Postgraduate research admissions policy 2021-2022

The University of Leeds is a research-intensive institution, which creates, advances and disseminates knowledge. Our aim is to develop outstanding graduates and scholars who can make a major impact upon global society.  

The University is shaped by the values of academic excellence, community, professionalism, integrity and inclusiveness. The setting of admissions requirements plays a key role in maintaining academic excellence and inclusivity throughout the process of admission. Our policies and practice are driven by the belief that the life of the University is enriched by having a body of students and researchers which reflects the community at large and includes postgraduate researchers from all parts of the UK and overseas. 

The University of Leeds is committed to providing a professional admissions service through implementation of clear and transparent policies and procedures. The University aims to provide fair and equitable access to all prospective postgraduate researchers who have the potential to benefit from and contribute to academic life at a research-intensive university. In order to do so, the University recognises that it may need to demonstrate a flexible approach and, where appropriate, make adjustments for individual applicants.  

The University is committed to providing accurate and clear communication of information that will support applicants to make an informed decision about their research degree programme. The University requires academic Schools to publish guideline entry requirements for all research degree programmes in relevant communications. All offer letters must also include full details of any conditions an applicant must meet in order to be confirmed onto a programme. Additionally, the University requires academic Schools to publish local level admissions policies, which support this main University policy and provide applicants with more detailed information about course-specific selection criteria and processes. This is set out in the Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures.

In order to ensure consistency and fairness, the general principles and procedures set out in this policy are followed by all academic Schools.  

The University’s admissions policies are consistent with the Quality Assurance Agency’s Code on Admissions, Recruitment and Widening Access and comply with current equality laws affecting the admission of students and Chapter B11, Research Degrees of the Quality Assurance Agency’s Quality Code. The admissions process is covered by the University’s Equality and Inclusion Framework (Word doc), which is available from the University's Equality and Inclusion Unit. 

This policy is reviewed annually by the University’s Postgraduate Research Recruitment Group and, where appropriate, policies and procedures for the admission of postgraduate researchers to research degree programmes may be revised in line with changes to the internal and external admissions environment. For example, the University continually develops its widening access strategy and processes in line with Office for Students (OfS) guidance and the University’s value of inclusiveness. 

The admissions policy and practice of academic Schools, as set out in the Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures, is reviewed annually by Faculty Graduate School committees on the basis of guidance provided by Graduate Board.  

Any amendments made after the point of publication will be summarised in the Version Control section.

Admissions policies at the University of Leeds are overseen by the University’s Postgraduate Research Recruitment Group. The Group’s terms of reference can be found on the University's Student Education Service website. 

Admissions decisions at the University of Leeds are ultimately made by academic Schools and/or faculties in order to admit applicants who have the potential to succeed on course.  

The Doctoral College is part of the Student Education Service (SES), provided by professional services staff, and is responsible for managing the admissions procedures in line with the University’s admissions policies, providing support, training and advice to its staff, enquirers and applicants.  

All members of academic and professional services staff with responsibility for the admissions process are given appropriate guidance in order to fulfil their roles competently and in line with this policy. Structured guidance is given in the light of any national or institutional changes to admissions policy or procedures and ongoing counsel is provided to all admissions staff in the Doctoral College and Student Education Service. 

Directors of Postgraduate Research Studies work collaboratively with admissions and marketing colleagues in delivering the academic elements of the recruitment strategy and Faculty/School’s offer-making strategy. This is facilitated, in part, through Graduate School Committees, where responsibility for the review and implementation of faculty/school admissions policies is ultimately held. 

The University operates a Dignity and Mutual Respect Policy (PDF), which all staff, postgraduate researchers, and third parties, including applicants, are expected to abide by. The University reserves the right to withdraw an application if behaviours are deemed to have contravened this policy. 

