Information for applicants
Last reviewed: 13 August
Will Covid-19 affect my application to Oxford Brookes?
The University is doing everything we can to limit any impact that Covid-19 may have on current applications to study at Oxford Brookes in 2020/21.
If you have applied to Oxford Brookes or are about to apply, please be assured that our Admissions team are continuing to work hard to process all applications as usual.
Will the deadlines for my application change?
We're closely monitoring advice from the British Councl, Ofqual, UCAS, and the UK Government to ensure that any changes to exams or results do not disadvantage our applicants.
If you have applied via UCAS, please follow the guidance from UCAS on the current deadlines. If you have made a direct application, we will contact you if there are any changes to your application timeline.
My exams or assessment have been cancelled and I am worried about being able to meet the conditions of my offer.
We understand that the coronavirus pandemic is impacting on arrangements for exams and assessment.
We want to reassure you that Oxford Brookes is committed to ensuring that anyone affected should still be able to achieve their ambition to study at University.
Over the coming days and weeks, we will be working hard to ensure we continue to deliver a fair admissions process, working flexibly to support you.
Will my deposit be refunded if I cannot attend the University due to Covid-19?
If you have been affected by Covid-19 and are unable to attend for the September 2020 intake, we will be happy to defer your place to the next available intake for your course. To request a deferral, you just need to email our Admissions team at admissions@brookes.ac.uk with your request.
If you are affected by Covid-19 and are unable to attend any intake, we will refund your deposit.
What will happen if I cannot take my IELTS test?
The University requires all students to demonstrate evidence of their English language ability as a condition of enrolment.
In addition to IELTS, the University accepts a range of alternatives which can be found on our website. We are also currently reviewing additional qualifications.
Will the University be expecting students who are applying for 2020 entry to complete any additional work as part of their application?
Wherever possible, we will be using the results that you are issued with, even if these are no longer based on exams.
We encourage all applicants to complete all the work that will continue to contribute to their final result, and to continue to engage with their subject of interest through wider reading as preparation for university study.
Should I apply for accommodation?
Yes, we encourage you to continue to plan for your arrival in Oxford in September. Applications are now open for Oxford Brookes accommodation and you can find out more by visiting our accommodation webpages.
Can I defer my place?
You will need to email the Admissions team with your request at admissions@brookes.ac.uk.
Please include your full name, ID - if you have this and the course you have applied for. The Admissions team can then action this and advise you of the next available intake.
How can I find out more about studying at Oxford Brookes?
Look out for the emails we're sending regularly to our offer holders, which include information about how to engage with other offer holders, current students and staff.
You can get in touch with us by visiting our contact us webpages. Here you can submit a query about your application, or a more general question about life at Oxford Brookes, as well as accessing Unibuddy, where you can chat to current students.
My financial circumstances have changed as a result of the pandemic. What should I do?
If you are a UK student, it's important that you apply for Student Finance as soon as possible, and ideally by 22 May 2020. If your household income changes significantly after you are assessed, you can update your information during the year.
Oxford Brookes offers a generous means-tested bursary of up to £3,000 per year, as well as other sources of funding for specific groups of students. To find out more, visit our fees and funding webpages.
Will the introduction of student number controls for UK/EU students affect my offer?
No. If you have an offer to study at Oxford Brookes, this won't be affected in any way by student number controls.
What if I have a disability or other long term medical condition?
As a University, we are fully committed to equality of access. However, this year, as we all face new and very specific challenges presented by the global pandemic, it may be the case that it is not possible to meet all of your needs safely and well enough for you to proceed as planned. We will need to carefully assess if there are any potential barriers for your experience with us before you come to Brookes. Your safety and welfare is of paramount importance to us. Further information on guidance and support provided by the University's Inclusive Support Service, including contact details, can be found here.
As an international student, if I start my studies online will it have an impact on my eligibility for the two-year post-study work visa?
If you are on a one-year programme, you will need to join us on campus in the UK by 6 April 2021 in order to apply for the UK Graduate Immigration Route (post-study work visa). We will fully support you to the end of your course if this is not the case but, unfortunately, the UK Graduate Immigration Route option will not apply if you have not been able to join us in the UK by that date.
I am due to start my course in September. Will it still be running?
At present, all of our September-start courses are due to run with adaptations to fit the current situation. We are aiming to open our campuses as fully as possible in September with measures in place to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.
How will I be taught?
It is unlikely that large, face-to-face lectures will be possible. We have therefore taken the decision that large lectures will be delivered through high-quality, online learning. However, you will be on campus for individual and small group learning with your peer group. On-campus meetings with your academic advisor will also be available and we can reassure you that for all these interactions, appropriate safety arrangements will be in place. Teaching methods are likely to vary from course to course and we are aiming to give you more information soon.
