Our main entry requirements for the degree are outlined below. If you do not meet these you may want to consider our foundation year, a one-year course that will prepare you for degree-level study.
We use the UCAS Tariff in our entry requirements and will accept a combination of grades and qualifications to meet the overall tariff requirement. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.
We have outlined our entry requirements below using the most common qualifications that we consider for this course. If your qualification is not on the UCAS tariff or listed below, please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team who can advise accordingly. You can also find out more about how we consider your application in our offer-making process section.
For September 2021 and September 2022 entry: 128 - 144 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent, including 32 points in a required subject. BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Distinction, Merit (DDM) in a required subject.
Required subjects for September 2021 and September 2022:
- A Level: Applied Human Biology, Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Health & Social Care, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, Sociology
- BTEC Nationals: Health & Social Care (Extended Diploma), Applied Human Biology (Extended Certificate or higher), Applied Science (Extended Certificate or higher)
- Cambridge Technicals: Applied Science (Extended Diploma), Applied Science (for Human Science) (Foundation Diploma or higher), Health & Social Care (Extended Certificate or higher)
Excluded subjects: General Studies (unless accompanied by 2 A Levels or equivalent in appropriate subjects)
Numeracy and Literacy requirement: GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework. See all the equivalencies.
A-level: 128 - 144 tariff points to include a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent, including 32 points in a required subject.
AS level: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by 2 A-levels or equivalent.
Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate – Skills Challenge Certificate: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
Access to HE Diploma: 128 - 144 UCAS tariff points from any combination of Distinction, Merit and Pass grades. This must include 15 level 3 graded credits in one of our required subjects: Applied Human Biology, Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Health & Social Care.
An Access to HE Diploma contains 60 credits overall, with 45 graded credits and 15 ungraded credits.
BTEC National:
- Extended Diploma: Distinction, Distinction, Merit (128 UCAS tariff points) in a required subject.
- Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff.
- Foundation Diploma/ 90-credit Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff.
- Extended Certificate/ Subsidiary Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff.
Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma: 128 - 144 UCAS tariff points, to include a minimum of 2 Principal Subjects including 36 points in a required subject.
Cambridge Technical:
- Extended Diploma: Distinction, Distinction, Merit (128 UCAS tariff points) in a required subject.
- Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff.
- Foundation Diploma / Subsidiary Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff.
- Extended Certificate / Introductory Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff.
Extended Project Qualification: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by two A-level sized qualifications to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
International Baccalaureate Certificates: 128 - 144 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Higher Level certificates.
International Baccalaureate (Diploma): 32 - 34 points including grade H5 in a required subject.
Scottish Highers: 128 - 144 tariff points from a minimum of four Scottish Highers including 32 points in a required subject.
Scottish Advanced Highers: 128 - 144 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.
T Levels: We will recognise T Level qualifications at a suitable level (and in a suitable subject, if applicable).
Other useful information
AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.
Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.
Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.
Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.
