Frequently asked questions

FAQs

Who is able to apply?

Any person applying for a part-time undergraduate course or postgraduate taught course at Bournemouth University may be able to apply via the Online Application system. However, not all courses accept online applications so it is best to check our Course Search first to make sure that the course(s) you are interested in are included in this scheme. If the course(s) you would like to apply for do not accept online applications, you should refer to the 'How to apply' tab within Course Search for more information as it may be that you can download our application form instead. Information on where to send your hard-copy application is included on the form.

Please note that you cannot apply direct to Bournemouth University for any full-time undergraduate courses as all such applications must be submitted via UCAS, or for an undergraduate part-time course that is delivered at one of our Partners.

How do I apply?

Once you have decided which course you would like to apply for and have confirmed (via the Course Search) that you can apply online, you must first create an account. To do this you will need to provide some basic personal information and, very importantly, an email address. Without an email address you will not be able to apply online as this is how we will normally send you updates and contact you regarding your application.

Once you have created your new account it must first be verified. We will send you an email which confirms your account details and contains a link to verify your new account (this may take a few minutes to arrive in your email account). You will need to click on the link provided in the email and confirm your date of birth. You can then login and begin building your online application.

I haven't received my activation email, where is it?

Once you have created your new account, if the activation email hasn't arrived within approximately 30 minutes, please make sure that your spam filter hasn't redirected it from your Inbox. If you are unable to locate the activation email, please contact our askBU Enquiry Service team for further assistance.

What if I forget my login details?

When you first create your account, we will automatically send you an email confirming your username and password. If you forget your password, we can reset this for you. Just click the 'Forgotten your password' link on the Online Applications Login page and we will email you a new password. It is important that you change this password to something more memorable to you. To change your password at anytime, use the Options panel on the Online Applications Portal. If you forget your username, you can contact our askBU Enquiry Service team for further assistance.

What information will I need to complete my application?

To help us assess your application, we need to collect a variety of information about you, including basic personal details; addresses; education history (if appropriate); professional qualifications (if appropriate); language skills (if appropriate); employment history (if appropriate); references; personal statement and supporting documentation. It is important that you provide us with as much information as possible to support your application. All information that you provide is held securely by the University in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

What if I don't understand a question in the online application?

Next to each question in the online application you will see this symbol . If you hover your mouse over this symbol, you will see some brief help text for the question. If you are still unclear, you can click this text and a screen providing a more detailed explanation of the requirements of the question will open.

What if I don't have all my information to hand?

Don't worry, once you have created your account, you can take your time completing the online application form. If you need to locate some details for a particular section of the form (such as your qualifications or employment history), you can save your progress and then return to update your application at a later date. You can do this as many times as necessary in order to complete your application. Bournemouth University will not be able to see your application until you are happy that it is complete and you formally submit it to us for consideration. You submit your application from the Online Applications Portal.

Why can't I update certain sections of my application?

Once you have submitted your application to us, you will still be able to update your personal details and addresses if necessary, but the rest of your online form will be locked whilst we review your application. You will be able to see which sections are locked by the icons in the progress box. Should we need to ask you for a bit more information to support your application, we will unlock the relevant section(s) and notify you by email.

What if I decide that I don't want to continue with my application?

You can withdraw your application at any time by clicking the link 'Withdraw my application' on the Application Portal. If you have already submitted your application and subsequently decide to withdraw it by clicking this link, you will receive an email from us confirming your decision to withdraw.

I have studied at Bournemouth University before, do I still have to complete all the questions on the online application screens?

Yes, you will need to complete the form for any new courses that you wish to apply for. Once your application has been received, we will match the information you have provided with any existing records that we hold for you.

What happens once I have submitted my application?

Once you have submitted your application, we will review the information you have provided and assess your suitability for the course(s) you have chosen. If you are sending hard-copies of any supporting documents to us in the post, we may have to wait for them to arrive before we can process your application so please mail these items to us as soon as possible. Alternatively, you may wish to scan these documents and upload them as part of your online application form.

