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Hi, I'm trying to get a late start on a course and things seemed to be going well...been on an open day and have been told I could may be able to start later this month. It doesn't mention anything in the requirements for the course about having done A-levels, just 4 GCSE's, one being English Language. I've just been told they're looking for A-level students! It looks like I still might get an interview though. My fingers and toes are crossed...I guess life experience (I'm 34) doesn't count! 🙂
So, do you need to have done A-levels to go to Uni?
Do you have "relevant experience"? Depending on the uni/course they'll often take real life experience into account when looking at your qualifications
Ah, that may be why I'm still getting an interview. I'd mentioned some of the things I've done in the past/places I've been. I just haven't got qualifications in them.
Thanks!
It's much easier for mature students to get into uni than it is for school leavers. It must be or I wouldnt have got onto my course.
I hope that's the case. 😆
if you re paying and they think you will pass you stand a chance.
the later is probably more imporant but A levels are not in any sense essential
If you have other quals you can look at the UCAS point for them on their website
IIRC Unis can pretty much let in who they want though that may just be for the rich and royals
Junkyard - Yes, I'd be paying and I wouldn't be wanting to go if I thought I wouldn't pass. I pass the UCAS points rating for the course with my GCSE results alone, that's why I'm surprised by the sudden mention of A-levels. Especially as there's places on the course, if there were loads of folk fighting to get on I would understand them giving the places to brighter students.
From my uni the answer is no, not sure if it changes from uni to uni which I highly doubt that it is the case. Im a mature student too, I was in the same boat as you having no A levels but had professional experience and relevant qualifications. If I remember correctly I was not asked for A levels or GCSE grades.
I think you should be fine.
hmmm. i went as a 'mature'-- biggest disappointment of my life-- learning by numbers with dullards-- the pay was ok-- but in the end it was no fun,so i gave it up--
those who saw it through have very mixed experiences, so depends what you are doing it for-??
so depends what you are doing it for-??
I'm wanting a total career change...it's not easy to go into something else without the relevant qualifications. That's the main reason for wanting to go, the total change of my daily routine by going there will do me good too.
Its course dependant I believe but most courses will take you if you have real life experience and have had a career. If you've been working you are probably more suited to the course because you now what hard work and long hours are.
They dont want to let people in that have dropped out at GCSE level then travelled a bit then been on benefits because the chance of you sticking Uni out is low which reflect badly on the uni.
On my course there are a lot of ex-oil and gas drillers who want to go into management. Many aren't suited to the course but a couple interviews and an english and maths test seems to work.
Yes, if you want to be dentist, medical doctor ... errmm ... and medical related ... they want GCSE etc the whole lot.
I pass the UCAS points rating for the course with my GCSE results alone
I have to say I'm not aware of any courses that use GCSE grades for UCAS points. Maybe not looked hard enough. Perhaps this is a special mature access arrangement and I only look at them from the perpsective of 6th form students.
I guess it depends on the course and the sort of things you have done in the time since leaving school but there might be a steep learning curve for you with things such as writing essays and researching which are significantly tougher at A level than GCSE. Not a big problem but don't write off the young kids on your course's potential to be better than you at these aspects of the course straight out of the blocks.
We are sending more and more students abroad to study as there are plenty of courses being taught in Europe in English of a similar standard of education as UK unis but for a fraction of the fees.
I did it, you will find life experience actually means you do the work set...enjoy.
convert - I have to say I'm not aware of any courses that use GCSE grades for UCAS points.
Thanks for mentioning that. I've now looked back into it and I've made a mistake! When looking at the points table, I thought the first column was for GCSE's...it isn't, that's all I'm going to say about that! 😳
I going have to talk with someone at the Uni about this, maybe the course isn't for me after all.
give it a go....I went in my late 20's without the right nr of points....your motivation for going and work ethic are more important..... my course had about 50:50 old timers and 18 yr olds...
the older folks achieved better results.... ime because they had more motivation (generalisation but the yrs of paying their own bill and putting food on the table for the kids seemed to make the difference)
you don't need them but my experience is thus,
I went back at a similar age to you, I have studied up to A level standards (HND in fact) but in a completely unrelated subject.
