The statement below outlines our Admissions Policy for the 2011-2012 cycle and should be read in conjunction with the University’s Admissions policies and procedures.
This includes
Email: sci-ug-admission@bristol.ac.uk
The School welcomes applications from the most able students from all educational backgrounds. Applicants with A-levels (or equivalent) from a range of subjects in the sciences, social sciences and arts/ humanities are suitable for our degree programmes. We encourage applicants with a strong orientation towards sciences and maths who can identify with our approach to studying human mind and behaviour as a biological science.
You will be considered for entry on the basis that you have an excellent academic record and potential. Predicted or achieved grades at A-level of our successful applicants are usually between AAA-AAB, although offers can range from A*AA to ABB, depending on individual circumstances.
Programmes taught
We aim to acknowledge receipt of UCAS applications in the School within three weeks.
Applications for all degree programmes whether for immediate or deferred entry, will be treated in a similar manner on a rolling basis as received, without regard to the type of educational institution attended, and without regard to any family history of educational attainment.
Applications from those proceeding more or less directly from sixth forms and colleges are assessed on the basis of information contained in the UCAS form; interviews are rarely requested from these applicants and only if the Admissions Team consider that the evidence from the written application is ambiguous, or indicate circumstances where additional information would be helpful.
We aim to recruit the vast majority of our students from two streams of applicants with the following combinations of subjects at A-level (or International Baccalaureate equivalent)
No additional tests of aptitude or otherwise will be set in the 2011/12 admissions cycle.
Interviews will be reserved for cases where the application relies on non-standard academic qualifications. Interviews will be conducted by two members of the School Admissions Team who will have undergone appropriate University training in fair and effective recruitment.
All candidates who are offered places on our degree programmes will be invited to one of two School of Experimental Psychology Open Days, during which they will attend a talk outlining the degree programmes, meet current undergraduates and visit halls of residence.
No separate arrangements apply, other than being allowed to visit the School on separate mutually-convenient times by individual arrangement.
All applications are considered on an equal basis. Candidates are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexuality, religion, disability or age.
Levels of competition for places in the School are very high and this results in equally high entry standards.
Breadth and quality of academic attainment is important for a Psychology degree, as identified at GCSE and AS or equivalent levels. We take into account the appropriateness of the subjects offered and the grades predicted or obtained. A strong GCSE (or equivalent) pass (minimum grade B) in Science, Mathematics and English is a minimum course requirement. Preference will be given to applicants who offer subjects at A Level (or equivalent) that demonstrate skills in mathematics, science and writing. It would be an advantage to offer a combination of subjects which balances arts and sciences, with an emphasis on science (e.g. two Science subjects and one Arts subject). Maths, Geography and Psychology qualify as science subjects for this purpose. Psychology A level is not a requirement. Applicants without sufficient analytical skills may be at a significant disadvantage, given the nature of the psychology course we teach. Candidates should have achieved or be predicted to achieve grades A (minimum grade B) at A-level or equivalent. We make no distinction by exam board.
We support the University Widening Participation Policy and are aware of the local and wider research on the degree attainments of candidates from schools of different educational backgrounds. We factor school performance levels into our assessment of a candidate’s potential for our degree programmes. We take into account evidence of positive responses to exceptional difficulties and challenges that may have impaired academic performance, or have constrained the applicant’s choice of A level (or equivalent) programmes.
We look for strong, though not necessarily unqualified support from school/college or other referees. Information about the candidate’s particular achievements, and challenges faced, are also taken into account when evaluating information about actual or predicted examination performance. The reference will often include evidence of the candidate's potential for further academic study, independent and original thought and unsupervised learning across the curriculum.
Only about half of all entrants to the degree course will have studied Psychology prior to university. Applicants should be well informed, and appreciate the status of Psychology as a biological science. Admissions Tutors look for a clear and convincing enthusiasm for psychological research as a focus for academic study: statements about specific interests and aspirations will be considered in relation to the content of the Bristol course. Evidence of initiative in extending a scientific interest in Psychology beyond formal classroom provision will be recognised by Admissions Tutors: any other information considered relevant by the applicant will also be noted. The statement should be well written in terms of its structure and power of expression. Those applying for deferred entry will be expected to justify this in their statement.
Our degree programmes gain from drawing students from a wide range of regional backgrounds. We support the University efforts to attract appropriately qualified applicants from currently under-represented backgrounds. We take a holistic approach to all applications, ensuring that the educational and social context is taken fully into consideration, where supported by clear evidence that this may have adversely affected academic achievement. We look for evidence of a clear motivation to study. This may include attendance at a University summer school, a targeted Access Scheme (such as Access to Bristol), or participation in Aimhigher outreach activities. Consideration will also be given to applicants who have completed a targeted Access scheme at another university, under the ‘Mutual Recognition Scheme’.
In assessing the merits of each application, all sections of the form are taken into account. We do not apply a numerical tariff on which to score and rank candidates, but judge each application ‘in the round.’ An excellent academic record and/or potential is a pre-requisite for entry.
We adopt the University-guided calibration of overseas academic qualifications and require high standards of spoken and written English for non-native speakers. We do not distinguish between overseas and Home/EU applicants.
All international qualifications will be considered on their individual merits; further information is available at:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/study-at-bristol/how-to-apply/country-specific/
English Language requirements can be found in the UG Prospectus at:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/2013/sections/PSYC/247/admissions#entry
and at:
http://www.bris.ac.uk/university/governance/policies/admissions-english-lang-reqs.html
We make the final decision for each applicant individually, taking into account all of the criteria used for assessment. Normally, only mature candidates can substitute vocational qualifications or Access courses, for conventional academic qualifications.
Only in exceptional circumstances would we consider making conditional offers that require grades higher than those predicted by an applicant’s school or college.
Typical Offers: We have no standard offers. Our typical offer is likely to remain AAA-AAB. An A-grade in Mathematics or Science subject will normally be specified, as will an A-grade in an Arts or Humanities subject if is being taken. General Studies A-level is excluded from offers. Offers to IB candidates are typically 36-37 points, with specified grades in subjects taken at higher level.
Variations in Offer levels: Offer levels can range from A*AA to ABB. Candidates with the necessary potential, but from school backgrounds suggestive of lower overall academic performance (as defined by the Universities principles and procedures) we may make offers at lower than the typical range i.e. ABB. Grade A (or equivalent) in at least one science subject will be required.
We have extended the upper range of A-level offers (to include A*AA) that we will deploy flexibly to provide a stronger fit between our offer level and the level of academic excellence evident from the applications we receive. We do not anticipate any changes to our typical offer on this basis, and we will continue to use the A* grade as part of a holistic decision process to distinguish between otherwise equally strong applicants.
Offer numbers: We normally expect to make around 300 offers for Single Honours (C801), with an additional 50 to deferred entry applicants. For Joint Honours (VC58), we expect to make 25 offers (plus 5 deferred). We expect to admit around 80 students to Single Honours (C801).
We consider requests for transfers to our courses from suitable applicants from other degree programmes within the University at the end of Year One.
We consider applications from suitable applicants who have completed the first year of a degree programme at another institution for entry direct into Year One or Year Two, but this is dependent on the availability of places. We do not encourage transfers during Year 2, given the emphasis on statistical methods training and laboratory classes throughout the first and second year of the degree. We expect any incoming student to demonstrate levels of academic achievement and profiles consistent with the ongoing cohort of current undergraduates. Transfers are at the discretion of the Admissions Tutors.