Welcome Week updates — essential information

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Application guide

Application guide

We know that the process of applying to study at university can be overwhelming, with various things to consider. At Buckinghamshire New University, we aim to make this process as simple as possible and are here to support you every step of the way.

Below you can find everything you need to know about applying to BNU. We’re delighted that you’re considering joining us!

Parents and students queuing at the Gateway building in High Wycombe campus

Have a good look around the University

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, a great way to find out which place is right for you is to attend an open day. You’ll get to find out more about your chosen course and the University, as well as get the chance to chat to tutors and current students and ask any questions that you have.

Male student sitting with lecture getting help with work

Choose the right course for you

If there’s a particular subject or industry you’re interested in, have a browse through our undergraduate courses to see what we offer in that particular field. It’s also worth having a think about the way you want to study, and at what level you feel comfortable starting off at. We’ve got a range of foundation degrees and foundation year programmes available, which might be a good option if you don’t quite meet the requirements or feel prepared for a full degree straight away.

An accounting and finance student sat at a desk looking at invoice information on two computer screens with a calculator

Get to grips with your finances

Tuition fees are a key matter for all students, and it’s important you are familiar with how to pay for these and your living costs, and what financial support may be available. You’ll find details of our tuition fees on our individual course pages and information on student finance in our fees and funding section. Try to apply for any loans as early as you can, to make sure you’ve got finance in place by the start of the academic year.

Take time over your personal statement

Your personal statement is really important as it’s the one opportunity you have to personalise your application and explain your suitability for your course. It is also one of the most time consuming parts of your application, so allow plenty of time to get it right. 

Here's a video with some tips from one of our students
Calendar - Application Guide

Don't miss anything - including the deadlines

Above all, make sure your application is completed in full before you submit it to UCAS. You’ll find full instructions and guidance notes at ucas.com. An incomplete application may not be considered by our Admissions Team. To guarantee that we will consider your application, it’s crucial you submit it by the 25 January deadline. We can only consider applications received after this date if we have any available spaces.

Young female student on a laptop at desk

Applying to Buckinghamshire New University

For full-time undergraduate and foundation degrees, as well as foundation year courses, you need to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

  • If you’re interested in studying our MSc in Social Work, you will also need to apply through UCAS.
  • Please apply directly to us for part-time study options and our Diploma in Foundation Studies: Art, Design and Media course.
Female student typing on laptop studying

How to apply via UCAS

When submitting your application through UCAS, you can either apply for just one course at one university or apply for up to five university courses. There is a charge for this service, and the amount you will need to pay depends on how many university choices you select.

Your school or college may have a UCAS buzzword which you’ll need to add to your UCAS application to make it clear which school or college you’re applying from. If you’re applying independently, you won’t need a buzzword.

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Filling in your UCAS application

You need to ensure you complete all sections of your UCAS application fully. Applications are reviewed on an individual basis, and you will need to provide details of your qualifications (both completed and pending), a personal statement as to why you wish to study the course and include a valid, current reference to support your application.

There’s lots of useful information on the UCAS website about filling in your UCAS application. You don’t need to complete it all in one go, so make sure you take your time and complete all sections fully, as if there is information missing your application may be rejected.

To apply to BNU, you’ll also need the following information:

  • Our institution name – Buckinghamshire New University
  • Our institution number – B94
  • The UCAS course code for your chosen course
B94 UCAS Code - Application Guide
Student writing

Submitting your UCAS application

Once you have submitted your UCAS application, this will be sent to your chosen university for review. It’s important to make sure you stick to any application deadlines that apply to you. If you don’t, you may find that your application is automatically declined or rejected on your behalf, or that there aren’t any places available on your chosen degree course.

Group of graduands holding BNU sign

After applying

So you’ve completed your UCAS application and submitted it to us for consideration. You might be wondering what happens next?

We'll check your application

We’ll make sure your form is fully completed and that you meet the entry requirements for your chosen course. If we need any further information to process your application, such as copies of your passport or qualifications, we’ll email you to let you know.

We'll let you know our decision...

 

Once we’ve received all the necessary information, we’ll make a decision on your application. This will be shown on your UCAS Track (you can use this service at any time to check how your application is progressing).

We will either:

  • ask you to attend an interview. The date and time will appear on Track and we’ll email you with any additional details. You’ll need to reply to confirm you can attend. Read more about what to expect at an interview day
  • send you a conditional offer. This offer is made if you’re currently completing your qualifications. The conditions will be visible on Track if you click on the offer
  • send you an unconditional offer. This offer is made if you’ve met all the entry requirements or you have satisfied our entry criteria in another way, such as with a portfolio or interview. We may also take account of contextual factors in your application
  • reject your application. If your application isn’t suitable, we’ll include the reason for that on Track. In some cases, we can also provide additional feedback but we can’t always guarantee this.
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Once you’ve heard back from all universities you’ve applied to, you’ll need to respond to these offers by selecting your firm (first) and insurance (second) choices on UCAS Track. The deadline for making these choices will depend on when you submitted your application and received your offers – UCAS will inform you of the date you need to respond by or you can find more information on the UCAS website.

If you’ve not yet received a decision from us, don’t worry. We receive a really high volume of applications (especially in the run up to the UCAS deadline) and we work through them as quickly as we can. As soon as we’ve made a decision on your application, your UCAS Track will be updated.

students chatting on the concourse High Wycombe campus

Attend our Applicant Visit Days

Between February and April we will offer ‘invitation only’ applicant visit days, where you can meet staff, view our facilities, and get a taste of what life at BNU is like. Once you’ve been made an offer, you’ll receive an invitation to attend, along with more information about what to expect from the day and a link to reserve your place. Please be aware that some subjects do not offer applicant visit days as they hold interview days instead.

Seven students throwing their mortarboards in their air on graduation day

Exam results

If you’re waiting for exam results, we will usually receive these directly from the exam board when released (although in some circumstances we may ask you to email copies of your certificates over to us). If you’ve met the conditions of your offer, we’ll confirm your place which will show on your UCAS Track, as well as sending you joining instructions and more information about the start of your course.

If you receive your results and don’t meet the conditions of your offer, don’t panic. Sometimes we’re able to be flexible if your application is strong and you only just miss your predicted grades, or we may be able to offer you an alternative programme (such as those with a Foundation Year).

UCAS Extra and Clearing

If your application has been unsuccessful, there are still options for you.

A student jumping in front of a yellow background with a swirl pattern behind

UCAS Extra

If you’ve used all five choices and you’ve either not received any offers, or declined any offers you have been made, you may be able to add one further choice through UCAS Extra. There are eligibility criteria that you need to meet in order to apply through UCAS Extra - for more information, visit the UCAS website.

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Clearing

Clearing opens in early July, and is for students who have received no offers, changed their mind about their university choices, or are making a late application. For more information about applying through Clearing, visit our Clearing section.

Explore our Undergraduate courses

If there’s anything you’re not sure about or you have any questions, please contact our admissions team: