Contextual admissions: how we assess applications
At Falmouth University, we take a rounded approach to admissions.
Instead of focusing on criteria like grades alone, we operate a contextual admissions policy, where we look at you as a person: your talents, your experiences and your potential. Every offer we make is shaped around you and your circumstances, and our conditional offers are always intended to be realistic and achievable.
What is a contextual admissions policy, or contextual offer?
“Contextual admissions” refer to a fairer way of looking at applications that recognise an applicant’s achievements in the context of their personal circumstances. We recognise that not everyone has access to the same resources, support, or opportunities.
Contextual admissions are about fairness: recognising talent wherever it comes from, and making sure that students with ability and drive are not held back by circumstances outside their control.
At Falmouth, we are committed to encouraging applications from all backgrounds and actively make use of contextual offers to support access to higher education, to those from underrepresented groups. This is the case for all of our undergraduate, postgraduate and online degree courses.
Contextual admissions allow us to take into account factors that may have influenced an applicant's opportunities and outcomes. These might include, but are not limited to:
- The type of school or college you attended
- The area you live in
- Whether you’ve spent time in care
- Whether you have had other responsibilities alongside your studies, such as caring responsibilities for another person
- Whether your parents went to university
- If you or your family have faced financial pressures
- If you are from a community that is underrepresented in higher education
- Any challenges or barriers you’ve had to overcome
How it could benefit you
If you apply to Falmouth, we will always tailor your offer to what is achievable for you using your predicted grades as an indicator.
This means we might:
- Give your portfolio or other areas of your application additional weight during decision-making
- Provide access to support programmes, mentors, or resources designed to help you succeed
This doesn’t mean your achievements are overlooked: it means they’re valued in the fairest light.
How it works in practice
If you apply through UCAS, the information you include in your personal statement and application about your education, location and background helps us and other universities you apply to make a more rounded assessment. We will also use related information in your teacher’s reference, if relevant.
You don’t need to take any extra steps: just ensure your application is complete and accurate. We may then apply contextual data automatically, or ask you for more information if we think it could support your application.
We operate a contextual admissions process for our postgraduate master’s programmes. In your application and/or personal statement, ensure you include information about your current situation, or ask a member of our friendly team for advice on whether your personal situation may meet a contextual offer.
Talk to us about your application
If you need to speak to someone about your course, studying at Falmouth or your application, you can get in touch on the details below.
T: +44(0) 1326 254350
E: futurestudies@falmouth.ac.uk
Ask an Advisor
University is about curiosity, creativity and ambition. Contextual admissions exist to make sure that every capable student, no matter their starting point, has a fair opportunity to take that next step.