Applications for some courses may require you to attend an interview, but we will let you know if this is necessary once we have received your application.

We will make a formal decision once we have received everything necessary to assess your suitability for the course(s) you have chosen. You will receive a notification email when this has been done and, if your application has been successful, we will send you an email or letter containing your formal offer. Details of our decision will also be available from the Online Applications Portal. If your application has been successful, you will need to accept or decline the offer.

To secure a place on your courses, successful applicants are required to pay a deposit. Further details on deposits will be made available if your application is successful.

Can I monitor the progress of my application?

We will send you an email to let you know when any action is taken on your application, or if we require any further information from you. You can also log into the Online Applications Portal to review and respond as applicable. We will let you know our decision on your application as soon as we can.

Do you have any agents in overseas countries that could help me apply?

BU is represented by companies and organisations in many countries who are appointed by the University to assist you in choosing your course and making your application to study here. As well as our extensive international network we also work with many UK based representatives. For further detail about representatives, please see the representatives section on our website.

Can I start my course whenever I like?

Courses are generally scheduled to start at specific points within each year. When you choose a course in the Online Applications Portal, you will see further information on start dates relating to that course and you will need to select the month and year of entry that you wish to apply for.

How long does it take to complete an application?

The length of time it takes to complete an application depends on the amount and complexity of the information that you need to tell us for your particular circumstances and the requirements of the course, and the volume of supporting documentation needed. If you have all your information to hand, on average it takes about 20-30 minutes to complete an online application. However you may find that you have to leave the system to obtain some documentation or dates for example. Each completed section of your application can be saved as you work through it, so you can leave it and return later if you want to.

How do I know if my application has been sent?

When you have completed all the sections of your online application you will be able to submit it by clicking a link on the Online Applications Portal screen. You will receive an acknowledgement email which will indicate that your application has been sent and received by us. We will then review all the details that you have provided and we will be in touch with you as soon as a decision has been made.

Is there a deadline for applications?

It's a good idea to complete your online application as soon as you know that you wish to apply for a place on one of our courses as many of them fill up quite quickly. As a guide, you should aim to apply by the end of June for courses that begin in September and by the end of November for courses that begin in February. This should give you sufficient time (if your application is successful) to book accommodation (if applicable), apply for a study visa (if required) and make any other necessary arrangements. However, if you are unable to submit your application within the above timescales, you are still welcome to apply for your preferred point of entry as there may still be places available.

English is not my first language; do I need to take an English Language test before I apply?

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that your spoken and written English is of a sufficient standard to enable you to undertake your chosen course of study. Evidence is usually provided in the form of an English language test certificate (for example IELTS or TOEFL) and you will be asked for details in the relevant section of your application. If you have not yet achieved an English language qualification, you will still be able to apply but your offer will be on the condition that you achieve the outstanding qualification

How long will it take for my application to be considered?

Once we have received your application, we will begin reviewing it within two working days. The length of time it takes for a decision to be made on whether we can offer you a place on your chosen course depends on the information you have provided in support of your application and the requirements for the particular course you have applied for. We will keep in contact with you to let you know if there is any further detail we need from you, and to inform you of any conditions that you are required to meet in order to secure your place.

If I accept an offer for a place on a course, how much will I have to pay as a deposit?

The amount that you will be required to pay as a non-refundable deposit to secure your place will depend on your course and whether you are a UK/EU or International applicant. This is because the full tuition fee for your course is also dependent on your specific circumstances. When you click the link to pay your deposit, the payment screens will reflect the minimum amount you are required to pay. This amount is calculated based on the information you have provided.

I still don't know what to do, how can you help me?

If you require more information about how to apply online, please contact our enquiry service, askBU on 08456 501501* (from within UK) or 44 1202 961916 (International) or email askBUenquiries@bournemouth.ac.uk.

* BU does not profit from this number.

Where next?

Apply online - use our Online Applications system to apply online

Bournemouth University

How to Apply/ FAQs