When you are applying to go to university, you will be asked to provide references. How many you need to supply depends on how you are applying. For most undergraduate (first) degrees and a small number of postgraduate qualifications, you apply via UCAS. For part-time courses and the majority of postgraduate courses (including PgCert, PgDip and research degrees), you apply directly to the University. The exception to this is if you are taking an initial teaching training course such as PGCE, in which case you apply through the Department for Education (DfE).

For your UCAS application

If you are applying through UCAS, you will be required to enter contact details of a referee on the application form. UCAS will then contact your referee to ask them to submit the reference.

Who can I ask to provide a reference?

• • If you are in full-time higher education at time of applying, your HE institution can supply your reference.
  • If are returning to learning after a break but are still in contact with your old university or HE institution, it’s worth asking them if they will be your referee.
  • If you need to find your own referee, approach your employer or a recent past employer, particularly if your role is relevant to your chosen subject area. Find more information on the UCAS site.
  • If you are finding it difficult to find a referee, contact our Admissions team at admission@beds.ac.uk

Keep in mind:

• We cannot accept references that come from non-professional email accounts such as Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail
• If your referee provides a reference from a personal email account, you may be asked to supply a new reference
• Candidates who submit an application through UCAS without a reference may be rejected.

Further guidance on submitting a reference through UCAS can be found on the UCAS website under References for UCAS undergraduate applications

For direct application

If you are applying directly for a part-time or postgraduate course, you must provide two written references with your application form.

Who can I ask to provide a reference?

• • If you are currently completing an Honours degree with us or at another higher education institution, your tutor will be able to supply your reference.
  • If you are currently following an Honours course at the University of Bedfordshire and wish to apply for a Master’s with us, ask a member of your academic team if they would support your taught degree or research application.
  • If you are returning to learning but still have contact with your old university or college, you can ask them if they will support your application and be your referee.
  • If you don't have any educational contacts, approach your employer or a recent past employer, particularly if your role is relevant to your chosen subject or research area.
  • If you are having problems providing a reference, speak to our Admissions team for advice.

Keep in mind:

• Your written references must be signed, dated and on institution- or company-headed paper
• We cannot accept references that come from non-professional email accounts such as Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail
• If your referee provides a reference from a personal email account, you may be asked to supply a new reference
• Candidates who submit an application without a reference may be rejected.

For applications via the Department for Education

You will need two references from people who know you well and will be able to give a detailed 500-word response. For further information, visit the DfE Teacher Training portal or the government's Get into Teaching site.