Fair admissions code of practice

This code sets out the principles and behaviours that universities and colleges who have signed up to it follow to deliver for applicants.

This includes an admissions process that:

protects applicants' interests
supports fairness and transparency
ensures the stability of the higher education sector
maintains high academic standards

Publications

Fair admissions code of practice

Download the code of practice in full

Who does this code of practice apply to?

This code is co-owned by Universities UK and GuildHE and applies to the admission of home undergraduate students. It consists of revised principles for fair admissions developed during UUK’s Fair admissions review, and underlying behaviours that demonstrate these principles.

Universities and colleges that sign up to the code will be expected to make sure that their admissions processes follow the principles of the code with immediate effect. A list of universities and colleges that have signed up to the code can be found at the bottom of this page.

This is a living document that will be updated to best respond to future admissions challenges.

Summary of the code's principles

Applicants who apply to a university or college that follows this code can expect admissions processes that:

Above all, protect and prioritise the interests of applicants

This means universities and colleges should make sure that admissions practices support student choice and do not create unnecessary pressure.

Universities and colleges should make sure that applicants have all the information they need to make an informed decision about the best course of study for them.

They should also avoid applying pressure through their offer making practices, including by avoiding the use of ‘conditional unconditional’ offers, restricting the use of unconditional offers to specific circumstances, and using incentives appropriately and transparently.

Are transparent

This means universities and colleges should provide the information applicants need to make the best choice for them, including the prior qualifications applicants may need, how they make their choices, and why they make certain types of offers.

This information should be made available clearly, in good time, and through appropriate channels.

Enable universities and colleges to select students able to complete a course as judged by their achievements and potential

This means universities and colleges use the evidence they have available to make informed decisions on applicants’ potential to succeed on a course.

This evidence can include exam results, other qualifications, relevant experience, or by using other methods of testing (such as auditions, interviews, or submitting creative portfolios).

However, applicants should also be assessed as individuals, and other contextual factors may be taken into account.

Use reliable, valid and explainable assessment methods

This means that the way admissions processes operate should be guided by research and good practice, and universities and colleges should be able to explain why their approach to admissions is in the applicants’ best interests.

Universities and colleges should also monitor the link between their admissions practices and the outcomes for their students.

Minimise barriers for applicants and address inequalities

There are some barriers to entry for applicants that have nothing to do with their potential or ability to succeed on a course, such as where they grew up or their life experiences.

Universities and colleges should minimise these barriers to entry through their admissions processes, but should be clear on how and why they do so.

Are professional and underpinned by appropriate institutional structure and processes

This means that admissions processes should be organised in such a way that they are efficient, high-quality and provide a professional experience for applicants.

For more information on what these principles mean in practice, see the full version of the code.

Who has signed up to the code?

Over 100 Universities UK and GuildHE members have agreed to uphold the principles and behaviours outlined in the code.

Some universities and colleges are still going through necessary internal procedures to consider signing up to the code, and this list will be regularly updated to reflect new signatories to the end of April.

This list was last updated on 5 June 2023.

List of signatories

Aberystwyth University
Anglia Ruskin University
Arts University Bournemouth
Aston University
Bangor University
Bath Spa University
BIMM Institute
Birkbeck, University of London
Bishop Grosseteste University
Brunel University London
Bournemouth University
Buckinghamshire New University
Canterbury Christ Church University
Christ the Redeemer College
City, University of London
Coventry University
Cranfield University
De Montfort University
Edge Hill University
Edinburgh Napier University
Falmouth University
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow School of Art
Goldsmiths, University of London
Harper Adams University
Hartpury University
Imperial College London
Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
Keele University
King's College London
Lancaster University
Leeds Arts University
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Conservatoire
Leeds Trinity University
Liverpool Hope University
Liverpool John Moores University
London School of Economics and Political Science
London South Bank University
Loughborough University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Middlesex University
Moorlands College
Morley College London
Newcastle University
New College of the Humanities
Newman University
The Northern School of Art
Northumbria University
Nottingham Trent
The Open University
Oxford Brookes University
Pearson College London
Plymouth College of Art
Plymouth Marjon University
Queen Margaret University
Queen Mary University of London
Regent's University London
Rose Bruford College
Royal Agricultural University
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Royal College of Music
Royal Holloway, University of London
The Royal Veterinary College
Scotland's Rural College
Sheffield Hallam University
Solent University, Southampton
St George's, University of London
St Mary's University College
St Mary's University, Twickenham
Swansea University
Teesside University
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
University Academy 92
University College Birmingham
University College London
University of Aberdeen
University of Bath
University of Bedfordshire
University of Birmingham
University of Bolton
University of Bradford
University of Brighton
University of Bristol
University of Cambridge
University of Central Lancashire
University of Chester
University of Chichester
University for the Creative Arts
University of Cumbria
University of Derby
University of Dundee
University of East Anglia
University of Edinburgh
University of Essex
University of Essex Online
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
University of Gloucestershire
University of Greenwich
University of Hertfordshire
University of Huddersfield
University of Hull
University of Kent
University of Law
University of Leeds
University of Leicester
University of Lincoln
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
University of Plymouth
University of Portsmouth
University of Reading
University of Salford
University of Sheffield
University of South Wales
University of Southampton
University of St Andrews
University of Stirling
University of Strathclyde
University of Suffolk
University of Sunderland
University of Surrey
University of Sussex
University of the Arts London
University of the Highlands and Islands
University of the West of England
University of the West of Scotland
University of Warwick
University of West London
University of Westminster
University of Winchester
University of Wolverhampton
University of Worcester
University of York
Wrexham Glyndŵr University
York St John University

Fair admissions code of practice

On this page

Fair admissions code of practice

Who does this code of practice apply to?

Summary of the code's principles

Above all, protect and prioritise the interests of applicants

Are transparent

Enable universities and colleges to select students able to complete a course as judged by their achievements and potential

Use reliable, valid and explainable assessment methods

Minimise barriers for applicants and address inequalities

Are professional and underpinned by appropriate institutional structure and processes

Who has signed up to the code?

List of signatories

Ed Castell

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