International Pathways Centre Admissions Policy 2021-22

As the International Pathways Centre is not included in the UCAS scheme, applicants must apply directly via the Online Application form, which belongs to the University of Leeds. Guidance on making an application and a link to the form can be found on the International Foundation Year website.

The application process incorporates the facility to make conditional offers to students who have not yet received their final examination results or who may not yet have taken their final examinations. We encourage applicants to apply early, and to include information about the qualifications and exams they are yet to take. A conditional offer will secure a place for the student, as long as they meet the conditions of the offer by the appropriate deadline.

The International Pathways Centre has one intake per year in September. Applications for entry to the programme in September 2021 will open in November 2020, and close on 31st July. Applications made after the initial closing date may be considered. However, it is recommended that applicants contact the International Pathways Centre prior to making an application.

Students are encouraged to apply well in advance of the 31 July deadline, in order to allow sufficient time for them to receive an offer and then be able to make the necessary arrangements for study on the programme. Examples of arrangements may include: applying for a visa, making travel plans, and arranging accommodation.

After an online application is received, an email acknowledgement is sent automatically to the applicant to acknowledge safe receipt. This should include the application number (or Leeds ID number) that is assigned to the applicant.

The applicant can track the status of the application using the login name and pin number created when the application was initially submitted online. During the online application process, the applicant can upload copies of the results transcripts for any examinations for which the results are already known, including any English language qualifications. Until these are received it is not possible to process the application. A decision is made and communicated to the applicant (see the Decisions and Communications with Applicants section below). 

The University recognises someone’s age (if under 18) or safeguarding position may need to be taken into account. For full details please see the University Safeguarding Policy (PDF).

The University of Leeds is unable to sponsor a visa application for any student who will be under the age of 16 years old on commencement of the course.

The University has a policy statement on students with criminal records (PDF). This policy includes applicants seeking admission. It should be noted that if an applicant or offer-holder is required to disclose a criminal offence and fails to do so this will generally be considered a very serious matter and is likely to lead to their application being rejected, their offer being withdrawn or, if they have registered as a student, their registration at the University being revoked. Having a prior criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from joining the University; this may depend, for example, on the nature, timing and relevance of the criminal offence in question. The University may request further information about the nature or context of an applicant or offer-holder’s criminal record.

The University will ask applicants to declare a relevant unspent criminal conviction as part of the process of accepting an offer which is made. Read information about why this information is requested, and the process for disclosing a relevant unspent criminal conviction, on our Declaring criminal convictions page.

Where indicated in the prospectus or on the University’s website, specific courses may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults, and applicants may be required to undertake, with satisfactory results, certain checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service. The University will send further instructions as part of the admissions process where this is the case.

Applicants leading to Nursing or Healthcare degree courses may be required to prepare a DBS check or ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ as part of the conditions for entry to the course.

The International Pathways Centre is obliged to refuse admission to applicants for certain courses which are regulated by national or statutory bodies where enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks reveal prior criminal behaviour giving rise to concern for the protection of the public.

The International Pathways Centre will accept applications from applicants who have re-submitted applications and/or have re-taken examinations prior to entering the University.

Applicants who wish to reapply should contact the International Pathways Centre prior to making an application. Any decision on the eligibility of applicants who have previously held an offer of a place but failed to achieve the academic conditions at first attempt is an academic judgement. Such candidates should be aware that no guarantee can be given that another offer will be made, and that the conditions of any future offer may differ to those of the original.

Applicants must typically meet the conditions set by the University by 31 August of the application year unless otherwise stated in the prescribed course or professional body requirements, even if the offer is deferred for entry to the following application year.

The International Pathways Centre may not be able to confirm a place in the upcoming academic cycle following an improved final grade after a re-mark. However, applicants may be offered a deferred place or asked to reapply.

Where a deferred applicant does not meet the conditions of their offer by 31 August 2021, they may not have their place confirmed.

The International Pathways Centre will consider applications for deferred entry and encourages such applicants to make use of the personal statement section of the application form to explain their reasons for requesting deferral.

Applicants may normally apply for deferred entry for one academic year only. If an applicant wishes to defer again, they must reapply and contact the International Pathways Centre team. English language qualifications must also be valid at the revised start date.

Decisions will not be made on deferred offers until the new admissions cycle begins in the following November. The International Pathways Centre is unable to issue any formal offer letter before this time.

