This policy is for you if your chosen undergraduate degree has a September 2021 start date.
You must also read the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy as both policies apply.
If your undergraduate degree has a September 2020 start date, read the Lifelong Learning Centre Admissions Policy 2020.
This faculty policy is reviewed annually by the faculty’s committees, and any amendments made after the point of publication will be summarised in the Version Control section.
The Lifelong Learning Centre’s Admissions Policy applies to the degrees and apprenticeships listed on the Lifelong Learning Centre course page.
Applicants for part-time courses should follow the application process as detailed in the Part-time study section of this policy.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Please see the Lifelong Learning Centre course directory for the course list, typical entry requirements, and accepted qualifications.
Undergraduate requirements
The Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) recognises that some applicants may have studied a more flexible curriculum, where they have been able to progress through their educational development at an appropriate rate according to their ability. Where a Level 2 (for example, GCSE) or Level 3 (for example, A Level) qualification has been taken ‘early’ the academic reference should include the reasons for this so that it can be taken into consideration by the admissions team.
The LLC recognises that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and International Independent Project Qualification (IPQ) provide the opportunity for applicants to develop important research and academic skills, and may include it as part of an alternative conditional offer. Where applicable this will be detailed on Coursefinder.
The LLC will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English.
References
References for undergraduate applicants
The reference section of the application is carefully considered by the LLC and is an important part of the selection process. For full-time undergraduate referees, further information on writing the reference is available from the UCAS 'How to provide a reference' guide.
For part-time courses a second reference will be required where candidates apply for a course involving placements e.g. Learning & Teaching, Child & Family Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies with Preparation for Higher Education. Candidates should note that these references will be followed up. Forms are considered in their entirety by the admissions tutor.
Access to Leeds and Realising Opportunities
Eligible Access to Leeds and Realising Opportunities candidates will be considered for an alternative offer. This applies to all LLC courses except for the following extended degrees which already make provision lower to that made by Access to Leeds:
- BA Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year
- BA Interdisciplinary Studies with Foundation Year
- BSc Business Studies with Foundation Year
- BSc Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year
- BSc Studies in Science with Foundation Year
Advanced entry
Accredited 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. For further information see the Advanced Entry section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.
Active participation in the course of study is core to the learning experience provided by LLC courses. In some cases this explicitly draws upon the experience, skills and knowledge that members of the group bring from prior experience and learning. Exemption from any part of a course through the Accreditation of Prior Learning is, normally, considered only in a limited number of cases set out below.
Degree courses
120 credits may be allowed for those with a relevant Certificate of Education (120 credits or equivalent) for:
- FD Learning & Teaching
- FD Learning & Teaching (SEND)
APL may be considered in relation to specific modules on an individual student basis for:
- FD Child & Family Studies
- BSc Business Management and Leadership
- BA Professional Studies
Apprenticeship courses
APL may be considered in relation to specific modules on an individual student basis for:
- FD Healthcare for Assistant Practitioners
- FD Nursing Associate
- Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship
Application process
Application routes and deadlines
Undergraduate applications
All full-time undergraduate applications must be made through the online Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) by 29 January 2021 (normally 15 January but extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The LLC may consider applications submitted after this date. Availability of courses in UCAS Extra will be detailed on UCAS at the appropriate stage in the cycle.
Apprenticeship admissions for full-time LLC Healthcare courses are managed by the applicant’s employer through completion of the LLC Direct Entry Application form.
Part-time application information can be found in the Part-time study section below.
Internal transfers
Internal transfers are not possible for full-time extended degree courses with foundation year except for BSc Studies in Science. For all other courses the LLC will accept applications from applicants who wish to transfer internally from other courses at the University of Leeds. Such applicants are expected to meet the standard entry requirements for the course they wish to transfer to.
Applicants with prior Higher Education experience
The LLC's full-time extended degree courses with foundation years except for BSc Studies in Science are designed specifically for students from a widening participation background and do not accept students with previous higher education experience.
Contextual admissions schemes
The University of Leeds offers a number of alternative routes in order to widen access to higher education.
For further details of our Access to Leeds (A2L) and Realising Opportunities Schemes see the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.
