Section 1 – Terms for applicants

1. Admissions 

This section includes the terms that are relevant to the application and admissions process. Section 6 (Liability, ending the agreement and general provisions) applies to applicants as well as offer holders and registered students. All the other sections of this student agreement will apply to you if we make you an offer, and you should read them if you are considering applying or accepting an offer.

1.1 The application procedure you need to follow will depend on the level of course you are applying for.

• For undergraduate courses, you will usually need to apply via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS: see www.ucas.ac.uk)
• Applicants for postgraduate taught degree courses will usually need to apply via BU’s online admissions system
• Applicants for postgraduate research degrees need to apply via BU’s Doctoral College online admissions system
• Applications for apprenticeships must be made via an employer. Prospective apprentices should either be employed and have the support of their employer, or have made an application to an apprenticeship vacancy
• For incoming exchange students the applications procedure is set out on the applying for an exchange webpage on our website (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/applying-exchange-bu)

More information is available on our website: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/information-applicants

1.2  Applicants must demonstrate a set of skills required to fulfil the demands of the BU course. These are listed in our entry requirements and published on our website, in our prospectus and in our admissions policies (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information, under Admissions). There may be an interview, a portfolio review or selection tests before we can make you an offer and we may ask for references at this stage.

1.3 BU considers all applications on equal merit using transparent academic and non-academic entry requirements to support judgements made during the selection process.

1.4 If you have not provided up to date, accurate or complete information, we may not be able to consider your application. If missing information would have affected our decision, or we believe your application is misleading or fraudulent, we may withdraw or change an offer. We will tell you if we do this and you can appeal. For more information please see the Fraudulent Applications section within the Admissions Policy for Taught Programmes (excluding apprenticeships) and within the Admissions Policy for Apprenticeships on our website (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information, under Admissions)

1.5 If you have accepted an offer of a place, we will ask you to tell us about any disabilities, medical conditions or other support needs you have which may be relevant to your programme of study or life at BU. The information you provide will be used by the University to assess how a condition, disability or support need might affect your participation in your chosen course or other aspects of life at BU (including any risks to your health and safety and that of others) and to put agreed adjustments and support in place where possible. See our Admissions Policy and Procedure for Applicants with a Disability, Medical Condition or Other Support Need on our website (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information, under Admissions).

1.6 If you have a disability or need additional learning support please contact us as soon as possible so that we can explore the support available to you and discuss reasonable adjustments that can be put in place to enable you to access your learning (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/als). If you are enrolled on a standard non-apprenticeship degree programme, funded one-to-one support is available through the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) following an assessment of need. Apprentices may receive funding for one-to-one support via the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) or Access to Work. Assessments not already in place can be arranged through our Additional Learning Support (ALS) Service, which you will have to pay for (means tested financial support is available) unless you are on an ESFA funded apprenticeship programme. If you are not a UK based student, you will not be eligible for DSA support but can still access our ALS Service. If you are an exchange student, please talk to your home institution about potential funding sources you can apply for, for example through the Erasmus+ programme.

1.7 We may make you an offer for a different course, or pass your application to one of our Partner Colleges to consider, if we believe that a different course would be more suitable for you. We will let you know if we do this.

1.8 We use contextual data in addition to your academic achievement to assess your eligibility for our AccessBU scheme (see www.bournemouth.ac.uk/accessbu). To be eligible for the scheme, applicants must either:

1. Fall into one or more of the automatically assessed categories listed on the AccessBU website (see the Eligibility section at www.bournemouth.ac.uk/ accessbu), or
2. Submit an AccessBU application and supporting evidence to demonstrate that your personal circumstances have had a negative impact on your post-16 studies or performance at GCSE level.

If we decide that you are eligible for the scheme, you may receive a reduced offer for your chosen course.