What support will there be for online learning?
If you are unfamiliar with online learning, we can help. We have many years of experience in helping our students develop the skills they need to get the most out of their studies, and we have experienced teams in place that will help you to get the most out of online learning. Our existing students finished the last academic year totally online including exams and assessments. Teaching methods are likely to vary from course to course and we are aiming to give you more information soon.
What if I am unable to travel or be on campus due to my individual circumstances?
Students unable to travel to the UK will receive the same high-quality, online learning and support. Your academic adviser will be an important link to the campus, getting you involved with other students and in small group learning. This will include opportunities to have contact with fellow students and with all the support services we provide such as Wellbeing, Careers and the important Library service. This applies equally to those who need to adhere to stricter social distancing measures which prevent them from being on campus.
What will life on campus be like?
You will be on campus for individual and small group learning with your peer group. This means on campus meetings with your academic advisor will be available. Where social distancing allows, you will be able to use facilities such as our cafes and safe social activity through the Brookes Union clubs and societies. We can reassure you that for all these interactions, appropriate safety arrangements will be in place.
My course involves placements. Will these still be offered in 2020-21?
We currently anticipate delivering placements during 2020-21 as planned.
When students are in placement our priority and that of our placement providers is the safety of our students, we'll therefore be closely monitoring the availability and appropriateness of placements over the coming months.
What preparations is the University making to help keep students and staff members safe on campus?
There is a huge amount of work underway to help keep students, staff and essential visitors safe on their return to campus in September. This encompasses many different areas - from risk assessments and enhanced cleaning, to social distancing measures and modifications to reduce campus footfall.
We have published a Five Steps process to working safely at Oxford Brookes. This aligns with Government guidance on reopening workplaces and will be implemented from September.
My course has a field trip, will this trip still take place?
Specific field trips may change due to Covid-19 to follow government guidance on travel and social distancing measures. Wherever possible, trips will go ahead but may change dates, location or be replaced by an alternative trip or activity to meet equivalent learning outcomes whilst complying with the latest government guidance.
Do I need my own computer or laptop to study?
Depending on your course, your study preferences and your proximity to campus, you may find it easier to have your own computer. Some specialist equipment and software can be accessed remotely or you can access the on-campus computers so having your own computer is not a requirement.
If you are studying a course that often uses specialist software (eg Architecture, Urban Design, Publishing, Graphic Design, Computing, Engineering) and you are planning to purchase your own computer, we can advise on specifications that you may want to consider.
What if my course normally relies on specialist facilities/equipment/software?
Some courses include modules of a practical nature which take place in specialist facilities such as studios, labs, workshops or technical suites. Practical sessions are a key element to many of our programmes and we have prioritised making sure they can be safely taught face to face on campus in small groups as much as possible. Some practical sessions, such as demonstrations, will also be streamed online.
In some areas independent study in these spaces is popular outside of the teaching timetable. To ensure continued access to these facilities, we plan to implement a booking system to ensure social distancing requirements can be met.
Will I still be able to complete practical skills training as part of my course?
Yes, we will still be delivering skills training as part of our nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and paramedic science courses.
To ensure that we have the capacity to train everyone safely, we have expanded the number of dedicated spaces for skills training.
We will also be increasing capacity by extending the hours that we use the labs throughout the week. In each skills class, social distancing, increased cleaning, PPE or other relevant safety measures will be in place to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Will you still be offering placements as part of my course?
Placements will continue to be an essential part of your course. Programme teams will work with students to provide a full and safe placement experience.
Arrangements may vary depending on the nature of the placement, but all will be the subject of a thorough risk assessment.
Will my progress be affected if I need to self-isolate or observe increased social distancing measures?
The safety of our students and those they live with is our first priority. We will assess each case and make appropriate arrangements and recommendations.
Our goal will be to ensure that your studies proceed as planned. We have established procedures to support students who have to take varied amounts of time out from their placement due to ill health or other reasons.
We work with individuals to support the continuity of their programme, whether this is on clinical placements or associated with academic work.
What happens if I am an international student and I can't get to Oxford Brookes for the beginning of the first semester in September?
For students who are unable to travel to the UK you will have the same high-quality online learning and support. This will involve on-line, face to face contact and may involve the use of specialist simulation software.
We will create individual plans for making up anything that you might miss before your arrival at Oxford Brookes. Your academic adviser will be an important link to the campus, to getting you involved with other students and in small group learning.
This will include opportunities to have contact with fellow students and with all the support services we provide such as Wellbeing, Careers and the important Library service.
This applies equally to those who need to adhere to stricter social distancing measures which prevent them from being on campus.