Admissions FAQs

Due to a spike in the UK’s 18 year old population, a growth in post-results applications and a rise in deferrals, 2022 is an exceptionally competitive year for university applications. Our offer-making approach has required caution to ensure our admissions procedures are equitable and we continue to provide the quality of experience our students expect. While these influences on higher education admissions would feature over the next ten years without Covid, the pandemic has exacerbated their impact on students’ demand for places.

The University of Leeds operates a devolved admissions process. This means applications are processed and assessed by admissions staff in schools and faculties. Offer decisions are made on an overall review of an application including: predicted/actual grades; breadth of knowledge demonstrated through qualifications; the personal statement; extra-curricular activities; work experience; and contextual information.

Typically we aim to make the majority of our offers by the end of March. However to ensure we treat all applications fairly, some courses may use a gathered field approach to assess applications. 

Where the number of high-quality applicants exceeds the number of places available, a gathered field may be used to assess applications and ensure cohort diversity. Applications will be assessed on their strength relative to others in the field, ensuring that the most able candidates receive an offer. This means we will need to wait until after the UCAS deadline to make final decisions. Where used, the gathered field process will be detailed in the faculty/school admissions policy.

In support of the University’s commitment to widening access and identifying all applicants who have the potential to succeed at the University of Leeds, the University provides contextual admissions routes through the ​​​​​Access to Leeds (A2L) and Realising Opportunities (RO) schemes (follow the links to their websites for eligibility criteria). Both schemes provide an alternative offer to eligible candidates, typically equivalent to two A-level grades below the standard offer, and a pre-entry academic support module. 

Students (undergraduate only) with a postcode indicating they live in a higher education Low Participation Neighbourhood (LPN) may also receive a discounted offer.

A Low Participation Neighbourhood is where a low percentage of young people progress to higher education. Students who may not meet the criteria for Access to Leeds, but live in a neighbourhood where there is a low participation in higher education, may receive special consideration. This means our admissions staff will take this information into account when deciding to make an offer. Students do not need to apply; if they are from a low participation neighbourhood we will automatically give their application additional consideration. Further information can be found on our alternative admissions page.