2. Offers 

2.1 An offer may be conditional or unconditional. If the offer is conditional, we will set out the conditions in the offer letter. You will only be able to take up your place if you meet the academic conditions and non-academic requirements for admission. We will only offer you an unconditional offer if you already have your grades when you apply to BU. You will still be required to meet the non-academic requirements for admission. Examples of non-academic requirements include:

• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (see paragraph 3.2 for more information about this check)
• Declaration of certain relevant criminal convictions
• An Occupational Health check
• The requirements of a professional body or regulator
• An academic and / or professional reference.

2.2 All applicants are required to provide photographic ID and original copies of qualifications at enrolment, except where qualifications are received directly from the awarding body. If your qualifications are not in English, official translations of these certificates will need to be provided.

2.3 When you accept your offer, you will agree to this student agreement. If you do not meet all of your academic conditions or non-academic requirements, please contact us to discuss your options.

2.4 You may need to pay a deposit when you accept an offer. We will not always refund the deposit if you do not take up your place. There are more details in our Fees Policy (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information, under Finance).

2.5 You will not be able to take up your offer and start your course if you are not in a position to start attending classes in person at the University by the required date. This will be the course start date in your offer letter unless we agree a later start deadline with you in advance.

2.6 If you require a visa to study in the UK, you need to comply with its requirements. You will not be able to enrol on a course without a valid visa. If you are on an ESFA funded apprenticeship programme, you do not require a student visa, however you must have the right to work in the UK and meet ESFA residency requirements. There are also restrictions on placements for international students (see paragraph 12.2). If you put your studies on hold, are suspended or withdrawn from your course or your visa expires, we will report this to the Home Office. Your visa will be curtailed and we will be unable to re-enrol you until this matter is resolved (see paragraph 31.8). For more information, see www.bournemouth.ac.uk/student/help, under International Students. If you are an exchange student, see the UK Border Entry Information section in the Information for Incoming Exchange Students Guide on our website (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/incoming-exchange-students).

3. Specific requirements for regulated professions courses 

3.1 If you have applied for a regulated professions course, i.e. a health or social care or sports therapy course regulated by a professional body, your course will include compulsory requirements relating to practice placements. You will need to pass an Occupational Health check if you are joining a health or social care regulated course. Your place upon the programme remains subject to you continuing to meet Occupational Health requirements and attending Occupational Health and immunisation appointments.

• As part of the Occupational Health check, you will need to be tested for certain diseases as required by UK Department of Health and Social Care guidance. There is further information in the non-academic entry requirements section of the relevant course information on our website (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses).

As an alternative, you may be able to provide a record of immunity status for these diseases.

• You will need to obtain details of your past immunisation records from your doctor and you may need to pay for immunisations before you can start the course
• If you refuse the required immunisations, or cannot be immunised for medical reasons, or do not attend your immunisation appointments, you will not be allowed to attend practice placements and we will withdraw you from your course. You cannot appeal against the immunisation requirements as they are a condition of entry to the programme
• Attendance at Occupation Health appointments is a priority. You must attend the appointments you are given. If you miss more than two appointments without evidencing exceptional circumstances, no further appointments will be made for you and you will not be allowed to attend practice placements. You may be charged for missed appointments.

3.2 We will also need to check your criminal record. We ask you to tell us about any matters on your record that would be disclosed under an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If you are/have been resident in the UK, you must have applied for your DBS check and had your supporting documentation verified before you can start your course. There is a charge for the DBS check, we will send you information about this with your offer. If you do not provide a DBS certificate you will not be allowed to attend practice placements and we will withdraw you from your course. If you have never been resident in the UK, you must provide a police check from your home country before you start your course. If there are matters on your criminal record of a type shown by an Enhanced DBS check, we will ask you to provide further information and will need to consider whether this affects your non-academic suitability for the course. Our Disclosure Panel will consider this under our Admissions Policy and Procedure for Applicants with a Criminal Record (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information, under Admissions).

