Progression Agreements SNC

The Progression Agreement includes all SNC applicants undertaking the following qualifications who wish to progress to degree programmes at the University of Suffolk, Ipswich campus: 

• Access to Higher Education Diploma 

• Level 3 qualifications including A Levels, BTECs, and T-levels (including all tariff-pointed Level 3 qualifications) 

• Level 2 qualifications, but without concurrent Level 3 study. 

Students studying Level 2 qualifications at SNC who are not studying Level 3 qualifications at the same time but meet the Level 3 entry requirements considered as part of the Progression Agreement, will be eligible for guaranteed offers and interviews as outlined below. They will also be eligible for the Parter Award detailed below but will not be eligible for the Partner Award (High Achievement). 

Applicants are guaranteed an offer of admission to the University based on achieving a set number of tariff points in their qualifications. The number of tariff points required will normally be one grade (or equivalent) below those specified within a standard offer of admission. For example, applicants who would normally be required to achieve 112 UCAS points (BBC at A Level) will be made an offer of 104 UCAS points (BCC at A Level). Applicants who normally require, for example, at least 30 credits at Merit or above from the Access to HE Diploma, would instead be required to achieve at least 15 credits at Merit or above. Exclusions apply as outlined in the Terms and Conditions below. 

For some qualifications, an equivalent grade may not be possible within the ‘one grade below’ tariff point reduction. In these situations, applicants will be made an offer based on published entry requirements. Some BTEC applicants and all T Level applicants may therefore be required to meet published entry requirements within their offer of study. 

Applicants will be expected to meet any additional subject and grade requirements specified on the course pages of the University website (e.g. Level 2 Maths and English). 

Applicants must still submit a portfolio of work if requested. 

Applicants applying for courses requiring an interview as part of the selection process, will be guaranteed an interview as part of this Progression Agreement. An offer is not guaranteed as this will be based on interview performance. If an offer of study is made, it will normally be the equivalent of one grade below published entry requirements. Exclusions apply as outlined in the Terms and Conditions below. 

When qualification results are received, the Admissions team will review the whole application and will endeavour to award a place where possible. If the University is unable to accept the applicant, the decision will be final. Applicants may apply for a future intake but should seek advice from the University’s Admissions team regarding eligibility to be considered for the same course in the future. 

If qualification results will not be released until after the course start date, the University of Suffolk maintains the right to reject the applicant on the basis that they have been unable to evidence meeting the offer conditions for the course. Applicants in this situation may be able to apply again for a future intake and should seek advice from the University’s Admissions team. 

The University of Suffolk recognises that there are significant concerns amongst prospective Higher Education students about the cost of living and the costs associated with studying rather than going into full-time employment. As part of our commitment to encouraging Suffolk students to consider progressing to HE in Suffolk, the University is offering a Partner Award to students progressing from SNC to the University of Suffolk’s Ipswich campus. 

All students progressing to the University from Level 2 or Level 3 study, including the Access to HE Diploma, will be eligible for the Partner Award. Only students progressing from Level 3 qualifications or the Access to HE Diploma will be eligible to be considered for the Partner Award (High Achievement). 

The Partner Award total award is £1000, paid as two £500 instalments in the first and second years of full-time study at the University of Suffolk.  

The Partner Award (High Achievement) total award is £1500, paid as three £500 instalments in the first, second, and third years of study at the University of Suffolk.  

Students will receive EITHER the Partner Award OR Partner Award (High Achievement). The University will assess all SNC progressing students for the Partner Award (High Achievement) and it will be paid to the students who are assessed as having the highest achievement from their College. The total number of Partner Awards (High Achievement) for Suffolk New College is ten (10). 

Eligibility for the Partner Award and Partner Award (High Achievement) will not affect eligibility for other Bursaries and Scholarships at the University of Suffolk unless otherwise stated within the eligibility criteria for those awards. 

The University’s Student Recruitment team will deliver Information, Advice and Guidance sessions to students studying at Suffolk New College to support their research, decision-making and transition to Higher Education. The University will require all students participating in workshops or academic activities to register for the activity using a form provided by the University. Data will be held in the University’s CRM system (‘Azorus’) to enable tracking and evaluation of the activities. Students will be able to opt-out of receiving marketing communications, but their registration will be required as part of attending the activities. The University reserves the right to refuse to deliver activities for those who chose not to register.

