Contextual admissions

This is known as ‘contextual admissions’ – where we use the information from your application to make sure your background and potential are fully considered alongside your academic achievements.

You don’t need to request a contextual offer; our Admissions team will automatically identify eligibility from your UCAS application and will let you know about next steps.

Contextual Admissions is available to all eligible UCAS applicants for Year 0 or Year 1 of undergraduate courses delivered by Bath Spa University in Bath.

Whatever your background or experiences, we encourage you to apply to study with us. We're on-hand to offer support and advice, and we look forward to continuing to support you through your studies and into future employment.

Eligibility criteria 

Whether contextual admissions will apply to you depends on whether you meet one or more of the following criteria: 

• You live (and are domiciled) in the UK* in an area with a high level of deprivation, or a low number of people going to university 
• You're eligible for Free School Meals    
• You're a carer (for another adult) 
• You’re care experienced   
• You're from a service family background   
• You're a mature student  
• You're a refugee   
• You're estranged from your parents
• You live with one or more of the following conditions:
  • Social/communication impairment: Asperger's/Autism
  • Blind or have a serious visual impairment
  • Deaf or have a serious hearing impairment
  • Longstanding illness or health condition
  • Mental health condition – depression, schizophrenia
  • Specific learning difficulty – dyslexia, dyspraxia
  • Physical impairment or mobility issues
  • Disability, impairment or medical condition not listed
  • Development condition that you have had since childhood which affects motor, cognitive, social and emotional skills, and speech and language 

*To be eligible you must be domiciled in the UK and not require visa sponsorship on the Student Route to study.

What happens if I’m eligible? 

If your application meets our criteria, we'll:

• Make an offer lower than our standard entry tariff
• Invite you to take part in a workshop to help you adjust to student life before joining your course 
• Contribute to your travel costs for you to attend an Offer Holder Day, interview or audition 
• Provide tailored support during your course. 

Support for applicants while studying

We have a wide range of support available for applicants currently studying:

• Student wellbeing services
• Academic advisors
• Academic skills