Study at Cardiff | Undergraduate

School Selection Procedures - English, Communication & Philosophy

All applications for a place on any of the Cardiff School of English, Communication and Philosophy degree schemes must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) application service.

Offers are made to students who either meet, or have the potential to meet, the entry requirements for the relevant degree programme and the following selection criteria should be read in conjunction with those requirements. Potential is assessed by reference to the academic information included on the UCAS application form, and in the light of any special circumstances relating to an applicant of which the School has been informed. For joint honours applicants, UCAS forms are considered by both subject admissions tutors.

Tutors will make one of three decisions:

• Unconditional Offer (U) - you have met all of the entry requirements and are offered a place on the degree scheme.
• Conditional Offier (C) - you are offered a place on the degree scheme provided that you meet certain stated conditions (usually qualification results).
• Unsuccessful application (R) - you have not been offered a place on the degree scheme. (A code will normally indicate the main reason for any rejection.)

Applicants with non-traditional qualifications may be invited to attend an interview. It is important that applicants attend the interview as it is part of the formal condition of the offer from Cardiff University.

School Selection Criteria

The School welcomes applications from applicants of all ages and backgrounds. Our aim is to recruit undergraduates who have a passion for their subjects and who can demonstrate potential.

Academic Profile

As noted above, potential is assessed by reference to the academic information included on the UCAS application form, especially the personal statement and the reference as well as previous achievement. Candidates should normally be expected to achieve the required grades (see Appendices) in three subjects, excluding General Studies.

Reference

We pay close attention in the reference to statements indicating high academic achievement and promise. Attention is given to statements that comment favourably on candidates’ progression, skills and qualities. The reference should support the academic profile and the candidate’s own statement.

Personal attributes and qualities

In the personal statement we look for evidence of:

• A critical engagement with the relevant discipline(s) and signs of independent thinking;
• A high standard of writing. This includes a feeling for style, the use of the right words in a particular context, and a firm grasp of the importance of clear, accurate grammar;
• Wider or independent reading, beyond the requirements of the A level syllabus;
• The candidate’s ability to articulate his or her skills, interests and wider activities.

Not all candidates are expected to offer evidence in all the above categories, but those who are made offers will have provided concrete evidence of ability to perform at a high level in the degree subject applied for and to be fully aware of what the programme involves.

Use of Contextual Data

All suitable applicants who are eligible for additional consideration will be guaranteed a typical offer on the School of English, Communication & Philosophy's undergraduate courses. Typical offers can currently be found here.

For details of University policy, please click here.

Admissions Tests

The School does not have any standardised admissions test requirements.

Selection Interviews

The School does not routinely interview applicants for its undergraduate programmes, but may invite applicants with a non-traditional qualification to attend an interview which will have a bearing on the selection decision.

Back to English, Communication & Philosophy Admissions Criteria