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If I do a Level 3 apprenticeship, can i still apply to a russel group university?

Hey, im currently doing gcse's and im planning to do apprenticeships instead of sixth form, but after that i would like to go to uni. But i cant find any information online if russel group universities or any universities actually accept level 3 apprenticeships. Im also unaware if an apprenticeship gives you the same or less amount of ucas points compared to going to sixth form and doing A-levels. It would be very nice if someone could answer my queries.

Thank you

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Reply 1

An apprenticeship is not an academic qualification so Unis will not accept this instead of A levels etc.

Reply 2

Original post
by McGinger
An apprenticeship is not an academic qualification so Unis will not accept this instead of A levels etc.

Thank you for replying but i thought they accept by looking at the amount of ucas points earned.

Reply 3

Original post
by janiyaN22
Thank you for replying but i thought they accept by looking at the amount of ucas points earned.

It doesn't 'earn' any UCAS points because it isnt an academic qualification.

Reply 4

Original post
by janiyaN22
Hey, im currently doing gcse's and im planning to do apprenticeships instead of sixth form, but after that i would like to go to uni. But i cant find any information online if russel group universities or any universities actually accept level 3 apprenticeships. Im also unaware if an apprenticeship gives you the same or less amount of ucas points compared to going to sixth form and doing A-levels. It would be very nice if someone could answer my queries.
Thank you

What about applying for a Level 6 degree apprenticeship qualification which has a Russel uni as the uni provider?

Reply 5

Original post
by McGinger
It doesn't 'earn' any UCAS points because it isnt an academic qualification.

If you hold 1 a level would they consider it?

Reply 6

Of course it is an academic qualification. Unis have always accepted them but it will soon be easier for them to be recognised with official ucas points. https://www.ucas.com/providers/overview-ucas-tariff-points-apprenticeships

Reply 7

A quick google search can help with clarity, it depends which uni your applying to so check their entry requirements. A level 3 apprenticeship is equivalent to a betec level 3 that’s equal to 3 A levels . Your experience can help which you’ll gain from the apprenticeship, my class mate from sixth form college got into a Russell group uni w/ a betec even tho on the university website they only except A levels so it really just depends.

Reply 8

You can also possibly get in via clearing

Reply 9

Original post
by janiyaN22
Hey, im currently doing gcse's and im planning to do apprenticeships instead of sixth form, but after that i would like to go to uni. But i cant find any information online if russel group universities or any universities actually accept level 3 apprenticeships. Im also unaware if an apprenticeship gives you the same or less amount of ucas points compared to going to sixth form and doing A-levels. It would be very nice if someone could answer my queries.
Thank you


A level 3 apprenticeship will probably earn you 64 UCAS points if it is 18-20 months

Reply 10

Original post
by Hk3838
If you hold 1 a level would they consider it?


One A level and one level 3 apprenticeship should be enough to get you into a Uni - from someone who has an A level in Econ and a Level 3 Business Admin apprenticeship qualification, which has been enough for me to apply to multiple unis

Reply 11

Original post
by Underscore_or
A quick google search can help with clarity, it depends which uni your applying to so check their entry requirements. A level 3 apprenticeship is equivalent to a betec level 3 that’s equal to 3 A levels . Your experience can help which you’ll gain from the apprenticeship, my class mate from sixth form college got into a Russell group uni w/ a betec even tho on the university website they only except A levels so it really just depends.


this isn’t completely true, level 3 apprenticeships can range massively. Under the new UCAS point system level 3 apprenticeships lasting 18-20 months (most common) are valued at 64 UCAS points, which is far less than a level 3 BTEC or 3 A Levels

Reply 12

Original post
by McGinger
It doesn't 'earn' any UCAS points because it isnt an academic qualification.


the end point assessment you take at the end of an apprenticeship is an academic qualification

Reply 13

Original post
by sbsmith
this isn’t completely true, level 3 apprenticeships can range massively. Under the new UCAS point system level 3 apprenticeships lasting 18-20 months (most common) are valued at 64 UCAS points, which is far less than a level 3 BTEC or 3 A Levels


