Can you go to Uni without A-levels?

Question

Hi,
Am think about doing a uni course (also for the uni life!) but have no a-levels, can you do some courses? like foundation degrees?

Answer 1

You might you know. But I think you may need A-level although someone I know went to the University with no A's or no B's all C,D's. Some University accept them.

Answer 2

You can get to uni without A levels but it depends on a number of things.

the subject you want to study - for some subjects A levels are the only route (especially things like medicine).

the university - some are more flexible than others in accepting alternative qualifications. The 'new universities' are usually more willing to assess applicants from other routes.

If you don't have qualifications that are an alternative to A levels in the subject you are interested in then you will need to do a foundation course at a further education college.

You need to decide the subject, check the requirements in some of the universities you are interested in and then find a suitable course which will give you the necessary qualifications.

Alternatively you could apply to the Open University, which could have several advantages. You might be able to enrol for this academic year as many of the courses start in January, rather than doing a foundation course and then applying for uni starting in 2008. You can study part- or full-time depending on your circumstances. Entry is open to everyone and if you really wanted to transfer to another university later on your open university credits could be transferred to that institution.

Answer 3

yes - and congratulations on having the desire!

a number of the new univerisities (those established after 1992) accept students without formal qualifications (to name a few, UEL, South Bank, Luton, Brunel etc.). If you have relevant work experience, you can apply for 1st year entry, depending on the subject.

Soft subjects like history, language, arts and media studies, psychology, education etc. tend to be more flexible; technical disciplines like engineering or computing require a higher level of literacy in certain subjects like physics or maths.

If you haven't had much work experience, go for a foundation degree. Most last for 12 to 18 months and some can give you direct entry to second year of a Bachelor program. Do a search on google and you should be able to dig out a lot.

best of luck.

Answer 4

It depends what course you want to do. The entrance requirements for most degrees is A-levels or equivalent however there are some courses such as HND's which may not require A-levels. Your best option is to contact the admissions tutor to find out your chances of getting in at each university.

Answer 5

yes, though one that you can do is an access course. these last for a year and these prepare you for university study at degree level. they are in areas such as law, business, media, art to name. in order to pass you have to get the minimum of 16 level 3 credits. level 3 is equivalent to a or b A-level grade. these specialise in one particular area, eg, law, business etc as opposed to a-levels. you don't need any previous qualifications to do an Access course, other than a willingness and motivation to learn. as for foundation degrees, i don't know much about these but you should discuss these options with a careers advisor in more detail . best of luck with your studies!

Answer 6

Sure. But it does depend what you want to do. Some postgraduate courses accept work experience instead of qualifications.
Or try your local college, they may have foundation courses (normally 1-2 years long)
If you phone the university you want to go to, they will tell you exactly what you need to get in.

Answer 7

You cant do the first year of a degree without a levels. But you can do a foundation degree, which is kinda classified as year 0 of your degree.
I did this, and I had to take Maths, English and Study Skills, along with 3 subjects relevant to my main degree.
If you take in your GCSEs in Maths & English you dont have to retake them.

Answer 8

Yep a foundation course will start you off. See a careers advisor at your local FE college for help

Answer 9

Lots of degree programs will accept you if you take an access course. If you are on income support I think they are free. G'luck

Answer 10

I got in with a college GNVQ. I think it depends on what course you'd like to do. It's probably worth getting into contact with universities that you'd be interested in going to. They all have websites and they might have entry requirements on there.