
How to apply
The College is always happy to answer any query you may have via e-mail at admissions@heythrop.ac.uk . In the broader context, we would be pleased to visit schools and colleges to give general or specific presentations about Heythrop. We also greatly encourage A Level students to come to our Open Days.
You must be at least 17 years of age at the date of programme registration subject to waiver in exceptional circumstances. The College will continue to review the minimum age requirement in light of recent changes to national legislation. There is no upper age limit for undergraduate or postgraduate study.
International applicants should look at our International students pages.
Applying for a full-time first degree or Foundation Degree
Applying for a part-time first degree or Foundation Degree place
Applicants from outside the UK
Completing your full time UCAS application form
What do we look for when considering applications?
Applying for a full-time first degree or Foundation Degree
All applications including those from mature people - must be made on-line through UCAS at www.ucas.com/apply. You need to register with the secure application system Apply. There is a fee for this.
You may apply for up to five choices of institution or course. Heythrops code is H48 HTRP.
All UK schools and colleges (and a small number of those overseas) are registered with UCAS to manage their own applications: the school will advise you what to do. If you are not at school or college, or are outside the UK, you apply independently on-line through UCAS. The main difference is that when you are not at school it will be your responsibility to obtain and attach your academic reference. For all applicants, there is a detailed downloadable guide on the UCAS website. If you need further information you advice, you can contact the UCAS customer service unit on +44 (0)870 112 2211.
The earliest date to apply for a place in 2012 is 1 September 2011. It is good to apply early: the published UCAS deadline is 15 January 2012, but applications after that date, up to 30 June 2012, will always be considered if places are still available.
We are happy to consider applicants for deferred entry that is, those who wish to take a year out to gain some specific experience or to broaden their interests. Our advice is to apply in the final year of secondary or further education, indicate on your UCAS form that you will be deferring entry and outline your plans in your personal statement.
UCAS will acknowledge your application, and process it so that Heythrop can see it, without seeing where else you have applied. You will be able to track the progress of your application on the UCAS site, and the College will also keep in contact with you.
Applying for a part-time first degree or Foundation Degree place
In 2011 Heythrop will consider applications for part-time places on all the undergraduate degree programmes EXCEPT the International Academy
BA Theology.
You can download the part-time undergraduate application form or, if necessary, ask for one by contacting admissions@heythrop.ac.uk.
You must send a signed hard copy of the completed form to the Head of Student Services at Heythrop, together with two hard copy references and evidence of qualifications. The deadline for the receipt of completed application forms is 1 September prior to the start of the course.
The part time undergraduate application form can be downloaded here:
Part-time Application Form (.doc)
Applicants from outside the UK
If you live outside the UK, it may be quicker to obtain application materials from your local British Council Office - see www.britishcouncil.org or e-mail general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org . UCAS offers an online application service ('apply'), as well as a PC-based electronic application system (EAS) for schools, colleges, British Council Offices and other careers organisations. Whilst we encourage you to apply as early as possible, you can apply anytime between 1 September 2011 and 30 June 2012. If you think you may be assessed as a 'home/EU' student for tuition fees purposes, then you should apply by 15 January 2012.
Please send full transcripts of international qualifications direct to Heythrop Registry so that we have them when your application form arrives from UCAS.
Deferred entry
Heythrop College is happy to consider applicants who wish to take a year out to gain some specific experience or to broaden their interests. Our advice is to apply in the final year of secondary or further education, indicate on your UCAS form that you will be deferring entry and outline your plans in your personal statement.
Completing your full time UCAS application form
You may apply for up to six choices of institution or course. Heythrop's code is H48 HTRP.
All applications must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Speak with your school about the application process. Individuals not applying through a school can do so at www.ucas.com/apply. Applications need to be made online in any event.
Your application should normally reach UCAS between 1 September 2011 and 15 January 2012. It is in the interests of all applicants to apply before 15 January 2012, although late applications will be sent by UCAS to institutions for consideration, at their discretion.
Additional information
Additional information and references may be submitted direct to the University quoting your UCAS application number.
You will be asked to sign a declaration on the application form, which confirms that the information you have given is true, complete and accurate. Discovery of false information or omissions from the application form could lead to an offer being withdrawn or, in the case of students already registered, to their withdrawal from the University. If you firmly accept our offer of a place, we will require documentary evidence of your identity and date of birth (usually a passport) and all qualifications declared.
Applying as a mature student
Mature students (i.e. over the age of 21 at time of entry) who wish to study full-time should also apply through UCAS.
Applicants with a disability
We welcome applications from those with disabilities and do all we can to ensure that your participation in both the academic and social life of the College is as successful as that of other students.
If you have a disability, we strongly encourage you to complete the declaration of disability and indicate any special needs on the UCAS or College Application form. Having a disability will not affect your chances of being offered a place but will help us to ensure we can liaise with you on your specific needs in good time. We will send you the College's disability statement which provides some advice for disabled applicants.
