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Mature Students Who Have Got Into Uni Without Access/A Levels
Hi everyone, I have got into uni via college/a levels and am starting uni in september 2008. Since being accepted my older sister has now got the 'uni bug' lol and is now interested in going to university also. She went straight into work from school and now regrets it.
We have seen on the net 'mature students' who have gained a university place without a levels or doing alternative route courses, such as an access course and wondered if anyone here has gotten a uni place via the same way and what were the circumstances that you were offered a place??
Thanks
We have seen on the net 'mature students' who have gained a university place without a levels or doing alternative route courses, such as an access course and wondered if anyone here has gotten a uni place via the same way and what were the circumstances that you were offered a place??
Thanks
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Probably relevant work experience - working as an assistant practitioner for radiography for instance might get you onto a radiography course (only thing I can think of as it's relevant to what I'm doing!)
But she'd be best of doing an access course or something - if not just to get into uni, but also to prepare HER for it.. studying...deadlines...coursework..exams and all that Postpone another year is my advice!
But she'd be best of doing an access course or something - if not just to get into uni, but also to prepare HER for it.. studying...deadlines...coursework..exams and all that
Postpone another year is my advice!
It is possible to get into uni’s without doing recent access course/ a leval (or equivalent) but, I do agree with suek. The workloads from uni’s are heavy, but if she feels she can cope with that, then she should apply. Another options she could do, as suek mentioned above is to apply to college to do an access course (or equivalent), or apply via ucas to do a foundation year which can lead to a progression route.
I got into uni with no foundation year or a-levels. I did have a single year AVCE from years back. I left college as at the time it wasn't for me, instead I moved around the country with my partner and had two children along the way. I had a GCSE in the subject I am doing at uni and I have done volunteer work and organised Charity events with my previous job.
I have taken a big interest in the Media which helped too (my degree is Media, Culture and Society), I've been on the radio taking part in a debate and I have taught myself how to use Photoshop and Illustrator and in the process of learning how to use Indesign. I think my commitment to self learning on top of bringing up children and helping my partner run a pub all helped in my university application. I only applied to one university as I wasn't in the position where I could move and I got accepted with no interview.
I have taken a big interest in the Media which helped too (my degree is Media, Culture and Society), I've been on the radio taking part in a debate and I have taught myself how to use Photoshop and Illustrator and in the process of learning how to use Indesign. I think my commitment to self learning on top of bringing up children and helping my partner run a pub all helped in my university application. I only applied to one university as I wasn't in the position where I could move and I got accepted with no interview.
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(edited 14 years ago)
I guess it depends a lot as well on the course you wish to do.
For example, if you want to do a degree in maths or physics or chemistry I doubt a university would take you without either a relevant A level or access - they would want a clear indication that you not only knew the basics of the subject, but could also handle the course, which quickly goes way beyond A level standard (I am doing a maths degree, and even with top grades in all the relevant A levels it is a struggle - I cannot imagine how anyone could cope without those!!).
For some other courses, detailed subject knowledge doesn't seem to be quite so important, and I guess uni's are looking to see if they believe you have the commitment necessary to succeed on the course.
As always, the best thing to do if you are thinking of applying is to talk to a few admissions departments from the uni's you like the look of, and ask them if you need A levels etc to get in - most of them are very approachable, and only too willing to offer advice.
For example, if you want to do a degree in maths or physics or chemistry I doubt a university would take you without either a relevant A level or access - they would want a clear indication that you not only knew the basics of the subject, but could also handle the course, which quickly goes way beyond A level standard (I am doing a maths degree, and even with top grades in all the relevant A levels it is a struggle - I cannot imagine how anyone could cope without those!!).
For some other courses, detailed subject knowledge doesn't seem to be quite so important, and I guess uni's are looking to see if they believe you have the commitment necessary to succeed on the course.
As always, the best thing to do if you are thinking of applying is to talk to a few admissions departments from the uni's you like the look of, and ask them if you need A levels etc to get in - most of them are very approachable, and only too willing to offer advice.
I think mikeha has summed it up well. It very much depends what you want to study. Also, dont be happy just to get into 'anywhere' that will take you-- try and get into the best institution that you are capable of.
If you dont want to do an access or foundation course the open university could help you.
I have also heard london external offers a far distance access course. However, I am not sure whether this course also helps you to get into universities apart from the london external programm.
I have also heard london external offers a far distance access course. However, I am not sure whether this course also helps you to get into universities apart from the london external programm.
mikeha
For example, if you want to do a degree in maths or physics or chemistry I doubt a university would take you without either a relevant A level or access - they would want a clear indication that you not only knew the basics of the subject, but could also handle the course, which quickly goes way beyond A level standard (I am doing a maths degree, and even with top grades in all the relevant A levels it is a struggle - I cannot imagine how anyone could cope without those!!).
