Your GCSE grades will be used in assessing your application, but there is no minimum requirement. We are looking for students with the best academic potential and recognise that performance at school is influenced by socio-economic factors. We therefore use contextual data to help us assess your achievements in your circumstances and compare them fairly with other applicants. We use a contextualised GCSE score that provides information about how well an applicant has performed at GCSE compared to other applicants, given the performance of the school at which they took their GCSEs. It can be useful for identifying applicants from low performing schools who have achieved fewer top grades than other applicants, but more than would be expected for an average from that school. We also have access to a wider range of contextual data, mainly information about your school, your neighbourhood, any experience in the care system, and eligibility for free school meals.