Applications Guide

Flexible and friendly

Harper Adams operates a flexible admissions policy. All applicants will be treated on their merit and admissions tutors will do all they can to assist candidates who have satisfied the minimum requirements to enter their chosen course. Particular subject requirements and grades are only specified where these are mandatory prerequisites to the study of a specific undergraduate course. These are detailed below and on the course pages. Further information can also be found in the course section of the UCAS website.

• Choosing the right course


• What is the minimum age for studying at Harper Adams?


• What are the entry requirements?


• Do the courses require or provide practical work experience?


• Selection and interview process


• Conditional and unconditional offers


• Do I need to apply through UCAS?


• Can I apply direct to Harper Adams?


• When should I apply?


• Applicants from outside the UK


• Can I defer entry?


• Higher Education CARD


• Contact information

Choosing the right course

It is often difficult for candidates to know which course to pursue, particularly with such a wide choice available, which is why we offer you as much help and advice as necessary.

All potentially suitable applicants will be required to attend an interview and this will give you an opportunity to discuss the course you have applied for and possible alternatives. You can also be reassured that our modular course structure is very flexible and there is provision for transfer between courses should you find your career aspirations change (this may not always be guaranteed). Particular help and advice is available for Year 11 and sixth form students at the Higher Education Choices (HEC) Conference in July.

In addition we hold a number of Open Days each year.

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Minimum age

To study on a degree or foundation degree course at Harper Adams you must normally be 17 by the start date of the course in the year of your entry. Students must abide by regulations set out by the University College for students under 18 years of age.

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Entry requirements

To be considered for entry you must normally satisfy the general entry requirements which are stated for all courses and those which are specific for your chosen course(s).

In general, we do not prescribe particular subjects that must be passed prior to entry, as we have found that ability, motivation and achievement are best developed if candidates study subjects which interest them. However, in some areas, specific knowledge of a subject is required and this will form part of any offer conditions.

Mature candidates without formal academic qualifications may be admitted provided that, in the opinion of the admissions tutor, they can benefit from the course and have the ability to attain the necessary standard for success.

For all degree and foundation degree courses, all applicants should meet the minimum entry requirement of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths, English Language and Science. In addition to this, applicants must also be in possession of, or studying towards, an acceptable level 3 qualification, such as A levels. Details of accepted qualifications and grades can be found on our course pages, or within the relevant UCAS Entry Profiles. If a qualification which you are studying is not listed, please contact our Admissions Office for advice.

For the Extended Foundation Degree Programme, applicants should normally possess 9 GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths, English Language and Science.

For all our course areas, we do not normally accept Key Skills (or other level 2 variants) in place of the required GCSEs.

English Language Requirements for Overseas Candidates

For both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, we accept IELTS, TOEFL iBT and the new Pearson PTE exam as proof of English language ability.

The following scores represent the English language level accepted by Harper Adams University College:

Language test	Minimum grade/score required
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)	6.5	'Competent User'
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)	575	Paper-based test
	232	Computer-based test
	90-91	Internet based test
Pearson PTE	58-64

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Practical work experience

Harper Adams is unique in the UK in that all of its Degree and Foundation Degree courses include a year of work experience on a placement basis. However, you may be exempt from the placement year if you already have substantial work experience of two or more years. Because of the applied nature of courses, we request evidence of your appropriate experience.

For certain courses, such as veterinary nursing and agriculture, a minimum amount of prior practical experience is normally required before entry. Others require a minimum amount of work experience before the start of the placement year. Your experience will be assessed in the admissions process. Some students may be advised to undertake further work experience either prior to entry or during vacations while on the course; others may be advised to complete a pre-college year of experience. Practical experience, where required, will need to be proved by the completion of a vocational log. The deadline for any experience will be clearly stated in your offer and it is important that this is adhered to.

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Selection and interview

Your application is normally received by our Admissions office within a week of you submitting it to UCAS. You will receive a letter from the University College confirming receipt. Your application will then be considered by the Admissions Officer, who will look carefully at the information you have given about yourself, and your referee's report, as well as your academic record and any exams you are due to take. Your application may also be seen by the Course Manager at this stage.

