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Can I do Aerospace Eng with BTEC L3 Mechanical Eng Dip+5-6 GCSEs at Grades 4s & 5s?

hi,
i am currently a year 11 student wanting to pursue a career in Aerospace engineering/aeronautical engineering in the future, but i am unsure of whether or not A-Level Maths and Physics are required for me to do a masters/bachelors degree in a good university.My plan is that i want to start off with a BTEC Level 2 in electromechanical Engineering extended certificate and then a BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering foundation diploma and after that i want to do an apprenticeship on mechanical engineering or electrical engineering after high school because of my predicted grades not suitable for A-Level Maths and Physics, i thought that this could be an alternative for A-Levels and that it could help me do at least a bachelors degree on it. I would absolutely love for anyone here to suggest me some good universities that allow me to do a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering with only BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical engineering diploma and 5 to 6 GCSEs (hopefully 6 GCSEs because i am still sitting the exams for them).
(edited 11 months ago)
Original post by Famsters_70295
hi,
i am currently a year 11 student wanting to pursue a career in Aerospace engineering/aeronautical engineering in the future, but i am unsure of whether or not A-Level Maths and Physics are required for me to do a masters/bachelors degree in a good university.My plan is that i want to start off with a BTEC Level 2 in electromechanical Engineering extended certificate and then a BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering foundation diploma and after that i want to do an apprenticeship on mechanical engineering or electrical engineering after high school because of my predicted grades not suitable for A-Level Maths and Physics, i thought that this could be an alternative for A-Levels and that it could help me do at least a bachelors degree on it. I would absolutely love for anyone here to suggest me some good universities that allow me to do a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering with only BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical engineering diploma and 5 to 6 GCSEs (hopefully 6 GCSEs because i am still sitting the exams for them).

A level Maths is expected at the better universities (for Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering), but some will forgo it if you do well in the maths-heavy units in your BTEC, if you do well in their own maths test, or do well at interview, etc. So although the fact that you're not doing A levels will have closed some doors, it hasn't closed them all.

In terms of GCSEs, generally speaking, universities are only interested in your Maths and/or English Language grade. Some will expect to see five or more GCSEs, and some will expect high grades - but for most it's just Maths and English.

Your proposed BTECs seem flawed to me. A BTEC Level 2 is the equivalent of one or more GCSEs and is going to add nothing to a university application. Also, a BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma is the equivalent (size-wise) of 1.5 A levels. Very few universities would accept you with just that.

You'd be much better ditching the Level 2 BTEC and going straight from GCSEs to a Level 3 Extended Diploma. That's a two-year course, equivalent to three A levels and will be much more appealing to universities.

Here are a few random universities for which you'd meet their Aeronautical Engineering requirements with that BTEC (assuming you got the right grades and took the right units).

University of Nottingham say, "As part of the application process BTEC applicants without A level Maths who are predicted D*DD will receive an invitation to attend an interview with an academic member of staff." The say their typical offer is "Extended Diploma - DDD including Distinction in units Engineering Principles, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Maths" (See here for details.)

University of Bristol say, "D*DD in either Engineering BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in four Physics units, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent), or in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Chemistry units, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent)." Note that the above include A level Maths requirements. However, they also say "Applicants taking Engineering BTEC may be invited to take the University of Bristol mathematics test in place of A-level Mathematics." (See here for details.)

If you wanted to meet the entry requirements without having to worry about maths tests or interviews, then perhaps Brunel University London would be of interest. They want "BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF) DDD in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, with Distinctions in Engineering Principles and Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems." (See here for details.)

With a decent grade in a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, you should have quite a few options. (The above are just a small sample.)

Reply 2

Original post by DataVenia
A level Maths is expected at the better universities (for Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering), but some will forgo it if you do well in the maths-heavy units in your BTEC, if you do well in their own maths test, or do well at interview, etc. So although the fact that you're not doing A levels will have closed some doors, it hasn't closed them all.
In terms of GCSEs, generally speaking, universities are only interested in your Maths and/or English Language grade. Some will expect to see five or more GCSEs, and some will expect high grades - but for most it's just Maths and English.
Your proposed BTECs seem flawed to me. A BTEC Level 2 is the equivalent of one or more GCSEs and is going to add nothing to a university application. Also, a BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma is the equivalent (size-wise) of 1.5 A levels. Very few universities would accept you with just that.
You'd be much better ditching the Level 2 BTEC and going straight from GCSEs to a Level 3 Extended Diploma. That's a two-year course, equivalent to three A levels and will be much more appealing to universities.
Here are a few random universities for which you'd meet their Aeronautical Engineering requirements with that BTEC (assuming you got the right grades and took the right units).
University of Nottingham say, "As part of the application process BTEC applicants without A level Maths who are predicted D*DD will receive an invitation to attend an interview with an academic member of staff." The say their typical offer is "Extended Diploma - DDD including Distinction in units Engineering Principles, Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems and Further Engineering Maths" (See here for details.)
University of Bristol say, "D*DD in either Engineering BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in four Physics units, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent), or in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Chemistry units, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent)." Note that the above include A level Maths requirements. However, they also say "Applicants taking Engineering BTEC may be invited to take the University of Bristol mathematics test in place of A-level Mathematics." (See here for details.)
If you wanted to meet the entry requirements without having to worry about maths tests or interviews, then perhaps Brunel University London would be of interest. They want "BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF) DDD in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, with Distinctions in Engineering Principles and Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems." (See here for details.)
With a decent grade in a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, you should have quite a few options. (The above are just a small sample.)


Thanks for your suggestion!

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