University entry requirements

Hi
Nice to meet you
I am a college student in UK (Wales) studying BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Music (Technology pathway) with distinction/ distinction* predictions.
However my problem lies with the fact that I would like to apply to university (2025) to study anthropology/psychology.
After getting in contact with a university I am considering they said that as my BTEC is not an applied general I would require an academic a level with it.
In response to this I am going to start an AQA A level Psychology at home to meet this requirement.

My question is will I be able to get into university with my BTEC and then additional A Level. I will also have my Advanced baccalaureate, really good reference and extracurricular experience. Also I have been in care and have long term health conditions.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I really want to study in Scotland/England.
Especially in anthropology as I am really interested in social anthropology.

Thank you

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 1

Medavies

Original post by Little fire

Hi
Nice to meet you
I am a college student in UK (Wales) studying BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Music (Technology pathway) with distinction/ distinction* predictions.
However my problem lies with the fact that I would like to apply to university (2025) to study anthropology/psychology.
After getting in contact with a university I am considering they said that as my BTEC is not an applied general I would require an academic a level with it.
In response to this I am going to start an AQA A level Psychology at home to meet this requirement.
My question is will I be able to get into university with my BTEC and then additional A Level. I will also have my Advanced baccalaureate, really good reference and extracurricular experience. Also I have been in care and have long term health conditions.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I really want to study in Scotland/England.
Especially in anthropology as I am really interested in social anthropology.
Thank you

Hey! I am also a college student from wales. I just got into Cardiff university with an applied science BTEC with a distinction* and distinction with an a-level. Everything worked fine for me so I guess it would do for you, I had no problems but I did have an AS along with that so I don’t know if it helped lol :smile:

Reply 2

Little fire

Original post by Medavies

Hi thanks for your reply and congratulations. That’s what I think as well I just can’t help but be nervous. Thanks though.

Reply 3

Medavies

Original post by Little fire

Hi thanks for your reply and congratulations. That’s what I think as well I just can’t help but be nervous. Thanks though.

It’s definitely a nerve wracking time but I wouldn’t worry about, lots of university are accepting loads of different entry requirements these day :smile:

Reply 4

McGinger

"My question is will I be able to get into university with my BTEC and then additional A Level. I will also have my Advanced baccalaureate, really good reference and extracurricular experience. Also I have been in care and have long term health conditions."

•

Have you asked any Unis if they will accept this specific combination of qualifications/subjects for the degree you want to do?

•

Advanced Baccalaureate - which country?

•

Illness etc makes no difference to them not accepting a BTEC - they need evidence of your performance in an appropriate academic subject at A level. They may accept lower grades if 'in care' make you eligible for a contextual offer but they will still want the A level.

•

There may be other ways of doing this - some Unis have specific Foundation courses for those with unusual educational backgrounds and/or the 'wrong qualifications'. Bristol as one example - Foundation Years | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol

Reply 5

user488949439

Original post by Little fire

Hi
Nice to meet you
I am a college student in UK (Wales) studying BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Music (Technology pathway) with distinction/ distinction* predictions.
However my problem lies with the fact that I would like to apply to university (2025) to study anthropology/psychology.
After getting in contact with a university I am considering they said that as my BTEC is not an applied general I would require an academic a level with it.
In response to this I am going to start an AQA A level Psychology at home to meet this requirement.
My question is will I be able to get into university with my BTEC and then additional A Level. I will also have my Advanced baccalaureate, really good reference and extracurricular experience. Also I have been in care and have long term health conditions.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I really want to study in Scotland/England.
Especially in anthropology as I am really interested in social anthropology.
Thank you

The real problem might be the subject the Btec is in might not be accepted as academic enough but this will probably change between universities so you will need to ask each individual university. I suspect the advanced Bac is the Welsh Bac. This is accepted by all Welsh universities and most English ones but there are many that dont accept it.

Being in care would get a lower contextual offer from most universities and sometimes financial and other support as well.

I would ring around universities you are interested in and seek their advice as to whether they will accept your qualifications instead of taking an additional A level. You will probably find Psychology more difficult to get into as it is classed as a science and would require 1 or 2 science A levels.

Reply 6

user488949439

I would add that Exeter University has no restriction of what subject your BTEC is in so might be a good place to start for Anthropology

BTEC DDD n/a no particular BTEC

Reply 7

Little fire

Original post by McGinger

•

Have you asked any Unis if they will accept this specific combination of qualifications/subjects for the degree you want to do?

•

Advanced Baccalaureate - which country?

•

I asked Bristol and they will accept my BTEC if then I have an additional A Level that is academic such as Psychology. In terms of Advanced Baccalaureate it’s the Advanced skills Baccalaureate Wales. Which some unis say I can substitute for an A Level I believe but it can’t be my only one.
Thank you 😀

Reply 8

Little fire

Original post by swanseajack1

The real problem might be the subject the Btec is in might not be accepted as academic enough but this will probably change between universities so you will need to ask each individual university. I suspect the advanced Bac is the Welsh Bac. This is accepted by all Welsh universities and most English ones but there are many that dont accept it.
Being in care would get a lower contextual offer from most universities and sometimes financial and other support as well.
I would ring around universities you are interested in and seek their advice as to whether they will accept your qualifications instead of taking an additional A level. You will probably find Psychology more difficult to get into as it is classed as a science and would require 1 or 2 science A levels.

Yeah that’s what I thought but they said that if I do the A Level Psychology it would be academic enough to go with my BTEC. I think contacting the universities is a good idea so thank you all the help is really appreciated.

Reply 9

McGinger

Looks like these Unis may also be okay with any BTEC Extended Diploma for Anthropology - but always email and check before applying :
Anthropology BA : University of Sussex
BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) in Anthropology at Oxford Brookes University
BA (Hons) Anthropology - University of Plymouth

Reply 10

NU London

Official Rep

Original post by Little fire

Hi
Nice to meet you
I am a college student in UK (Wales) studying BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Music (Technology pathway) with distinction/ distinction* predictions.
However my problem lies with the fact that I would like to apply to university (2025) to study anthropology/psychology.
After getting in contact with a university I am considering they said that as my BTEC is not an applied general I would require an academic a level with it.
In response to this I am going to start an AQA A level Psychology at home to meet this requirement.
My question is will I be able to get into university with my BTEC and then additional A Level. I will also have my Advanced baccalaureate, really good reference and extracurricular experience. Also I have been in care and have long term health conditions.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I really want to study in Scotland/England.
Especially in anthropology as I am really interested in social anthropology.
Thank you

Hi there!

Lots of universities offer contextual applications and would consider your IB grades, A-level, BTEC and personal circumstances to study the psychology/anthropology course that you'd like to! It sounds like you're application would be very strong given your extracurricular experience and reference.

Good Luck with your applications!

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