Content only version
Useful Links:
Campaign
askBU online and on the phone

Entry Requirements

(UK/EU(non-UK)/International)

We expect you to have achieved, or be working towards obtaining, specific qualifications and/or experience before applying to BU. This demonstrates a commitment to your chosen course and shows that you are prepared for your university career. BU is a diverse institution and we are always interested in having the best students studying here.

Academic and non-academic entry requirements vary and will depend on the course you wish to study. Some courses will require you to achieve certain grades in specific subjects and others will just ask for an overall tariff score which includes certain grades.

Further information including the indicative tariff point and IELTS/TOEFL requirements for each course are in the Course Search.

UK Students

The UCAS tariff

The majority of UK applicants will use the UCAS Tariff as a guide to determining their eligibility for a particular course. Look at the requirements listed for each course in the Course Search to see if you are likely to achieve the grades required for entry to that particular course.

Bachelors degrees

  • For entry to an Honours degree, you will normally be expected to have a minimum of 2 ′A′ Levels or equivalent in a relevant subject area.

Higher National Diploma / Certificate

  • For entry to a Higher National Diploma/Certificate, you will normally be expected to have a minimum of 1 ′A′ Level or equivalent in a relevant subject area.

Foundation degree

  • For entry to a Foundation degree, you will normally be expected to have a minimum of 1 ′A′ Level or equivalent in a relevant subject area.

We do consider other types of qualifications.

For all courses you will also need to demonstrate:

  • an ability to express yourself satisfactorily in written English;
  • basic numeracy skills;
  • a basic understanding of the relevant subject area.

Your previous work and life experience, your personal statement and your references will also be taken into account. It is particularly important that you provide a comprehensive personal statement.

EU(non-UK)/Non-EU Students

Academic entry requirements

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. For information about how your qualifications relate to those in the UK, we suggest taking a look at the NARIC website. In all cases, we consider students on the basis of their whole application and on evidence of their ability to benefit from the course and to complete it successfully.

Take a look at our country specific information which identifies entry criteria applicable to a particular country.

Undergraduate (Bachelors) degrees

Appropriate entry requirements include:

  • BU International Foundation Year (see the Bournemouth University IFC)
  • High school leaving examinations considered to be of an equivalent level to Advanced Level examinations in the UK
  • Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma
  • UK Foundation/Access Programme recognised by BU
  • International or European Baccalaureate
  • Junior College Diploma.

Foundation degrees

  • Your previous work and life experience will be taken into account, as well as your existing qualifications.

Undergraduate (Bachelors Top-up) degrees

  • Higher National Diploma (HND) - a minimum of 240 UK HE credits
  • Two year Foundation Degree - a minimum of 240 UK HE credits
  • Two years of university level study with a minimum of 120 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits (or equivalent).

Direct entry to Year 2 of Business, Accounting and Finance courses is possible for students that have completed, with the appropriate grades, the Diploma in Business and Management programme at Bournemouth Kaplan International College.

Find Out More: