Can I still go uni?

Can I still go uni with only ONE level 3 college course because I applied for level 3 psychology and forensic science for college and thats it. Someone let me know please?? If i cant go uni with only one level 3 course i guess i need to do a levels at sixth form because i really want to go uni

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by snsnsnshshsh

It very much depends on what that one level 3 course is. Not the subject, but the qualification.

If it's a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, then yes. That single level 3 qualification is the equivalent of three A levels, and will be accepted for many courses by many universities.

If it's a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (i.e. not the Extended Diploma), then it'll be difficult. That single level 3 qualification is the equivalent of just two A levels, and will be accepted by few universities in its own. (Some will accept it, but your choices will be quite limited.)

If it's a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate, then no. That single level 3 qualification is the equivalent of just one A level, and is extremely unlikely to be accepted anywhere on its own.

So, what's the full name of the qualification you'll be taking?

Reply 2

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by snsnsnshshsh

Double check the course you have done.
If its a btec or diploma, then they are often worth/equivalent to 3 a-levels (meaning you can get into uni if you get the grades in the course). Double check the details of the course you have done though to make sure.

Reply 3

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by snsnsnshshsh

It only says “level 3 combined diploma in psychology with forensic science”

Hmmm. I can't seem to find any details of a qualification by that name.

Is there any chance that it's actually "Level 3 Combined Diploma in Psychology with Forensic Investigation", as described here?

Reply 4

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by snsnsnshshsh

I apologise, yes forensic investigation is right.

OK. Perfect. And does the link I provided above take you to the college you're studying with? If so, I'll do a little digging in terms of the awarding body and its acceptability by unis.

Reply 5

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by snsnsnshshsh

Yes, this is the college I applied to

To make sense of that particular college's offerings, we need to draw a distinction between the name of the course and the name of the qualification(s) you'd gain upon successful completion of that course. That's unusual and confusing, as normally they're one and the same. But this particular college likes to rebrand and repackage qualifications - for no discernible reason.

By completing their "Level 3 Combined Diploma in Psychology with Forensic Investigation" course, you do not gain a "Level 3 Combined Diploma in Psychology with Forensic Investigation" qualification. I know that because Ofqual's Register of Regulated Qualifications list no qualification by that name.

In fact, I believe you actually gain two separate qualifications (hence the word "combined" in the name of the course). You gain a Level 3 qualification in Psychology and a separate Level 3 qualification in Forensic Investigation.

Now, there are a few such qualifications out there, but we can work out which ones they're likely to be because the college has listed the name of each unit you'd be studying. So we just need to match those with the units within potential qualifications.

Below I've listed 4 of the 12 the unit names as listed by the college, together with matching names (in brackets) taken from a qualification called "Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Psychology":
• Psychological Approaches (Psychological Approaches and Applications)
• Conducting Psychological Research (Conducting Psychological Research)
• Health Psychology (Health Psychology)
• Criminal and Forensic Psychology (Criminal and Forensic Psychology)

Below I've listed the other 8 unit names as listed by the college, together with matching names (in brackets) taken from a qualification called "Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Forensic and Criminal Investigation":
• Principles of Science (Principles and Applications of Science I)
• Practical Scientific Techniques (Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques)
• Scientific Investigation Skills (Science Investigation Skills)
• Forensic Investigation (Forensic Investigation Procedures in Practice)
• Criminology (Applications of Criminology)
• Criminal Investigation Procedures (Criminal Investigation Procedures in Practice)
• Physiology of Human Body Systems (Physiology of Human Body Systems)
• Forensic Genetics (Forensic Genetics)

So, whilst not all those module names match exactly, it seems very likely that this course will lead to those two qualifications:
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Psychology
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Forensic and Criminal Investigation

The first of those is the equivalent of one A level, whilst the second is the equivalent of two A levels. So with the equivalent of three A levels between them, you will be able to gain entry to university with these qualifications. (Assuming you achieve the required grades, of course.)

What we haven't discussed is what course you might like to pursue at university, or if you had any target universities in mind. I mention that because some universities are fussy about BTECs and only accept certain BTEC subjects for certain certain degree subjects. If you wanted to study medicine, or engineering, for example, then we'd be in trouble.

(I should also add that there's some educated guesswork involved above. To be sure, you'd need to contact the college and ask them what qualifications the course will lead to.)

(edited 10 months ago)