We think it is a good idea for you to visit the College before applying and we therefore suggest you contact us to make these arrangements at opendays@heythrop.ac.uk if you are applying for an undergraduate programme, or openpg@heythrop.ac.uk if you are applying for a postgraduate place. We also arrange and discuss further support for applicants and potential applicants during interviews.
What do we look for when considering applications?
This website, other information, and open days can all help you to understand what it would be like to be a student at Heythrop. In considering applications, we try to achieve a good match between the abilities and interests of students and the subjects, learning opportunities and ethos of the College. The aim is that those who are offered a place and choose to take it up will benefit, will usually be able to complete their studies, and will find their time at the College satisfying. They will have a good idea what to expect and their expectations will usually be met or exceeded.
Broadly we look at:
Academic qualifications - current and predicted performance.
Ability - to study at the relevant level.
Potential - to take increasing responsibility for their own learning and to make the most of programmes that often include significant directed individual work discussed with tutors in a one to one or small group setting.
Motivation - to engage intellectually with issues in theology or philosophy.
We also consider:
The content of the personal statement, in particular:
Reasons for application to particular degree(s) and how this relates to their current/past studies and experiences. Do you have a career goal - describe how doing this degree will help.
Why have you chosen particular subjects at A Level or equivalent?
Have you had any work experience, paid or unpaid, and any other positions of responsibility?
Are you intending to take a gap year?
Are you involved with any extra curricular activities?
The academic reference. We need information about your academic development and progress as well as what grade predictions they have for you.
We need to know about any health, personal or academic problems you have encountered during your studies.
What happens when we receive your application?
Applications through UCAS for first degrees and the Foundation Degree
UCAS will communicate with you, and you can use on-line tracking.
Your application is passed to an Admissions Tutor for consideration. A decision is normally ready to be transmitted to UCAS and then in writing from us directly to you within two weeks of initial receipt. You may receive either an unconditional or conditional offer or your application might be rejected. Alternatively, you may be asked to attend an interview at College.
Applications direct to the College
Heythrop will normally acknowledge your application within one week. The College prefers to do this by email.
Your application is checked to ensure that it is complete and includes two academic references and documentary proof of your qualifications. You will be contacted if anything is missing. Your application will not be processed until all paperwork is received.
Normally, all applicants who meet the minimum entry requirements will be invited to an interview at college, and will be advised of the outcome of their interview within one week.
If a place is offered conditionally, you will need to provide evidence to the College by a certain date that you have met the conditions.
Entrance requirements
You must normally be at least 17 years old at the date of registration for your programme. There is no upper age limit for undergraduate or postgraduate study. The academic entry requirements are given at the top of each course information page. If your offer is conditional, you would have to achieve the specific points value from your examination results.
Mature applicants to first degrees or the Foundation Degree: There are no formal requirements - entry is dependent on your references, experience and an interview.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will be required to prove your proficiency in English by providing an IELTS* score of at least 7.0, with no less than 7.0 in Listening, Academic Reading and Academic Writing. This is with the exception of the Bachelor of Divinity course, for which applicants who have previously studied Philosophy must have an IELTS score of at least 6.5, with no less than 6.5 in Listening, Academic Reading and Academic Writing
Equivalent English qualifications, for example TOEFL CBT at 250, are accepted. Your score should have been obtained within the last two years. Please see the table below for details of the types of English Qualification that we accept:
| Test Type | Total Score: |
| IELTS | 7.0 With no less than 7.0 in Listening, Academic Reading and Academic Writing |
| TOEFL Internet Based Test | 100 |
| TOEFL Computer Based Test | 250 |
| TOEFL Paper Based Test | 600 |
| Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English | |
| Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English | |
| CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) | C1 |
You will be asked to sign a declaration on the application form, which confirms that the information you have given is true, complete and accurate. Discovery of false information or omissions from the application form could lead to an offer being withdrawn or, in the case of students already registered, to their withdrawal from the College. If you firmly accept our offer of a place, we will require documentary evidence of your identity and date of birth (usually a passport) and all qualifications declared.
All applications must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The UCAS application form and instructions together with the UCAS Directory may be obtained from your school or college or by contacting UCAS via or telephoning +44 (0)870 1122211.
Undergraduate tuition fees
Please look at our Money Matters pages for information on undergraduate fees and financial support available to students.
Equality statement
Heythrop College is committed to the equality of opportunity for members of staff, students and visitors, and believes that all individuals should be treated with dignity and respect. The College therefore aims to create an environment in which everyone is treated equitably regardless of race, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political belief or social/economic group, or any other inappropriate distinction.
Heythrop is a College of the University of London, sharing in the mission and values of the University. We believe that a diverse student population - for example in terms of age, nationality and cultural and religious background - helps to enrich students' learning. The College is a Roman Catholic foundation, with a mission which includes a commitment to foster "theological and philosophical reflection upon, dialogue with and critique of contemporary secular and religious culture" and to "promote and develop engagement and dialogue with other religious traditions': The working community of staff and students is inclusive, and is diverse in terms of religion as in other ways. Some - but by no means all - theology students are preparing for ministry. The College aims to balance an enriching inclusivity with the ethos and values of a Christian institution and is open to members of other faiths and of none.