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Department of
Computer Science
 

Departmental Admissions Statement

This Statement should be read in conjunction with University's Admissions Principles and Procedures (http://www.bris.ac.uk/university/governance/policies/admissions-policy.html ).

Admissions Tutors

Admissions Cycle

2012-2013 for entry in October 2013

1. Admissions Process

1.1 Introduction

This statement describes the procedures used by the Department of Computer Science for admission to the degree programmes listed in 1.2. Although the Mathematics and Computer Science degrees are joint honours degrees the admissions are handled by the Department of Computer Science on behalf of the Board of Studies and there are no differences in the procedure used.

Electronics and Computer Science combined programmes are led by the Electrical Engineering department, therefore all arrangements from that Department apply. The Electrical Engineering Department Admissions Statement can be found here: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/eeng/prospective/undergraduate/ug-das.pdf

Applications from under-represented groups and local applicants are actively encouraged. To this end the Department participates in such schemes as HEADSTART, WISE, Summer Schools, Open Days, etc. Attendance at such events will be considered positively.

1.2 Programmes covered:

1.3 Admissions Team

The Admissions Team consists of the Undergraduate Advisers and Undergraduate Selectors who work in close cooperation with the Admissions Tutors. The Admissions Selectors in consulation with the Admissions Tutors will be responsible for the selection process for the undergraduate programmes in Computer Science. Regular meetings are held with the Head of Department to set Admissions policy and to review statistics and forecasts.

1.4 Applications

All applications are considered by the Admissions Team. All candidates are assessed according to the criteria set out in Section 2 to determine whether they should be considered for an offer (conditional or unconditional). All applications are considered on an equal basis and are not segregated by the type of educational institution attended by the candidate. The same process is applied to applications from home, overseas and mature students.

All applicants are contacted within four weeks of receipt of the application, to establish contact and inform the applicant of the process to be followed. Applications that are received on time (in accordance with the deadlines of the UCAS application cycle) are guaranteed equal consideration. All applications are considered on an equal basis, and are not segregated by the type of educational institution attended.

Applicants who are considered for an offer are invited to attend one of the Departmental Admissions Visit/USAS Days, normally Wednesdays from November to March. The visit is to allow students to find out more about our course content and the University. Candidates to whom offers are to be made are informed following attendance at an Admissions Visit Day. Details of offers are confirmed through UCAS. Unsuccessful candidates are also informed through UCAS.

Although there are other opportunities to visit the department, such as University Open Days, if a candidate is invited to attend an Admissions Visit Day then they are expected to attend even if they have attended one of these other University events. This is because the Admissions Visit Day is specifically tailored to prospective students, as well as giving the admissions team an opportunity to clarify issues that may not be clear from the application forms and to help decide on the details of any offer that may be made. Allowance is made however for a candidate that cannot make an Admissions Visit Day due to any exceptional circumstance, if this is the case then the applicant should inform the Admissions Team as soon as possible.

1.5 Interviews

The department does not formally interview candidates in the UK apart from in the following exceptional circumstances:

The interview panel will consist of two or three members. At least one of the interviewers will be trained in fair and effective recruitment techniques and all interviews are undertaken in accordance with the University's policy on equal opportunities. In the course of such interviews, candidates may be asked to complete short test questions of a mathematical nature.

1.6 Additional Assessment

The department does not require candidates in the UK to undertake tests or written assessment apart from in the following exceptional circumstance:

1.7 Final Selection

When the A-Level results are announced, the department may occasionally accept additional strong 'near-miss' candidates. Once the Faculty policy has been established and it has been decided on how many additional candidates can be accepted, the Admissions Team and Head of Department will review all aspects of individual cases to produce a list of candidates in order of preference for consideration by the Faculty.

2 Criteria for Assessing Candidates

2.1 Entry Requirements

Academic entry requirements for standard qualifications (A-level, SQA, IB, Access, BTEC, Welsh Bacc, 14-19 Diploma, GCSEs) can be found in the online Undergraduate Prospectus http://www.bris.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/2013/sections/COSC/dept_intro Other qualifications, including international qualifications, will be considered on their individual merits; further information is available at: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/study-at-bristol/how-to-apply/country-specific/.

Assessment of candidates is based on the following criteria:

  1. achieved or predicted grades in acceptable qualifications
  2. the personal statement on the UCAS application form
  3. the reference on the UCAS application form
  4. additional contextual information

2.2 Academic Record Criteria

Decisions regarding applications are made according to the following guidelines:
  1. Candidates are expected to demonstrate high academic ability, normally equivalent to A*AA-AAA at A level. Allowance is made for:
    • candidates who have extenuating circumstances
    • candidates who have relevant additional skills, knowledge or experience
    • mature candidates with relevant work experience and/or a University Access qualification
    • candidates from a school or college whose published academic performance indicators are below the national average
    • candidates from a school or college within the Bristol postcode area

  2. For those offering A-Levels, Mathematics A-Level is required for all of our degree programmes. For those students studying other qualifications we will also require mathematics where available.

