Accounting, finance and economics
Animal, equine and wildlife
Architecture and civil engineering
Art and design
Business, management and marketing
Computing, maths and technologies
English, history and philosophy
Geography, horticulture and environment

Languages and linguistics
Law, criminology and justice
Media, journalism and communication
Politics and international studies
Property, construction and surveying
Psychology, sociology, health and social care
Sciences including sport sciences
Teacher training, education and childhood and youth studies.

Criteria for assessing applicants
Assessment processes and offers
In assessing applicants, the University of Nottingham takes into account a range of factors in addition to and sometimes instead of formal examination grades. The University expects admissions staff to use their professional judgment in assessing the relative weight of relevant factors. Since entry is competitive, achieving examination grades equivalent to or above the standard offer for a course does not automatically entitle an applicant to an offer.

The University accepts the Schwartz report’s conclusion that a fair admissions system is one that provides equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of background, to gain admission to a course suited to their ability and aspirations. This means that we treat all applications on an individual basis and do not bias the process in favour of applicants from certain backgrounds or schools. At any one stage in the assessment process, all applicants are given an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills, achievements and potential.

Schools and Departments within the University have the liberty to either make one standard offer to all applicants or to vary the offer. Where the offer is varied, this may be in order to take account of potential demonstrated by factors other than examination grades, or for other reasons. The listed course entry requirements for each course make clear the range of offers for that course.
Selecting for merit, potential and diversity
The University of Nottingham believes that considering the context in which applicants have achieved their exam results (see below) and looking at additional achievements, skills and experiences helps to allow applicants equal opportunity to demonstrate achievements and potential. Admissions staff are aware that applicants have different opportunities available to them and will normally consider a range of evidence. Admissions staff look for applicants who have made the most of the opportunities available to them and are able to reflect intelligently on their experiences.

When assessing applications, admissions tutors look for the following information on the UCAS form:
academic ability and potential as shown by GCSE and AS level results (where available) and predicted A level grades or equivalent qualifications

strong reasons for choosing the course at Nottingham, and motivation to study a particular discipline
extra-curricular activities, achievements and interests

The context of the applicant’s achievement (see below)

other factors as appropriate to the discipline, such as employment or volunteer work in relevant fields showing commitment to a chosen career or area of work, and sustained critical engagement with relevant issues. Admissions staff consider examination grades in the light of the applicant’s educational and personal context and circumstances.

An applicant’s examination grades may be valued more highly, if achievement has been in the face of difficult personal or educational circumstances. Such circumstances can be indicated by average school performance and the home postcode score on an index of deprivation. They can also be indicated, where this is made known in the personal statement and confirmed in the reference, by factors such as:
#Being a first-generation entrant to HE (parents have not attended HE)

#Being in care, or having been in care within the last three years

having childcare responsibilities

having refugee status.

Facing such factors positively may also provide evidence of desirable skills and qualities, such as motivation, independent working and self-organisation.

If an applicant has been affected by illness, disability or bereavement, then the referee should confirm whether the applicant will receive special consideration from the examination board(s) awarding grades.

Many applications are assessed using information acquired solely through the UCAS form. Some courses use additional methods of assessment for all or some applicants. Additional assessment may include interviews or tests; some courses may ask for examples of written work. This may be for a range of reasons, including:
to assess professional suitability
to clarify unfamiliar qualifications or as part of APEL (insert link to further guidance on Quality Manual)
to assess achievement, motivation and potential
to distinguish between otherwise similar applicants
Where additional assessment is used, its purpose is explained. Information is sent to those undergoing additional assessment, explaining the nature of the assessment, what admissions staff will be looking for and how applicants can prepare

All international admissions
International Development Office

Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham

EmailTel: +44 (0)115 848 8186Fax: +44 (0)115 848 8221
MSc Entrepreneurship - Nottingham University Business School