Look under the 'Entry Requirements' tab for your course.

T Level qualifications

At BCU, we give applicants who are studying T Levels equal consideration to those applying with other qualifications. As with all qualifications, we assess the content and learning outcomes of the syllabus applicants are studying to ensure it prepares them for their course of study with us. The exact entry requirements for each course are detailed on the individual course pages.

For entry onto a degree, we will usually require a minimum of a Merit award from the applicant’s T Level, including a grade B in the core component.  For foundation year entry, we would usually require a minimum of a Pass award from a T Level, including at least a grade C in the core component.  Some courses may require different or higher results so please check the course pages carefully.

We also require an alignment between the subject of the T Level and the subject applied for.  For some courses, we may consider T Level subjects unrelated to the course applied for but any offer made would be at the discretion of the Faculty and Admissions department after reviewing the T Level content and overall application.

Some of our courses require subject-specific knowledge and skills to be eligible for an offer.  Where this is not suitably covered by a T Level, we may not be able to make an offer for that particular course.

Applicants will also need to satisfy GCSE (or equivalent) requirements as outlined in course entry criteria in addition to the T Level qualification.

Partially achieved T Levels will not be considered.

T Levels are a new qualification and by design are more likely to be suitable to more vocational courses.  All of our courses, including foundation years, have academic content that will be examined through formative and summative assessments.

Overseas qualifications

If your qualifications were studied overseas, you will need to check the general entry requirements for applicants from your country.

Competence in English language

Our courses are taught and assessed entirely in English. Therefore, if your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate appropriate proficiency. If you need to improve your English before beginning your studies, you may be able to take one of our pre-sessional English courses.

For entry to Engineering courses we will require Maths at A Level, but will also accept Physics or Chemistry.  A pass in the practical element of the science A Level qualifications is required. If you fail this element, you will be assessed on a case by case basis.

What’s your advice to anyone who feels they may be in a stronger position if they take other qualifications, for example EPQ in addition to three A Levels?

We advise applicants not to spread themselves too thinly and to think carefully about whether undertaking additional qualifications might harm their chances of achieving the main A Level grades required for their place.

What will be the minimum pass grade that you will accept for GCSEs?

We accept Grade 4 as the minimum pass rate for GCSEs. For students who took their GCSEs under the old grading system, this is equivalent to a Grade C.