Admissions Information

Our entry criteria exist for two reasons. Firstly, we want to ensure that everyone who joins our programmes has the potential to succeed. Secondly, the reason we specify certain grades is to ensure a good experience for everyone and that means ensuring numbers on each programme are at appropriate levels and keeping within targets. We have also found that good numeracy and communication skills are essential to successful study. This is why we insist on GCSE Mathematics and English Language at grade C or above for all our programmes (usually achieved within a maximum of two attempts). From 2011 entry onwards we specifically require applicants to have already achieved the Maths and English requirements before applying.

 

The majority of undergraduate applications come to us from students undertaking GCE or VCE Advanced level qualifications. Increasingly we are seeing applicants with more than a straight three A Level profile - with additional A Levels and AS Levels. We also accept a number of other nationally recognised qualifications such as BTEC Nationals and Higher Nationals, and awards from professional bodies such as AAT and LCCI and newer awards such as the Cambridge Pre-U. We positively welcome the International Baccalaureate.

 

NVQs are useful qualifications for measuring job performance but may not give such a clear indication of the ability to study academically - accordingly we will recognise NVQs as enhancing other qualifications but would not usually offer place based purely on NVQ achievements.

 

We believe that successful students will be ones that attain good grades in whatever they study so our offers do limit the number of qualifications that can be added together to achieve the overall tariff score.

 

 

For example, BA (Hons) Business Management asks for 320 points. A 'traditional' profile could achieve this with grades ABB at A level. However it could also be made up of BBB at A level (300 points) plus an AS level at grade D (30 points). An A-level student who is being made an offer for a 320 point programme will be asked to achieve at least 200 points from two full A-levels (or a double award). We expect A-level students to complete at least 2 GCE A levels or AVCEs.

 

General Studies is treated the same as any other A-level subject. We do not ask for any particular subjects at A Level or from any other recognised qualifications such as diplomas etc.

 

Offers to applicants undertaking qualification under the Scottish Framework will also be made UCAS tariff offers.

 

We welcome applications from mature students and we are willing to consider, on an individual basis, those who do not meet traditional entry criteria. However, that should not be read as meaning that we will generally accept applicants with no formal qualifications, and, where we do so, we would normally be looking for an appropriate level of relevant experience. We are strongly supportive of the HEFC Access courses, which provide an excellent basis for preparing mature students for entry to Higher Education - more details are available from the Return to Learning Service.

 

Other tariff bearing qualifications such as key skills, music awards etc. may be taken into account when we are reviewing borderline cases that have narrowly missed the terms of their conditional offer but where we still have a few unallocated places. These will not, however, form part of the conditional offer.

The UCAS Application

We like to treat applicants as individuals and so we take into account the whole UCAS application when making decisions on applicants. The personal statement in particular is used to assess awareness of business, commitment to the course, and interpersonal skills. Individual tariff offers will be made on the basis of the potential ability and commitment of applicants.

 

Personal Statements are a very important part of the application - they are really the one opportunity we have to get to know the applicant. It is beyond the scope of this web page to give comprehensive advice on how to complete this part of the UCAS form but there are a few key issues.

 

A good personal statement tells us something about your particular strengths in current and recent studies, something about why you are applying for the course in question and something about you as a person.

 

It is better not to just list things you've done - a good personal statement will talk around your achievements and interests. If you're describing something about yourself try to think of something which illustrates that. For example if you want to say you have good communication skills, think of something you've done which demonstrates this.

 

Conversely if you're telling us about something you have done, think about how that has developed skills that will be valued by us. For example if you have a part time job, apart from earning extra money, what have you learned from that job?

Overseas Qualifications

We accept a wide range of overseas qualifications - for further information, please contact Newcastle Business School. We normally require evidence of English proficiency, such as an IELTS score of 6.0 (Grade B from our ELAN programme) for first or second year entry and 6.5 (Grade A from ELAN) for final year entry.

 

Placements

The BA programmes in Business Studies, Travel and Tourism Management, Human Resource Management, International Business Management and Marketing Management are all 4-year courses incorporating a 1-year placement in the third year. In the case of international Business Management it is mandatory for UK students to spend this year either working overseas or in a study abroad programme.

 

Students on the remaining 3-year programmes (except Corporate Management) are all able to extend their course in order to undertake a placement in the third year if they wish. Successful completion of the placement year to City and Guilds standards allows the university to award the Licentiateship of City and Guilds (LCGI)

 

Entry to 1-year completion degree programmes

 

The BA (Hons) in Business Administration, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, International Hospitality and Tourism Management, Accounting and Finance, and Business Creation, are 1-year completion awards designed for applicants who will hold an HND, Foundation Degree, or equivalent.

 

There are also some opportunities for students to apply for advanced entry to three and four-year degree programmes but some of these are restricted by professional body requirements or school policy so applicants should always check with admissions before applying.

All business courses recruit through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)