Entry Requirements Explained

When we make you an offer of a place to study here, it may be subject to you meeting certain conditions, these are grouped into two different areas; Academic and Non-Academic.

Academic Entry Requirements
Students applying for undergraduate degrees and foundation degrees need to meet the specific entry requirements detailed on course pages. These are usually expressed as UCAS Tariff points, some courses will also have specific GCSE requirements. 

Where possible, we make offers based on the UCAS tariff system. To calculate your points please use the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

Whilst our entry requirements are expressed using the UCAS Tariff we recognise that not all qualifications attract UCAS points (i.e. Access course), if your qualifications are not included in the tariff we may still accept them. Check our list of Acceptable Qualifications or call Admissions on 01473 338348 to discuss your individual circumstances further. Applicants age 21 may also wish to see additional information about applying as a mature student. 

If you have qualifications from overseas please check our country specific entry requirements for more information on the qualifications we will consider from your home country. If English is not your first language you may also be required to complete an English Language qualification, check our English Language requirements for more information. 

In order to ensure that applicants applying for Honours and Foundation degrees have sufficient depth of knowledge and understanding, at least two subjects to A Level standard or equivalent are usually required as well as two-years of experience of post-16 study. Applicants are also expected to hold three GCSEs grade C/4 or above. Please note that many courses require a grade C/4 or above in English and Maths.

Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Some courses will have non-academic requirements which you will usually need to meet before the start of your course. 

All places on professional health courses e.g. Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science etc, are subject to successful attendance at a Selection Day, satisfactory occupational health check, and a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 

You must hold a valid DBS certificate which is registered with the Online Update Service for the entire duration of your course. You are also required to sign an online consent form to allow the University DBS Team and your placement providers to carry out any checks as necessary for the purpose of your course using the Online Update Service.

You must also submit a signed Annual Declaration of Good Health and Character each year to confirm that no convictions or cautions have been made since we first verified your DBS certificate. Further details are on the form.

Other courses where a placement is involved, i.e Early Years or PGCE, will also be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

All applicants on the Early Years Practice and Early Learning courses are required to provide a satisfactory enhanced DBS check along with a letter from their employer.

Information about these non-academic conditions will be detailed in your offer and also sent to you via email before the course starts.

For further details about obtaining a DBS check for the University of Suffolk you can look at our DBS page or the DBS Update Service may help you, please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.

Individual applicants may be requested to attend an interview upon request of the Admissions Tutor.