Flexible and contextual admissions

At Brighton we know that when different perspectives come together, brilliant new thinking happens – and that’s why working to create a community that’s inclusive and diverse is so vital.

Grades are not the only indicator of our students’ potential or achievement and for some the journey to university is more challenging for reasons which are outside their control.

We take a contextual and flexible approach to admissions and provide targeted financial support, advice and guidance during the application process and transition to university.

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University of Brighton Contextual Admissions Policy

If you meet our eligibility criteria we will make you an offer which is at least 16 UCAS points or two A-level grades below our standard offer for your course.

Our Contextual Admissions Policy enables us to consider the personal, social and educational circumstances that may have affected your academic performance or reduced your access to educational and other opportunities.

We use contextual data to inform our decisions on entry for applicants who are paying home tuition fees and who are applying for undergraduate degrees during the UCAS main cycle.

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Contextual data we use in admissions decision making

To receive a contextual offer you need to apply for a course which is included in the policy and meet one or more of these eligibility criteria.

Student who is care-experienced
Student who is estranged from their family
Student from a neighbourhood where fewer people go to university
Student who has been or is eligible for free school meals
Student who has been or is a young carer
Student with parenting responsibilities
Student with confirmed refugee status
Student with a parent or carer in the armed forces
Student who has attended a University of Brighton Outreach Partner school or college
Student who has studied at a school or college that has a below average attainment (identified by Progress 8 scores of less than zero)

A technical demonstration at one of our open days

Other ways we use contextual data to support your university experience

The Brighton Boost is a package of funding and support we provide to our students to help them make the best possible start to uni. Students who meet the eligibility of our contextual admissions policy could receive financial support to help them with first year accommodation or travel costs.

Eligible students at Brighton receive cash bursaries from the university in each year of study.

We may also refer to contextual data to invite you to activities such as summer schools, application and interview advice sessions, and pre-university preparation sessions designed to help you make the transition to higher education.

Seagull on a rocket with the words: Brighton Boost

Contextual and flexible admissions FAQ

Most of our courses offer contextual offers to eligible students – check your course on our course finder.

Our professionally accredited courses have entry criteria set by their professional bodies which may mean we cannot reduce the grades needed for a place on your course. In this case we will do our best to be as flexible as possible and can offer you support in making your application and preparing a portfolio or for interview.
There are several datasets used to identify if your postcode makes you eligible for a contextual offer.

Postcodes with the fewest number of young people going to university

POLAR4 postcode with participation bands Q1 and Q2
- Find the quintile for where you live.
We also use the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) to determine whether an applicant is from a low participation neighbourhood (Q1, Q2 and Q3).
- IMD by postcode
Further information on IMD can be found on UK government webpages.
Yes. If you have experienced challenges that do not fall under our standard contextual criteria, please explain this in your personal statement or ask your referee to make us aware of this.

We know that all kinds of factors could impact on you realising your potential, and we take that into account in several ways when we make offers. Most of our courses have entry requirements that sit within a range. Every application to Brighton is considered individually, we make personalised offers and use the UCAS tariff to assess and recognise many achievements. Most courses can and do accept students who do not achieve the published entry requirements. And when you are here our Brighton Student Skills Hub will help you to build the skills you’ll need to study and learn effectively at university