How to Apply & Admissions

What you need to know about applying

Whether it’s your first or second time around, we know that going to University is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make. At the University of Bolton, we’re here to help.

Below, we outline everything you need to know, from finding out entry requirements to submitting your application and the important policies you should be aware of.

Take your time to read and digest everything. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the relevant Admissions Team:

Home Undergraduate Applicants: ugadmissions@bolton.ac.uk

Home Postgraduate and CPD Applicants: pgadmissions@bolton.ac.uk

International Applicants: intadmissions@bolton.ac.uk

Postgraduate Research Applicants: research-admin@bolton.ac.uk

Please visit our transparency information page for information on the number of applicants, offers, acceptances, and registrations on our 2020-21 entrants.

 

How to apply

Home Admissions and Entry requirements

The University of Bolton accepts applications from students from all backgrounds. We assess every applicant on their own merit following the Student Admissions Policy and the criteria outlined for each specific course.

For most undergraduate courses, we accept UCAS points from subjects such as General Studies and Critical Thinking at A2-level/AS level. We also accept up to 16 points from Key Skills at levels 3 and 4, the Free-Standing Mathematics qualifications or Higher Sports Leaders Awards. You can also combine points from different qualifications if they’re not in the same subject.

For many courses, you’ll also need to have five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, or equivalent. These may include specific subjects such as English and Maths.

For some courses, you’ll need to attend an interview, audition or other assessments. We may ask you to provide samples of your work. Before enrolling on a professional course, you may also need to meet some non-academic entry requirements, such as occupational health assessments.

Full details of our admissions policy may be found here.

You can find full details of all the entry requirements and how to apply on the specific course page by searching the Course Finder.

References and Statements

Alongside meeting all the entry requirements for a course, you must also have academic references and a personal statement.

References are a critical part of the application process and need to include the following information:

  • Attendance and punctuality
  • Academic performance
  • Time management skills
  • Information about any extra-curricular activities

Meanwhile, your personal statement is your chance to explain why you’d be a great student and a good match for the course you’ve chosen. We assess your statement alongside your academic achievements to help us decide whether to accept you onto the course. Your personal statement should outline:

  • Why you want to do the course
  • Where you think the course will take you
  • Information about any paid or unpaid work experience
  • Your interests and hobbies

Full-time Undergraduate

For most Undergraduate full-time courses starting in September, the application process will depend on whether you wish to apply to more than one institution or multiple courses offered at Bolton, or if you are only interested in a single course offered by our University.

If you wish to apply for multiple institutions or more than one course at Bolton for September entry, you’ll need to apply via UCAS. When making your choices, you’ll require the following information:

  • Institution Code Name: BOLTN
  • Institution Code Number: B44

If you wish to apply for a single course offered by the University of Bolton for any intake, you can apply directly through the University’s online application form (see exceptions below). This includes September, January, April and May start dates.

To submit an application, find the course you’re looking for using the course finder, then select the ‘Apply Now’ button and follow the instructions.

Full-time Undergraduate Exceptions to Direct Application

For the following professional courses, you must apply via UCAS for September start:

If you wish to apply to start one of these courses in January, you may either apply through UCAS or apply directly (if you do not have a UCAS application).

Pre-degree, Part-time, Postgraduate taught and professional development programmes

All non-UCAS applications must be submitted directly through the University of Bolton website using our online application form.

To submit an application, find the course you’re looking for using the course finder, then select the ‘Apply Now’ button and follow the instructions.

Postgraduate research

If you’re looking to undertake a Postgraduate research degree at the University of Bolton, we encourage you to contact the relevant Research Coordinator for your area of academic interest.

For further information, please visit our dedicated Research and Graduate web pages.

International & EU Pre-degree, Undergraduate and Postgraduate taught

We encourage applications from international students who wish to study at the University of Bolton. There is a reason why our students have voted us number 1 for student satisfaction in Greater Manchester (Complete University Guide 2020).

When it comes to the application process for international students, we try to make it as easy as possible.

The individual application process will all depend on the course you’re looking to study and your current location. The ways to apply are:

  • Direct to the University. Links for the next available intakes of these courses are shown on the course pages. Please click the link, which will direct you to the online application form. Please read our user guide before completing this
  • Via one of our approved in-country referral partners. A list of our partners may be found on our International website pages
  • Apply via UCAS for courses starting in September via https://www.ucas.com/

If you have any queries please contact the International Team on +44 (0)1204 903 110 or international@bolton.ac.uk.

