Prospective Undergraduates

Undergraduate courses

• MSci Geography
• BSc Geography
• BSc Geography with Study in Continental Europe
• Degree programme content and structure

Further information

• International students
• Mature students
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
• Open days and precinct tours
• Request an information pack
• Entry requirements
• Contacting the admissions team
• Undergraduate admissions policy
• Undergraduate prospectus

Undergraduate admissions policy

The statement below outlines our Admissions Policy for the 2011-2012 cycle and should be read in conjunction with the University Admissions Principles and Procedures.

Admissions team

This includes:

• Prof Robert Mayhew
• Prof Tony Payne
• Dr David Richards

Contact: geog-admis@bristol.ac.uk

The School welcomes applications from the most able students from all educational backgrounds. Studying Geography A-level is the norm for applicants but is not a pre-requisite. While candidates are admitted solely through the Faculty of Science, there is no expectation that they will have a scientific background. Applicants with A-levels from a broad range of subjects in the sciences, social sciences and arts are suitable for our degree programmes.

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-ABB.

Programmes taught

• BSc Geography (F800) 3 years
• MSci Geography (F803) 4 years
• BSc Geography with Study in Continental Europe (F801) 4 years

Transfer between these programmes is possible after an offer has been made, subject to School approval.

Admissions process

UK/EU applicants

We aim to acknowledge receipt of UCAS applications in the School within three weeks.

Applications for all three degree programmes, through both the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, and for immediate or deferred entry, will be treated in a similar manner on a rolling basis as received.

We aim to decide upon the outcome of applications within eight weeks of receipt in the School.

We aim to recruit the vast majority of our students from three streams of applicants with the following combinations of subjects at A-level (or International Baccalaureate equivalent)

• Three sciences from Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Geology and Environmental Science (core sciences).
• Geography and one or more sciences (not necessarily listed among the core sciences above) (mixed sciences and social sciences/arts).
• Geography and social sciences/arts (core social sciences/arts).

A member of the School Admissions Team independently scrutinises each application and evaluates the academic record and the personal and school statement (see Criteria below). A provisional recommendation is made, which is then validated by a second member of the School Admissions Team with specific responsibility for core sciences, mixed sciences and social sciences/arts and core social sciences/arts applications as appropriate. We make copies of application forms for future reference as necessary in the current admissions cycle. Offers made will be appropriate to the circumstances of the candidates.

Interviews will be reserved for cases where documented evidence needs further clarification or the application relies on non-standard academic qualifications. Interviews will be conducted by two members of Academic staff outside the School Admissions Team who will have undergone appropriate University training in fair and effective recruitment.

No additional tests of aptitude or otherwise will be set in the 2010/11 admissions cycle.

All candidates who are offered places on our degree programmes will be invited to a School Open Day, during which they will tour the School, attend talks outlining the degree programmes, meet current undergraduates and visit halls of residence. For those applicants who are asked to attend an interview, this will most likely be scheduled to occur on one of the School Open Days. Interview candidates will be able to take part in at least some of the guided programme on the School Open Day.

Processes specific to overseas applicants (if any)

No separate arrangements apply, other than being allowed to visit the School on separate mutually-convenient times by individual arrangement.

Criteria for assessing candidates

All applications are considered on an equal basis. Forms are not segregated by the type of educational institution attended.

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.

UK/EU applicants

• Academic record: Breadth and quality of academic attainment is important for a Geography degree, as identified at GCSE and AS or equivalent levels. A strong GCSE (or equivalent) pass in Mathematics is a course requirement. Good performances in science and mathematics subjects are particularly noted when assessing candidates. Those without sufficient analytical skills may be at a significant disadvantage, given the nature of the curriculum we follow. Candidates should have achieved or be predicted to achieve grades A or B at A-level or equivalent. We make no distinction by exam board. Candidates without Geography or a close equivalent at this level would be expected to explain this absence in their application and/or interview.
• For our BSc degree with Study in Continental Europe, applicants are expected to have a good pass in the relevant language (German, Spanish or French) at GCSE level or higher. For students with no demonstrated ability in the relevant language, evidence of a high standard of learning in another non-native language must be presented. These criteria may be waived if, for example, the applicant is a native speaker of the relevant language.
• Academic potential: 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 candidate potential for our degree programmes.
• We take into account evidence of positive responses to exceptional difficulties and challenges that may have impaired academic performance.
• School reference: We look for strong support from school/college or other referees, with explanations of any apparent inconsistencies in candidate performance and predictions. 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, particularly in Geography.
• Personal statement: We look for a clear and convincing enthusiasm for Geography as a focus for academic study, consistent with the nature of the programmes provided at Bristol. This should be reinforced by evidence of initiative in extending this interest beyond formal classroom provision. Candidates should also address the benefits they see from further study at the tertiary level and suggest what they can offer to an intensive and high quality teaching and learning environment, both academically and otherwise, as well as what they hope to gain from it. 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.
• Local candidates: 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.
• Weighting of criteria: We do not use a formal numerical tariff on which to score and rank candidates. Instead, we prefer to judge the overall merit of each application. An excellent academic record and/or potential is a pre-requisite for entry.

Criteria specific to overseas applicants (if any)

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 candidates.

Offers

UK/EU applicants

We have no standard offers. Our typical offer is AAA-AAB. An A-grade in Geography will normally be specified, 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.

Candidates with the necessary potential, but from school backgrounds suggestive of lower overall academic performance, may be offered at lower than the typical range.

Normally, only mature candidates can substitute vocational for conventional academic qualifications.

Any additional or amended requirements for overseas applicants

As above (many take UK-board A-levels or IBs) with equivalents in other national examination systems, as advised by the University.

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