Admissions Alerts and Notices
This page provides important, time‑sensitive information for applicants, offer holders, and their key stakeholders.
It brings together guidance on admissions‑related matters arising from external circumstances such as changes to immigration policy, government restrictions, or wider global events that are being considered by the University and may affect specific groups of applicants. The information on this page is intended to support and should be read alongside the guidance available on our general admissions pages.
Admissions information for applicants affected by conflict or war
We understand that conflict and war in some parts of the world can significantly disrupt education, examinations and access to official documentation. For applicants and offer holders affected by these circumstances, this uncertainty may be particularly challenging at a time when exams and assessments are a key focus.
Please be assured that we are aware of these difficulties and remain committed to considering all applications fairly, sensitively and on a case‑by‑case basis. Our admissions teams take contextual factors into account and recognise that applicants’ academic journeys may have been affected in ways beyond their control.
We also recognise that examination arrangements can vary widely between countries, schools and awarding bodies and that, in some cases, examinations may still take place as planned under adjusted conditions.
The information below highlights the information we have received to date from awarding bodies and other relevant organisations and explains our approach to the different arrangements that may apply. We will continue to update this page as further information becomes available.
If you are affected by any of the situations outlined below, or if your circumstances are not reflected here, we encourage you to contact your admissions team so we can provide advice and support.
We understand that the ongoing conflict in parts of the Middle East may be disrupting schooling, teaching provision and examinations for some applicants. We appreciate that this uncertainty can be particularly difficult during key assessment periods and when planning for progression to higher education.
We have included below the information we have received from awarding organisations so far, and explain our approach to the different arrangements that may be in place.
Please note that applicants will still be required to meet our English language requirements, where these form part of the conditions of their offer.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) has confirmed that examination arrangements in the Middle East are being determined on a country‑by‑country basis, in consultation with local governments. Depending on local conditions, examinations may proceed as planned, be cancelled with the application of the Non‑Exam Contingency Measure (NECM) or follow a mixed approach within the same country.
Where the NECM is applied, final grades are calculated using internally assessed coursework marked by IB examiners, alongside teacher predicted grades, and are subject to IB quality assurance checks. The IB has confirmed that transcripts will not indicate the use of the NECM and that grades awarded through this process are appropriately evidenced. Grades awarded through these contingency arrangements will be accepted for entry to the University, provided that offer holders meet the conditions of their offer.
Additional mitigation may be available through the IB’s Adverse Circumstances Policy, and a Letter of Support may be issued where there is insufficient evidence to award a final grade.
Where applicants have been unable to sit all required examinations and have been issued with an IB Letter of Support, we will seek, where possible, to consider this in place of a full IB result. Any such cases will be reviewed holistically.
As part of this review, we may consider factors including (but not limited to):
- the availability of places on the chosen course;
- the applicant’s overall academic profile, including any qualifications already achieved;
- any relevant extenuating or contextual circumstances of which we are aware.
Results will continue to be issued to UCAS through the usual processes.
Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) has advised that the situation across parts of the Middle East remains fluid and that it is not yet possible to confirm all affected countries or examination centres. CAIE is continuing discussions with ministries and other partners in potentially impacted countries to determine whether contingency arrangements will be required.
CAIE has confirmed that examinations will not take place in the following countries:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
As a result of these cancellations, candidates in the affected countries will follow CAIE’s established contingency approach, the Portfolio of Evidence route. This approach enables students to receive valid and reliable grades using alternative assessment evidence where examinations cannot proceed as planned. CAIE has confirmed that grades awarded through this route reflect the same standards, rigour and level of attainment as those achieved through external examinations.
We can confirm that we will accept grades awarded under CAIE’s approved contingency arrangements, including the Portfolio of Evidence route, to meet the conditions of an offer. Offer holders who meet their offer conditions using these grades will be eligible for entry to the University.
International GCSEs and International A Levels
Summer 2026 Pearson International GCSE and International A Level examinations have been cancelled in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Lebanon and Qatar. In these locations, grades will be awarded using Pearson’s established international contingency grading arrangements.
These may include:
- Enhanced grading, where students have banked unit results or non‑examined assessments;
- A Portfolio of Evidence (such as assessed work, mock examinations and predicted grades), where no banked results are available.
We can confirm that the University will accept grades awarded under Pearson’s approved contingency arrangements. Offer holders who meet the conditions of their offer using these grades will be able to progress to entry as normal.
Ofqual‑regulated GCSEs and A Levels
For students taking Ofqual‑regulated Pearson GCSEs and A Levels, grades may be awarded through JCQ special consideration where eligible assessed components (such as non‑examined or speaking assessments) have been completed. We will accept grades awarded under these arrangements.
Where it has not been possible to award a regulated qualification, Pearson may offer an exceptional route to certification through an International GCSE or International A Level equivalent.
We confirm that international equivalent qualifications will be accepted for entry. Offer holders who meet the conditions of their offer using these grades will be able to progress to entry as normal.
