Access to HE Engineering without math GCSE?

Okay I feel like this might be a bit stupid but I was wondering just how difficult an engineering access course would be for someone who hasn't passed GCSE math yet. I understand math will play a big part in the course, but i'm really looking to push myself this year and was wondering if it was even possible. I want to try do the math alongside the Access course to save myself a year of learning basics. Again i just wanna know what my chances are really.

I'm not sure weather to just spend a year and build my foundation in math before jumping into a science Access course or just try it together and see how it goes. For bg info I'm 21, have been out of school for about 4ish years? Reason being mental health and change in career choices (I was doing media/eng before now looking to do science) I have no clue what to do.

Reply 1

sound-famous-

Look at the entry requirements for the course you're looking at. If they require GCSE Maths, then you must do it. If they don't, you would do yourself a huge favour by self-studying GCSE maths before you start anyway.

Reply 2

MillieeM2

Ask if you can do a trial period where they monitor your grades until the first exam and if you pass, you can stay on the course also try to resit maths in November

Reply 3

Isra’a

I’m doing an engineering access course online and retaking maths at the same time to get in to uni 2025 September

Reply 4

Judegant2005

I’m doing an access to engineering course online and to be honest, if you don’t have a maths gcse the later maths modules and the earlier ones to a degree will go over your head. As somebody who studied maths and further maths at a level before I dropped out, I can tell you some of the stuff isn’t even normal a level maths content, it’s further maths content.

Reply 5

Arden University

Official Rep

Original post by yeonsai

Okay I feel like this might be a bit stupid but I was wondering just how difficult an engineering access course would be for someone who hasn't passed GCSE math yet. I understand math will play a big part in the course, but i'm really looking to push myself this year and was wondering if it was even possible. I want to try do the math alongside the Access course to save myself a year of learning basics. Again i just wanna know what my chances are really.
I'm not sure weather to just spend a year and build my foundation in math before jumping into a science Access course or just try it together and see how it goes. For bg info I'm 21, have been out of school for about 4ish years? Reason being mental health and change in career choices (I was doing media/eng before now looking to do science) I have no clue what to do.

@yeonsai
Hi, I've taught on Access to HE for over 10 years.

Some private providers may let you do Access to HE Engineering without the GCSE maths, BUT, the reason most providers have the GCSE English and Maths requirement is to do with progression onto University level afterwards as that is a requirement alongside Access in their entry requirements, so you may spend a whole year doing your maths after access.

We usually advise students to do their maths GCSE first and maybe a pre access course one day a week alongside it, and then do your Access program the following year. Some providers will let you do GCSE alongside Access however that is a big time commitment.

Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador