GCSE
All applicants require at least five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above. These must include mathematics, English and science. Preference is given to applicants who have obtained these grades on application. Please note the institution may consider equivalent numeracy and literacy qualifications.

A level
The normal entry requirement for A levels is 128 UCAS points (e.g. ABB). The minimum entry requirement for A levels is 112 UCAS points (e.g. BBC). These A levels must include study of biology/human biology, chemistry or physics, to achieve a grade B or above (in some instances, an A level in physical education may be an appropriate alternative too). No UCAS credits are given to A levels in general studies.

BTEC National Diploma
For BTEC, the minimum entry requirements are three distinctions (DDD), 144 UCAS points from a relevant access course (eg. health or science, but not public services or uniformed protective services). Study must contain units covering sufficient biology and/or chemistry (unless supplemented by an A-level in biology).

Access to Higher Education
The minimum entry requirements are 45 credits from a relevant access course (eg. health, nursing, science, etc). Of these, 36 must be at distinction, to include 15 credits in a relevant science (preference is biology but can consider 15 in physics or chemistry). The remaining 9 credits must be at merit or above.

T level
Those undertaking T levels in health and science pathways require a distinction or distinction*, as well as a grade B or above in the core component.

International Baccalaureate
28-32 overall. These must include five at higher level in biology and/or chemistry.
If overseas and not studying English within IB, must have an overall average score of at least 7.0, with a score of at least 6.5 in each element.

Other qualifications
In some instances, alternative academic qualifications may meet entry requirements too. We acknowledge that some potential applicants who are seeking to develop their careers may have completed vocationally-related qualifications with other course providers (distinct from technical qualifications such as T levels). These do not typically meet our academic requirements for entry, despite their vocational merit. Particularly, we are unable to accept the Qualsafe awards as an academic qualification to meet our entry requirements (for example, we cannot accept the Level 3 Award in First Response Emergency Care, Level 4 Diploma for Associate Ambulance Practitioners or Level 5 Diploma in First Response Emergency and Urgent Care).

Extended entry requirements
In addition to the above, acceptance depends on a number of other factors:

Deferred entry
Unfortunately we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please refer to an experienced admissions administrator who will be able to explain the UCAS application process in more detail admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

128

GCSEs:
5 GCSEs grade C/4 or above to include Mathematics, English and Science. Preference is given to applicants who have obtained these grades on application and who have achieved at least B/5 grades in Mathematics, English and Science. Please note that if you do not have this profile please contact the Admissions Team directly on +44 1752 585858 or email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk and they will be happy to advise you further.

A level:
ABB from three A levels. Two A levels must come from either Maths, use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science, or Psychology. General Studies will not be considered as part of the offer.

The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A level, alongside two science subjects, as listed above. An applicant studying for an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) alongside three A levels that meet the above criteria, will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. To be considered for this the EPQ must be in a relevant science-based topic and be predicted to achieve a strong grade.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/National Extended Diploma: D*D*D Science profile, must include either Mathematics, Use of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Human Biology, Applied Science, Psychology.

BTEC Level 3 Diploma/National Diploma: D*D* and only considered in conjunction with Science or Mathematics A level at grade A.

If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

International Baccalaureate:
32-34 points overall to include 3 subjects at Higher Level and 2 of these subjects must be at 6 points Higher Level. Subjects must come from either maths, use of maths, physics, chemistry, biology/human biology, applied science, psychology.
English accepted within
If Advanced Level = 4+ (A1) or 5 (A2/B)
If Standard Level = 5+ (A1) or 6 (A2/B)
If overseas and not studying English within IB – must have IELTS

IELTS: 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all elements.

Access:
Pass a named Access to HE Diploma (e.g. Science, Combined Science, Medicine) with at least 45 credits at level 3 of which 30 must be at distinction level and come from at least two specialisms including Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology. At least 9 credits must be in Maths or Physics. The remaining 15 level 3 credits must be at merit.

T level:
Accepted – preference pathways would be Health and Science. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received.

Please note: Applications are considered on an individual basis with preference given to those applicants with a strong GCSE profile and those with at least 12 months experience working in optical practice. Preference is also given to those applicants for which it is at least two years since the completion of any previous level 3 qualification. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions team if you have any queries via email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk or call +44 1752 585858.

For a full list of all acceptable qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

Deferred entry
Due to the professional nature of this course we are unable to accept applications for deferred entry.