Widening access support and information

Widening Access: Support

We know that getting the right support is crucial.

Whatever you need help with - be it personal, financial, academic, or anything in between, our specialist support staff are here for you.

From advice about how to put in your application to university (see below), academic and personal support during your time with us and even afterwards – we’re here for you through every step of your degree journey. We’ve been supporting students like you for over many years which means we understand the kind of help you need.

Our Student Advisory service can give you free professional, non-judgemental advice and guidance. If they can't answer your questions, then they will find someone for you who can!

Our Learner Development Advisors are here to help you with all aspects of studying, from getting your referencing right to managing your time more effectively.

Widening Access: how to apply

You apply for your degree through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). This is the same for everyone - whether you are coming straight from school, from college, after a gap or as a mature student.

Please make sure you tell us all about your experiences in your UCAS university application form.

The more you can tell us, the better: we want you to have the very best chance when you apply - so please complete your application as fully as you can. If you feel you have other circumstances that you want us to be aware of, ask your UCAS referee to include these in your UCAS reference.

Find out all about UCAS and the application process.

For how to apply to Abertay, check out our step-by-step guide about how to apply to Abertay, or contact us about how to make that all-important first step. And if you need help or aren't sure about something, please get in touch using the details at the bottom of this page.

Widening Access: funding

We know that coming to university is a financial commitment. But if you think you can't afford it, then take a look before you write it off.

There is all kinds of funding available, including grants, bursaries and scholarships that don't need to be paid back.

All about Entry Requirements

What are entry requirements?

Entry requirements are a mix of:

Qualifications
Essential subjects
Exam grades

These make up the entry requirements you need to get onto your chosen degree.

The qualifications you need are set by the University to work out if you would be capable of studying that degree. This normally includes certain exam grades such as BBC at Highers or A Levels.

The entry requirements can include essential subjects that you need to have studied in order to apply. This is to make sure you have the right skills to study a given course. You'll find them listed on each of the course pages under Entry Requirements.

For example to study Criminology you need the following:

'All applicants must have passes in English and Maths - National 5 English grade C or GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent. National 4 Maths or Lifeskill Maths (Pass) or National 5 numerate subject as such Biology, Chemistry or Physics at C.'

There may also be essential subjects such as a literate subject or a science subject. And where we say that we will also give you a list of the ones we accept. Again from Criminology:

'The literate subjects we accept for entry on this course are one of the following: Business Management; Classical Studies; Economics; English; ESOL; Geography; History; Media Studies; Modern Studies; Philosophy; Politics; Psychology; Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies; Sociology.'

In some cases, it may also mean an art portfolio (Computer Arts) or attending an interview (Mental Health Nursing).

What are Standard v Minimum Entry Requirements?

Every degree has standard entry requirements. These are are the qualifications and subjects you need to apply for that degree. Standard entry requirements are listed on every course page.

But we understand that you may have faced extra challenges before applying to us. In that case we may offer you the minimum entry requirements.

To find out what these are, please email the admissions team who will help you.