Do UCAS points really matter?

2

Hi, so I’m doing my level 3 in accounting at college and I’d like to go to university. Thing is, I never did alevels, I just did hairdressing (that’s worth 32 ucas points) and I know that the diploma I’m doing is worth 1 a level (56 if I got a distinction). Thing is, that’s not enough for the universities I’ve chosen. Staffordshire university is my first choice and Keele is my 2nd. I’d like to possibly to an epq but my college don’t offer it!!! I’ve been doing my research into what I could do instead, but none of its really achievable.
So my question is, does it matter that much? Or is it more the individual? What would you advise I do?

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post

by lisa.nayar

Hi, so I’m doing my level 3 in accounting at college and I’d like to go to university. Thing is, I never did alevels, I just did hairdressing (that’s worth 32 ucas points) and I know that the diploma I’m doing is worth 1 a level (56 if I got a distinction). Thing is, that’s not enough for the universities I’ve chosen. Staffordshire university is my first choice and Keele is my 2nd. I’d like to possibly to an epq but my college don’t offer it!!! I’ve been doing my research into what I could do instead, but none of its really achievable.
So my question is, does it matter that much? Or is it more the individual? What would you advise I do?

I'm curious to know what your Level 3 in accounting is exactly. If it's not an AAT qualification, then I would question whether it's worth doing the course.

Should I also presume you're older than 17? If so, you are not likely going to be able to do A Levels at 6th form colleges unless you can find specific colleges that would take you in (few and far in between).

Alternatively, you can do A Levels as a private candidate and through online colleges. This is difficult to do if you have never done A Levels before.

You can enrol onto uni with Access to HE courses, and as far as I know Staffordshire and Keele accept accept the qualification for most of their courses (most and not necessarily all, so you would need to check the entry requirements of individual degrees). You can find such as course using the following: https://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/course-search
Do note, you have the option to do online and offline Access courses. Offline Access courses can be done at virtually any adult college. Online courses are available anywhere. However, you are likely going to need to pay for your own online course (about £1000), but you should be able to get access to Advanced Learner's Loan if you did an offline course (since you are doing a Level 3 course at college, you will not likely be eligible for free funding for other Level 3 courses upon completion of your accounting course) - offline Access courses can cost £3000-3500.

Your alternative would be to do further Level 3 courses, which I recommend either being BTEC, A Levels, or Access (with a strong preference for A Levels or Access, in that order of priority).

Having said the above if you intend to do an accounting degree, do note that an AAT Level 3 would allow you to do any professional accounting qualification, which is ultimately what you need to become a qualified accountant. If your accounting course doesn't get you an AAT Level 3, then by having an accepted NVQ Level 3 qualification with semi-decent grades at GCSE in at least 5 subjects should allow you to get into most of the professional accounting qualifications (you would need to check the entry requirements of the individual professional accounting qualification to be sure).
A standard accounting degree would grant you exemptions towards professional accounting qualifications, but you would still need to complete the professional accounting qualification in order to qualify as an accountant. Also, it's a lot faster and cheaper to just go straight into the professional accounting qualification whilst working in an accounting role (under a professional accountant) than to do the degree and complete the qualification later.

So my answers are:
does it matter that much?
So for most courses (if not all of them), yeah. It's a way for unis to shortlist candidates for the course and to assess their academic ability, which is kind of important if you intend to do an academic qualification.

Or is it more the individual?
It depends on the degree that you would do. If they require you to attend an interview, your grades will matter but they would look at the individual as well.
I have only come across a handful of degrees where they would accept accredited prior learning (i.e. work experience and other nonacademic qualifications) instead and look at the individual. This is only a handful though, and they aren't usually at top end academic institutions.

What would you advise I do?
See the above.

Reply 2

StaffsRep Jodie

Official Rep

8

Original post

by lisa.nayar

Hi, so I’m doing my level 3 in accounting at college and I’d like to go to university. Thing is, I never did alevels, I just did hairdressing (that’s worth 32 ucas points) and I know that the diploma I’m doing is worth 1 a level (56 if I got a distinction). Thing is, that’s not enough for the universities I’ve chosen. Staffordshire university is my first choice and Keele is my 2nd. I’d like to possibly to an epq but my college don’t offer it!!! I’ve been doing my research into what I could do instead, but none of its really achievable.
So my question is, does it matter that much? Or is it more the individual? What would you advise I do?

Hi Lisa!
Hope you're well :smile:

I'm Tee, I'm a final year Illustration Student and part of the Content Creator team here at Staffordshire Uni!

I can completely understand your worries about achieving your goals - I felt the same way when I was looking at unis...

I went straight from GCSE's to college to complete a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design. When it came to applying to places, my grades weren't the best as I had a rough time at college and fell below the grades and UCAS points all the courses wanted to be accepted. My course was worth 3 A-Levels, however finishing with a MMP only landed me with around 80 UCAS points. The courses I was looking at needed a DMM or 112-120 UCAS Tariff points.

I applied to Staffordshire Uni through Clearing as I decided it was still worth a shot, I went through my grades with them, followed by a phone call with the Course Leader for Illustration, who then asked me to send in my portfolio via email.
Despite my grades being lower than the entry requirements, he felt like my work showed a lot of promise and offered me a place on the course!

Now, I completely get that your experience is going to be a little different as you're looking at applying for a different course, however, I would like to stress that you don't give up hope! Keep working hard - aim for that Distinction!! Also don't hesitate to reach out to the teams at your uni choices, they may be able to guide you in the right direction and also give you some advice on what you should do!

It is also worth speaking to your college lecturer about your plans and see if they can give you any advice too :smile:

I wish you the best of luck in your studies and hope that things work out well for you!
Don't lose faith and keep persevering🙌

-Tee :smile:

Reply 3

lisa.nayar

OP

2

Original post

by Staffs UG Rep

Hi Lisa!
Hope you're well :smile:

I'm Tee, I'm a final year Illustration Student and part of the Content Creator team here at Staffordshire Uni!
I can completely understand your worries about achieving your goals - I felt the same way when I was looking at unis...
I went straight from GCSE's to college to complete a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design. When it came to applying to places, my grades weren't the best as I had a rough time at college and fell below the grades and UCAS points all the courses wanted to be accepted. My course was worth 3 A-Levels, however finishing with a MMP only landed me with around 80 UCAS points. The courses I was looking at needed a DMM or 112-120 UCAS Tariff points.
I applied to Staffordshire Uni through Clearing as I decided it was still worth a shot, I went through my grades with them, followed by a phone call with the Course Leader for Illustration, who then asked me to send in my portfolio via email.
Despite my grades being lower than the entry requirements, he felt like my work showed a lot of promise and offered me a place on the course!
Now, I completely get that your experience is going to be a little different as you're looking at applying for a different course, however, I would like to stress that you don't give up hope! Keep working hard - aim for that Distinction!! Also don't hesitate to reach out to the teams at your uni choices, they may be able to guide you in the right direction and also give you some advice on what you should do!
It is also worth speaking to your college lecturer about your plans and see if they can give you any advice too :smile:

I wish you the best of luck in your studies and hope that things work out well for you!
Don't lose faith and keep persevering🙌
-Tee :smile:

Thank you so much for the reassurance! This has actually put a lot of confidence in me.
I’m thinking of studying something in my spare time. I was gonna do an EPQ but couldn’t. So I was thinking of just doing some research and maybe showing them if they show an interest in me.
Thank you for your answer tho!

Do UCAS points really matter?

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