Mature students -
Lack of Formal Education
A levels, AS Levels, GNVQs or GCSEs are usually mandatory for a university place. Mature students however are not under the same restrictions. With all manner of courses on offer, some will require more stringent entry requirements than others. Individual course providers will set their own standards but there will be something to suit everyone. Indeed, many mature students often learn something new or embark upon a degree just as a personal quest - to prove to themselves they can do it.
For anything below degree level, professional experience or a GCSE type pass would be enough to secure you a place. Obviously a beginners course, or something vocational may not need anything beyond enthusiasm to be accepted! For a degree course, if you do not have A Levels or equivalent, sometimes a knowledge of the subject or experience you have built up may mean you will be accepted at the discretion of the university.
Most people undertake an access course at a Further Education College to fast track them onto a university degree. This is usually a one year intensive course designed to bring (mature) students up to a university entry level. Some universities offer HNC/HND, diploma or foundation courses which can form a platform to step up to a degree if successful. Other universities will even offer a ‘fast tracking’ scheme themselves whereby students may start a course over the summer months so they are ready for an undergraduate course by the start of term. There are even places where you can enrol as an ‘associate student’ to get a taste of further education before enrolling.
Many ways and means will allow you to build up qualifications, credits and experience which can be the ticket to the course of your dreams. When on a higher education course there will always be extra help available from the tutors in specific areas, or some courses will even make provision for things like night classes where students could gain the necessary GCSEs (for example).
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DID
YOU KNOW?
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Knowledge, motivation and enthusiasm can be all you need to qualify for a course!
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