For example, if you want to do a degree in maths or physics or chemistry I doubt a university would take you without either a relevant A level or access - they would want a clear indication that you not only knew the basics of the subject, but could also handle the course, which quickly goes way beyond A level standard (I am doing a maths degree, and even with top grades in all the relevant A levels it is a struggle - I cannot imagine how anyone could cope without those!!).
I didn't do a maths A-level and the only material I had really covered from the A-level syllabus was the basic calculus. I don't think it is that important to have the A-level to do a degree. In fact I am glad I didn't waste two years doing something which would probably have put me off maths.
Jake22
I didn't do a maths A-level and the only material I had really covered from the A-level syllabus was the basic calculus. I don't think it is that important to have the A-level to do a degree. In fact I am glad I didn't waste two years doing something which would probably have put me off maths.
Jake, that's really interesting. Which uni are you at, which course are you doing, and how did you manage to cope with all the things which are taken for granted when you do a degree in maths (eg complex numbers, matrices, differential equations etc etc). Did you learn all these from scratch at the same time as doing your degree? If you did, I take my hat off to you!! You are obviously a naturally talented mathematician.
On the course I am on (Maths G100) the starting point for the four topics we covered in the first term (differential equations, matrices and complex numbers, groups, number theory) was at A level. In the first two weeks we then covered all of the A level further maths syllabus (and a little bit more!), and went on rapidly from there.
As I said, I am finding it a struggle to cope with the pace and content of the course, and am quite sure I would have sunk without a trace if I hadn't already covered the basics of these topics in A level maths and Further maths.
mikeha
Jake, that's really interesting. Which uni are you at, which course are you doing, and how did you manage to cope with all the things which are taken for granted when you do a degree in maths (eg complex numbers, matrices, differential equations etc etc). Did you learn all these from scratch at the same time as doing your degree? If you did, I take my hat off to you!! You are obviously a naturally talented mathematician.
On the course I am on (Maths G100) the starting point for the four topics we covered in the first term (differential equations, matrices and complex numbers, groups, number theory) was at A level. In the first two weeks we then covered all of the A level further maths syllabus (and a little bit more!), and went on rapidly from there.
As I said, I am finding it a struggle to cope with the pace and content of the course, and am quite sure I would have sunk without a trace if I hadn't already covered the basics of these topics in A level maths and Further maths.
On the course I am on (Maths G100) the starting point for the four topics we covered in the first term (differential equations, matrices and complex numbers, groups, number theory) was at A level. In the first two weeks we then covered all of the A level further maths syllabus (and a little bit more!), and went on rapidly from there.
As I said, I am finding it a struggle to cope with the pace and content of the course, and am quite sure I would have sunk without a trace if I hadn't already covered the basics of these topics in A level maths and Further maths.
I did my first year at Lancaster and then transfered to Manchester for my second (personal reasons - nothing to do with Lancaster or the course).
I coped ok because I had done some calculus and we started off with the basics and quickly moved onto stuff I hadn't done so it gave me a chance to revise. In terms of things like differential equations and matrices, everyone else seemed to have only covered the very basics at A-level and therefore I didn't have that far to catch up on. I knew the basics of complex numbers and things also. I went through parts of Stroud's 'Engineering Mathematics' in the weeks before I started. If you think about it though, there isn't a great deal from the maths A-level that you actually need to do the degree, so there isn't that much to catch up on.
Conversely though, I had done a fair amount of group theory before I started the degree so it has meant that I have barely had to learn anything knew in that yet (aside from little bits of differing notation etc.) because what first got me into the idea of reading maths was an algebra book I got from the library ('Abstract Algebra' by Whitelaw) So in some senses, I was better off then A-level students because I already understood the concept of rigourous proof etc. etc. I found that a lot of my collegues suffered because they found it hard to adjust from A-level maths to degree level, but as I hadn't done the A-level I didn't have to make the psychological transition.
So are you at Cambridge then? I suppose you have to bear in mind that you tend to cover deeper stuff earlier at Cambridge then at most other places (or so it would seem)
Jake,
Yes, I am at Cambridge - nearly all (95% + ) of people who get offers from Cambridge have to get 3 A's at A level (including maths - and usually further maths), and we also had to take a separate exam, the STEP papers, which are maths exams set by OCR on behalf of the Cambridge colleges, which are very different from the usual maths A level (much more rigorous questions which really test understanding of topics, rather than just applications of the theory)).
I don't know if we go faster/deeper than other uni's - I suspect we propbably do, and certainly Cambridge tell us all that we do!!
