Undergraduate Admissions Policy - School of Healthcare 2024-25

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

The School of Healthcare recognises that some applicants may have studied a more flexible curriculum, where they have been able to progress through their educational development at an appropriate rate according to their ability. Where a Level 2 (for example, GCSE) or Level 3 (for example, A Level) qualification has been taken ‘early’ the academic reference should include the reasons for this so that it can be taken into consideration by the admissions team.

The School of Healthcare does not accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English for direct entry requirements. It will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English for internal transfers from the University of Leeds Lifelong Learning Centre and International Foundation Year.

Where academic requirements have not been met application information may be shared with the University’s Lifelong Learning Centre or International Foundation Year team for consideration for a Year 0 offer.

In order to gain admittance to all undergraduate courses provided by the School of Healthcare applicants must also pass the Disclosure Barring Service (see Criminal convictions section of this page for further information) and the Fitness to Practise Occupational Health Assessment.

Occupational Health

Due to the nature of the programmes and professions, and to meet statutory and professional requirements, all candidates who are offered a place on these courses will be required to complete an occupational health pre-registration questionnaire and, where necessary, assessment. Offers made are conditional upon a satisfactory occupational health assessment and clearance.

Applicants with a health-related issue should contact the relevant academic school as soon as possible if their health is likely to impact on their ability to engage with the admissions process or subsequent course. This allows our occupational health team at the university to support you to meet your true potential on the programme despite any pre-existing health concerns you may have.

Additional information can be found on Occupational Health requirements for students and applicants to the Faculty of Medicine and Health. 

Documentation 

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

References 

The reference section of the application is carefully considered by the School of Healthcare and is an important part of the selection process.

Advanced entry to Midwifery (Blended Learning) BSc, BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) and BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child) is not available. For all other courses, providing places are available, the School of Healthcare will consider applications from those who are seeking entry to the second year. Each applicant will be reviewed on an individual basis. Applicants seeking Advanced Entry should email in the first instance to check if this is possible. The following may be requested:

• Country in which current degree is being undertaken, if not the UK.
• A provisional year 1 transcript.
• Module handbooks or specifications for all modules undertaken.
• Evidence of placements undertaken.
• Evidence of English language proficiency consistent with first year requirements (as detailed on Course Search).

All applications must be made through UCAS, as per the deadlines outlined in the Application routes and deadlines section that follows. To be eligible the applicant must demonstrate that they meet the following criteria:  

• Meet first year requirements, as detailed on Course Search
• Have met the learning outcomes of year 1 of the relevant programme 
• Have achieved a minimum 60% average in the first year of study. 

Decisions on such applications are made by the Programme Manager.  

Entry on to Level 3 of programmes in the School of Healthcare is not permitted.

Undergraduate applications

All full-time undergraduate applications must be made through the online Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) by 6pm on 31 January 2024. The School of Healthcare may consider applications submitted after this date. Availability of courses in UCAS Extra will be detailed by UCAS at the appropriate stage in the cycle. 

Internal transfers 

The School of Healthcare will consider applications from those who wish to transfer internally from other undergraduate programmes at the University of Leeds. Applicants are expected to meet the standard academic entry requirements, provide a personal statement and academic reference and to successfully complete the interview process. For Social Work, the transfer application process includes a written assessment.

Requests are made via a change of programme form to be submitted in line with standard UCAS submission dates. Students wishing to be considered for second year entry should consult the preceding Advanced entry section. 

The School of Healthcare does not offer undergraduate courses on a part-time basis.

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

As part of the student offer for our clinical programmes, an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate is required for students to undertake clinical placements as part of their studies within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. The certification process is undertaken on entry to the programme and repeated once every three years whilst they are still undertaking the same programme of study.

The Enhanced DBS certificate can only include background checks for time in the UK. If a student has been resident in the UK for less than 3 years, a criminal record check from their home country is required. This may be referred to as an International Criminality check.

The University of Leeds is obliged to refuse admission to applicants for certain courses, which are regulated by national or statutory bodies, where an Enhanced DBS certificate or International Criminality check reveals prior criminal behaviour giving rise to concern for the protection of the public. Clinical placements cannot be attended by those who fail to comply with the clearance processes.

The School of Healthcare will consider applications from those who are re-taking examinations prior to entering the University. 

Applicants must typically meet the conditions set by the University by 31 August of the application year unless otherwise stated in the prescribed course or professional body requirements, even if the offer is deferred for entry to the following application year.  

The School of Healthcare may not be able to confirm a place in the upcoming academic cycle following an improved final grade after a re-mark; however, applicants may be offered a deferred place or be asked to reapply.  

Applications from those who have not quite met the required grades may be reviewed and their places may be confirmed if there are places still available on their chosen course. Applicants will usually receive the same level of flexibility regardless of their year of entry; however, any decision on confirming those who have not met the requirements of their offer will be at the discretion of the academic school. 

The School of Healthcare will consider applications for deferred entry. 

Applicants who wish to defer following the submission of their application are required to do so prior to the confirmation of a place.  

Applicants who request deferral for more than one academic year will be required to reapply. Such candidates should be aware that no guarantee can be given that another offer will be made and that the conditions of any future offer may differ to those of the original. 

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 and 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 your experiences so far will help you to be successful both as a student and in your chosen career. This needs to be written reflectively.

Applicants to all School of Healthcare programmes will be required to attend an interview.  

We need to take into account professionally relevant legal/regulatory requirement stipulations (as set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council) which ensure that our approach to interviewing is consistent with values-based recruitment initiatives.

The School of Healthcare will conduct interviews virtually for the majority of applicants, using either Zoom or Teams. In some cases, legal or regulatory requirements may mean this option is not available. Virtual interviews follow the same principles and guidance as face-to-face interviews.

Applicants who apply before the UCAS equal consideration deadline, if suitable, will be invited to a virtual selection event. Depending on the programme, the School of Healthcare conducts either an individual or a 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. There will also be time for questions and answers.

Depending on staff availability, applicants who apply after the deadline may be invited to an individual panel interview which will assess for the same values and experience as the group interview.

Interviews are scheduled as flexibly as possible to enable applicants to attend. This includes, where possible, providing adequate notice (usually at least five working days) and, if requested, offering applicants an alternative interview date. 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. Email the University’s Disability Services team via disability@leeds.ac.uk for further advice or information regarding disability-related adjustments. Email the Equality and Inclusion Unit via equality@leeds.ac.uk for advice on other adjustments. 

All applicants will have their digital literacy skills assessed. Applicants for the Social Work programme will also be asked to complete a written assessment.

Using the webpage linked within the invite to interview email, applicants are asked to inform us if they have a disability that may require some reasonable adjustment to complete the assessments.

Higher and degree apprenticeship application assessment

Shortlisting and interviewing is a shared process between the employing organisation and the School of Healthcare. It will follow the principles of values-based recruitment.

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 University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, using the relevant email address in the Useful contacts and resources section that follows. Generally, where applicants request feedback on why they have not been admitted, feedback will be given.