What Is a Contextual Offer?

A contextual offer helps increase diversity and inclusion within higher learning and offers a place at a specific university that considers your personal experiences beyond academics. Instead of looking solely at your grades and educational accomplishments, universities may also assess the personal experiences that impacted your learning. This sometimes allows admissions to offer an entry point with reduced grades or extra consideration. Contextual offers consider various factors, such as living situation, academic background, economic status, disabilities, and life challenges. 

The grade reduction that comes with a contextual offer can vary from university to university. As a reference point, the University of Nottingham contextually offers one grade below the standard entry requirements for most courses. In contrast, the University of York will allow up to two grades below its usual requirements for UK students.

Why do universities give contextual offers?

UK universities are committed to inclusion, equality, and diversity, and so they should ensure that the university community is accessible and represents society as a whole. Universities understand that factors out of your control can affect grades, so they work to reduce these barriers with contextual offers rather than relying on a blanket approach. Contextual offers are strictly confidential to protect students' vulnerabilities and to emphasise that contextual offers are just as valid as any other offer.

Do all universities give contextual offers?

Not all universities give contextual offers, and those that vary in criteria may only offer them for specific courses. Universities set their own criteria by considering the population they attract and how they can make acceptance criteria fair for everyone. When looking at potential universities, check the website for potential entry requirements. Many have a page dedicated to contextual offers, explaining their process and criteria for making them. Other universities list them on their UCAS page. 

How do I know if a university gives contextual offers?

You won’t know until you ask. Some universities include this information on dedicated website pages, but that’s not always a sure sign. It’s not a straightforward process and requires some research to find out whether a university you’re considering gives contextual offers and whether it provides them for entire programmes or your chosen course. Looking at the university website is a good place to start, and nothing beats calling or emailing the university directly to ask all your questions to someone in the know. 

What is the criteria for a contextual offer?

Criteria for a contextual offer vary depending on the university, its methods of assessment, and the population schools draw from. For example, if a university has many applicants from an aspiring school, it may give special consideration to these applicants. Universities also vary in what they consider an aspiring school, but it’s typically one with a lower-than-average attainment rate. 

Some universities may have an automatic system flagging qualified applications, such as those with certain zip codes, school codes, care time, and other criteria. 

As a guideline, below are some criteria that universities may use to decide whether a student is eligible for a contextual offer:

• School performance: You are a student at an aspiring school with a lower-than-average overall performance. 

• Postcode: You live in an area with a low rate of students attending higher education.

• Young person in care: You have been in care as a young person for a set period.

• Young carer: You have been an unpaid carer for a relative or friend for a certain time. 

• First-generation attendee: You are the first person in your immediate family to attend university. 

• Disability: You have a physical or non-physical disability.

• Free school meals: You have received free school meals for a set time during school years. 

• Seeking asylum: You are currently seeking asylum or granted indefinite leave to remain and refugee status. 

• Completing an access programme: You are eligible to or currently completing an access programme with the university you apply to. 

How to apply for a contextual offer

Applications for contextual offers are usually made through UCAS and don’t require much action on the learner’s end. Certain details from UCAS forms alert universities that receive this information and prompt them to contact students who meet their criteria for a contextual offer.

If you want a contextual offer, disclosing any evidence and anything relating to the assessment criteria is important. For example, if you have completed an access programme, include this information and the relevant details. Sometimes, you can use references to highlight any circumstances and challenges that may aid you in receiving a contextual offer. If you are applying directly, include evidence to show that you meet any of the abovementioned criteria. 

Lastly, if you’re unsure about the exact admission requirements on how to apply for a contextual offer, reach out to your university for more information or tell them you’d like to be considered. 

Points to note

When completing your UCAS form or direct application, note essential points to ensure you have evidenced all the necessary criteria.

• Be specific about any challenges you’ve faced. Even if the university’s system will likely flag your application, reiterate your circumstances. 

• Do not feel self-conscious about disclosing personal information; the process is entirely confidential.

• Add support through references.

• Remember, universities want to improve equality and diversity, so your application may trigger the automatic system established by UCAS if you meet the criteria.

Next steps

Even if you don’t have the grades or accomplishments, you may still get a place at your chosen university. Contextual offers help increase opportunities to boost accessibility within the UK’s university system. 

If you're ready to start, determining if the university provides contextual offers and the criteria you need to meet is a good first step. You may also prepare for admissions by upskilling in areas related to your potential coursework to maximise your chances. Coursera lists many short Guided Projects and online courses in various subjects so you can build skills at home to strengthen your application and stand out to admissions officers.