By submitting an application to the University of Leeds, applicants are confirming that the information given is true, complete and accurate. Applicants should not omit any requested or relevant information, make any misrepresentation (for example, through plagiarism) or give false or misleading information or documents at any point of the application process including after an offer is made. Should this occur the University reserves the right to dismiss a current or future application, withdraw an offer of a place and/or revoke registration.  

The University may subscribe to a system that processes research proposals received in support of an application in order to identify proposals that show similarity. Where potentially plagiarised material is identified by these systems the University will review the case and decide whether the applicant is permitted to submit a new research proposal in support of their application. In cases where this opportunity is not granted (or is not taken up by the applicant), the University reserves the right to reject or withdraw the application. 

The University is committed to developing a diverse student and postgraduate researcher community and our admissions processes are implemented in line with University policy and strategy. Academic and non-academic entrance requirements are reviewed annually in line with the University’s aim to provide fair and equitable access to all applicants who have the potential to benefit from and contribute to a quality education on their degree programme, regardless of background.  

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class bachelors honours degree in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher: for example, several faculties also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the entry requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the Graduate School prior to making an application. 

Applicants who are uncertain about the entry requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the Graduate School prior to making an application.   

Exceptions to this general entry requirement may be made when applicants hold other relevant qualifications and/or experience, which may be deemed to be acceptable as equivalent to or in lieu of a degree.  

Unless otherwise stated in the prescribed programme such applicants will normally be required to satisfy the relevant committee that their educational attainments and experience qualify them to undertake an approved course of supervised research and research training at the appropriate level.

Supervision, assessment and support will take place in English, unless otherwise stated. Schools must be confident that applicants have the proficiency in English language necessary to succeed on their chosen research degree programme and that, where relevant, they meet the UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) minimum requirements to obtain a Student visa. 

The University requires that all applicants to courses at degree-level and above meet our minimum requirements for English, however many courses will have requirements which are higher than this minimum in order to ensure applicants are appropriately prepared for their chosen programme of study. Acceptable English qualifications and the University’s minimum requirements for these can be found under Accepted Language Qualifications in our Entry Requirements. Applicants can view School-specific English requirements as part of the Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures. 

Applicants who wish to pursue a research degree candidature under split-site arrangements are required to provide evidence that they have attained a band score of 6.5 in IELTS with no component below 6.0.   

Applicants who do not meet the relevant English requirements at the point of application may be made an offer which is conditional on successful completion of one of the approved tests accepted by the University of Leeds pre-sessional English language courses run by the Language Centre. 

Where an applicant has already satisfied the English language requirements but subsequently provides further evidence that falls below the University’s or the UKVI’s requirements, the offer must be revised as detailed below:

• An unconditional offer, made on the understanding that English language proficiency was met, will be changed to conditional upon evidence that the currently achieved level is lower than the UKVI minimum of CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) Level B2. For example, an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test with an overall score of 6.5 taken in 2019 would be overridden by an IELTS test with an overall score of 5.0 taken in 2020, making the offer conditional on English.  
• Where an applicant would be exempt from providing additional English language evidence from an older qualification but provides a more recent qualification that shows a level which is below CEFR B2, any offer made will be conditional on meeting the English language requirements for the course. For example, an Indian XII or a Bachelor degree from Nigeria taken in 2011 would be overridden by an IELTS test with an overall score of 5.0 taken in 2017.
• Where more recent evidence is provided which does not meet the English entry requirements for the course, but exceeds the UKVI minimum of CEFR Level B2, it is at the discretion of the academic School whether an English condition should be made.

Some courses will require additional checks to be undertaken in order for an applicant to gain admittance. These will be detailed in the relevant School’s admissions policy, however some of the most common checks are highlighted below. 

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Fitness to Practice 

In order to comply with the requirements of relevant professional bodies, applicants to certain vocational or professional courses may be required to pass checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and/or to demonstrate medical fitness to train prior to being admitted. Applicants will be advised if these or any other conditions apply when they are made an offer of a place 

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) 

Applicants who require immigration permission to study in the UK may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate in order to undertake postgraduate study in certain subject areas. Those who require ATAS clearance must obtain the ATAS certificate before applying for the Student visa. A statement will be produced by the Graduate School in support of an application for ATAS clearance. It is the applicant's responsibility to apply for ATAS clearance. Find out more about ATAS.  

