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Contextual admissions

At Oxford Brookes University, we want to attract students from all backgrounds who have the potential to succeed.

We seek to be a fully inclusive institution that reflects society at large, and provides an excellent student experience, a breadth of opportunities and successful outcomes for all students irrespective of their background.

Our Contextual Admissions policy forms part of our commitment to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed at Oxford Brookes have equality of access.

It allows us to use of a range of national and individual data to ensure that we are taking a rounded view of an individual applicant’s potential.

It also supports us to make a reduced offer to students where the evidence suggests that their prior attainment may not be a full reflection of their future potential.

What is a contextual offer?

Our contextual offer is a grade reduction of up to 3 grades below the standard entry requirements.

Details of our standard and contextual offer entry requirements are available on course pages.

Could I get a contextual offer?

If you are a UK student applying for an undergraduate degree (excluding foundation years and foundation degrees), you may be eligible for a contextual offer if one of the following statements applies to you:

  • You have lived in local authority care.
  • Your residential status is ‘refugee’ or ‘humanitarian protection’.
  • You have participated in the Brookes Engage or Discover Brookes sustained outreach programmes.
  • If you are a UK student applying for an undergraduate degree (excluding foundation years and foundation degrees), you may be eligible for a contextual offer if one of the following statements applies to you:
    • You have lived in local authority care.
    • Your residential status is ‘refugee’ or ‘humanitarian protection’.
    • You have participated in the Brookes Engage or Discover Brookes sustained outreach programmes.
    • You are eligible for free school meals.

In addition, you may be eligible if you meet a combination of the following criteria:

  • You attend a school where average performance is below average at GCSE or in the bottom 40% nationally at A level (or equivalent)

and

or

How do I apply?

There’s no separate application form, so apply in the usual way through UCAS and if you meet any of the criteria we’ll consider you for a contextual offer. 

Remember to indicate your residential status or if you have lived in care, if relevant.

What will happen next?

You can find out it you are eligible for other support including bursaries and scholarships and our tailored support packages for specific groups of students.

If we make you an offer, we’ll invite you to an applicant day with all other offer holders. Here you’ll meet the academics and current students from your course, and have the opportunity to find out more about the full range of experiences Oxford Brookes has to offer. We offer a travel bursary for applicant day events.

If you accept our offer, we’ll contact you nearer the summer to let you know about a range of opportunities to find out more about Oxford Brookes, and to support your transition into university life.