Contextual Admissions

CONTEXTUAL ADMISSIONS  

2027/8 Contextual Admissions Scheme  
 

What is Contextual Admissions? 

Contextual Admissions means we look at you as a whole person, not just your grades. When you apply, our admissions team considers not only your academic achievements but also your background and personal circumstances. 

 

We understand in some cases, that factors like social or financial challenges can affect your grades or prevent you from accessing work experience and joining extracurricular activities. By using a contextual approach, we look at the full picture of who you are and what you've achieved, then make an offer that reflects your potential. 
 

What does a contextual admissions look like? 

You are eligible for contextual admissions if you meet any of the criteria below and firmly accept your offer via UCAS. Your UCAS offer will include the standard points for the course and the points that we will accept you if you firmly accept your offer. This will typically be: 

• 120-point course > 104-points 

• 112-point course > 96-points 

• 72 - point course > 56-points 

In addition, if on results day you do not meet the lower, contextual admissions criteria, we will guarantee you a place on an extended degree course whatever your results if you have firmly accepted our offer.  

 

Eligibility 

The information we require is automatically provided on your application form in most cases. 

Our contextual admissions scheme is open to applicants studying Level 3 qualifications that attract UCAS tariff points, if you meet one of the below criteria and firmly accept your offer: 

 

You live in an area with low progression rates to University: You live in an area that has a low rate of progression to higher education according to POLAR4 or IMD data at the point of application. You will be eligible for a reduced offer if your postcode is identified as being in POLAR4 Quintile 1 or 2 or IMD Decile 1-4. We will use your home address on your UCAS application form to identify this, and you can check if your post code will qualify on the Office for Students (OFS) Website for POLAR4 eligibility or for IMD by using English indices of deprivation - GOV.UK to assess if you are eligible.  

 

You have spent time in care: You must complete the care questions in your UCAS form. If this is not also identified in your reference, we may ask you to provide evidence from your local authority, school or college or another relevant organisation. 

 

Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic Origin: As an underrepresented group here at Northumbria, applicants from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic origin will be eligible for a contextual offer.  

As we do not receive this information from UCAS until later in the admissions cycle you will need to complete our Contextual Offer Enquiry short form to let us know you qualify for a reduced offer. 

Free School Meals: If you're eligible for free school meals. 

 

Adult Learners: If you are over 21 years of age at the start of your programme. 
 
Unpaid Caring Responsibilities: You have listed on your UCAS form that you have unpaid caring responsibilities (not including parenting); we may ask you to provide evidence. 

 

Estranged from Parents: You are not in contact with or supported by parents. 

 

Physical and/or mental health condition, long term illness or learning difference.  

 

If you have not received a reduced offer and you believe you are eligible, please complete our Contextual Offer Enquiry short form to let us know and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  

Student Parent or Parenting Responsibilities: You are a parent or have parental responsibilities for a child under 17.  

Served in the Armed Forces: You have or are currently serving in the UK Armed Forces   

Parent or Carer in the Armed Forces:  You have a parent or guardian serving or who has served in the UK Armed Forces  

First Generation: You do not have a parent who holds a Higher Education Qualification   

You have been awarded Refugee status or humanitarian status or are currently in the process of claiming asylum. Please note additional evidence will be required if you are eligible under this status.  

You are a member of the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman or Boater communities  

HAF+ Participant: Applicants who have participated in the HAF+ Programme. 

Holiday Hope (London) Participant - Applicants who have completed the Holiday Hope (London) Programme 

We do not receive this information from UCAS so please complete our Contextual Offer Enquiry short form to let us know and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

FAQS 

Will my offer be reduced once I accept my offer? 

Your offer will not be amended it via UCAS the reduction will just be applied at the point we receive your results.  

Example – A course with a 112 UCAS Tariff points standard offer – if an applicant firmly accepts and meets any of our contextual criteria, they will be accepted on the course if they achieve 96 points or above on results day. 

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 2027/8 

To qualify for a contextual offer, you must also meet the following terms and conditions: 

• You must be eligible for home fees.  

• You must apply through UCAS, and information must be entered on your UCAS application.  

• You must firmly accept your offer via UCAS.  

• Any contextual admissions tariff reduction cannot be used in conjunction with any reduced offer obtained through our other Supported Entry Scheme or Extenuating Circumstances. 

• Other non-academic requirements such as Interview or Portfolio still apply. 

• You may be subject to supplying additional information for some categories.