University of Westminster Admissions Policy
Author: Samantha Matthews (Head of Admissions)
Approved: March 2024
Review: February 2025
1. Principles
The University of Westminster is committed to supporting diversity and ensuring equality of opportunity for all applicants, in keeping with the Equality Act, 2010.
The Admissions Policy provides the basis for the admissions practice across the University and sets out a framework for how the University selects and admits students.
The University of Westminster offers a high-quality learning environment, which supports students to achieve their full potential in the academic discipline and prepares them for professional life. It is University policy that all applicants are considered primarily on merit and their academic potential.
The University’s Admissions Policy is committed to:
- providing a transparent, consistent, fair and equable Admissions process
- selecting applicants who can complete the course as judged by their achievements and potential
- using reliable assessment methods, including consideration of evidence provided, and where appropriate, portfolios and interviews
- minimising barriers in line with the University’s Access and Participation Plan
Initially, applicants will be considered for entry based on some, or all of the following criteria:
- review of prior academic achievement of the applicant
- review of predicted examination results where results are not yet known
- review of the personal statement in support of the application
- review of the referee’s assessment of an applicant’s ability
- review of professional experience, where relevant
- review of their employment status, for applicants applying for an apprenticeship programme
See Sections 3 and 4 for full details of admissions and selection criteria
2. Roles and responsibilities
The role of the University of Westminster Admissions Office is to ensure that policies and procedures are implemented in a fair and consistent way in line with relevant legislation and University strategy.
3. Admissions criteria
The Colleges’ Executive Groups together with the University Executive Board, have responsibility for setting the entry criteria for the admission of students and will annually confirm the minimum entry requirements for all levels of provision. General entrance requirements, including the required minimum level of English Language proficiency, are set, and reviewed annually. Applicants should consider the following points:
- Details of course specific entry criteria can be found on the course pages of the University website and on the UCAS website.
- Prior to entry, minimum levels must be obtained in GCSE (or equivalent) qualifications in English Language, Mathematics and in some cases Science. The details of these requirements are published on the programme pages of the University website. *
- Applicants must provide evidence that they possess at least the minimum level of English Language proficiency. Details of the English Language requirements are published on the course pages of the university website. For further details, please refer to our English Language requirements page. **
- Applicants who have non-standard qualifications or have work experience they wish to have assessed may be considered on an individual basis in line with the general aims and principles of the Admissions and RPL/RPC policies (Recognition of prior learning or credit).
- Entry onto some courses of study requires applicants to meet additional non-academic conditions. These conditions usually apply to courses that have professional requirements
- Applicants for apprenticeship programmes must meet the current Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) eligibility criteria for the full duration of their apprenticeship. For further details on the ESFA eligibility criteria, applicants should consult the ‘How to Apply for an Apprenticeship’ webpage.
4. Additional requirements
Any applicant who requires a student visa to reside and study in the UK must declare this requirement and provide a copy of the visa on request.
Any applicant for an apprenticeship programme who requires a visa, needs to supply evidence that their visa covers the full duration of their apprenticeship, which includes their End Point Assessment.
Applicants who are classified as international fee payers are required to pay £4000 of the first year’s tuition fees as part of the application process.
All applicants are required to meet the deadlines set within the admissions process. Failure to do this could result in the application not been carried forward to a successful enrolment.
5. Selection
The University’s aim is to select those applicants who are likely to succeed academically and benefit from its courses. Aptitude for an individual course is the primary criterion for selection.
Our selection criteria and process ensure the following:
- Decisions are fair and consistent in relation to the published entry criteria.
- Evidence of a candidate’s potential to succeed on the course is considered. Where appropriate, admissions staff may consider contextual factors in relation to an application.
- We operate a transparent selection process. Selection may be based on an application form (with or without additional required written work or a portfolio) or on application form plus interview. Where interviews form part of the selection process, candidates will be informed of the process in advance.
- We communicate outcomes to the applicant in a timely way. The University will communicate via email and via UCAS*.
6. Refunds
You are entitled to a full refund of your deposit if you change your mind at any point from payment up until 14 calendar days after enrolment**. Further information about refunds can be found in our Student Terms and Conditions.
7. UCAS Similarity Detection Service (SDS)
UCAS carries out an automated Similarity Detection Service which checks each Personal Statement against those that have previously been submitted to detect plagiarism. The University reserves the right to reject applicants who are identified through this process*.
