Education providers set entrance requirements which are the minimum level you need to demonstrate in order for the provider to be confident you will be able to finish your programme. They are always designed to set you up for success, and not to be prohibitive.
Entrance requirements will be expressed differently depending upon the type of qualification or education provider you are applying for. Often, independent providers can be more flexible with the type of entrance requirements they set, but universities and colleges need to be stricter. This is often because publicly funded institutions are tracked for their completion and drop-out rates, and they know that accepting learners who have not met the entrance requirements are less likely to finish their programme successfully. This is often why their is a minimum English Language requirement – as well as for visa purposes, if you are an international student.
When you are deciding what qualification to complete, it’s important you pick one which is an appropriate level for your current academic experience and ability. You can learn more about qualification levels here, and we will explore some common ways education providers express their entrance requirements.
Why does it say ‘please see institutions own page?’
This is either because this institution has not provided us with information yet and their entrance requirements were not completely straightforward when we set up the BETA database, or because their requirements are so long, it’s better you read them straight from the horse’s mouth! You can always find a link to the institution’s own page at the bottom of each of each course listing.
What do UCAS points mean?
Many Level 3/SCQF Level 6 qualifications have UCAS points attributed to them. Some universities set their entry requirements for degrees as UCAS points. They may do this to help standardise their admissions processes to make it fairer, as there are a lot of different Level 3/SCQF Level 6 qualifications out there. You can read more about UCAS Tariff points here and calculate how many you have here.
It’s worth noting that universities and colleges are allowed to set their own entry requirements and rules, and many do not use UCAS points at all. If you are at all unsure, you are always best to contact the university’s admissions team to find out how they make decisions.
What does a ‘contextual offer’ mean?
A contextual offer is an offer below the standard entrance requirements for a course which is designed to make Higher Education more accessible for applicants who come from widening participation backgrounds. Contextual Offers may be made where applicants meet set criteria – for example they may be care experienced, live in a low progression to HE area, attend a low progression/attainment school, or being eligible for free school meals. Often applicants from these backgrounds will also receive additional support whilst they are studying which means that universities may make widening access offers below the minimum (which has been set as the ‘minimum required level to succeed’) because they also receive additional support which makes them more likely to succeed, even if their level of academic achievement was lower upon entry.
Each university will have their own widening access policies and support in place which they will publish online. If you have any questions about this, you should speak directly to their admissions teams.
What does it mean when there is a ‘ridden assessment’ or it says ‘experience is required’?
For many equestrian courses, universities and colleges will require applicants to have a certain level of ridden ability or horse handling ability to be able to complete the programme because it is taught at a level where a degree of experience is assumed. Often, colleges will have entry level programmes which require little to no experience, so if you have not had access to the opportunity to volunteer at a yard before applying, you should not let that put you off applying. Universities and colleges will set their own methods of assessing riding and handling experience – and you should read their own websites or enquire directly to find out what it is they are looking for.
What do I do if I want to do a course that I do not meet the requirements for?
You should contact the university or college to find out if they have a recommended pathway to help you meet the minimum entrance requirements. More and more universities are now offering Foundation Years as standard. (You can use the EQUK database to find Foundation Years!) If you can’t find what you’re looking for, and the university can’t help you – get in touch with us. We know it’s a jungle out there – and this is what we are here for!