Entry Requirements for Higher Education Programmes

What are the entry requirements for the online HE programmes?

It can be daunting applying for your degree. Please feel free to live chat, email or call us to learn more about our courses and the application process.

The following guidelines are designed to orientate you through entry on to a Higher Education course at Point Blank. 

For most of our full-time undergraduate degrees you should apply through UCAS. However, if you already know that you want to study at Point Blank, and do not intend to apply to other institutions then you should apply direct to us using our online application form. 

Application Form

Please note, if you are applying from outside the UK you can find specific entry requirements for certain countries below in the International Entry Requirements section. If your country is not listed here and you have any questions about your qualifications please contact our Admissions Team.

Entry Requirements for Online Degree Programmes

First and foremost, we are looking for people who can demonstrate a) their passion for music and b) an ability to successfully complete a Higher Education programme.

This will initially be assessed through your personal statement which should include any previous study or relevant experience in music. The Admissions Team will look at the merits of each applicant, taking the following evidence into consideration:

• Personal statement
• Predicted or previously attained grades
• Examples of work
• References
• Relevant work experience

Applicants may also be asked to complete an admissions test and/or attend an interview.

Where conditional offers are made, typical offers will be set between:

• A Level:  BBC – BCC
• BTEC:  DMM - MMM

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of accepted qualifications. Other qualifications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

All material received by applicants as part of an application (portfolio, admissions tests etc.) will be used solely for admissions purposes. Applicants will retain all intellectual property rights on their own work and work will not be distributed outside of those Point Blank team members assessing applications.

Equivalent international qualifications will also be accepted. For information on equivalency please click here.

• For Point Blank's Music Industry Management Degree, business or music-related subjects should ideally form a substantial component of Level 3 qualifications. If an applicant has no business or music-related subjects then we can consider an application if the personal statement indicates enthusiasm and an appetite for success within the music business.

• Unconditional offers will be reserved for exceptional applicants who demonstrate their ability through examples of previous work and/or attainment in previous academic study.
• Applicants without formal qualifications or who have achieved academic qualifications lower than the typical conditional offer may be considered on the strength of relevant prior learning and experience, demonstrated through an interview, admissions test and portfolio of work.

• All applicants must be able to demonstrate English language at CEFR level B2, equivalent to grade C / 4 at GCSE. Please note this requirement also applies to mature students (21 or over) without formal qualifications who have been admitted based on their admissions test and/or prior experience.

• International applicants should check minimum academic requirements for entry by using our partner University’s guide here.

• Successful completion of a CertHE or DipHE programme delivered at Point Blank would precipitate entry at level 5 or 6 on the BA programme, should the previous conduct, attendance and engagement of the student be of an acceptable standard.

• Places are limited and offers cannot be made to all applicants who meet our typical entry requirements.

• If you are unsure whether you qualify for a place on a Point Blank Higher Education programme, please contact our Admissions Team. 
• For a summary of applications, offers, acceptances and registrations for 2018-19 entrants, please click here. 

Entry Requirements for Online Foundation Course

What are the entry requirements for the Foundation Year course?

If you are interested in enrolling on one of our degree programmes but do not meet the entry requirements, the Foundation Year course could be for you. This course aims to build your confidence and provide you with the necessary transferable skills you need to progress onto one of our undergraduate degrees. 

Entry requirements for the Foundation Year are: 

• A Level: DD
• A Level: D and pass grades in one of the following:
  • Two different subjects at GCE AS Level
  • Two different subjects at Vocational A Level Single Award
  • Two different subjects at Vocational A Level part Award
• A Level Double Award: D
• BTEC National Certificate: M 

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of accepted qualifications. Other qualifications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

All material received by applicants as part of an application (portfolio, admissions tests etc.) will be used solely for admissions purposes. Applicants will retain all intellectual property rights on their own work and work will not be distributed outside of those Point Blank team members assessing applications.

• Applicants without formal qualifications or who have achieved academic qualifications lower than the typical conditional offer may be considered on the strength of relevant prior learning and experience, demonstrated through an interview, admissions test and portfolio of work.

• All applicants must be able to demonstrate English language at CEFR level B2, equivalent to grade C / 4 at GCSE. Please note this requirement also applies to mature students (21 or over) without formal qualifications who have been admitted based on their admissions test and/or prior experience.

• All international students requiring visa sponsorship require an IELTS test. If you have / are going to take an IELTS exam, the minimum level is 6.0 overall (with 5.5 in each category: reading, writing, speaking and listening). Only IELTS Academic tests will be accepted.
• If you are an international student applying for a Student Visa and do not currently have a valid IELTS Academic test, Point Blank will be happy to provide a fee waiver equivalent to the cost of one IELTS Academic test fee, to be waived from your fees upon successful registration only. Point Blank will not provide further waivers for resits and the IELTS test booking receipt must be provided as proof of test fee paid. Fee waivers are applicable to tests completed post-application date only.

• International applicants should check minimum academic requirements for entry by using our partner University’s guide here.

Please note: Applicants who meet the grade requirements for our degree courses but do not have the relevant music experience may also be considered for the Foundation Year if this is a more suitable route.