Postgraduate research

For international students looking to undertake a University of Bolton Postgraduate research degree, it’s advised that you contact the relevant Research Coordinator for the academic area. You can get in touch with us on +44 (0)1204 903 394 or Admissions@bolton.ac.uk.

Important Information

You can find the University of Bolton’s Admissions Policy in the Student Policy Zone.

Within this policy, you’ll find lots of important information about our admissions principles and our decision-making process, such as:

  • How we assess applications
  • Entry requirements
  • How we’ll communicate with you
  • Your responsibilities during the process

Before applying to the University of Bolton, we advise that you read through all of this information.

 

 

Offering you a place to study with the University means we are preparing to make a contract with you. This contract will be updated at various stages throughout the admissions process and during your time as a student.

The information in your offer, enrolment letters and key documents form an essential part of the contract. Therefore, it’s important that you read and understand them before accepting the offer and enrolling with us.

You can find the Terms & Conditions of Enrolment and Course Fees Policy in the Student Policy Zone.

 

If you are unhappy with the way your application has been handled, or if you want to request a review of the decision made on your application, you should make a request in writing by email or letter to the relevant Admissions Team:

Home Undergraduate Applicants: ugadmissions@bolton.ac.uk

Home Postgraduate and CPD Applicants: pgadmissions@bolton.ac.uk

International Applicants: intadmissions@bolton.ac.uk

Postgraduate Research Applicants: research-admin@bolton.ac.uk

Following this, if you are still unhappy, the next step is to consult the Complaints and Appeals Process for Applicants, which can be found in the Student Policy Zone.

After you’ve enrolled with the University, you have 14 days to cancel your enrolment if you are unhappy with your decision. Please see the Course Fees Policy on the Student Policy Zone for more details on this.

If you’re considering cancelling your enrolment, we encourage you to discuss it with your personal tutor or a student advisor. Following this, if you still wish to cancel your enrolment, you’ll find the Enrolment Cancellation Form in the Student Policy Zone.

 

You can find all other policies relating to your studies at the University of Bolton, including our attendance policy, the library code of conduct and exam procedures in the Student Policy Zone.

Below, we’ve highlighted all the key dates for applicants looking to start at the University of Bolton in 2022.

UCAS APPLICATION OPENS - Tuesday 7 September 2021

UCAS APPLICATION DEADLINE - Wednesday 26 January 2022
(Except those with a 15 October deadline)

If you’ve applied for a full-time Undergraduate Exception to Direct Application course, your application will be given equal consideration with others if it‘s submitted before 18:00 (UK time) on 26 January.

UCAS EXTRA OPENS - Tuesday 25 February 2022

UCAS Extra gives you the chance to apply for an extra course if you are not holding any offers elsewhere.

OFFER REPLY DATE (DECLINE BY DEFAULT) - Thursday 9 June 2022

If you receive all your decisions by 19 May, you will need to reply to your offers by 9 June, or they’ll be declined (unless you are using Extra to find a place).

FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE - Thursday 30 June 2022

This is the last date for the receipt of applications at UCAS (18:00 UK time). All applications received after this date will be automatically entered into Clearing.

UCAS EXTRA CLOSES – Monday 4 July 2022

This is the last date for existing applicants to apply through UCAS Extra.

2022 ENTRY CLEARING OPENS – Tuesday 5 July 2022

Clearing vacancies will open for application.

OFFER REPLY DATE (DECLINE BY DEFAULT) - Thursday 14 July 2022

If you receive all your decisions by 14 July, you will need to reply to your offers by 21 July (including Extra), or they will be declined.

A-LEVEL RESULTS DAY - Thursday 18 August 2022

If you have achieved your predicted A-Level grades, then your place on the course will be confirmed. The University’s Clearing services will open if there are places available.

UNIVERSITY SEMESTER ONE START DATE - Monday 19 September 2022

Congratulations and welcome to the University of Bolton. Following a week of welcome and enrolment events, you’ll be ready to begin your journey with us.

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Help Centre

We have the answers to your questions, find all the advice and support in one place.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Bolton college
Alliance learning
Anderton centre2
QQA Scheme Participant