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Access course for Engineering degree

6

Good day everyone,

Though the weather is quite poor up here, unfortunately.

Back on topic, I was just wondering if anyone knew of any access courses that lead on to Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, if they exist?

I don't have any A-levels, so Maths and Physics are out of the question and I see that all the Uni's ask for these qualifications.

Also, are there many mature students that do somekind of engineering degree, or is it primarily dominated by the younger students?

Thanks

Jimbo

Reply 1

tony_mac

I do know a mature student who went into engineering; he went into a Foundation year, have you considered that?

Reply 2

GJimbo

OP

6

Hi Tony,

I've looked in to doing a foundation year, however, they ask for 120 UCAS points. I haven't done any further education, so I don't have any UCAS points to use, unless there are other methods of entering a foundation year?

Reply 3

Starfish01

GJimbo

I was just wondering if anyone knew of any access courses that lead on to Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, if they exist?

For the access course I would go for science route which includes maths and physics units. However a foundation year would be much better (my brother did this and he loved it… and he was glad he did that course as it gave him some background knowledge of M.E.).

GJimbo

Also, are there many mature students that do somekind of engineering degree, or is it primarily dominated by the younger students?

I think it varies across universities. My brother (year 1 in mechanical engineering at Man Met) mentioned there are many mature students in his class (about half are age between 21 and 35).

Reply 4

tony_mac

As a mature student you would be considered without having the necessary points - I got onto a course asking for 300 points without having done A-levels. Foundation years also generally have more flexible entry requirements anyway.

If you don't get offered a place then you could do any access course, then the foundation year (that's how the person I know got in), but that's an extra year.

Reply 5

Starfish01

GJimbo

I've looked in to doing a foundation year, however, they ask for 120 UCAS points. I haven't done any further education, so I don't have any UCAS points to use, unless there are other methods of entering a foundation year?

which uni?

Some uni's don't ask ucas point for mature student without formal academic qualifications. They either judge you by your application (relevant working/ and life experiences) or invite you for the interview.

Reply 6

GJimbo

OP

6

I was looking at Leeds or Manchester Uni., though I have heard that these Uni's are less likely to accept mature students without previous academic qualifications. Is this true?

I'm not sure if I'm prepared to start this year, as it may be better to build up my savings first. How do most mature students know when they'll be able to take on their courses?

Reply 7

tony_mac

I guess that the more 'academic' universities prefer qualifications, and more 'practical' universities are happier with experience, but I don't know.
From my experience, I don't know anyone else on my course who got in without having qualifications, and I also found it easier to get offered a place at a 'practical' university (Manchester Metropolitan).
But there is no harm in applying to both and hoping for the best.

I just started as soon as I could, didn't see the point in waiting any longer. After all, you should be earning more money after you graduate than in the extra year before you start

Reply 8

Starfish01

GJimbo

I was looking at Leeds or Manchester Uni., though I have heard that these Uni's are less likely to accept mature students without previous academic qualifications. Is this true?

Manchester – probably… I remember emailing them about going on to their foundation course and they replied saying that I need to do access to science!!! I was like what the f###... I wasn’t going to do another access course.

Leeds – not sure… but the admission tutor said that it would be helpful tho. They’ll give you an informal interview which isn’t that bad.
Tony right there’s no harm in trying…. I put Manchester uni and Durham because I thought I wouldn’t get in there… plus I had 2 extra places to fill in. Surprisingly they giving me an offer.. I was shell shocked, even my tutors!!

GJimbo

I'm not sure if I'm prepared to start this year, as it may be better to build up my savings first. How do most mature students know when they'll be able to take on their courses?

Well I wanted to go to uni but I felt that I wasn’t ready because I’ve been out of education for 8yrs… so I decided to go back to college, redo my GCSEs (which helped me as it made me think about which subjects I enjoyed) and whilst on that course I felt I was ready to move onto the next step (access course).
It’s so weird I really like being back at education now….

Reply 9

munkyboy1980

Vikki_t47

Manchester – probably… I remember emailing them about going on to their foundation course and they replied saying that I need to do access to science!!! I was like what the f###... I wasn’t going to do another access course.….

Three people in my access course, inc me, applied to manchester for engineering and we were all rejected. When asked we were told that the maths isnt a high enough level on an access course, which is bullpoo, they even got a copy of all the modules we cover...
Ah well B****ks to em

Reply 10

Starfish01

It’s stupid.... my friend applied for the same course as me (Geography) and she didn’t manage to get in whereas I did... :confused:

And she had more work experiences than me.

Reply 11

andy_85

GJimbo

Good day everyone,

Though the weather is quite poor up here, unfortunately.

Back on topic, I was just wondering if anyone knew of any access courses that lead on to Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, if they exist?

I don't have any A-levels, so Maths and Physics are out of the question and I see that all the Uni's ask for these qualifications.

Also, are there many mature students that do somekind of engineering degree, or is it primarily dominated by the younger students?

Thanks

Jimbo

try an access to humanities or access to science both of those should be what a uni would be looking for. though id call up the a few unis that your considering and ask for their advice

Access course for Engineering degree

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