Check your eligibility for a contextual offer

We may be able to offer you a place on an undergraduate course with reduced entry requirements
University of Plymouth campus buildings in spring

What is a contextual offer?

A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university. We recognise that not everyone has had access to an equal standard of education for a variety of reasons, and contextual offers help to make education more accessible for all.
At the University of Plymouth, we believe in building a welcoming and inclusive community that supports every student to achieve their full potential. We include this in our admissions process so that we can be as fair as possible to all of our applicants. When reviewing your application, contextual offers enable us to consider factors such as your socioeconomic status, family background, and the quality of the schools you attended, rather than focusing solely on your academic achievements.
This means we are able to offer some places that require a lower set of grades, or tariff points, than you may see advertised in our standard entry requirements . This can be up to three grades below our standard offer and will be a personalised offer, tailored to your individual circumstances to help you on your way to University, giving you equal opportunity from the start.

Why do universities make contextual offers?

Universities do this to help more people feel confident and encouraged to study at university. At Plymouth we want every student to achieve their full potential and the goal of our contextual offers is to help overcome any barriers to higher education, create a more diverse student body and provide opportunities for students who may have faced additional challenges during their academic journey.

Could I get a contextual offer?

You may be eligible for a contextual offer if you apply to study with us from September 2026 entry. We will use the data from UCAS's widening access questions in the 'More about you' section of the UCAS application form so please ensure you fill this out accurately.
If one or more of the following statements applies to you, a contextual offer may automatically be applied by our Admissions team:

You have spent time in care
If you have spent three months or more in local authority care, you may be eligible for a contextual offer. Please tick the box in the care questions on your UCAS application.
The University of Plymouth provides a number of scholarships and bursaries page that care leavers and estranged students may be eligible for.

You attend a state secondary school and are or have been eligible for free school meals
Applicants who have received free school meals whilst attending secondary school may be eligible for our contextual offer.
We recognise that students who have received this support during their education can be less likely to progress to higher education and we wish to make university accessible for everybody. Please tick the box in the care questions on your UCAS application.

You have refugee status or humanitarian protection
If you have ‘refugee status’ or ‘humanitarian protection’ please use the ‘residential category’ on the UCAS application form to indicate your immigration status. Our admissions team will then be able use this information to make a contextual offer.

You are from a military family
If either or both of your parents have served in the UK Armed Forces, you may be eligible for a contextual offer. Please select ‘yes’ on the relevant question in the ‘More about me’ section of the UCAS application.

You have served in the armed forces
If you have ever served in the UK Armed Forces, you may be entitled to a contextual offer. Please select ‘yes’ on the relevant question in the ‘More about me’ section of the UCAS application.

You are a member of the Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen or Boater communities
Gypsy, Traveller Roma, Showmen, and Boater communities encompasses a wide range of individuals who may be defined in relation to their ethnicity, heritage, way of life and how they self-identify. If you are an applicant from any of the following communities, you may be eligible for a contextual offer:
  • English or Welsh Romany Gypsies
  • European Roma
  • Irish Travellers
  • Scottish Gypsy Travellers
  • Showpeople such as people linked with fairground or circus professions
  • People living on barges or other boats
  • People living in settled (bricks and mortar) accommodation
  • New Age Travellers.

You are an estranged from you parents or carers
If you are an applicant aged 18 to 24 who is not communicating with either of your parents/carers or is not receiving any support from them due to an irreconcilable breakdown in the relationship, you could be considered as estranged and you may be eligible for a contextual offer. This would include applicants who:
  1. Haven't communicated with parents/carers or family for 12 months before your degree course is due to start and the situation is irreconcilable.
  2. Have biological parents or carers who are deceased.
  3. Have parents or carers who can't be traced or it isn't practicable or safe for you to make contact with them.
If any of these situations apply, please select ‘yes’ on the relevant question in the ‘More about me’ section of your UCAS application.

You attend a non-selective state school or college in the South West/Wales region

We are committed to delivering an excellent educational experience for students of all backgrounds and experiences, and are proud to support students across the South West region.
As a regional, anchor institution for the South West, we deliver cultural, social, economic and environmental benefit for Plymouth, the South West and beyond.
If you attend one of our listed schools, you may be entitled to a contextual offer.

You live in an area of low progression into Higher Education
We are using the Indices of Multiple Deprivation Quintile 1 as our indicator as these are areas that measure a number of factors and have been designated by the government as areas where individuals may have experienced barriers that could have impeded their academic progress.
You can use the postcode checker below to see if you are eligible.


 
 
 

Which courses aren't included in the contextual offer scheme?

Most of our undergraduate programmes are included in our contextual offer scheme, however contextual offers are not available for foundation year degrees or programmes with mandatory placements or capped student numbers including medicine and dentistry.
Please see our Peninsula Pathways programme for additional routes into health professions programmes.

How do I apply for a contextual offer?

  1. Apply through UCAS: Please apply in the usual way through UCAS. You will be asked information about you and your background, so it is important to be as honest and transparent as possible.
  2. We’ll review your application: Once we receive your application, we will automatically check to see whether you are eligible for a contextual offer. Please note that meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that a contextual offer will be made as some programmes that you may want to apply for are exempt from contextual offers.
  3. Your contextual offer will be applied: That’s it, you don’t need to do anything else – if you are eligible, your contextual offer will be applied.
If you have specific questions about the contextual offer policy or your eligibility, contact the university's admissions team (admissions@plymouth.ac.uk).
Read the full Undergraduate Home Contextual Offer Policy (PDF)
Please note: this policy is subject to review, and we reserve the right to make adjustments.
A student walks down the aisle towards the stage on her graduation day