Various academic documents must be submitted as part of a research degree application. At the application stage copies of certificates are accepted. Original or certified copies of the documents submitted with an application must be produced at the point of registration. International applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK should be aware that the Home Office may request to see original copies of academic documents at the point of entry to the UK. Applicants must not send original certificates. 

Higher education and professional qualifications 

In order to qualify for admission to a programme of study leading to a research degree, all applicants must demonstrate that they have the qualifications and/or experience required through meeting the normal minimum entry requirements for the research degree concerned. 

Evidence of all previous degrees taken by the applicant must be submitted with the application form. 

If an applicant has already completed professional qualifications or previous degrees, a copy of the final degree certificate should be submitted with the application. Transcripts of an applicant’s academic record, which provide full details of the degree class and grades obtained in each unit/module, are also required.  

If these documents are not in English they must be accompanied by a formal certified translation into English, provided by the awarding institution, by a University of Leeds accredited agent and office, or by an official translator. This should be signed and dated, including their credentials, company details and confirmation that the translation is accurate. 

Applicants awaiting the outcome of another degree programme must provide an interim transcript. Any offer made will be subject to the successful completion of the programme. In certain circumstances, normally where an applicant wishes to start a new research degree or makes an application to transfer to Leeds with a supervisor, they may be required to provide evidence that they have withdrawn from a particular programme of study.   

Candidates for research degrees are not permitted to register concurrently at the University of Leeds and another Higher Education Institution. Applicants currently studying for a research degree at another institution will be required to provide evidence that they have withdrawn from that programme of study. 

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and Student visa 

Applicants who require a Student Visa and have previously studied in the UK will need to provide documentary evidence detailing any periods of study on a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa in order for the University to be able to carry out checks to ensure compliance with the UKVI’s Points Based System.  

Applicants are encouraged to include documents such as previous CAS, copies of passport pages containing visas or copies of Biometric Residence Permits with their application. Any information that is not included in the application will be requested when the application is considered, or we may need to ask the permission of the applicant to check their UK immigration history directly with the UKVI. 

English qualifications 

Proof of English language proficiency is required as part of the application to the University. Copies of the results of any acceptable, formal English tests, which evidence that an applicant has met the requirements for their chosen course, should be submitted with the application.  

Without this evidence, any offer made will be conditional on meeting the minimum English requirements. Any offer made that is conditional on an English requirement will be subject to provision of documentary evidence that the required standard has been met 

Professional qualifications are not accepted as evidence of English language competence. 

English language requirements 

We accept the following as evidence of English language proficiency: 

1. The successful completion of one of the approved English language tests, such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS). It must have been awarded no more than two years before the proposed start date of study.   
2. Successful completion of the University’s pre-sessional English Language courses. (Applicants need to have obtained a lower level SELT first in order to gain entry to a pre-sessional course) 
3. A masters or undergraduate degree awarded from a UK Higher Education Institute. The duration of the masters degree must be at least 12 months of full-time and continuous study. The degree must have been awarded less than two years from the proposed start date. The duration of the undergraduate degree must be at least two academic sessions. This would include a 2+2 arrangement that faculties have in place for specific programmes.   

If an applicant has already satisfied the English language requirements and subsequently provides further evidence that falls below the University’s or the UKVI's entry requirements, the offer must be revised to reflect the most recent SELT and could result in an offer being amended from unconditional to conditional. 

English language exemption 

If an applicant provides evidence that they do not meet the English language requirements for their programme but meet the University of Leeds minimum English language requirement for research degree study, the relevant School has the discretion to accept the applicant without the need for further English language evidence. 