3.3 There is more information about compulsory integrated practice learning placement periods in the course information on our website (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses). We will also send you information with your offer. Placements are arranged with placement providers and will be split over several placement providers and locations. You may have to travel some distance from Bournemouth to reach your placement and you may therefore need to find short-term secondary accommodation for your time in placement. For some healthcare professional courses, NHS Student Services may be available to help with associated costs via the Learning Support Fund: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/learning-support-fund. Please note that this is not available for students on an Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funded apprenticeship programme or for international students. See paragraph 12 for more information about placements.

4. Cancelling after you accept your offer but before starting your course 

4.1 You have the right to change your mind and withdraw from your student agreement without giving a reason within 14 days of accepting your offer from us. If you want to withdraw during this 14-day cancellation period, you must contact us, our email address is [email protected]. You can tell us that you want to withdraw by email, letter, or by sending a cancellation form. You can use our model cancellation form (see www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information, under Finance). Alternatively if you are applying for an undergraduate course you may contact UCAS directly.

4.2 If you paid a deposit when you accepted an offer, and you withdraw within 14 days of accepting the offer from us, we will refund that deposit in full. If you wish to claim a refund, you must complete a refund claim form. If you are entitled to a refund, we must pay it to you within 14 days of you withdrawing.

4.3 If you would like to defer your entry, please complete our online form. You should be aware that tuition and accommodation fees are subject to change, which means fees may increase. Your eligibility for BU scholarships and bursaries may also change. If you want to defer for more than one intake we may ask you to re-apply. If you have paid a deposit we will not refund it - whether deferral is for one or more intake – unless you cancel within 14 days of accepting the offer for the deferred entry. See paragraph 24.4 for more information about refunds if you postpone your start.

5. Cancellation and withdrawal at the start of your course 

5.1 When you complete your registration you agree that this agreement will apply to you immediately. As well as the cancellation right in paragraph 4, you have the right to withdraw from your course before you register and within 14 days after the course start date.If you want to withdraw, you must contact us using the details at the top of your offer letter. You do not have to give a reason. You can tell us that you want to withdraw by email, letter, or by sending a cancellation form. You can use the model cancellation form (see www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information, under Finance), but you do not have to use this form.

5.2 If you withdraw within 14 days after the course start date, we will refund any fees that you paid on registration. Except as provided in paragraphs 24.2 and 24.3, we will not refund the deposit that you paid when you accepted the offer. If you wish to claim a refund, you will need to complete a refund claim form. If you are entitled to a refund, we must pay it to you within 14 days of you withdrawing.

5.3 If you are not able to start attending classes in person at BU by the course start date in your offer letter or any later start deadline notified to you, we will cancel your registration.  You will not be able to complete your enrolment and start your studies, even if you have completed all or part of our registration process and accepted this agreement.

5.4 You may withdraw from your course or apply to put your studies on hold after the 14-day cancellation period has ended. See paragraph 31 (Ending or suspending the student agreement) for more information. We may not refund all the fees you have paid if you do this and there may be implications for arrangements with the Student Loans Company or other financial support. See paragraph 28 (Financial arrangements on withdrawal, suspension or other interruption).

6. Changes before you register 

6.1 The course information on our website (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses) includes a list of the core and option units that may be available for your course. We do not guarantee that an optional unit will run or be available to all students. Your choice of units may be restricted by limits on timetabling, staffing, facilities, or the number of places on the unit or external circumstances, such as any general public health measures in place.

6.2 The paragraphs below cover changes which BU decides to make for reasons other than Events Outside Our Control (such Events are covered in paragraph 29).

6.3 We may change our admissions requirements for future applications. Once we have published the requirements for a specific intake or academic year, we will only change these in exceptional circumstances.

6.4 It is important that we can update or amend courses. We do this to make sure that the curriculum, teaching and learning methods and forms of assessment are up to date, to maintain academic standards and enhance the quality of learning opportunities for students.

We formally review our courses periodically under the Programme Approval, Review and Closure: Policy and Procedure (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information, under Course Changes). If we have planned a review for a course, this is noted in the course information on our website (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses).

