Applicants with specific circumstances

We're committed to providing an accessible environment for students with additional requirements.

We believe those with disabilities should have access to the full range of academic, cultural and social activities on offer at York. We will undertake all reasonable steps to meet both the general need for access and the specific needs of individuals with disabilities.

If you have additional requirements, we encourage you to declare it in your application so that we can contact you and identify appropriate solutions where applicable. If you choose not to disclose your disability in your application, you can provide this information later in the process, eg when an offer of a place is received. Information regarding disability has no bearing on the academic assessment of your application.

The information provided is also used by the Higher Education Statistics Agency to monitor rates of participation in Higher Education by particular groups of people, which is a statutory requirement. All information will be handled in the strictest of confidence and in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Certain disabilities may preclude entry to certain courses, eg Medicine. The information provided will only be taken into account in the admissions process if it appears we will be unable to make the adjustments required for the course you're applying to.

• Disability Services

Mature students come to us from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a range of qualifications and experience. You may not need to have the same academic qualifications as school-leaving applicants. You will need to show enthusiasm, have recent experience of studying, and may also need work or subject expertise.

If you need to gain experience of recent study, you can study for credit with our Centre for Lifelong Learning. The courses are part time, and designed to offer you a pathway to further study.

Our departments have a great deal of experience in advising mature students, and you may find it helpful to contact the appropriate Admissions Tutor, who will be able to give details of entry policies. Their contact details are available on the course pages.

York welcomes refugees and asylum seekers currently living in the UK. We are committed to removing barriers to equality through education and have a history of being a place of safety for people caught up in conflict and in need of refuge.

Refugees and asylum seekers come to us from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a range of qualifications and experience. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you are seeking refuge in the UK, you may be eligible for an Equal Access Scholarship. If you have already been granted Refugee Status or Humanitarian Protection Status, you can apply for financial support from Student Finance England (gov.uk).

Before you become a student at York

• Vanessa Conman, Access and Outreach Manager
• outreach-independent-student@york.ac.uk
• 01904 326648

Vanessa can offer information, advice and guidance about courses, accommodation, finance and support. You can contact her before you apply, when you apply, and right up until you become a student at York. Please see our support page for more information about the pre-entry support offered.

Once you've enrolled as a student at York

• Dan Hall, Student Support and Advice Coordinator
• student-independent@york.ac.uk
• 01904 325541

Dan will contact you just before you start at York, and throughout your time as a student.

Care leavers

When you apply via UCAS, there is an option to let us know that you’re a care leaver. This question is asked because universities recognise that young people who have been in care may face different barriers as other young people.

If you answer ‘yes’ to this question, UCAS will let us know, and we will get in touch to find out whether you need any additional support. Providing this information will not affect your application to York. If you didn't answer ‘yes’ to this question, it doesn't mean you can't access additional support – you just need to let us know.

If you’re not a care leaver, but you're studying without family support

We also offer support to students who are currently living, or have previously lived, in a Foyer, and estranged students. We won’t get this information from UCAS, so please get in touch with us, and we will provide you with the same level of advice and support.

Access scheme

You may also be interested in applying to the York Access Scheme. This allows you to provide additional information that will be considered alongside your UCAS application. Letting us know more details about your background and circumstances gives our admissions assessors more context in which to consider your UCAS application. After consideration, you could receive a reduced offer of up to two grades below the typical offer. 

Related links:

• Support, wellbeing and health
• Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary
• Dedicated support for care leavers
• Dedicated support for estranged students
• Tuition fees and funding
• Accommodation
• Study and skills support

If you've experienced issues of a personal, social or domestic nature that have affected your studies, or your ability to meet our published entry requirements, we'd encourage you to let us know by completing our Mitigating Circumstances form.

Depending on your circumstances, you may find applying to the York Access Scheme more appropriate. This scheme also gives you the opportunity to let us know about any circumstances that may affect your progression to university, but is particularly appropriate for applicants from backgrounds that are underrepresented in higher education.

Related links:

• Support, wellbeing and health
• Study and skills support

York considers applicants on the basis of academic attainment and potential to benefit from the course they apply for, irrespective of age on entry.

If you'll be under the age of 18 at the point of entry, you should be aware of the following:

• You'll be studying in an adult environment.
• There may be some limitations on the options for accommodation available to younger students.
• You'll also need to nominate an appropriate UK-based adult to confirm that they will remain legally responsible for you until your 18th birthday. They will also need to accept responsibility for the contractual obligations that you enter into with the University.
• You'll be invited to attend a meeting (or online call if you're an international student) to discuss your transition to University-level study to help make sure you have the support you need to adjust and succeed (compulsory if you're age 16 and optional if you're age 17 at the point of entry).

It is possible to transfer from another university directly into the second year for some departments. Check with the relevant department for more information.

• Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning

Third and fourth year transfers are not possible in any department.

Every UK student has the right to appeal their grades (gov.uk). If you want to appeal, you'll need to let your school or college know as soon as possible – they will submit a formal appeal on your behalf.

If you're a private student, mature student or homeschooled, you can appeal directly to the awarding organisation.

International students should contact their school or college directly for advice on appeals.

You should check government guidance before you appeal, so you understand the potential outcomes of appealing a grade (gov.uk).

Let us know if you're appealing your grades

If you do decide to appeal your grades, it’s really important that you let us know straight away at ug-admissions@york.ac.uk. Remember to include your UCAS Personal ID in the email. Also tell us which qualification and subject you're appealing and, if you know, an estimated date of when you'll receive the outcome of your appeal. We won't receive your new grade automatically, so make sure to let us know.

We may not be able to hold your place while awaiting the results of any appeals. Dependent on your course, the latest we can hold places is either 30 August or 4 September 2024. In some circumstances, we may offer you a deferred place.