8. Age
There is no minimum age for entry to the University but offers for undergraduate courses are normally made on the basis of national qualifications which will be obtained by the age of 17/18. There is no upper age limit.
The University does not accept an in loco parentis responsibility for children (i.e. those under 18 years of age at entry) but expects confirmation of guardians for students who are under the age of 18. The University does, however, recognise that it has special duties of care towards children and is committed to practice that protects children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm. The University seeks to take every reasonable step to safeguard children by adopting child protection guidelines through its Safeguarding Framework provisions.
9. Mature students
The University encourages applications from mature students, believing that mature students make an important contribution to University life through their range of experience and qualifications. Anyone beginning an undergraduate course who is aged 21 or over is classified as a mature student. Mature applicants may satisfy the entry requirements through standard academic qualifications. However, the University gives careful consideration to those who can provide evidence of their commitment to academic study through a range of other awards and experience.
10. Applicants who require a visa to study in the UK
To apply for a Student Visa, students must have a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) for the University they wish to study at. This is a unique number which will enable students to apply for their visa. The University is under no legal obligation to sponsor any individual and exercises caution with respect to issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to not risk its sponsor licence.
Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) will issued in accordance with the UKVI regulations.
11. ATAS
It is mandatory for some applicants who need entry clearance to study in the United Kingdom and who are applying to certain programmes, to have an ATAS Certificate. We will not be able to issue a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) or register applicants on to the programme until their clearance has been received. For further details, please visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.
12. Exceptional circumstances
We recognise that in some instances applicants may have exceptional circumstances, which may impact their application for admissions. These might include illness, family circumstances, personal responsibility or instability affecting the school or the college. It is expected that applicants will have taken appropriate action to ensure that examining bodies have allowed for mitigating circumstances prior to the announcement of any results. Applicants should also advise the Admissions Department as soon as possible so that further consideration can be given.
13. Applicants with disabilities
The University of Westminster welcomes all disabled applicants, those with Specific Learning Difficulties (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD) and those with long-standing medical conditions.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to inform the University of their individual requirements at the application stage to allow adequate time for reasonable adjustments to be made, and the required support in place at the point of commencing studies.
14. Disclosure of criminal convictions
Disclosing a criminal conviction is not a requirement when applying to study at the University, and applicants will only ever be assessed on their academic suitability.
The exception are applicants who require sponsorship for a Student Visa to study in the UK, as this information is a mandatory part of the CAS application process.
Applicants with convictions currently on license, are expected to notify the University of any license conditions which may prevent full engagement. Where possible, the University will make reasonable adjustment to facilitate inclusion.
15. Collaborative partners
Consideration of applications and decisions relating to places on collaborative courses in the UK and overseas, may be delegated to a nominated postholder(s) in partner institutions in respect of collaborative courses which lead to academic awards of the University of Westminster, in accordance with the approved Memorandum of Collaboration.
16. Disclosure of information
Failure to disclose relevant information or providing false information may result in the offer of a place being withdrawn.
17. Feedback
The University may provide feedback if requested. Applicants must be aware that feedback will only be given directly to them unless the University has received written permission that the applicant is willing for the matter to be discussed with another individual. The applicant should also be aware that there may be cases where highly specific or tailored feedback may not be possible.
18. Complaints
The University of Westminster is committed to delivering a high quality, efficient and fair admissions service in line with its selection criteria and policy. In the event that an applicant wishes to make a formal complaint, the University will follow a complaints procedure which ensures that all complaints are dealt with fairly, promptly, consistently and with due regard to the Equalities Act 2010. If a complaint is upheld, the University will take appropriate action. If a complaint is not upheld, the reasons for the decision will be communicated clearly to the applicant.
An applicant does not have the right to appeal against an academic decision not to offer them a place at the University, as long as the decision can be shown to have been reached fairly and in accordance with the University’s published entry requirement and selection criteria.
The University will only correspond with the applicant, unless the applicant has provided written permission for the University to discuss the application with another person.
19. Monitoring and review
The Admissions Policy is reviewed annually by the Head of Admissions, Director of Global Recruitment, Admissions, Marketing and Communications and Assistant Registrar Compliance and Development for approval by the University’s Executive Board.
20. Data protection
All personal data is managed in accordance with the University’s published Student Data Privacy Statement.
All information about applicants offered a place should be treated as personal and sensitive data, and stored in a secure records system to ensure that confidentially can be maintained.