  3. Those A-Level students interested in applying for the Mathematics and Computer Science degree programmes should note that Further Mathematics, STEP or AEA Mathematics are highly desirable, but not required, alongside Mathematics A-Level. We know that Further Maths is not available to students in all schools and colleges, or that it is often taught in a restricted amount of time. We would urge prospective applicants to study Further Mathematics to the highest level available to them. If Further Maths AS or A level, or STEP and AEA mathematics are not available in your school or college, or if it they are taught in a restricted manner (for example in less time than is normally allocated to an A level subject), please make this clear in your application.

  4. Those who are applying to study in Continental Europe are usually expected to achieve a GCSE grade A/A* (or equivalent) in the appropriate language, or have substantial other language experience.

  5. A-Level subjects General studies or Critical Thinking are not counted as part of offers, nor is it considered in the academic assessment of applicants.

  6. A-Level Computer Science or ICT are not required for any of our courses.

  7. Candidates for whom English is not their first language are expected to demonstrate that their command of English is of a sufficiently high standard, normally equivalent to that required to satisfy the University's English language criterion. This is usually 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each part of IELTS test.

  8. GCSE results: A typical successful candidate would have good grades (hopefully A and A*) in 6 subjects or more. We naturally give particular credit for Mathematics and Science. Applicants with lower GCSE grades may receive an offer, but would be expected to show some excellence elsewhere in their application.

  9. AS results: We are aware that many institutions do not certify their AS results as a matter of policy. Students will not be penalised for not quoting their AS grades. However we would definitely encourage candidates to tell us about any particularly strong performances in modules in Mathematics or any closely related subject.

2.3 Contextual Information

We take a holistic approach to all applications, ensuring that the educational and social context in which an applicant applies is taken into consideration, where supported by clear evidence that this may have adversely affected academic achievement. This may include time spent in Local Authority care, information about which is provided in the UCAS application.

We also consider evidence of clear motivation to study. This may include attendance at a University summer school, a targeted Access Scheme (such as Access to Bristol), or participation in Aimhigher outreach activities. Consideration will also be given to applicants who have completed a targeted Access scheme at another university, under the "Mutual Recognition Scheme".

We do not take the following into consideration when making admissions decisions: the school type attended by an applicant or whether an applicant's parent has any experience of higher education.

2.4 Personal Statement Criteria

We use the following criteria for assessing the personal statement:

Overall, it should demonstrate a genuine interest in the chosen course and basic knowledge of the subject, highlighting their skills in mathematics and problem solving. It should also give evidence of strong study skills, responsibility, leadership and team working, commitment and achievement, both in academic and extra-curricular activities. Any relevant work experience or a Year in Industry placement should be highlighted along with any relevant reading/research beyond the A-Level course syllabus. We are also interested in evidence of organisation, self-motivation, and the ability to balance different activities.

2.5 Reference Criteria

An applicant's reference should ideally be from a school or college, from a personal tutor confirming the academic potential of the candidate to study at degree level. It should also give evidence of the commitment of the candidate to academic study and contributions to school life. Assessors will want to consider the accuracy and consistency of the predicted grades in the light of previous GCSE and AS level achievement (or reasons why this is not the case), evidence of effort and a positive attitude towards studies, and if there are any educational or special circumstances.

Where this is not possible, a non-academic reference should confirm the relevant experience of the candidate and give evidence of responsibility and commitment as well as mathematical and problem solving capabilities. It should indicate the potential of the candidate for study at degree level.

The reference will be included within the assessment of the Personal Statement.

2.6 Criteria for international applicants

In addition, International applicants for whom English is not their first language, are expected to achieve the minimum English Language requirement. English Language requirements can be found in the UG Prospectus (http://www.bris.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/2012/sections/COSC/dept_intro ) and at: http://www.bris.ac.uk/university/governance/policies/admissions-english-lang-reqs.html

2.7 Statement on non-discrimination

All candidates are assessed on an equal basis and no candidates are discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexuality, religion, disability or age.

3 Offers

Typical offers for A-levels and other UK qualifications can be found on the departmental website or in the Entry Data in the online UG Prospectus (http://www.bris.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/2013/sections/COSC/dept_intro). Offers to applicants with non-standard qualifications will be made equivalent to the published A-level offer. Our offers depend on the degree programme to which you are applying and vary from A*AA-AAA at A-level in relevant subjects. For vocational qualifications such as the BTEC National Diploma we will typically require additional proof of mathematical ability. Full details are given in the University and Department Prospectus.

We may make lower offers based on whether an applicant is deemed to have experienced educational disadvantage, as defined in section 7.5 of the University's Admissions Principles and Procedures.

4. Other

Any applications that seek entry to year 2 of one of our degree programmes will be considered by the Admissions Team; however the candidate must have successfully completed the first year of a Computer Science degree at another UK university and will usually be asked to attend the department for an interview.

Candidates may transfer between Computer Science G400 and G403 till the end of the second year as the curriculum for both these degree programs are the same for the first two years.

Applications from under-represented groups and local applicants are actively encouraged. To this end the Department participates in such schemes as HEADSTART, WISE, Summer Schools, University Open Days, etc. Attendance at such events will be considered positively.

In assessing all candidates, the number of target places available on each degree programme is taken into account to ensure that the Department meets its intake targets but does not exceed them, based on historical conversion rates.

Signature of Ian Holyer
Dr Ian Holyer
Head of Department

29th February 2012

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