Entry requirements
We look at individual applications and make an offer based on your academic achievements, personal statement and relevant selection criteria. Offers may be subject and grade specific.
Please see the Non-academic tab for details of the Occupational Health Checks, Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure and ISA Registration requirements.
For 2012 entry: 240 tariff points
For 2013 entry: 260 tariff points, including 80 from one A-level (e.g. C) or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
Relevant subjects
Biology, Science, Health & Social Care
Excluded subjects
Please note that General Studies will not be accepted by BU as one of your A-levels but Critical Thinking will.
GCSEs
This course requires a minimum of 4 GCSEs (grades A*-C) including Maths and English or appropriate Key Skills Level 2. A Science subject is preferred.
Numeracy and Literacy
In order for you to contribute fully to your course and enjoy your learning experience with us, you’ll need to have the right skills to study with us. For that reason, we need to be sure that you can express yourself in written English, have basic numeracy skills, and have an understanding of the subject area. We usually use Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework as a demonstration of these skills. Level 2 includes GCSEs and Key Skills Level 2. If you are a mature candidate who does not have formal qualifications to this level, we may still be able to consider your application – please contact the askBU enquiry service to find out more.
Other qualifications
We have outlined below other qualifications that we consider for this course. If you are studying a qualification that is not listed, please contact the askBU Enquiry Service – it may be that we can still consider it.
Access Courses
For 2012 entry: this course requires you to Pass the Access to HE Diploma (with 60 Credits - at least 45 at level 3 remainder at level 2 or equivalent) with a minimum of 18 level 3 credits with Merit or above.
For 2013 entry: this course requires you to Pass the Access to HE Diploma (with 60 Credits - at least 45 at level 3 remainder at level 2 or equivalent) with a minimum of 18 level 3 credits with Merit or above.
Advanced/Progression Diplomas
The Advanced diploma is broadly equivalent to three and a half A-levels and the progression diploma to two and a half A-levels. The diplomas are available in just a few subject areas and only some of these are suitable to gain entry onto this course.
This course accepts the following progression diplomas in conjunction with other qualifications:
- Society, Health and Development (with an A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Business, Administration and Finance (with an A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Construction and the Built Environment (with an A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Creative and Media (with an A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Engineering (with an A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Environmental and Land-based Studies (with an A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Hair and Beauty Studies (with an A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Hospitality (with an A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Information Technology (with an A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Manufacturing and Product Design (with an A-level or equivalent in any subject)
This course accepts the following advanced diplomas:
- Business, Administration and Finance (ASL needs to be an additional A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Construction and the Built Environment (ASL needs to be an additional A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Creative and Media (ASL needs to be an additional A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Engineering (ASL needs to be an additional A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Environmental and Land-based Studies (ASL needs to be an additional A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Hair and Beauty Studies (ASL needs to be an additional A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Hospitality (ASL needs to be an additional A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Information Technology (ASL needs to be an additional A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Manufacturing and Product Design (ASL needs to be an additional A-level or equivalent in any subject)
- Society, Health and Development (ASL needs to be an additional A-level or equivalent in any subject)
In all cases you will need to achieve the required tariff points for this course. If you are taking an advanced diploma then typically you will take an A-level as part of their ASL. If you are taking a progression diploma, you will be required to take additional qualifications to meet the tariff. To find out more about diplomas, please visit the Directgov website.
BTEC Qualifications
Extended Diploma
For 2012 entry: this course requires a Merit, Merit, Merit from the 18 unit diploma.
For 2013 entry: this course requires Distinction, Merit, Merit from the Extended Diploma, offers will be subject specific.
Diploma
For 2012 entry: this course requires a Merit, Merit from the 12 unit certificate in addition to an A-Level Grade C in a relevant subject to achieve the overall tariff.
For 2013 entry: this course requires a Distinction*, Distinction from the Diploma. Offers will be subject specific.
Subsidiary Diploma
For 2012 entry: this course requires a Distinction or Merit from the 6 unit qualification in addition to two A-Levels in relevant subjects to achieve the overall tariff.
BU International Foundation Certificate
This course does not accept the BU International Foundation Certificate
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma
We welcome applicants studying the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma or a combination of Pre-U subjects and A-levels.
European Baccalaureate
For 2012 entry: applicants are required to achieve a minimum score of 68%.
For 2013 entry: applicants are required to achieve a minimum score of 70%.
International Baccalaureate (Diploma)
The International Diploma is welcomed as part of the International Baccalaureate (IB).
For 2012 entry: this course requires 26 points from the IB including 5 points from each of the 3 Higher Level subjects.
For 2013 entry: this course requires 28 points including 5 points from each of the 3 Higher Level subjects.
Please note that BU does not accept the equivalent UCAS tariff points for the IB.
Key Skills (level 3)
We welcome your application if you are studying at Key Skills Level 3.
Scottish Qualifications
Scottish Advanced Highers, Scottish Highers and other Scottish qualifications are all welcomed providing that your results meet the overall course tariff and include relevant subjects as appropriate.
Welsh Baccalaureate
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma is welcomed alongside A-levels or equivalent, to meet the overall course tariff.