From what I read online there isn't really a straight forward answer but you are kinda right, my bad, most level 3 apprenticeship are equal to 2 A levels and depending on what exactly someone wants to study at uni, they could be accepted however mostly likely via clearing and will have to take a foundation year

Reply 14

Original post
by Underscore_or
From what I read online there isn't really a straight forward answer but you are kinda right, my bad, most level 3 apprenticeship are equal to 2 A levels and depending on what exactly someone wants to study at uni, they could be accepted however mostly likely via clearing and will have to take a foundation year


as someone who was told my apprenticeship would be worth two A levels, only to find out it would only be worth 24 UCAS points - which was then updated to 64 this year, the lack of clarity on level 3 apprenticeships is irritating to say the least. Usually a level 3 will be enough to get you a Level 4-6 apprenticeship, but once you get onto the apprenticeship track it can be difficult to go back to purely academic without other level 3 qualifications (A levels, BTEC etc)

Reply 15

Original post
by sbsmith
as someone who was told my apprenticeship would be worth two A levels, only to find out it would only be worth 24 UCAS points - which was then updated to 64 this year, the lack of clarity on level 3 apprenticeships is irritating to say the least. Usually a level 3 will be enough to get you a Level 4-6 apprenticeship, but once you get onto the apprenticeship track it can be difficult to go back to purely academic without other level 3 qualifications (A levels, BTEC etc)


Hm if one a level is equal to 48 ucas points approx then really and truly the level 3 apprenticeship should equal to 96 ucas points ( which is the mini for unis entry requirements ) you can contact the education body who provided your certificate to clarify and for adjustments to be made . If you have it in writing maybe like a contact stating what your qualifications were equal to when you started , you can use it for corrections and any changes prior shouldn’t apply to you .

Reply 16

Original post
by Underscore_or
Hm if one a level is equal to 48 ucas points approx then really and truly the level 3 apprenticeship should equal to 96 ucas points ( which is the mini for unis entry requirements ) you can contact the education body who provided your certificate to clarify and for adjustments to be made . If you have it in writing maybe like a contact stating what your qualifications were equal to when you started , you can use it for corrections and any changes prior shouldn’t apply to you .


it’s more the general understand for level 3 apprenticeships is that they’re worth 2 A-levels (as you saw on google) but once you start one they inform you that the UCAS points don’t reflect that, until the 2025/6 cycle that is. Level 3 apprenticeships are given UCAS points based off of their duration, but unis and employers can take what your evaluated KSBs were into account when reviewing an application

Reply 17

Original post
by Underscore_or
Hm if one a level is equal to 48 ucas points approx then really and truly the level 3 apprenticeship should equal to 96 ucas points ( which is the mini for unis entry requirements ) you can contact the education body who provided your certificate to clarify and for adjustments to be made . If you have it in writing maybe like a contact stating what your qualifications were equal to when you started , you can use it for corrections and any changes prior shouldn’t apply to you .


my apprenticeship is now worth more than it was before which is why i’ve been able to apply to universities and degree apprenticeship programmes, the update to give Level 3 apprenticeships UCAS points from next cycle is a very good thing

Reply 18

This does not mean that any / all Universities will accept it as a qualification for entry.

That decision is entirely up to the individual University, and if they want the academic background of 3 A levels, or 2 A levels plus a BTEC etc because in theor opinion that gives an applicant of the best chance of succeeding on the course, 'UCAS points' are not going to get past that. Its the same with a whole bunch of 'other' qualifications that 'attract' UCAS points - like music exams - they dont automatically 'count' for all courses at all Unis.

Reply 19

Original post
by sbsmith
One A level and one level 3 apprenticeship should be enough to get you into a Uni - from someone who has an A level in Econ and a Level 3 Business Admin apprenticeship qualification, which has been enough for me to apply to multiple unis
What Uni course have you applied for? Is it with UCAS points, if so how many?
Sorry no one talks about it I’m curious because I want to do the same!

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