Discover Winchester Scheme

A contextual offer recognises that educational attainment can be affected by an applicant's individual circumstances and the opportunities available to them. Through contextual admissions, universities consider information about an applicant's background alongside their academic achievements to ensure that potential and achievement are assessed fairly.  

At the University of Winchester, eligible applicants who are identified upon application under the Discover Winchester Scheme, may receive a contextualised offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the standard entry requirements for their chosen course. This helps to ensure that talented students who have faced additional barriers to higher education are not disadvantaged during the admissions process.  

Receiving a contextual offer does not guarantee admission and applicants are still expected to demonstrate their preparedness and potential to succeed on their chosen course. 

The Discover Winchester Scheme is available to applicants who meet one of the following criteria:  

• Applicants whose parents have no previous experience of study in Higher Education (i.e., first-in-family to attend University) 
• Applicants who are estranged from their family.  
• Applicants who are considered mature (aged 21 or over). 
• Applicants living with Disabilities, Learning differences and Mental Health Needs. 
• Applicants who have caring responsibilities. 
• Applicants who have been in local authority care. 
• Applicants who are from a military service family or who have served in the armed forces. 
• Applicants who are a refugee or asylum-seeker, including Ukrainian nationals fleeing conflict. 
• Applicants who have previously been in receipt of free school meals (FSM).  

* Applicants will need to self-identify upon their UCAS application to be considered eligible.  

Other mitigating circumstances   

In addition to the 9 criteria above, we also offer an additional category to cater for significant extenuating circumstances and/or disrupted pattern of education not covered by the above categories. This may be provided to the University in a personal statement, reference or separately by the apply centre and allows the University to apply a level of discretion to cater for less common complex circumstances.  

Examples include, but are not limited to:  

• Bereavement - loss of close relative/significant other; 
• Serious, acute or chronic illness affecting the student’s most recent education; 
• Serious illness affecting a close family member, or significant caring duties; 
• Significant adverse personal/family circumstances; 
• Significant caring duties for a family member/significant other affecting recent education; 
• Serious procedural/technical issues with the provision of the education or test (such as a significant teaching shortage for a prolonged period).

Applicants to courses with an integrated foundation year will be able to access additional support and the travel bursary but are excluded from the contextualised offer due to the lower entry requirements already in operation. 

If you are eligible for a guaranteed interview or a contextualised offer (currently up to 16 tariff points below the standard entry requirements), you do not need to make a separate application. These adjustments will normally be applied automatically based on the information provided in your UCAS application, provided you have self-identified the relevant circumstances. 

If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria but have not received a guaranteed interview or contextualised offer, please contact admissions@winchester.ac.uk and a member of the team will review your circumstances. 

We understand that the cost of travel can be a barrier to attending university events. To help with this, eligible Discover Winchester applicants may apply for a £40 travel contribution to support the cost of attending a University of Winchester applicant activity. 

The Travel Fund is available to eligible applicants attending one of the following events: 

• A University of Winchester interview
• An Experience Winchester Day
• Other designated applicant events, where specified 

The £40 contribution will be paid following attendance at the event and is intended to help with travel costs incurred when visiting the University. 

Please note that funding is limited and applications will be considered subject to available funds. Receiving a Discover Winchester offer does not guarantee receipt of a Travel Fund payment. 

Further details about eligibility, the application process and how to claim the Travel Fund will be available in Autumn 2026 for students applying to enter the University in 2027. 

The University of Winchester's Schools and Colleges Team provides a range of support to help you explore higher education and make informed decisions about your future. Keep an eye out for events, workshops and guidance sessions taking place at your school or college. 

If you would like advice about applying to university, contextual admissions, or the Discover Winchester Travel Fund, please contact discover@winchester.ac.uk. 

We also run the Discover Winchester Year 12 Summer School, taking place from 6 to 8 July 2027. This free three-day, two-night residential programme gives 16 and 17-year-olds the opportunity to experience university life first-hand through academic taster sessions, student life activities and the chance to stay on campus. 

Students can register using our online application form. Applications close on Friday 29 January at 15:00.  

The University of Winchester finds it beneficial to work in partnership with schools and colleges in order to ensure that the Discover Winchester scheme offers the most appropriate support for applicants.  We therefore invite staff to join our Discover Winchester Advocates scheme. This will ensure you receive termly newsletters and an invitation to our annual forum where we brief on updates and also invite feedback on the scheme.  If you would like to join the Discover Winchester Advocates Scheme please email us via discover@winchester.ac.uk.