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When a university makes you an offer, it means that they’ve considered your application, and have decided to give you an opportunity to study there. They’ve essentially made a place on their course available to you, although this doesn’t yet confirm your enrolment. The process of accepting your place will depend on whether you have been given a conditional or an unconditional offer, and in this guide we take a look at what is meant by each of these terms.
Conditional offers
A conditional offer means that a university has decided to give you a place on their degree course, provided that you meet particular entry requirements. It’s the most common type of offer that universities give, and you’ll receive it before getting your final A-level grades. The good news is that at this point, if you meet the conditions of your offer you’ll be accepted onto the course.
Conditional offers can include combinations of different types of requirements. They’re primarily composed of A-level, Scottish Higher, International Baccalaureate, and BTEC National Diploma results or UCAS points, but may also include Extended Project scores and other extra-curricular achievements, depending on what you are studying.
In addition to minimum grade scores, your offer may include subject-specific requirements, which ensure that you’ll have the relevant foundational knowledge required for your chosen degree course.
Here are three examples of what your conditional offer might look like:
- A-level grades ABB with A in biology and at least two other science-related subjects
- BBB from any three A-levels, or BBC from three A-levels and grade B in your Extended Project
- 112 UCAS Tariff points including BTEC National Diploma grade DM
Once you receive a conditional offer, you’ll be able to reply to the university, usually via UCAS. A conditional offer is a great place to start. It means the ball is now firmly in your court, and all you have to do is get the grades!
Unconditional offers
The other type of uni offer is called an unconditional offer, and if you’ve been given one of these, then give yourself a big pat on the back because this means that you have a guaranteed place on your course!
An unconditional offer means that the university has deemed that you already have the qualifications and experience needed to satisfy their admission criteria, and decided to offer you a place regardless of the results of any further exams you may take.
There are several reasons why a uni might do this. If you’ve achieved exceptional exam results at this stage, or if your experience and motivations are a really good fit with the course, then a university may want to try and get you on board as soon as possible. If they see potential in you and are happy that you’ve covered the relevant foundational course content, then there’s no reason not to accept you right away.
Unconditional offers are still relatively unusual and represent the overwhelming minority of university offers given, however in recent years they are becoming more widespread.
Read about how to accept your offer and secure your place at university.