1. The Progression Agreement applies to Suffolk New College students progressing to Higher Education programmes at the University of Suffolk’s Ipswich campus. 
2. For the purposes of Admissions to the University of Suffolk, students who have completed Level 3 qualifications in one of the SNC Colleges in the three years prior to their entry year, will be considered as SNC applicants. For 2027 entry, this would include SNC students who completed their qualifications in 2027, 2026, 2025, or 2024. The same rule will apply for students joining the University in autumn 2028 or autumn 2029.
3. Only SNC students progressing directly to the University of Suffolk will be eligible for the financial support outlined within the Progression Agreement and on this page. This means that only those who complete their qualifications in the academic year 2026/27 and who join the University in autumn 2027, will be eligible for the Partner Award or Partner Award (High Achievement). The same rule will apply for students joining the University in autumn 2028 or autumn 2029.
4. Applicants who take a Gap Year between completing their SNC qualifications and starting at the University of Suffolk will be considered under the terms of the Progression Agreement for entry into the University of Suffolk for 2027, 2028 or 2029 only. Applicants applying for deferred entry for 2030 will not be considered under the terms of this Agreement.
5. Lower offers under the terms of the Progression Agreement will only be made based on Level 3 qualifications that are allocated UCAS tariff points or that are accepted based on grades achieved within the qualification, such as the Access to HE Diploma. Other Level 3 qualifications will be considered as normal by the University’s Admissions team. The University reserves the right to make the final judgement on the admission of any student.
6. Guaranteed offers of admission are not possible for the following courses offered at the University of Suffolk, including Adult Nursing, Children’s Nursing, Childhood: Primary Education with QTS, Dental Therapy and Hygiene, Diagnostic Radiography, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science, Physiotherapy, Social Work, Radiotherapy and Oncology, and Pharmacy. Guaranteed offers of admission are also not possible for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, or Work-Based Learning, or for courses that require a portfolio or audition as part of the Admissions process. An updated list of courses not eligible for guaranteed offers of admission will be provided to SNC at the beginning of each academic year.
7. Additional subject specific entry requirements (e.g. Level 2 Maths and English) are specified on course pages of the University’s website. Students who do not meet subject specific entry requirements will be unable to be admitted to the University of Suffolk.
8. Where applicants are normally required to attend a physical or virtual interview (including audition or portfolio review) as part of the Admissions process, students applying as part of this PA will still be expected to attend this interview. Students unable to attend an interview will not be made an offer of admission.
9. Applicants applying for a course that requires an interview are guaranteed an invite to interview under the terms of this Progression Agreement. If any courses are excluded from this guarantee, the details of those courses will be shared with SNC at the beginning of the academic year. The guarantee is for an invite to interview - if the interview day and time is not convenient, the University cannot guarantee that another interview slot will be available.
10. Students must submit a full UCAS application, including Personal Statement and References, and any other information required by the University of Suffolk Admissions team. All applicants to the University may be required to provide additional information to the University as part of their application or enrolment, including (but not limited to) evidence of qualifications achieved, eligibility to study in the UK, references, occupational health assessments or paperwork relating to a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. Applicants applying to the University under a Progression Agreement must provide any information required by the Admissions team in line with any deadlines set for submission to be eligible for entry to the University.
11. Students applying by the UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline (in January in the year of entry) will be made an offer under the terms of the Progression Agreement where places are still available. The University will be unable to make an offer to students applying ‘late’ if courses have been closed to new applicants or if the programme is only considering ‘late’ applications for reserve places. 
12. Each student that enrols on a University course is liable to meet the cost of tuition fees and all other relevant costs and expenses. The University Student Recruitment team can work with students to explain how the student finance system works. Students should visit course pages to understand any additional costs that may be incurred as part of their degree. 

Partner Award and Partner Award (High Achievement) 

1. Students progressing from SNC to the University of Suffolk’s Ipswich campus will be eligible for the Partner Award or Partner Award (High Achievement) as long as they progress from SNC directly to the University of Suffolk, without deferring entry or taking a gap year. 
2. Students progressing from Level 2 study at SNC who were not also studying Level 3 qualifications, will not be eligible to be considered for the Partner Award (High Achievement). They will be eligible to receive the Partner Award. 
3. Students progressing from SNC into a programme at Suffolk with a Foundation Year will receive the Partner Award but will not be eligible to be considered for the Partner Award (High Achievement). 
4. Students progressing from SNC will be automatically considered for the Partner Award and Partner Award (High Achievement). No additional application will be required.
5. Students can be assessed as either Home or International fee-payers but must be studying full-time at the Ipswich Campus. They must be enrolled and in-attendance by 31 January of each year that a payment will be made and must not be in debt to the University at the assessment dates.
6. Students will be assessed for the Partner Award (High Achievement) based on qualifications held within the University of Suffolk’s Student Records System, which is based on data uploaded from UCAS weblink or provided by the student. Assessment decisions will be based on qualifications confirmed by 31 January of Year 1 (Level 4). Late submissions of certificates will not be considered. Assessment will usually be based on qualifications included within the UCAS tariff. The decision by the University of Suffolk on the recipients of the Partner Award (High Achievement) will be final.
7. Payments of the Partner Award will be made to the bank account details held on each student’s student record at the University. Students will be asked to confirm their bank account prior to the payment date. The University will not make additional payments to students if the wrong details were entered.
8. Students who withdraw from the University without completing their full programme will not be paid any outstanding amounts from the total Partner Award or Partner Award (High Achievement). Students who subsequently return to their studies at the University will not be eligible to receive the remaining amounts within their Partner Award or Partner Award (High Achievement).
9. Eligibility for the Partner Award and Partner Award (High Achievement) will not affect eligibility for other Bursaries and Scholarships at the University of Suffolk unless otherwise stated within the eligibility criteria for those awards.