The collection of data relating to applications, offers on courses, acceptances, enrolments and progression will be collected to facilitate analysis and ensure the data integrity of statutory reports, including monitoring reports which relate to the University’s access Agreement.
*Undergraduate applicants
**International applicants
Appendix A – Admissions Complaint Procedure
General principles
1. The Complaints Procedure may be invoked by any individual who has submitted an application for full-time, part-time or apprenticeship study for either undergraduate, postgraduate or research studies.
2. This procedure sets out how an applicant may raise a complaint about the admissions process. In the vast majority of cases an applicant’s complaint can be resolved fairly, amicably and to the satisfaction of all concerned without the necessity of a formal complaint.
3. The University will ensure that all complaints are dealt with promptly and with fairness and with consistency. There will be no discrimination against any applicant who makes a complaint.
4. If a complaint is upheld, the University will take appropriate action and will do so promptly. If the complaint is not upheld, the reason for the decision will be communicated in a timely manner to the applicant.
5. An applicant making a complaint, and those whom the complaint is made about, can expect the complaint to be dealt with confidentially. It may be necessary however, to disclose information to others in order to deal with the complaint and in these circumstances the parties concerned will be informed of such disclosure.
6. A complaint should be made by the applicant. Complaints made on behalf of the applicant by parents, representatives, school or another third party will only be considered in exceptional cases where there are clear reasons for doing so. Complaints that are made anonymously cannot be dealt with under this Complaints Procedure. Permission in writing will be required from the applicant for the complaint to proceed.
7. This Complaints Procedure covers both the informal and formal stages in handling a complaint.
Informal Complaint
1. Most complaints can be resolved satisfactorily at this stage.
2. The applicant should first raise their complaint in writing with an Admissions Officer. In most cases this should be the member of staff who processed the application unless the complaint is about that individual. In those cases the complaint should be addressed to the Admissions Manager.
3. A complaint must be made within 14 working days of the admissions decision or any other action about which the applicant wishes to complain. Complaints made outside of this timeframe will not be considered, unless there are valid reasons why the complaint could not be made within the time scale. The Admissions Officer will respond to the complaint within 10 working days of the complaint being made and shall retain a record of the correspondence and any action taken. If it is not possible to fully respond within the 10 days, the complainant will be advised of the timescale for a full response.
4. Where the complaint concerns non-selection and the Admissions Officer is satisfied that the application was considered fairly and that the decision complies with the selection criteria, they will respond explaining the context of the decision and any selection processes that were applied. The Admissions Officer will also at this stage draw to the attention of the complainant the Complaints Procedures, should they wish to pursue the matter further.
5. In relation to complaints about all other matters relating to the admissions process, the Admissions Officer will provide written reasons for their decision.
6. If the Admissions Officer concludes that the decision was unfair and/or not in accordance with the Admissions Policy; they will refer the complaint to the Head of Admissions in accordance with paragraph 9.
Formal Complaint
7. If the applicant is dissatisfied with the response received from the Admissions Officer or Admissions Manager, they should submit, within 10 working days of receiving the response from the Admissions Officer or Admissions Manager, a written complaint to the Head of Admissions. Any complaints received out of the timeframe will not be considered.
8. The complaint should be set out to include a timeline of events, the informal steps that have already been taken and details of any response received, a statement as to why the applicant remains dissatisfied and the outcome the applicant is seeking.
9. The Head of Admissions will acknowledge in writing a receipt of the complaint within 5 working days. The Head of Admissions will then investigate the complaint and submit a written response to the complainant within 14 working days from acknowledgment of receipt of the complaint.
10. The Head of Admissions’ decision following completion of this process will be considered as final.
11. If the Head of Admissions has had previous involvement in the applicant’s admissions process or complaints procedure for an individual, they will refer the complaint to the Director of Global Recruitment, Admissions, Marketing and Communications, whose decision will then be considered as final.
12. Director of Global Recruitment, Admissions, Marketing and Communications will then investigate the complaint and submit a written response to the complainant within 14 working days from acknowledgment of receipt of the complaint.
Appendix B – Associated Guides
- Admissions guide on course change or closure
- Admissions guide on plagiarism of personal statements
- Admissions guide on process and decision making
- Admissions guide on recruitment of younger students
- Admissions guide on rejection of applicants to courses
- Admissions guide on the Issue of Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS)
- Admissions Guide for Applicants with Special Needs