References

Contact details of two referees should be provided as part of the application. Schools may request references from academic referees as a crucial element of the selection process.  

Nominated referees must not be related to an applicant and should be qualified to comment in detail on the applicant’s capacity to cope with the academic demands of the programme for which they are applying.   

View guidance on references for research degree applications.

Research proposal 

Some research areas require applicants to submit a research proposal as part of the application process. Applicants should check with the relevant Graduate School before making an application. Information on writing a research proposal is available on the University website. 

For Masters by research programmes, a research proposal should be submitted and agreed as part of the application process, to ensure that the programme can be completed within the period of study (12 months full time and 24 months part time). 

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is a process undertaken by the University in order to assess and, as appropriate, recognise prior experiential learning or prior certificated learning for academic purposes. This recognition may give the learning a credit value and allow it to be counted towards the completion of a course of study. Credit Transfer is the process by which the University accepts credit arising from prior certificated learning, awarded by either itself or another institution, as contributing to an award of the University.  

Any decision on credit transfer or entry of postgraduate researchers with advanced standing is an academic decision taken within the relevant School at the point of admission onto a programme of study. Retrospective applications from postgraduate researchers part-way through a course will not normally be considered. Further details of the University’s policy can be found on our Accreditation of Prior Learning webpage. 

APL will be considered in respect of the taught components of research degree programmes only. Applications for consideration of prior learning will (normally) be made at the time of admission and considered by the relevant Faculty/School in accordance with the procedure set out in the programme of study specification. 

Graduate Board will be advised of any decisions taken in respect of APL for taught components. APL is not permitted, in any circumstances, against the research thesis or thesis preparation components. 

The University is committed to developing a socially and culturally diverse student and postgraduate researcher community and therefore encourages those from all backgrounds to apply for a research degree.  

International applicants requiring a visa are advised to submit applications as early as possible to ensure they have sufficient time to obtain their visa and prepare for arrival in the UK. An offer of a place is also needed for many of the scholarships available to international applicants, and scholarship closing dates can often be early in the year.  

If an applicant intends to apply for funding, an application should be submitted for a place at least two months before any specific scholarship deadline. 

Applicants to postgraduate research degrees must apply online, with the exception of applicants for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsychol), who must apply to the National Clearing House and not to the University.

The suitability and qualifications of all applicants are carefully considered in the light of the entry requirements for the particular research degree programme and other requirements of the University e.g. English language requirements.  

At least two members of academic staff must be involved in the consideration of each application which meets the University’s minimum entry requirements, including the relevant Director of Postgraduate Research Studies and the potential supervisor(s). Consideration of applications to some collaborative programmes with other universities may involve academic staff from partner institutions and at least one member of staff from the University.   

Pre-application enquiries (including eligibility) should be made with the relevant postgraduate research admissions team prior to making an application.  

Academic requirements for part-time study are identical to those for full-time study and the same principles of admission apply to part-time entry. 

Part-time study is not offered as an option for all research degree programmes and advice should be sought from the relevant Graduate School before making an application. 

Where the research degree programme is offered on a part-time basis, applicants will be considered only when the Graduate School is satisfied that the applicant will have access to the necessary facilities for their research on a part-time basis. 

Applicants may be subject to a fee assessment in order to determine the tuition fees they will be required to pay, and all postgraduate researchers are expected to have made arrangements to meet the tuition fee payment requirements before accepting their offer. For information about tuition fee payment options please visit our tuition fees payment schedule webpage.  

The offer of study does not imply that the University will provide financial assistance. The expectation is that applicants will make satisfactory arrangements for financial support before the start of study and for the full duration of the programme.  

Any evidence of secured funding, such as sponsorship, must be included as part of the supporting documents of the application.   

The University strives to broaden access to scholarships and other financial support in an effort to minimise the impact of any financial barriers to study. We offer comprehensive financial support to help with the costs of studying, which includes a range of scholarships and/or bursaries. Support from the University does not have to be repaid. 