All potentially suitable applicants who live in Britain will be invited for interview before being offered a place. We aim to keep interview days as relaxed as possible and give you (and your guests if they would like to accompany you) an opportunity to learn more about us, see our facilities and meet current students. Your interview will be used as part of the selection process, and details of what to expect will be included in your invitation letter. You will also be able to discuss course content and other aspects of your chosen subject area with academic staff and benefit from their advice. Please note that all applicants for Veterinary Nursing (regardless of their home location) are required to have an interview prior to an offer being made.

We aim to give at least two weeks notice of your interview date, although at busy times we may offer you a cancellation first. If you cannot attend on that date please let us know as a matter of urgency so we can try to arrange a suitable alternative date.

While we appreciate that travelling to interviews at various universities can be expensive and time consuming, we believe it is essential for you to find out as much as possible about Harper Adams before deciding where to spend these important years of your life.

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Conditional and unconditional offers

After the interview, the Course Manager will decide whether to make you an offer and whether to attach any academic or work experience conditions.

If an offer is made and you have exams pending you can expect to receive a conditional offer specifying grades or point scores. Your offer may also include a work experience element. Please ensure that you are fully aware of all your offer conditions and adhere to any deadlines that maybe attached.

If you have already satisfied the minimum entrance requirements, and are otherwise suitable, you will receive an unconditional offer.

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Applying through UCAS

For admissions to first Degree, Extended Foundation Degree Programme and Foundation Degree courses you must apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The UCAS handbook and details on applying should be obtained from your school or college. If you have left school/college or are a mature entrant, you should visit their website (www.ucas.com) for information on applying.

Both the UCAS Handbook and the 'Apply' pages of the UCAS website give detailed guidance on completing your application so please read it carefully. It is important to ensure that all sections of the application are completed, paying particular attention to the qualifications (both complete and incomplete) personal statement and reference sections. Any missing information will lead to a delay in your application being processed.

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Applying direct to Harper Adams

Applicants for Postgraduate courses should apply direct on a Harper Adams application form. This can be requested from the Taught Postgraduate Administrator (see the relevant course pages).

Applicants for Professional Short Courses should contact shortcourses@harper-adams.ac.uk (see the relevant course pages for further information.)

For further information on applications for Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy by research please contact the Research Administrator.

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When to apply

Your application should normally reach UCAS between September 1st and January 15th for entrance in the following September. UCAS specifies January 15th as the ‘on-time’ deadline for applications. However, late applications are accepted and processed by UCAS throughout the remainder of the application year.

UCAS advise that late applications are only considered by institutions at their discretion, so we strongly recommend that you submit your application prior to the 15th January deadline. However, we guarantee to consider applicants for all courses, irrespective of the timing of the application, provided places are still available.

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Applicants from outside the UK

All applicants for undergraduate courses who are resident outside the UK should apply through UCAS. Further information can be found at: www.ucas.ac.uk/students/wheretostart/nonukstudents/

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Deferred entry

Applications from candidates who have chosen not to enter higher education direct from school/college, particularly if they are gaining further practical work experience, are welcome.

We believe that a year between school and college can be beneficial in enhancing a student's maturity and motivation. Those contemplating a year out can apply in the normal way in their final year at school/college. If you subsequently decide that you wish to start earlier, please contact the Admissions Officer as soon as possible. If you are undecided on the route you wish to take whilst still at school/college, you will also be able to apply to us during your gap year.

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Higher Education CARD

If you are one of the students from the West Midlands who is working towards HE CARD, then make sure you indicate this on your UCAS form. You should put HE CARD in two places:

• Under the Education section - click on 'Add a Qualification', select Other and Other again. Under 'Subject' put 'HE CARD', and in the Date field put June and current year, for 'Awarding Body' put a dash and leave 'Results' blank. Enter the name of your school or college and its centre number, and then click on 'Finish' to add this qualification.
• Personal Statement - write here about the skills and qualities you have developed as a result of participating in the HE CARD programme and the way in which the scheme has helped you prepare for Higher Education and Harper Adams in particular. These will also be discussed when you have your interview, so make sure you are prepared.

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Contact information

For further information please contact:

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