Applicants who wish to defer following the submission of their application must do so by 1 April 2022.

The University of Leeds International Pathways Centre ensures that the selection process provides equal consideration for applicants who apply by the relevant closing date. All selection decisions are made on the basis of merit and the ability of each applicant to meet the academic and non-academic criteria for admission to the relevant programme of study. Applications will be considered holistically and contextual factors, such as educational background, may be considered in this process.

The University of Leeds International Pathways Centre programmes are intended for those international students who have completed high school outside of the UK and have the potential and motivation to succeed. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between the broad high school education offered internationally and the specialist sixth form education offered in the United Kingdom, bringing students to the level required for first year entry of an undergraduate programme.

To be eligible, students on the International Foundation Year programme delivered by the International Pathways Centre must meet two of the following three criteria: 

• Have an educational gap between their high school qualifications and the requirements for entry to undergraduate programmes at the University of Leeds. Qualifications beyond high school level will be considered within the applicant profile
• Have completed the majority of their high school studies in a non-English speaking environment
• Have completed the majority of their high school studies in a different educational context from that in the UK.

The International Pathways Centre ensures that the selection process provides equal consideration for applicants who apply by the relevant closing date. All selection decisions are made on the basis of merit and the ability of each applicant to meet the academic and non-academic criteria for admission to the relevant programme of study.

The International Pathways Centre will treat all applicants fairly and not discriminate unlawfully on grounds of their age; disability; sex; gender reassignment; pregnancy or maternity status; race; religion or belief; or sexual orientation.

The University operates a Dignity and Mutual Respect policy (PDF), which all staff, students and third parties, including prospective students, are expected to abide by. The University reserves the right to withdraw an application if behaviours are deemed to have contravened this policy. This policy can be found within the Equality and Inclusion Unit’s webpages.

The personal statement of the application form helps us to assess the nature of the applicant’s interest in the academic subject and is an important part of the selection process. It is essential that applicants take this opportunity to demonstrate their enthusiasm and aptitude for the academic subject.

An applicant will be assessed based on the strength of their statement relative to others in their cohort, and/or based on criteria set by the academic school. All courses that require a personal statement assessment are listed below: 

• Cultural and Media Studies  
• Digital Media  
• Journalism  
• Communication and Media  
• Film, Photography and Media

Students applying for Design courses will be assessed based on the strength of their portfolio, and/or based on criteria set by the academic school.

Students applying for Music courses require ABRSM instrument Grade 8 merit or Grade 7 distinction, and ABRSM Theory Grade 5 merit. An audition video may also be required to demonstrate suitability for the programme.

Mature students

Mature students who will be over 21 at the point of entry should apply using the standard application process. They may also be required to take part in an interview or audition and/or provide a piece of assessed written or practical work.

Interviews do not form part of our standard admissions process. However, in some cases, an applicant may be invited for an interview if it will help inform whether or not an offer should be made. Additional information such as a personal statement and/or references may also be sought to inform the decision making process. In such cases, Skype interviews are normally arranged to seek further evidence by discussion with the applicant that they have:

• the potential to succeed
• interest and ability in their intended undergraduate degree programme
• appropriate levels of motivation and commitment
• relevant future goals and aspirations
• the ability to cope with the pace of the course.  

Although interviews are carried out through video call, some applicants (for example, disabled applicants) will require adjustments at interview (for example, a sign-language interpreter) to provide them with full and equal access to the process.

The International Pathways Centre is responsible for making reasonable adjustments where possible. Email the University’s Disability Services team at disability@leeds.ac.uk for further advice or information regarding disability-related adjustments or email the Equality and Inclusion Unit at equality@leeds.ac.uk for advice on other adjustments.

Please refer to the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy for information on how decisions will be communicated by the University. 

A decision is normally made and communicated to the applicant within 14 days of receiving all the application documents although an attempt is made to achieve this within 1-2 working days where possible. 

Unsuccessful applicants who wish to request feedback on the reason for the outcome of their application should do so in line with the Feedback section of the above policy, using the relevant email address contact in the Useful contacts and resources section below. Generally, where applicants request feedback on why they have not been admitted, feedback will be given.  

As per the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, applicants who have sought feedback and wish to challenge the decision made on their application should contact the International Pathways Centre Education Service Manager, whose details can be found in the Useful contacts and resources section below.