Eligibility and entry requirements

Our courses are designed specifically for mature learners who have been out of education for some time and haven’t previously accessed higher education. The requirements for entry are different from those for students wishing to enter directly onto a degree programme elsewhere in the University.

Lifelong learning student
On

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to apply, you should:

  • have been out of formal full-time Level 3 education (usually A Levels or Access courses) for more than two years  
  • have potential to succeed on your chosen course, evidenced by a combination of work, life and prior educational experience
  • have an understanding and commitment to the subject-area of your chosen course
  • be prepared for the demands that undergraduate degree level study will place upon you
  • be 21 or over (see below for advice for younger applicants)

If you match all of these criteria, please check our entry requirements.

Foundation year entry requirements

You must demonstrate that you meet the University of Sheffield’s minimum academic entry requirements for English language (normally demonstrated by GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent).

If you are a non-native English speaker you can demonstrate proficiency through IELTS 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.

Applicants who are Forced Migrants and whose level of English falls below these requirements may be eligible for our Forced Migrant English Language Support Programme.

A minimum GCSE grade D/3 in mathematics (or equivalent) may also be required. A GCSE grade C/4 may be required for some science programmes. 

You will be asked to complete literacy and numeracy assessments as part of the selection process. The outcome of these tests will be used in admissions decisions.

In addition, applicants should be able to demonstrate evidence of:

  • potential to succeed on their chosen degree programme, evidenced by a combination of work, life and prior educational experience
  • understanding and commitment to the subject-area of their chosen degree programme
  • preparedness for the demands that undergraduate degree level study will place upon them

Course-specific requirements

If you are applying for BMus Music with Foundation Year, you will be given a short test at interview, to document your musical skills and experiences and demonstrate a basic understanding of rudimentary musical notation and theory.

The BMedSci Orthoptics with Foundation Year course page includes additional specific entry requirements.

The BMedSci Nursing (Adult) with Foundation Year course page includes additional specific entry requirements.

If you are applying to either BMedSci Nursing (Adult) with Foundation Year, BMedSci Orthoptics with Foundation Year or BMedSci Speech and Language Therapy with Foundation Year, you are required to undergo a DBS check prior to entering level 1.

Additional information

Younger applicants

If you are a 'non-mature applicant' you will only be considered if:

  • you have not been in recent, full-time, post-16 education
  • you have experienced extenuating circumstances which have had a demonstrable impact on level 3 achievements

You will also be required to demonstrate that you have a combination of work/life experience which will help you to succeed on your chosen course.

Additional supporting information should be provided in accordance with the terms and conditions of the University’s Disrupted Studies policy and be supported by third-party evidence (like a medical note).

We are not normally able to consider routine disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic (eg school closures or exam cancellations that have affected students nationally) as extenuating circumstances.

Applicants with previous higher education experience

Applicants who have previously studied at HE level are strongly advised to contact Student Finance England before applying, to check eligibility for funding.

Related information