[woody599]

The course I'm looking at doing is HERE.

Requirments are listed as GCSE C or above in English and Maths which I have
And it's this part which I'm unsure about:

"• 240 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels in relevant subjects, or BTEC National qualifications. General studies and AS levels may count towards these points.

I have a National Diploma in Public Services giving me 200 points. And an AS level in Sport giving me 30. A total of 230 points.

My question is, do my UCAS points have to be from course-related courses? And I miss out on the required UCAS points by 10 points, is there a chance they will ignore that based on my work experience?

I've been working in the Army for 3 years as a Communication Systems Engineer which will is very relevant to the degree I want to do. Will this help in my favour at all? I'm not sure how strict the whole process is.

Thanks guys

[jami74]

Try emailing:

admissions@shu.ac.uk

and asking the same question.

My guess is that there is leeway but the admissions tutors will be the best ones to ask.

It even says "We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully." on that link you posted, doesn't that answer your question?

[woody599]

Do UCAS not have a say on it then? Is it purely by the discretion of the university whether I could get on the course or not?

Do you think it would be worth starting my UCAS application now and seeing what luck I have with Universities?

Sorry I'm a bit unsure how the whole process works.

[evening sunrise]

(Original post by woody599)
The course I'm looking at doing is HERE.

Requirements are listed as GCSE C or above in English and Maths which I have
And it's this part which I'm unsure about:

"• 240 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels in relevant subjects, or BTEC National qualifications. General studies and AS levels may count towards these points.

I have a National Diploma in Public Services giving me 200 points. And an AS level in Sport giving me 30. A total of 230 points.

My question is, do my UCAS points have to be from course-related courses? And I miss out on the required UCAS points by 10 points, is there a chance they will ignore that based on my work experience?

I've been working in the Army for 3 years as a Communication Systems Engineer which will is very relevant to the degree I want to do. Will this help in my favour at all? I'm not sure how strict the whole process is.

Thanks guys

The stated entry requirements are sort of the default. The default is that the UCAS points should be in relevant subjects.

The crunch is whether they will view the training and qualifications you have taken in the army as an alternative to having the UCAS points in the correct subjects. Certainly your army specialisation is very relevant to the course.

As the other poster states email them listing everything you have and ask whether this would meet their requirement.

Our experience is that universities are very sensible when considering mature students with no standard qualifications or track records.

One thing I can point out is that if you actually apply to Sheffield Hallam then they do not make offers until after the 15th of January deadline. They do write and acknowledge the application and state this. Nottingham Trent is the same. My wife applied to Sheffield Hallam.

[evening sunrise]

(Original post by woody599)
Do UCAS not have a say on it then? Is it purely by the discretion of the university whether I could get on the course or not?

Do you think it would be worth starting my UCAS application now and seeing what luck I have with Universities?

Sorry I'm a bit unsure how the whole process works.

I am not sure what you have done with the army but it sounds like it is worth a punt. Please note my earlier comment regarding the earliest point Sheffield Hallam makes decisions. Submit an application in September and you will be in for a long wait.

What offers are made by universities in terms of points and what subjects those points are in is entirely down to the university and has nothing to do with UCAS at all. Universities can likewise make unconditional offers to anyone they like as long as their internal evaluation process has been satisfied and the decision justified within and as required by that process.

[edjunkie]

Contact the university admission tutor first. Give them as much information about your previous studies, any qualifications you have gained in your armed forces career and your CV. They will make an assessment as to whether you met the entrance criteria.

On the plus side someone I knew went to Sheffield Hallam as a mature student, without A/AS levels, ex-armed forces and graduated successfully. It was a while ago, but post 92 universities have more experience of dealing with non traditional qualifications. If you are over 21, they have some flexibility with entrance requirements.

[DarkWhite]

Email the admissions office for the school/department or the university. We really can't say how an admissions tutor is going to view alternative qualifications but it's certainly worth asking, as they're often understanding, especially for mature students who have been through a different education experience

[threeportdrift]

(Original post by woody599)
The course I'm looking at doing is HERE.

Requirments are listed as GCSE C or above in English and Maths which I have
And it's this part which I'm unsure about:

"• 240 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels in relevant subjects, or BTEC National qualifications. General studies and AS levels may count towards these points.

I have a National Diploma in Public Services giving me 200 points. And an AS level in Sport giving me 30. A total of 230 points.

My question is, do my UCAS points have to be from course-related courses? And I miss out on the required UCAS points by 10 points, is there a chance they will ignore that based on my work experience?

I've been working in the Army for 3 years as a Communication Systems Engineer which will is very relevant to the degree I want to do. Will this help in my favour at all? I'm not sure how strict the whole process is.

Thanks guys

Email and ask, but your Army experience is likely to knock the qualifications into a cocked hat. I'd be very surprised if it was an issue at all, your professional experience will be what gets you onto the course.