Alternative Entry Scheme for mature applicants
As per the information detailed in the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy the LLC will consider prospective students via the Alternative Entry Scheme.
Part-time study
All applications for part-time undergraduate study should be made using the forms that are available from the LLC by 13 September 2021. Applications after this date may be considered on a case by case basis.
Reapplications and former students of the University
The LLC will consider applications from those who have previously applied to the institution.
The LLC considers applications to all LLC courses, except for its extended degree courses with foundation year, from candidates who have previously studied at the institution in line with the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.
Resits
The LLC will consider applications from those who are re-taking examinations prior to entering the University.
Confirmation
Undergraduate confirmation
Full-time 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.
The LLC 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 be asked to reapply.
Applications from those who have not quite met the required grades may be reviewed and their places may be confirmed if there are places still available on their chosen course.
Deferral requests
Undergraduate deferrals
The LLC does not accept applications for deferred entry onto its full-time extended degree courses with foundation year.
Applicants applying for other LLC courses who wish to defer following the submission of their application are required to do so prior to the confirmation of a place. Applicants would normally apply for deferred entry for one academic year only. If an applicant wishes to defer again, they must reapply and contact the LLC.
Applicant assessment
Academic grades normally form only one part of the final decision and the following sections give examples of how applicants may demonstrate that they have the skills, knowledge and attributes that we consider will enable them to become successful students on our degree courses.
Please note, the application forms of those who are unsuccessful in gaining a place on their chosen course may be passed to admissions teams for other courses in which the applicant may be interested.
Personal statements
The personal statement of the application 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. We wish to hear:
- Your reasons for applying to this course. What interests you about the subject matter and course? How do you see yourself benefiting from your studies?
- Your experience of study. Have you recently undertaken any study, training or personal development that shows your capacity to commit to a course of learning? What strengths and skills do you bring from your experience of study? Are there any factors that have limited what you have been able to achieve that we should take into account?
- Your range of skills, knowledge and experience. Do you already have some knowledge of the subject/s that you are proposing to study at University? What have you learnt from experience (e.g. hobbies, personal interests, professional or voluntary work) that could be relevant for your future studies?
Interviews
Interviews form part of the LLC’s standard admissions process and are structured to provide fuller evidence of the candidate’s academic potential, aptitude for the course and, where relevant, professional experience. Applicants should be ready to discuss each of these areas, remembering the importance of skills and knowledge that they have acquired through informal as well as formal learning. Applicants may be asked to complete a task as part of the interview. The interview also provides opportunity for an applicant to ask questions about their proposed course of study and for the admissions tutor to be sure that the candidate has made a properly informed choice.
Where possible the LLC will accommodate requests for alternative interview dates, however an alternative cannot be guaranteed.
Other assessment methods
Applicants applying to the BSc Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year and BSc Studies in Science with Foundation Year will be asked to complete a maths exam as part of the selection process.
Communications
Please refer to the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy for information on how decisions will be communicated by the University.
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.
Appeals and complaints
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 Head of School, whose details can be found in the Useful contacts and resources section below.
Useful contacts and resources
For general enquiries and information relating to courses and admission to the University of Leeds, applicants should contact the Admissions Enquiries Team:
Phone: +44 (0)113 343 2336
Email: study@leeds.ac.uk
Web: www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate
For undergraduate admissions enquiries specific to the Lifelong Learning Centre contact Michelle Lotherington.
Email: m.lotherington@leeds.ac.uk
For apprenticeship enquiries specific to the Lifelong Learning Centre contact Paul Smith.
Email: LLC-Apprenticeships@leeds.ac.uk
For all LLC admissions complaints and appeals please contact Professor Jacqueline Stevenson, Head of School and Director of the Lifelong Learning Centre.
Email: lifelonglearning@leeds.ac.uk
Version control
Page published: 20 August 2020
Page last updated: 20 August 2020
Details of any amendments since first published:
- The UCAS deadline was amended from 15 January 2021 to 29 January 2021 in the Application routes and deadlines section to reflect an extension granted by UCAS due to the COVID-19 pandemic.