UCAS Reference for Engineering Foundation Year after being out of education
So, I'm in a bit of a weird situation. I really want to apply for university this year, specifically an Engineering foundation year as I haven't done A-Levels.
For some background, during covid my family went to Canada temporarily and came back.
However because of my age(At the time 17 turning 18), I wasn't able to take gcse exams through a secondary school as you normally do and I opted to do them online instead; taking the examinations in Summer 2024.
I Failed 2/5 of them (But still passed Math and English) which obviously meant that no college would accept me, and re-sitting the exams is pretty pricey for me.
Anyway that lead me to the idea of a foundation year; a plausible option except I need an Academic reference, non debatable.
I've been out of formal education for nearly 3 years now and my only job has been as a barista.
I have never remained at a secondary school longer than a year which means I don't really have a teacher who would have known me long term.
Back in Canada I was doing pretty well in a couple of my classes and I was at that school for about a year and a half.
So my question I suppose is would it be plausible to ask for a academic reference from a teacher there? (Keeping in mind that this would have been Grade 10(yr 9) and 11(10) classes).
Sorry for the rambling, everything is pretty complicated so I guess I just need some perspective. I'm turning 20 this year, and I really want to go to uni.
For some background, during covid my family went to Canada temporarily and came back.
However because of my age(At the time 17 turning 18), I wasn't able to take gcse exams through a secondary school as you normally do and I opted to do them online instead; taking the examinations in Summer 2024.
I Failed 2/5 of them (But still passed Math and English) which obviously meant that no college would accept me, and re-sitting the exams is pretty pricey for me.
Anyway that lead me to the idea of a foundation year; a plausible option except I need an Academic reference, non debatable.
I've been out of formal education for nearly 3 years now and my only job has been as a barista.
I have never remained at a secondary school longer than a year which means I don't really have a teacher who would have known me long term.
Back in Canada I was doing pretty well in a couple of my classes and I was at that school for about a year and a half.
So my question I suppose is would it be plausible to ask for a academic reference from a teacher there? (Keeping in mind that this would have been Grade 10(yr 9) and 11(10) classes).
Sorry for the rambling, everything is pretty complicated so I guess I just need some perspective. I'm turning 20 this year, and I really want to go to uni.
(edited 10 months ago)
Most foundation years will still require some level 3 qualifications.
You would be better off looking at taking an Access to HE diploma.
You would be better off looking at taking an Access to HE diploma.
Reply 2
Valmue_r
OP
2
I have taken one, but it was related to art; not science or engineering.
I don't have any colleges close to me that offer it either unfortunately. I could do it online again, but then I run into the problem with not having a reference still.
I don't have any colleges close to me that offer it either unfortunately. I could do it online again, but then I run into the problem with not having a reference still.
Original post
by Valmue_rI have taken one, but it was related to art; not science or engineering.
I don't have any colleges close to me that offer it either unfortunately. I could do it online again, but then I run into the problem with not having a reference still.
I don't have any colleges close to me that offer it either unfortunately. I could do it online again, but then I run into the problem with not having a reference still.
You're unlikely to find a foundation year that's any good that will accept you with only GCSEs at age 20. FYs are designed for either young people with low or unsuitable quals or for mature (25+) people who want to return to study after time in work. What L3 qualifications do you hold - you only mention L2 quals in your post and completing those in Autumn 2024.
Most access to HE providers will provide an academic reference - they're designed for people who have been out of formal education to prepare to go to university.
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