Anyway, well done - and as you say, Uni maths is very different to school maths.
Yes, I am at Cambridge - nearly all (95% + ) of people who get offers from Cambridge have to get 3 A's at A level (including maths - and usually further maths), and we also had to take a separate exam, the STEP papers, which are maths exams set by OCR on behalf of the Cambridge colleges, which are very different from the usual maths A level (much more rigorous questions which really test understanding of topics, rather than just applications of the theory)).
I don't know if we go faster/deeper than other uni's - I suspect we propbably do, and certainly Cambridge tell us all that we do!!
Anyway, well done - and as you say, Uni maths is very different to school maths.
Hi
I have just been accepted for Stafford Uni to do Forensic Science with a foundation year. I'm 41 and have no A levels and its obviously years since I went to school. I am being made redundant in May and have decided to get myself a degree ( 22 years too late )
I spoke to the chap in charge of the course, explained my circumstances and gave him a list of the qualifications I have gained during my employment and he told me to apply via UCAS, and hey presto I recieved an uncinditional offer.
I have just been accepted for Stafford Uni to do Forensic Science with a foundation year. I'm 41 and have no A levels and its obviously years since I went to school. I am being made redundant in May and have decided to get myself a degree ( 22 years too late )
I spoke to the chap in charge of the course, explained my circumstances and gave him a list of the qualifications I have gained during my employment and he told me to apply via UCAS, and hey presto I recieved an uncinditional offer.
Another Ou-er here. I can definately recommend this an an alternative route.
I've just had an offer for Psych which I'm thrilled about, my OU modules were health related, but I have done very little psych related study- so from my experience, the OU is taken seriously.
She may get funding too depending on househoild income. I got around £1200 a year to spend on modules.
Relevent work experience is fine, but as people have already mentioned, in my opinion study is invaluable as it gets you 'back in the swing' in terms of self motivation etc.
As the UCAS deadline has gone, I imagine she will be going for it next cycle?
Good luck to her and congrats on your offer.
I've just had an offer for Psych which I'm thrilled about, my OU modules were health related, but I have done very little psych related study- so from my experience, the OU is taken seriously.
She may get funding too depending on househoild income. I got around £1200 a year to spend on modules.
Relevent work experience is fine, but as people have already mentioned, in my opinion study is invaluable as it gets you 'back in the swing' in terms of self motivation etc.
As the UCAS deadline has gone, I imagine she will be going for it next cycle?
Good luck to her and congrats on your offer.
I'm doing a small OU course too! :-)
I'm using it for essay writing practice.
I left school at 15 as I had to get work and move out home soon after.
I took some part time courses to bring up my O level count to 5.
I've applied to UCAS in February and so far had two 'unconditionals' and a 'yes' today after showing a portfolio. (I've worked in the digital media industry for years so it's mostly based on work experience).
I'm waiting for two others (have to show a portfolio next week).
but every time I look up info on these Uni's I hear so much negativity about them which is making me even more confused!
I don't think I'll consider the London Met - they were suppose to get back to me last year but didn't, and recently I was suppose to have a tutor contact me about doing a Masters but nothing - plus I don't want to study a masters, I'd rather do the full 3 year degree.
PS: the UCAS cycle hasn't 'gone' - you can still apply - just do it quickly!
I sent mine on the 15th February and have nearly got all my answers.
good luck all
:-)
I'm using it for essay writing practice.
I left school at 15 as I had to get work and move out home soon after.
I took some part time courses to bring up my O level count to 5.
I've applied to UCAS in February and so far had two 'unconditionals' and a 'yes' today after showing a portfolio. (I've worked in the digital media industry for years so it's mostly based on work experience).
I'm waiting for two others (have to show a portfolio next week).
but every time I look up info on these Uni's I hear so much negativity about them which is making me even more confused!
I don't think I'll consider the London Met - they were suppose to get back to me last year but didn't, and recently I was suppose to have a tutor contact me about doing a Masters but nothing - plus I don't want to study a masters, I'd rather do the full 3 year degree.
PS: the UCAS cycle hasn't 'gone' - you can still apply - just do it quickly!
I sent mine on the 15th February and have nearly got all my answers.
good luck all
:-)
EggCustard
PS: the UCAS cycle hasn't 'gone' - you can still apply - just do it quickly!
I sent mine on the 15th February and have nearly got all my answers.
PS: the UCAS cycle hasn't 'gone' - you can still apply - just do it quickly!
I sent mine on the 15th February and have nearly got all my answers.
This is a very good point. Although it is advisable to apply as early as possible, when I transfered universities it had to go through the normal UCAS thing and I only did that in late August/Early Sept so it is still just about possible.
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