Results will continue to be issued to UCAS through the usual processes.
We understand that Oxford AQA examinations may be affected in some regions.
Oxford AQA has confirmed that, while examinations are intended to take place where possible, contingency measures will be applied where exams are unable to proceed. In these cases, centres will be required to submit evidence to support certification for students entered for Oxford AQA International GCSEs, AS Levels and A Levels.
Grades may be determined using:
- Existing unit results, where available
- Examiner‑reviewed evidence, including assessed work
- Predicted grades and a Head of Centre declaration
Grades awarded through these contingency arrangements will be accepted. Offer holders who meet the conditions of their offer using these grades will be able to progress to entry as normal.
We recognise that students studying the Indian Standard in the Middle East, particularly those following CBSE and CISCE, have been significantly affected by recent disruption, resulting in examination cancellations across the region.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
CBSE has cancelled remaining Class 10 examinations in several Middle Eastern countries and introduced alternative assessment arrangements for both Class 10 and Class 12 students where examinations could not be completed.
Results will be awarded using a revised evaluation framework based on performance in examinations already taken, with marks for cancelled papers calculated using approved methodologies. CBSE has confirmed that these results will be issued as normal, formally awarded qualifications and used for progression in India and internationally.
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)
CISCE has cancelled remaining ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) examinations in parts of the Middle East and confirmed that results will be issued using an alternative assessment mechanism, similar to approaches previously adopted in exceptional circumstances.
We can confirm that grades awarded through these contingency arrangements will be accepted. Offer holders who meet the conditions of their offer using these grades will be able to progress to entry as normal.
We recognise that some applicants completing university programmes of study in the Middle East and holding offers at Manchester for Master’s or postgraduate research (PGR) study may have experienced disruption to assessment or qualification award due to conflict or instability.
Where assessment has been affected, applications will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis, considering the different assessment practices and regulatory frameworks that may apply internationally. Applicants may be asked to provide a formal letter from their institution confirming the nature of the disruption and explaining how final outcomes have been determined.
Where a qualification has been formally awarded through appropriate quality assurance processes and meets the academic conditions of the offer, it will be accepted for entry. Where awards cannot be issued in time to meet academic deadlines, flexibility will be applied where possible, including consideration of deferral to a future start date.
We recognise that the ongoing situation in Ukraine and surrounding areas continues to affect access to education, examinations, and official certification for many students. Disruption may include postponed assessments, remote examinations, or difficulties accessing original documentation.
Applications from affected students will be reviewed with these factors in mind, and alternative evidence of academic achievement may be considered where appropriate.
If you are an applicant or offer-holder and have concerns about your education, examinations, and official certification due to the ongoing conflict, we encourage you to contact your admissions team so they can provide advice and support.
In some countries and regions, conflict or political instability may have an impact on schooling and examination delivery. We understand that arrangements can vary significantly between awarding bodies and centres.
Where disruption has occurred, we will consider applications in the context of the local situation and the guidance provided by examination authorities.
If you are an applicant or offer-holder and have concerns about your education, examinations, and official certification due to the ongoing conflict, we encourage you to contact your admissions team so they can provide advice and support.
Admissions information for applicants affected by the Student visa emergency brake
The UK Government has introduced an emergency restriction (known as a visa brake) affecting Student visa applications from nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. The information below explains what the visa brake means for applicants to the University of Manchester.
On 26 March 2026, the UK Government introduced an ‘emergency brake’ on Student visa applications for nationals of four countries: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.
The Government has stated that this decision is based on evidence showing a high proportion of asylum claims made by students from these countries after arrival in the UK. The measure has been described as temporary. The Government has stated that the visa brake will result in the refusal of affected Student visa applications made from outside the UK for an initial period of 18 months. After this period, the visa brake will be reviewed and may be extended or lifted, depending on the outcome of that review.
As a result of this restriction, the University is not permitted to issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for applications requiring entry clearance to the UK for nationals of the affected countries.
You are not affected by the visa brake if any of the following apply:
- You are a dual national and hold a passport from a country not listed above. In this case, you would apply for your Student visa using your alternative nationality.
- You are already in the UK with a valid visa and meet the eligibility requirements to apply for a Student visa from within the UK.
- You hold a different type of UK immigration permission that is not affected by this restriction.
If you have applied to the University, you should have received an email confirming the status of your application.
If you would need to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK, we regret that we are currently unable to progress your application or issue a CAS, as this is not permitted under the visa brake.
The only exception applies to students who are already in the UK and are eligible to apply for a Student visa from within the UK (for example, those progressing to a new course of study). We will continue to consider applications where UK immigration rules allow an in‑country visa application.
This restriction is a matter of UK immigration policy, and universities cannot change or make exceptions to it. We recognise that this situation is extremely disappointing for affected applicants and appreciate the significant impact it may have on your plans.
Unfortunately, we are unable to approve deferral requests related to the visa brake. As there is no confirmed end date for this restriction, it may still be in place at the time of your proposed deferred start date.