Understanding your postgraduate offer
Information about your offer to study a postgraduate course
When your offer is made, it is stated as either conditional or unconditional. There are certain requirements and processes for each offer and it is important to ensure you have followed the correct guidance for each.
Your offer will be conditional if we need verification of your qualifications or if you have to meet other non-academic entry requirements.
The offer letter will state the qualification/s you must pass and the results you must achieve, plus any non-academic requirements. All conditions must be met in full before you will be able to register for your programme.
Offer conditions
Academic condition
Academic condition
If your offer is conditional upon obtaining a degree, the offer letter will state the level required. When your degree results are known, you will need to upload a copy of your degree certificate and final transcript once these are available. One of these must confirm that the degree has been awarded and state your overall grade. Please note that unofficial transcripts and screenshots are not acceptable.
English language condition
English language condition
If your native language is not English, your offer will be conditional upon obtaining a recognised English language qualification at a specified level, as detailed in your offer letter. Visit our website for more information on English language requirements.
If you wish to take one of our presessional English classes, on successful completion of the course you will have met the conditions of your offer. Information about our presessional and academic English courses for international students can be found on our website.
Deposit condition
Deposit condition
Some of our programmes charge a deposit. If you are required to pay a deposit, this will be clearly stated as a condition in your offer letter along with a deadline to pay your deposit. Options to pay your deposit can be found in your applicant portal.
Login to your applicant portal
International students issued an offer to study a taught postgraduate programme are required to pay a non-refundable tuition fee deposit of £2,000 to secure their place. The deposit payment will be deducted from the tuition fee at registration.
Disclosure and Barring service (DBS) checks
Disclosure and Barring service (DBS) checks
Some programmes require a DBS check (formerly Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks), and your offer letter will clearly state if this is a condition of your offer.
Declaration of health
Declaration of health
Some programmes require you to complete a health declaration. Your offer letter will clearly state if this is required and will provide additional information accordingly.
Fitness to practice
Fitness to practice
Some programmes require students to sign a code of conduct at the time of registration. Your offer letter will state if this is a requirement for your programme.
Passport information
Passport information
If you are an international student you are required to upload a copy of your passport personal details page on your applicant portal. This should be the passport you intend to use to apply for your visa and travelling to the UK with.
ATAS certificate
ATAS certificate
You will need an ATAS certificate to do certain types of study and research in the UK. If you need an ATAS certificate, you will usually get a statement with your offer letter confirming that you need ATAS and telling you what to do next. Without this certificate, your visa application will be refused.
To apply for ATAS you need a statement from the University confirming the subject of your research or study. This is usually sent with your offer letter. If you don't have this statement, but need an ATAS certificate, please contact the Admissions Office.
Once you have your statement you can make your ATAS certificate application online to the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO). This should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete.
Other conditions
Other conditions
You may be asked to fulfil other conditions and if you have any queries about conditions or your offer contract, please get in touch with the Admissions team via the email address stated in your offer letter.
Documents explained
We've explained the different requirements of a conditional offer to help you to submit the correct documents. This includes explaining the terminology used in your offer, and will help you to ensure the documents you have submitted meet our requirements and avoid delays in processing your offer.
What happens next?
Once you have accepted your offer and met all conditions, an unconditional acceptance letter will be issued via your applicant portal.
If you are an international applicant, you will be sent a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) statement, no earlier than six months before the start of your programme. The CAS statement will include your CAS number which you will require to apply for your visa to study in the UK.
If you are unable to attend the programme for the academic year specified in your offer letter, please inform the Admissions Office: contact details are stated in your offer letter. If you wish to defer for more than one year, you will need to submit a new application.
Further questions?
If you have any questions, please use our FAQs page, or submit your query via our enquiry form.