It's the shock to the system of being out of education for so long that will be your downfall.
My first day it was explained that your brain is like a muscle the more yo use it the more you benefit from it. I thought it was guff, it's not! the kids straight out of A levels were vastly vastly ahead of the game, it took the whole of my first year to actually get my head round it. (thankfully your first year is a 40% year 😉 )
so yes its possible, its very difficult but I'm in my final year now and if I can do it .....
Went to Uni at 24, no a levels but a National dipolama in countryside management, BEng Hons degree, not too much of an issue, just have to get your head used to learning again.
On the plus side you should be better at managing your time and concentrating 😉
I went to Uni as a mature student. Went through an access course, which is a year long and designed to prepare you for higher education. I have no A-Levels.
T1000 and Pik n Mix - two very different reports between school leavers and matures.
It's the shock to the system of being out of education for so long that will be your downfall.
That's one of the things I was worried about...I've been digging holes and driving wagons for years! I'm used to putting hours in though and already spend a lot of time in front of my computer. 90% of the course is coursework, that should be easier than some others shouldn't it?
The university will be happy to speak with you d45yth, and should be clear as a bell on the entrance requirements. So go along for an interview and see what's what. Most courses will also be looking for reasons to take you on if they think you're up to it - they will have loads of experience of older students sitting the course so they should know what is realistic here. Best of luck.
Garry_Lager - Thanks for that. The good thing is that I've been to the open day and got to have a chat with the course tutor. He knows that the things I do in my spare time relate to the course. The only thing is that I have no proof, unless I print things out that I've put on websites in the past and use some photos.
I've gone about things backwards to be honest, going to the open day before doing anything else.
Along time ago now but went to sheff. Poly as mature student at 26 great time had . As mentioned keeping up with the work was the key (should have tried that in the sixth form) met mrs jg61 whilst there so a good result all round fell out with construction then did pgce now D&T tchr.
good luck anyway it will be life changing one way or another.
OP my Mrs went to Uni in her 40's without A levels. What she did do was a 1yr "Access Course" at the local college. A guy from the course was accepted to Cambridge, the Uni's look very favourably on mature students.
d45yth - MemberI going have to talk with someone at the Uni about this, maybe the course isn't for me after all.
/professional hat on.
If it was for you before, it's still for you now. Don't grade yourself by your grades.
The question of whether the uni will accept you is exactly the same as it was before, the UCAS tariff is only really fully applicable for kiddies, just to deal with the volumes and to turn people into numbers. No uni treats mature applicants the same because it just doesn't work.
So, what it comes down to is this- you want the place, they have the place, they will want to fill it. Maybe they have other candidates, maybe not. They'll want to avoid picking up absolute dobbers, because they drag the whole course down and mess up the pass stats, and they know mature students can't be assessed like school leavers, hence interviews.
The fact that they're seeing you at all means it's not a waste of time, academic staff are allergic to potential applicants. You would have got precisely nowhere if you weren't of interest to them!
So, good luck! If the uni has an admissions/education liaison department you might want to have a chat with them too- they'll not usually make admissions decisions but if they're good (and most of them are, it's that sort of job), they may be able to help. If it turns out that entry this year isn't going to be an option it's still not the end of the line, either.
I did my BEng part-time after doing my ONC & HNC.
I would have struggled had I not done the ONC & HNC. The maths was a bit intense. But they do tend to sign you off on a lot of stuff that the younger intake have to do.
My Wife did a two year access course to try & get on a Midwiffery degree but has been unsuccesful two years running in getting a uni place. She has been offered a nursing place, so is hopefully going to do that.
Thanks for the support everyone!
Northwind, it was someone from the admissions department who told me they're looking for A-level students...she has seen the email I sent to the course tutor though, maybe that's why she's still arranging an interview?
You would have got precisely nowhere if you weren't of interest to them!