Details of scholarship opportunities for postgraduate researchers can be found on the university’s research opportunities site.   

Eligible UK postgraduate researchers, whether full-time or part-time, are able to apply for a repayable government loan. A postgraduate doctoral loan can help with course fees and living costs while studying. Information on how to apply and the eligibility criteria are outlined on the government website at the previous link.  

Please see the University webpage for the most up to date information for EU applicants. 

The University requires additional information from applicants who require sponsorship for a Student visa and have studied previously in the UK on a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) Student visa. This information will be used to ascertain whether an applicant can be sponsored and, as these checks may be undertaken only after an offer is made, applicants should be aware that an offer of a place does not constitute confirmation of sponsorship. Where UKVI allows exceptions to its policy, the University reserves the right to make its own assessment on whether these are applied. 

Applicants who require a Student visa and have previously studied in the UK must provide evidence detailing any previous periods of study on a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa in order for the University to ensure compliance. Applicants should include documents including previous CASs/visas and /or copies of Biometric Residence Permits as part of their application. 

Any information that is not included in the application will be requested when the application is considered, or we may need to ask the permission of the applicant to check their UK immigration history directly with the UKVI. 

Applicants who require sponsorship to study in the UK should note that the University does not sponsor applicants for part-time courses as standard practice.  

The University recognises that someone’s age (if under 18) or safeguarding position may need to be considered. Please see the School’s policies for further information, as well as our Safeguarding Policy and our information for applicants. 

Parental/guardian consent forms must be submitted before a place can be confirmed. 

UKVI guidance states that, for a Student visa, students must be 16 or over. Accordingly, the University cannot assign a CAS for anyone under 16 and those reliant on a Student visa must be aged 16 or over in order to be considered for sponsorship.  

The University may ask applicants to declare a relevant unspent criminal conviction as part of the process of accepting an offer which is made. The University does not require this at application stage unless and/or until an offer is made which the applicant wishes to accept. 

Specific areas of research 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. Information about why this information is requested, and the process for disclosing a relevant unspent criminal conviction, is on our declaring criminal convictions page and in the University’s policy statement on students with criminal records. 

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 will be an academic judgement. Such applicants 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 who have been withdrawn from their earlier studies due to academic failure may apply for re-entry to the University, but not to the same or a closely related research area. Applicants who previously left the University due to non-academic reasons, for example, ill health or financial reasons, will not be subject to this condition. When assessing applications from former students all relevant factors will be considered, including previous study, and applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Applicants who have been permanently excluded (expelled) from the University for disciplinary reasons and/or under the Referred Student Procedure and/or for reasons of misconduct or fitness to train in a professionally-regulated discipline are not permitted to reapply and will be advised as such at the time of exclusion. Those who do reapply will be deemed to have contravened the responsibilities of an applicant to avoid misrepresentation and will be rejected or have any outstanding offer(s) revoked. Former students and postgraduate researchers who are unclear on whether they are permitted to reapply should contact Student Cases for further information. 

Applicants who require a Student visa and have previously studied at the university under a Student visa or Tier 4 sponsorship will be subject to academic progression checks to ensure UKVI compliance. 

The University considers a deferred applicant as an offer-holder who wishes to change their year of entry to the following academic year, or an applicant who applies for the following academic year from the outset. Applicants seeking deferred entry must engage in the full admissions process (including any required attendance at interviews) during the cycle in which they applied. 

Deferral of a place of study is at the discretion of the School and can only be deferred for a maximum of two academic years (from the date of application submission) before a new application must be submitted.    

Such applicants 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.  

Under certain circumstances it may be necessary for an applicant to change their start date within the same academic year. Prior to registration, approval of the change of a start date must be made by the Graduate School, in consultation with the prospective supervisors.  

Retrospective changes to the start date can also be requested, once candidates have registered on their degree; but such changes do not lead to additional time to the standard period of study and no subsequent extension requests can be made in relation to this.