'Contextual admissions' is a term used to describe the use of additional information, including school performance data and socio-economic markers, to provide context for individual applicants’ university applications and achievement.
Why is the University of Southampton using contextual data?
The University of Southampton is committed to widening participation and ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data supports our Admissions team to recognise a student’s achievements and identify their potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience
How is contextual data used?
Each case is considered on an individual basis and the information used is primarily drawn from the UCAS application form, with the information on participation in widening participation/outreach activities provided by the University’s Access Team.
What is the University of Southampton offering students who are flagged through contextual admissions?
Every applicant who has applied for a participating undergraduate programme*, who is flagged through contextual admissions and meets the academic criteria, will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
*The following programmes do not currently consider contextual admissions data:
Please note that the University’s Medicine BM6 Widening Participation programme has its own eligibility criteria and successful applicants will not be made a lower offer for this programme.
The following contextual information will be taken into consideration for undergraduate applications made in 2023/2024. You will be flagged if you meet one of the following criteria (two for Medicine):
a. You have been in care or looked after for three months or more
This information is derived from two fields in the UCAS application form, so it is important that care leavers declare this in their application. For more information on support available for care leavers, explore our information page .
b. Your home postcode is in a Low Participation Neighbourhood
If you currently live in a postcode assigned to the lowest POLAR4 quintile according to the Office for Students (OfS) and identified by UCAS in the data it transmits to us. You can use our postcode checker to check the status of your home postcode .
c. You are the first generation in your family to enter Higher Education and you attended a lower-performing school/college
If you are the first generation in your family to enter Higher Education and you attended a lower-performing school/college. This only applies to the school/college you are currently attending/have most recently attended. A lower-performing school/college is where their performance places it in quintile 1 for average QCA points per A level student (or equivalent) (in England, Wales or Northern Ireland) as identified by the Department for Education dataset and provided to the University via UCAS. See document below for a list of eligible schools/colleges.
d. You have participated in a recognised outreach or widening participation programme
These are activities and programmes delivered by the University of Southampton that have:
Eligible programmes/activities:
For more information on the University’s widening participation and outreach activities, go to southampton.likn.co/schoolsandcolleges .
e. You live in a postcode assigned to Quintile 1 of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)
If you live in a postcode assigned to Quintile 1 (equivalent to decile 1 and 2) according to The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s’ English Index of Deprivation. More information about the Index of Multiple Deprivation can be found on the Government website . You can use our postcode checker to check the status of your home postcode . Our postcode checker categorizes postcodes by quintile and your postcode should be listed as 1 to be eligible.
Please note, as the classification of your postcode and the performance of the schools you have attended may change from year to year, any current links or downloads are only applicable to applications for the current entry cycle.
f. You were eligible for Free School Meals after the age of 14
Young people in the UK are usually eligible for fee school meals if their parents or carers are on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits - they will need to have registered with their local authority.
You may also be eligible if you are paid qualifying benefits directly, instead of through your parent or carer.
g. You are eligible for the UCAT Bursary ( Medicine BM5 School-Leavers only )
You are eligible for the UCAT Bursary. Please see the UCAT website for more information.
The following contextual information will be taken into consideration for “home” fee paying applicants who apply in 2024/25 for a participating undergraduate programme.
You will be flagged if you meet one of the following criteria (or two for Medicine BM5 School-Leaver entry ):
a. You have been in care or looked after for three months or more
This information is derived from two fields in the UCAS application form, so it is important that care leavers declare this in their application. For more information on support available for care leavers, explore our information page .
b. Your home postcode is in a Low Participation Neighbourhood
If you currently live in a postcode assigned to the lowest POLAR4 or TUNDRA quintile according to the Office for Students (OfS) and identified by UCAS in the data it transmits to us. You can use our postcode checker to check the status of your home postcode .
c. You have participated in a recognised outreach or widening participation programme
These are activities and programmes delivered by the University of Southampton that have:
Eligible programmes/activities:
For more information on the University’s widening participation and outreach activities, go to southampton.likn.co/schoolsandcolleges .
d. You live in a postcode assigned to Quintile 1 of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)
If you live in a postcode assigned to Quintile 1 (equivalent to decile 1 and 2) according to The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s’ English Index of Deprivation. More information about the Index of Multiple Deprivation can be found on the Government website . You can use our postcode checker to check the status of your home postcode . Our postcode checker categorizes postcodes by quintile and your postcode should be listed as 1 to be eligible.
Please note, as the classification of your postcode may change from year to year, any current links or downloads are only applicable to applications for the current entry cycle.
e. You were eligible for Free School Meals after the age of 14
Young people in the UK are usually eligible for fee school meals if their parents or carers are on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits - they will need to have registered with their local authority.
You may also be eligible if you are paid qualifying benefits directly, instead of through your parent or carer.
f. You are an estranged student
Estranged students are defined as young people aged 25 or below, studying without the support and approval of any parent due to a breakdown in their relationship which has led to ceased contact. This might be biological, step or adoptive parents, or possibly wider family members who have been involved in your care.
This information is derived from the UCAS so it is important that you state this in your application.
g. You are eligible for the UCAT Bursary ( Medicine BM5 School-Leavers only )
You are eligible for the UCAT Bursary. Please see the UCAT website for more information.
For any other questions about contextual admissions, please contact: [email protected].