I'm not sure about that. I just booked onto the open day, went along and said I wanted to do it! They must have presumed I had all the necessary requirements. I must have come across alright though, I asked plenty of questions and was enthusiastic about it. A far cry from what I was like in my old job, where I was more or less on auto-pilot. 🙄
takisawa2, there shouldn't be any maths involved in the course I want to do. At least, I hope not. 🙂
I'm 46, and thought bollocks, I'm not gonna get to 65 and say I didn't at least give it a go. So here I am, in my third year, doing just fine in a science course. Qualifications! Bugger all . I sat a marine science module, passed with flying colours and the college said yes. Go for it, if you fail it's better to have tried than not at all, and you tend to be surrounded by folk who are less brassed off with life and moan about it less as well - what's not to like.
I went back to uni at 30 but did a few 'A' Levels at college first, just to get my head round libraries, essays and being around an institution again.
But the degree I did was 'soft' and self-negotiated for a large part. The academic side of it was quite rigorous at points though and I was forced to relearn how to research and write with proper attributions, footnotes and so on.
That said, I'm pretty sure (certain) that I'd easily have got onto the course (photography) without the 'A' levels given my evident interest in the subject. Best of British with the interview.
If your used to the graft then it's just learning the mindset to switch from physical to academic graft.
Don't be worried, although very tough, it is one of the most rewarding things I have done with my life. The fact that I will get s blinding career is just a bonus.
only qualification you need is the money to pay the fees......
Sounds like a great plan d45yth
I went to Uni as a mature student with one GCSE to my name
I'd left school at 16, done an apprenticeship & gained a strong NVQ
I went to Uni at 21 and completed a foundation year to get my maths up to an A-level standards
It was the best move I ever made - the coursework of my BEng was tough, but also very enjoyable
I would, however, put a lot of thought into preparing for your given subject through a top-up course prior to jumping into a degree - just, at the very least, to polish up on some basic report writing skills
What are you looking into to study?
boltonjon - Membera top-up course prior to jumping into a degree - just, at the very least, to polish up on some basic report writing skills
You learn that in first year.
People are coming to this university from all over the country, levels of education vary nationwide so the whole point of year 1 is to get everyone on the same page.
Depending on what subject you're looking to study you might find they'll offer you a place on a "Foundation" year (or Stage 0 as some courses call it) - designed to enable people such as yourself without formal qualifications to get over the entrance hurdle. Be warned than if this is what is offered then you might find that a significant proportion of just-left-school Stage 0 students are there not because they want to learn, but simply because they want to delay unemployment (or work) for another 12 months; you could be the only person on the course who actually wants to learn, which can make it hard to retain motivation.
However, as others have said - go for it if you can. Some of the best students that I've tutored have come in via a similar route as you, and have ended up with a First Class MEng degree.
I've just been looking into top up courses and the like. It doesn't seem like there's much going on in my area (Cumbria). Even if there was, I don't fancy putting things off for another year. On the other hand, I wouldn't want ot start and realise I'm out of my depth. Oh dear, what am I getting myself into. 😆
There's no 'Foundation' year for it either. I'd seen those for some of the other courses on offer.
Boltonjon - regarding the email, the course is full-time. Most of the marks come from the coursework you do in lessons. With the course involving media, a lot will depend on photos and finished videos too (things I can spend time doing away from the Uni).
If the interview went well, it would be for starting this month!
if your concerned about the shock to the system, howabout a lower risk approach and undertake some foundation level modules from the OU as a stepping stone back in to education...
distance learning is not an easy option but its a great way to get back into education (several friends have taken this route)
ps I've done OU modules since going to UNI and it's far harder (with a job etc)
D45yth. "chapeau" for taking such a positive decision and very best of luck. Mature students add a lot to courses for the added experience and expertise that they bring. You may be shocked at the attitude of some of the younger less-mature undergrads though!
Apart from the entry, what exactly are you concerned about? You mention being out-of-your depth? Is this a [u]perception [/u]that simply because of your lack of A levels that the more academic side may be too challenging? The course sounds practical so this shouldn't be an issue. You are making a big commitment in time and money so my advice would be to be extremely open with the Uni and frank about your concerns. They will/should be able to give you clear guidance. If they believe that you are out-of-your depth (not necessarily by any means) their guidance would be ideal as you do not want to commit the time and expense if this is not going to be the correct decision in the end.
It seems that this is probably more a case of the unknown. In which case, do not worry. Best of luck.
You may be shocked at the attitude of some of the younger less-mature undergrads though!
