Policy

Contextual admissions policy

Updated on 2 September 2020

An explanation of the factors the University will consider when applying a contextual flag to an application

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We want you to have a great time at Dundee

Putting everything in context gives us the biggest and clearest picture about you.

Why context matters

Achieving a strong set of school or college grades is key to earning a place at our university. That can be challenging, and we know grades are influenced by things like where you live, and other factors. That’s why each year we look at each student application in detail. We note circumstances that may have impacted your potential. We treat everyone fairly and admit the brightest and best students, regardless of background.

Advice and support are always available to all future students, but we need to know about you and your context to fully help you. We take certain factors into account when we look at your grades and these factors may generate a contextual support flag to highlight who is eligible for additional recognition and help.

Crucially, we will never use anything you disclose in a negative way, so as you complete your UCAS application, please do so as fully as possible and also encourage your referee to tell us about your circumstances.

How does a contextual flag help me?

Candidates allocated a Category 1 contextual flag will either be made an Access-level offer or, for subjects that interview, be prioritised for interview. They will also be offered a place on one of our pre-entry Access Summer Schools towards achieving this – we advise keeping all June and July free.

What factors do we consider?

Any one of the following will generate a contextual flag:

Category 1 factors What do I need to do next?
If your home postcode at the time you apply is in a Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile 1 zone You will automatically be allocated a contextual flag when we receive your UCAS application
If you are or have been:
  • receiving free school meals
  • a looked after person (Care experienced)
  • someone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without your support
  • a Government refugee or asylum seeker
  • estranged from your parents (normally not in contact with them for at least 12 months as a result of a permanent breakdown in your relationship, with no sign of this being resolved)

You must provide independent verification of the circumstances you outline to enable the flag to be allocated.


To do this, please find a link in your University of Dundee Application Acknowledgement Letter to take you to our Applicant Portal.

How else might I get a contextual flag?

Other factors may have impacted your study and staff reading your application may, at their discretion, allocate a contextual flag equivalent to Category 1, if more than one of the following factors apply:

Category 2 factors include

  • home postcode at the time you apply is in a Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile 2 zone
  • are an adult returner (5 years post-school or 3 years post-study) or have a relevant accreditation of prior learning or work record or have been made redundant
  • have declared a disability or a Mental Health issue
  • faced disruption to your education (assessed as attending five or more Primary and Secondary schools or residing more than 40 miles from your Secondary School)
  • are Transgender
  • in a vulnerable group (e.g. declared a Criminal Conviction or a Children's Panel enquiry)
  • are sufficiently active with Reach/ACES or have completed a SWAP programme
Enquiries

Widening Access

participation@dundee.ac.uk

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