International applications

Declare a disability

Your application will be considered based on your academic suitability and passion for your course – disability doesn’t play any part in the decision-making process.

However, it is important to let us know if you have a disability on your application form so that our dedicated Disability Service can work together with you to explore your needs and put the right support in place for you.

Under 18 policy

Your age will not have a bearing on admission to UWE Bristol except in circumstances where the programme of study. For example, professional practice programmes, might not be suitable or possible to complete.

As part of the admissions process, you are required to have a consent form signed by a parent/guardian.

If parents or guardians are not resident in the UK, a guardian will need to be appointed from a list of accredited agencies. The list is available on the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students (AEGIS) website.

Information on our policy regarding under 18 students (PDF)

Credibility assessment

As part of its responsibilities as a UK Student Sponsor, UWE Bristol undertakes credibility assessments to satisfy itself that applicants are genuine students and that sponsorship is appropriate before a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) can be issued. The University may use a range of assessment methods, including credibility interviews, document verification, review of academic and immigration history, and other checks considered necessary as part of the admissions process.

Applicants may be selected for credibility assessment for a range of reasons, including but not limited to:

• Previous visa refusals or immigration concerns.
• Academic or study progression history.
• Information identified during document verification checks.
• Information identified during the admissions process.
• Previous interactions with the University.
• Recruitment channel or regional risk factors. Any other circumstances where the University considers additional assurance is required.

The University reserves the right to require a credibility interview or additional credibility checks for any applicant before making a sponsorship decision.

Previous visa refusals and immigration history

Applicants must declare all previous visa refusals, withdrawn visa applications, previous CAS withdrawals and any other material immigration history as part of their application.

Failure to disclose relevant immigration history may result in an offer being withdrawn and may affect eligibility for a tuition fee deposit refund. This includes information that comes to light after an offer has been made or a deposit has been paid.

Where an applicant has received a visa refusal within the previous two years, they are likely to be required to undertake additional credibility assessment before sponsorship can be considered. Applicants with older visa refusals may also be required to complete additional checks depending on the circumstances of the refusal.

Applicants who have previously received a visa refusal on credibility grounds, or for fraud, deception or the use of false documents, will not normally be considered for sponsorship by UWE Bristol.

Applicants who have previously withdrawn a visa application or have had a CAS withdrawn must declare this information. Any future sponsorship request will be considered only with the University's prior approval.

Deferred applications

Where an applicant defers their offer to a later intake, any previous credibility interview outcome will not automatically be carried forward.

Applicants who are required to undergo credibility assessment as part of their application will be required to complete a new credibility interview and/or any other credibility checks requested by the University before sponsorship can be considered for the new intake.

Important information

The University reserves the right to refuse sponsorship where it is not satisfied that an applicant is a genuine student or where sponsorship would present an unacceptable compliance or immigration risk. Credibility assessment outcomes form part of the University's overall sponsorship decision and do not in themselves guarantee the issue of a CAS.

Accepting an offer

First of all, congratulations - we're looking forward to meeting you. How you accept depends on how you applied.

Applied through UWE Bristol

If you applied through UWE Bristol, accept your offer by logging on to your UWE Bristol Welcome Website and selecting the 'My Offer Response' option in the 'My Application' tab.

Applied through UCAS

If you applied through UCAS, accept your offer by logging onto UCAS Hub and selecting 'Reply to your offers'.

Get ready to study with us

• Read our list of essential things to do before you arrive at UWE Bristol, including information on applying for a visa, paying your tuition fees, and booking accommodation.
• Keep checking your Welcome Website for important updates.
• You could also follow our X, Instagram and Facebook channels to find out about news and events.
• Explore our website as we have lots of useful advice about international student support, adjusting to life in the UK, discovering Bristol, and what to do on arrival.

Deferring your place

Undergraduate study

If you would like to defer, please email the International Admissions Team at international@uwe.ac.uk and briefly explain your reasons. Please include your UWE Bristol Welcome ID number, and write ‘deferral request’ in the subject line.

We’ll try our best to accommodate your request for a deferral, however, it’s not possible for all courses and you may be asked to reapply the following year.

Postgraduate study

We do not permit deferrals for the majority of our courses unless there is an extenuating circumstance, in which case these requests will be considered on a case by case basis.

If you would like us to consider a request please email the International Admissions Team at international@uwe.ac.uk and briefly explain your reasons. Please include your UWE Bristol Welcome ID number, and write ‘deferral request’ in the subject line.

Admissions and regulations

Before you join us, you'll need to read and agree to our rules and regulations. At enrolment, we'll ask you to confirm that you've done this.

Further information on our Admissions Policy is available under applications and admissions on our policies page.