I know what I was like at that age. All I used to live for was clubbing at the weekends and couldn't have cared less about my future/career!
Apart from the entry, what exactly are you concerned about? You mention being out-of-your depth?
I guess it's just I haven't wrote an essay since I was at school and any other exams I did were up until I was 18. The one thing in my favour is that I won't have many distractions outside of Uni. My social life revolves around biking, which usually is only twice a week.
Again, thanks everyone for the advice and support!
Well Uni essays can be a shock to anyone including schools-levers, so don't worry unnecessarily, you will not be alone. There is a definite technique to writing essays at Uni and loads of material and guidance that they will give you. But don't panic, a lot is common sense topped with the maturity (and fewer distractions) that you have. With correct guidance, a bit of practice and some graft, you will fly through. And that learning is all part if the experience isn't it?
Good luck with the interview. Be open, but don't undersell yourself. There are a few words in your posts that suggest a lack of confidence (please excuse me, if that sounds rude.) But do not apologise for the fact that you did not take A levels, rather stress the different and valuable experience that you bring. Uni degrees are a lot more than simply writing essays.
Oh and when you succeed, enjoy the course!
And that learning is all part if the experience isn't it?
Too true. That's why I'm wanting to do it.
There are a few words in your posts that suggest a lack of confidence
I've worked for my family business for the last 15 years, doing work I'm not interested in. It's mainly been manual or semi-skilled work. I haven't really had to prove myself to anyone, not academically anyway. That's why I have some doubts.
I went to Uni at about 26, with no A-levels or nuffink and now I'm dead clever and that(39 now).
You should be fine, life experience and maturity count for a lot.
They want your money at the end of the day..
I guess it's just I haven't [s]wrote[/s] written an essay
😉
I went at 21, not quite as mature, but yeah, I had a greater appreciation of the need to do well on the course than a lot of others. Came out with a 1st, and work in the industry I studied in.
Sounds like you'll be fine, enjoy it and good luck 🙂
UPDATE: Had an interview yesterday! It all went very well, I thought I'd only be there for half an hour...ended being there for most of the afternoon, drinking coffee and talking about all kinds! 🙂
Only problem is that I was given until next week to do a personal statement and an entry essay. Not problem I thought. Now it turns out that the whole class is going away this weekend and I've been invited along. It will still depend on insurance, due to me not being admitted yet. They think I might just be able to sign some kind of waiver though.
Argghh, I should be busy writing the essay, why am I wasting time typing this?!? 😆
d45yth - MemberArgghh, I should be busy writing the essay, why am I wasting time typing this?!?
You're a natural at this uni lark eh 😆
Get down to the SU bar for a pint of Purple Nasty!!!
Good work Dan!!
Excellent news, very well done. Good luck with the essay and the personal statement. I am sure you have had lots of advice there but do make sure you relate your PS directly to the course - sorry if grandmothers and eggs come to mind. 😉
With crap GCSEs and no a levels, I went to university as a 'mature' student (only 21 so not really!). I didn't have to do a foundation course, and 4 years later I was 1 of 2 people (out of about 60) to finish with a 1st.
When I applied I was doing temporary office work; I'd end up working in an office and after a couple on hours training, I'd be doing the job quicker and more effectively than the person who trained me. At the time my younger brother was going through the usual route and was applying at the end of his a levels. He left a few prospectuses lying around and after reading a few I phoned a university to ask about foundation courses. Three weeks later I was travelling to start the first year! My dad nearly fell off his chair when I told.
I ended up having to ask my brother how to write my first essay, as I didn't have a clue where to start!
The oldest person on my course was an ex chippy in his mid thirties.
I consistently performed better than other people on the course who had good a levels.
Got accepted on Friday! Just spent the weekend in Coniston with the other students on the course...had a great time! First lecture tomorrow morning. 😀 8) 😯
Bravo! Make sure you enjoy yourself as we'll as working hard..... It makes the end result better to savour
Also it's good to explore topics and subjects which interest you as the extra reading and research can make all the difference with selecting disertation topics and life after uni
Congratulations d45yth - really pleased for you - now knock 'em dead!!
That's fab, really glad to hear it!
Bloody students!
Thanks all! 😀