Entry requirements vary from subject to subject and from higher education (HE) institution to HE institution. Careful research is vital if your five choices on the UCAS form are not to be wasted.
The first things that admission tutors look at are your predicted grades, closely followed by your GCSE results. They may also take into account your AS grades if you have acceptedcertification. If you are not already doing so, you should be discussing your academic progress with your subject teachers and your tutor on a regular basis.
You also need to find out what else admissions tutors in your chosen subjects might be looking for. Some may require you to have developed specific skills or to have had some work experience.
► Academic Entry Requirements
These may be expressed in three ways:
• specific grades
• points (tariff)
• combinations of grades and points
► Grades
You might be asked to achieve, for example, BBC or you might be asked for BBC, but with individual subjects specified e.g. one of the Bs in English.
► Points (tariff)
A new points system or 'tariff' was developed by UCAS for entry from 2002 and onwards. HE institutions have used points to make offers for many years.
Under this system, an A level grade A is worth 120 points, as well as a six unit AVCE at the same grade. A twelve unit AVCE graded at AA receives 240 points i.e. twice the value of 1 A grade.
An AS at grade A is 'worth' 60 points i.e. half the value of an A level. To find out more about the points tariff, please visit the UCAS Tariff website (link below).
► Key Skills
Points scores are also available for achievement in key skills. Universities and colleges can choose to accept these in part fulfilment of points score offers.
► BTEC National
All units are assessed and graded but an overall grade is awarded at pass, merit or distinction. One grade is received for the National Award, two for the Certificate and three for the National Diploma e.g. pass/merit/merit. The grading system has been designed to fit in with the UCAS tariff for HE entry.
► Other Entry Requirements
The following qualifications are examples of those that are considered in the tariff:
• Advanced Placement Programme
• British Horse Society Awards
• Diploma in Fashion Retail awarded by ABC
• Diploma in Financial Studies awarded by IFS
• International Baccalaureate Diploma
• IPRO Certificate & Diploma awarded by OCR
• Speech & Drama Examinations (Grade 6, 7 & 8)
► Skills and Experience
Universities and colleges are not just looking for academically able students. Some courses require students to be able to demonstrate particular skills.
For example, if you intend to apply for medicine, you have to show evidence of very good interpersonal skills and work experience in a health setting; indeed most HE courses linked to a specific career either require (as in teaching) or strongly advise (as in physiotherapy) students to have some work experience/observation prior to application. For some very competitive subjects, in particular veterinary science, you are unlikely to be considered without at least two periods of relevant work experience. Your Connexions Personal Adviser will be able to provide further information and guidance.
Universities and Colleges Admissions System (www.ucas.ac.uk)
