University of Salford Admissions Statistics

Applying to university often raises an important question: how competitive is it to get in?

Admissions statistics can help answer that question. By looking at application numbers, offer rates and subject demand, you can get a clearer picture of how selective a university is and which courses attract the most competition.

In this guide, we break down the latest available University of Salford admissions statistics, including acceptance rates, subject-level demand and what the numbers mean for prospective applicants.

All figures are based on the most recent UCAS (opens in a new tab) data and officially released admissions data (opens in a new tab).

Top 3 University of Salford Admissions Statistics

• In 2024, 30,050 students applied to the University of Salford for an undergraduate course.

• The university made 20,103 offers to applicants, meaning almost 67% of applicants received an offer.

• The largest applicant pools are in health, creative media and business-related subjects.

University of Salford Acceptance Rate Overview

The University of Salford receives around 30,000 undergraduate applications each year.

According to the latest available admissions figures, the university made 20,103 offers from 30,050 applications, giving an overall offer rate of around 66.9%.

However, not all applicants who receive an offer go on to enrol at the university. In the same year, 6,303 applicants firmly accepted their place and began their studies.

While the overall offer rate is relatively high compared with some highly selective universities, competition can still vary significantly depending on the subject you apply for.

University of Salford Admissions Statistics by Course

The table below shows application, offer and acceptance figures for selected subject areas based on the latest available admissions figures for 2023/24.

Key Trends from 2024

Health and Nursing Courses Attract the Largest Number of Applicants

Health-related programmes receive some of the highest numbers of applications at the University of Salford. 

In the latest available admissions data, health and nursing courses received more than 5,300 applications, making them one of the university’s most in-demand subject areas.

Despite this strong demand, the subject area has one of the lowest offer rates at around 39%, suggesting these programmes can be more competitive than many others at the university.

These programmes include a range of professional healthcare degrees, which often attract strong demand due to clear career pathways in the NHS and wider healthcare sector.

Creative Media and Performing Arts Are Also Highly Popular

Creative media and performing arts programmes also attract large numbers of applicants. Across related courses such as film, television, music and performance, more than 4,300 applications were recorded in the latest admissions figures.

This reflects the university’s strong links with the media and creative industries. Many media, journalism and digital programmes are taught at Salford’s MediaCity campus (opens in a new tab), a major UK media hub that hosts organisations such as the BBC and ITV. 

Studying in this environment gives students access to industry-standard TV, radio and digital production facilities, helping them develop practical skills alongside their academic studies.

Business and Computing Continue to Draw Strong Demand

Business and economics courses represent another major area of demand among applicants, with around 3,800 applications across related programmes.

However, these courses also have relatively high offer rates, at around 82%, meaning many applicants who meet the entry requirements are likely to receive an offer.

Similarly, computer science and technology degrees continue to attract steady demand, reflecting the growing importance of digital and data skills in the job market.

How the University of Salford Makes Admissions Decisions

Universities consider several factors when assessing undergraduate applications. At the University of Salford, admissions decisions are primarily based on academic qualifications, but other aspects of an application can also be taken into account.

Academic Requirements

Applicants must meet the academic entry requirements for their chosen course. These typically include A Levels, BTECs, the IB or equivalent qualifications.

Entry requirements vary by subject. Many undergraduate programmes ask for grades in the BCC to BBB range or equivalent, although some courses may have higher requirements.

Personal Statements

The personal statement allows applicants to explain their interest in the subject and highlight relevant skills or experiences.

Admissions teams may use the statement to assess motivation for the course and whether the applicant demonstrates a genuine interest in the subject area. You may find our guide on how to write a personal statement helpful.

Interviews, Tests or Portfolios

Some programmes require additional assessments as part of the admissions process. These may include:

• interviews

• auditions or portfolios for creative courses

These assessments allow the university to evaluate skills that may not be reflected in exam results alone.

Contextual Admissions

The University of Salford operates a contextual admissions policy. This means your application may be considered in the context of your educational and personal background.

The university will take into account factors such as:

• School or college performance data

• Socio-economic background indicators

• Care experience or other widening participation criteria

Applicants who meet contextual criteria may receive adjusted offers. Full details are published on Salford’s contextual offers page (opens in a new tab).

How Competitive Is the University of Salford Compared to Similar Universities?

With an overall offer rate of around 66.9%, the University of Salford is generally less selective than highly competitive research-intensive institutions, but admissions can still be competitive depending on the course and level of demand.

Many modern universities in the UK have similar admissions patterns, where overall offer rates are relatively high but competition varies between subjects.

Universities with broadly comparable applicant profiles include:

• Manchester Metropolitan University

• Liverpool John Moores University

• University of Huddersfield

Like the University of Salford, these universities offer a wide range of professionally focused degrees and attract large numbers of applicants across many subject areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of University of Salford applicants get accepted?

According to the latest available admissions figures, the University of Salford made 20,103 offers from 30,050 applications, giving an overall offer rate of about 66.9%.

This means many applicants who meet the entry requirements receive an offer, although competition can still vary depending on the subject you apply for.

Which course at the University of Salford is the hardest to get into?

Competition varies by subject and by year. However, the admissions data shows that health-related courses, creative media programmes and business degrees attract some of the largest numbers of applicants.

If you’re applying to a popular course, strong predicted grades and a clear personal statement can help improve your chances.

What percentage of University of Salford students drop out?

According to the Guardian University Guide 2026 (opens in a new tab), around 87.1% of students continue into their second year at the University of Salford.

This means roughly 13% of students do not continue after the first year. Continuation rates vary between universities and courses, so it’s worth considering this figure alongside factors such as course choice, student support and career outcomes.

Final Thoughts

Looking at admissions statistics can help you understand how competitive different universities and courses may be.

At the University of Salford, thousands of students apply each year, and while the overall offer rate is relatively high, competition can vary significantly depending on the subject you choose.

By researching entry requirements, understanding application trends and preparing a strong application, you can give yourself the best chance of securing a place on the course that suits you.

Save My Exams provides A Level revision resources written by teachers and examiners, designed to align with real exam requirements. You can use them to help get set for your final exams and give yourself the best possible chance of success.

References:

• University of Salford | Stats | UCAS (opens in a new tab)

• Undergraduate Admissions Data - a Freedom of Information request to University of Salford - WhatDoTheyKnow (opens in a new tab)

• MediaCity | University of Salford (opens in a new tab)

• Contextual offers | University of Salford (opens in a new tab)

• The Guardian University Guide 2026 – the rankings (opens in a new tab)