Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy - School of Healthcare 2021-22

Please see the School of Healthcare Masters webpages for the course list, typical entry requirements, and accepted alternative qualifications.

Exceptions to the typical academic requirements may be made when an applicant demonstrates significant relevant experience and their potential for benefiting from the course is clear.

Please visit the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.

Any decision on credit transfer or entry of students with advanced standing is an academic decision taken within the relevant academic school at the point of admission onto a course. Applicants are advised to discuss this at their interview with the Programme Manager. Retrospective applications from students who are part-way through a course will not normally be considered.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Accredited prior learning (APL) is a process undertaken by the University to assess and, as appropriate, recognise prior experiential learning or prior certificated learning for academic purposes. For further information see the corresponding Advanced Entry section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.

Applicants for taught postgraduate courses should apply online via the Applicant Portal. If an application deadline is in place, this will be stated on Course Search and the completed application must be submitted by this date.

Applicants for standalone Masters modules should email the School of Healthcare Admissions office via admissions@healthcare.leeds.ac.uk for an application form.

In addition to the information in the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, please note all School of Healthcare Taught Postgraduate programmes require that an applicant is over the age of 18 at the start of the programme.

Some courses in the School of Healthcare (as indicated on Course Search) may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults. As a result, applicants to these courses will be required to declare a criminal conviction at the application stage in order that certain checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service can be undertaken. Admission may not be possible where satisfactory results are not achieved. The University will send further instructions as part of the admissions process where such checks are required.

The School of Healthcare is obliged to refuse admission to applicants for certain courses which are regulated by national or statutory bodies where enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks reveal prior criminal behaviour giving rise to concern for the protection of the public.

It should be noted that where applicant or offer holder is required to disclose a criminal offence, failure to do this will generally be considered a very serious matter and is likely to lead to their application being rejected, their offer being withdrawn or, if they have registered as a student, to their registration at the University being revoked. Having a prior criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from joining the University; this may depend, for example, on the nature, timing and relevance of the criminal offence in question. The University may request further information about the nature or context of an applicant or offer-holder’s criminal record.

Read more about the University's criminal convictions policy.

The School of Healthcare will consider applications from those who have previously applied to the institution. The School of Healthcare considers applications from candidates who have previously studied at the institution in line with the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy. Where appropriate, such candidates may be able to apply for Advanced Entry (see relevant section above).

Please note that it may not be possible to defer Health Education England funded places for some courses.

Applicants who wish to defer an offer of a place to the following academic year should make the request by contacting the School of Healthcare. See the Useful contacts and resources section below for contact details.

The deadline for requesting a deferral is different, depending on the start date:

• September or October start date, deadline = 1 April 2022
• November start date, deadline = 1 May 2022
• January start date, deadline = 1 July 2022
• February start date, deadline = 1 August 2022
• March start date, deadline = 1 September 2022
• April start date, deadline = 1 October 2022
• May start date, deadline = 1 November 2022

The personal statement of the application form helps us to assess the nature of the applicant’s interest in the academic subject and is an important part of the selection process. It is essential that applicants take this opportunity to demonstrate their enthusiasm and aptitude for the academic subject.

We wish to hear about:

• Why you have chosen this specific profession, what led you to this decision? This is an essential aspect of the personal statement that demonstrates motivation, insight and understanding of your chosen course. State clearly which course you are applying for.
• A summary of work-related skills gained through study, work experience, volunteering or paid employment demonstrating the experiences you have that could be transferable to your chosen career (specific communication skills, time management, problem solving etc).
• An understanding of and an ability to appreciate the needs of others and evidence of demonstrating care and compassion.
• How will your experiences so far help you to be successful both as a student and in your chosen career? This needs to be written reflectively.

In the School of Healthcare, applicants to some of our programmes will be required to attend an interview.

Depending on the programme, the School of Healthcare conducts either an individual face to face or small group interview. This provides a method of assessing knowledge and understanding and important personal qualities that are essential for our professional programmes of study.

We need to take into account professionally relevant legal/regulatory requirement stipulations (Nursing and Midwifery Council) which ensure that our approach to interviewing is consistent with Values Based Recruitment initiatives.

Interviews are scheduled as flexibly as possible to enable applicants to attend. This includes, where possible, providing adequate notice (usually at least two weeks) or sharing dates for group workshops and interview days on the website in advance, and offering applicants an alternative interview date, if requested.

A revised interview date may not be offered if the applicant fails to attend an interview without informing the University in advance.

Some applicants, such as those who are disabled or those who are pregnant, may require adjustments to their interview to provide them with full and equal access to the process. Once a candidate has formally informed the School of Healthcare, we are responsible for making reasonable adjustments where possible. The University’s Disability Services team should be consulted for further advice or information regarding disability related adjustments (email Disability Services via disability@leeds.ac.uk) and the Equality and Inclusion Unit for advice on other adjustments (email the Equality and Inclusion Unit via equality@leeds.ac.uk).

Skype/Teams/Zoom Interviews

The School of Healthcare may conduct Skype/Teams/Zoom interviews if appropriate, for example for applicants who are in other parts of the world and not able to travel to the School of Healthcare. In some cases, legal or regulatory requirements may mean this option is not available. Skype/Teams/Zoom interviews will follow the same principles and guidance as face-to-face interviews.

Relevant voluntary or work experience may be taken into account when a taught postgraduate application is assessed.

Some applicants may be requested to provide a piece of written work as part of the admissions process. Details of this requirement are stated on Course Search.

Please refer to the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy for information on how decisions will be communicated by the University.

Unsuccessful applicants who wish to request feedback on the reason for the outcome of their application should do so in line with the Feedback section of the main policy above, using the relevant email address contact in the Useful contacts and resources section below. Generally, where applicants request feedback on why they have not been admitted, feedback will be given. However, please note that initial feedback is given as standard to all unsuccessful candidates who apply via the Applicant Portal.

As per the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, applicants who have sought feedback and wish to challenge the decision made on their application should contact the Faculty Admissions Manager, whose details can be found in the Useful contacts and resources section below.