We may also make changes under the Programme and Unit Modifications: Policy and Procedure (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information, under Course Changes). These changes will not affect the nature, focus or purpose of the course.

6.5 We will normally make changes only if the overall effect of the change is either neutral or advantageous to potential students. Negative changes may sometimes be unavoidable because of unforeseen issues such as staff availability, student numbers or other resources. We will seek to minimise the impact of the changes on offer holders and any negative impact on student experience. Please also note paragraph 29 (Events outside our control).

6.6 If you have applied for a course, we will contact you if we make material changes to the course information on our website (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses) or to other information we have given to you, including this student agreement.

If a material change, that was not required because of an Event Outside Our Control, causes you exceptional hardship, we will consider whether it is appropriate to take further steps to reduce the adverse effects for you. There may be limits or conditions on any offer that we make to you.

If we withdraw or defer a course that you have applied to, we will make you a reasonable offer of alternative arrangements. For example, we may offer a suitable replacement course or a refund of fees and your deposit if you and/or your sponsor have paid one. There may be limits or conditions on the offer. Please see our Student Protection Plan and Refund and Compensation Policy for more information (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information)

7. Admissions appeals 

7.1 If you want to appeal an admissions decision, you should follow the procedure set out in the Admissions Appeals and Complaints Policy and Procedure (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information, under Admissions). Applicants wishing to submit an admissions appeal should do so via the website at www.bournemouth.ac.uk/contact within ten working days of notification of the University’s decision. You can only appeal if there is evidence that the University has failed to comply with its policies and procedures or if relevant new information relating to your application is available.

7.2 If you would like another person to support or represent you (not normally a legal professional) in relation to an admissions appeal, you will need to provide clear evidence of their authority to be involved and explain whether they are authorised to make representations and take decisions on your behalf.

7.3 If you have applied to a Partner College for a course validated by BU, you will need to appeal to the Partner College. Please contact us if you are not sure (call AskBU on +44 (0)1202 969696, or [email protected]).

7.4 We will aim to write to you with our response within ten working days. If you are not satisfied with this response, you may ask for a central review by emailing [email protected] within ten working days. We will aim to respond with the outcome of the review within 20 working days. If there is a delay, we will tell you and keep you informed of progress. Our decision following the review is final and there can be no further appeals.

8. Admissions complaints 

8.1 If you want to complain about our recruitment, selection or admissions process, you should do so via the website at www.bournemouth.ac.uk/contact within one month of the matter you are complaining about. We will only consider a complaint that you make later than this in exceptional circumstances. If you have applied to a Partner College for a course validated by BU, you will need to complain to the Partner College. Please contact us if you are not sure (call Future Students on +44 (0)1202 961916, or email [email protected]).

8.2 We will aim to respond within ten working days of receiving the complaint. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may ask for a central review by emailing [email protected] within ten working days of the date of the response. You must provide copies of all information relevant to your complaint and the outcome you want.

8.3 We will consider whether your complaint is within the scope of the policy. If the complaint is not within the scope of the policy, we will write to you and give you the reasons. If your complaint is within the scope of the policy, we will attempt to resolve it. See the Admissions Appeals and Complaints Policy and Procedure (www.bournemouth.ac.uk/important-information, under Admissions) for more information.

8.4 If you would like another person to support or represent you (not normally a legal professional) in relation to an admissions complaint, you will need to provide clear evidence of their authority to be involved and explain whether they are authorised to make representations and take decisions on your behalf.

8.5 We will normally write to you with our response within 20 working days as long as you gave us all the necessary information. If there is a delay for any reason, we will tell you and keep you informed of progress. Our decision following this review is final and there can be no further appeal except in circumstances set out in paragraph 8.6 below.

8.6 Complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA): Students who register on a course and are then required to leave BU because of an irregularity in their application or whose complaint relates to the information the university supplied prior to admission may submit a complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (see www.oiahe.org.uk). The OIA may also review a complaint from a former student who has either withdrawn from a programme of study or has been required to leave and later applies for re-admission.