Alternative Offers at Newcastle University

At Newcastle University, our aim is to encourage and support the brightest and best students to succeed, regardless of background. We have an extensive programme of aspiration raising and support for students before, during and after their study with us.

We have a longstanding commitment to widening participation and equality of opportunity not only in our region, but across the UK.

Find out more about our activities to support widening participation.

PARTNERS Programme supported entry route

PARTNERS is Newcastle University's flagship widening participation programme for students in year 13/final year college. It's designed to support students from underrepresented backgrounds on their journey to higher education.

Successful completion of PARTNERS may result in an offer that is up to three A level grades lower (or equivalent) than the typical entry requirements. PARTNERS is available for any of our undergraduate degree programmes.

Students must:

Complete a compulsory PARTNERS Academic Summer School.
Meet essential eligibility criteria.
Make Newcastle University Firm choice through UCAS.

Find out more about PARTNERS.

Pathways to Newcastle

Pathways to Newcastle is an alternative entry to the degree programmes in our Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) faculty. It's designed to support students in year 13/final year college into key economic subject areas where skills gaps have been identified.

Successful completion of Pathways to Newcastle may result in an offer that is up to two grades lower than the typical entry requirements.

Students must:

Apply to a participating degree programme at Newcastle University.
Complete an online skills module.
Meet essential eligibility criteria.
Make Newcastle University Firm choice through UCAS.

Find out more about Pathways to Newcastle.

Realising Opportunities Programme

Realising Opportunities (RO) is a collaboration between nine research intensive universities to support students from underrepresented backgrounds on their journey to higher education.

Successful completion of RO may result in an offer that is two A level grades lower (or equivalent) than the typical entry requirements.

Students must:

Attend an RO partner school. Students can check this with a teacher/advisor from their school/college.
Apply for RO in year 12.
Meet essential eligibility criteria.
Complete an online skills module.
Attend the on-campus Academic Skills Module.
Complete a reflective piece of work.

Find out more about Realising Opportunities.

Contextual Offers

Our Undergraduate Admissions Team will use certain contextual data from your UCAS form, alongside your application, to take into account challenges that you may have faced in your education and the potential effect this may have had on your qualifications.

These offers apply across all undergraduate subject areas at the University.

How is contextual information used?

If you are eligible, the Admissions Team may use this information in the following ways:

to make you a contextual offer, which will be up to two grades lower than the typical offer for the Programme to which you have applied
when considering applicants who have not quite met the entry criteria stated in their offer at Confirmation

You may be eligible to receive a lower contextual offer if one (or more) of the following criteria applies to you. It's important that you declare this information on your UCAS form so that we can take it into account as part of the admissions process.

Care experienced students

You may be eligible for a contextual offer if you have experienced any time in care during your life.

Estranged students

You may be eligible for a contextual offer if you are an estranged person, who no longer has the support of your family due to a breakdown in the relationship which has led to ceased contact. This might mean your biological, step or adoptive parents, or wider family members who have been responsible for supporting you in the past.

Free school meals

You may be eligible for a contextual offer if you are eligible for free school meals.

Find out why you should consider declaring your eligibility for free school meals on your UCAS form.

If you attend an independent school but would have been eligible for Free School Meals at a state school you may also be eligible for a contextual offer. This will be verified using data supplied by UCAS.

You are a recognised carer

You are eligible for a contextual offer if you have sole or shared responsibility for the care of a relative because they are ill, have a disability, are experiencing mental distress, or are affected by substance abuse.

How to apply for a contextual offer

You don’t need to apply separately for a contextual offer. When you complete your UCAS form, make sure to declare if you meet any of the above criteria within the 'Applicant Context' section.

Submit your UCAS form by 6pm on 14 January 2026 (or 15 October 2025 for the MBBS and BDS programmes) and we will take your circumstances into account when considering your application.

Contextual information is used as part of a University-wide, holistic approach to fair admissions, however, does not guarantee that an offer will be made.

High Performance Athletes

As one of the top universities for sport in the country, we nurture the talent of the elite athletes who come to study with us. In recognition of this, we support promising athletes at the application stage.

Students must:

Be competing at regional, national or international level.
Provide evidence of your previous and current sporting achievements in your UCAS application.
Have a commitment to continue improving in that sport and representing the University.

If you are eligible, the admissions team may use this information:

To make you a contextual offer. This will be up to two grades lower than the typical offer for the programme to which you have applied.
To give extra consideration on UCAS Results Day.

Find out more about the opportunities that Performance Sport at Newcastle University can offer.

Contact us via performance.sport@newcastle.ac.uk if you have any questions about your eligibility.