I am 20 years old, and I am considering if I should apply to university as a mature student (I'm 21 in June). Last year I actually applied to 1 university which was London Metropolitan. They eventually sent me a letter with a conditional offer, and requested that I send them A level certificates (something which I don't have unfortunately). I rang the admissions office and I was told that without A levels they can't accept me.
I felt so knocked back after that; it felt like there was no chance for someone like me to go to university if you don't have the right qualifications. However, my friend called me today and said it's worth a shot to apply to some unis, but after being rejected already I feel like I'd be just kidding myself. Is there any hope for someone like me to study at university? What universities are mature student friendly in which they would accept a student without qualifications (besides GCSE's)
Sorry for the long text.
Mature student application for university.?
You CAN into get into a university as a mature student WITHOUT A levels. Unfortunately many education establishments don't know the rules and/or treat you as though you've just left school when they find out you're under 30 and they ask for them.
The main thing you need is a recommendation. You can probably get one from your old school.
You do not need to go on an Access course.
Depending on which uni you apply for some may insist on an interview or make you show evidence that you are capable of learning at university level and of your abilities. This can come from any work you may had done in the past, an employer or as aforementioned a former teacher of yours.
My STRONG advice to you, (if you can't get into uni straight away), quite frankly is DO NOT apply for an access course. I genuinely think they are a waste of time. Instead opt for a Diploma, (HND), course which takes two years (you still may have to apply through UCAS), then if you want you can top it up to a degree which would mean only an extra year at university and you can do that anytime you like.
Reply:Thanks for the BA. Just to clarify to be considered a mature student you must be 21 or over. Whether you need to be 21 at the time of applying or when you start uni is unclear; please research. Report It
Reply:You can't get into uni without some form of further education qualification (not at your age anyway). What I suggest you do is enrol on an Access course. You can do them at most colleges, and some uni's run them too. They are a year long course aimed at mature students (I think you have to be 21 though at time of starting), and which are equivalent to 3 A-levels.
There are many different Access courses - you need to choose the right one that is associated with the degree you wish to do at uni. I did the Access to Social Science course and this allowed me to then go and study for a degree in Psychology.
Reply:if you apply through UCAS universities will look for UCAS points, your grades on your A levels are based on marks out of 300 for each subject so the more points the better the university you will go to. they are right, you will need to have to study a higher than gcse course in order to get into a university in the UK. I think it has only made you feel rejected because you were just unaware that university is the place you go after taking a levels.
Reply:hey, i started uni at 22. i actually found that although i applied as a mature student, i wasn't treated as one. from learning about it further, its people much older with lots of experience in the degree field that are generally treated this way. i was asked to provide all certificates also. luckily that wasn't a problem for me.
i would suggest you maybe ring round a few universities to seek their advice. failing this, would you consider an access to uni course? certain places in the UK offer this, its a foundation year, and then you transfer straight onto your degree course.
Reply:Look up local Further Education Colleges in your area and enquire about A level courses or Access Courses.
You won't get into Uni without A Levels, or an Access Course. Its fact. You will not be able to cope with Degree level studies without first having studied to A Level standard. The leap from GCSE work to Degree work is too large.
What do you want to do at Uni? Contact a college in your area which either runs A levels (you can probably do them at night school or part time) or an Access Course (which is a special course for mature students with no qualifications who want to go to Uni). Make an appointment to go and see them and discuss which options are best for you.
I'm sorry but if you want to go to Uni you'll have to do the preliminary A level or Access Course first. It will only take you a year or so, and you're only 20 - no older than the students who are already there. I don't know if you even count as a "mature" student! Plenty of people leave going to Uni until their late 20s or 30s, so you've got loads of time.
Reply:I think most good unis ask for A levels.
there's a good reason for this - they want to make sure that you have achieved the right level of qualifications - otherwise you might feel left behind, and drop out of the course.
Its difficult to jump from GCSEs to degree level.
It is hard work studying for a degree - ot has to be, otherwise there would be no value in doing it!!
The positive news is - there are some college courses that accept GCSE - go on the internet and research this. or go to a library and ask for help in searching.
The worst thing that could happen is you have to get some A levels first - it is worth it to get a good education.
There are also Access courses you could do - but you need to do some more research.
Sorry but in order to survive the rigours of a uni course, you need to show some initiative, Stop feeling sorry for yourslef and get studying!!!
Good luck.
Reply:I would recommend that you do an access course as this will help you get the qualifications needed for your chosen career. This course is not easy it is quite hard, as you could assignments, research projects and presentations to do. Access can be done done over one year or two, I done my access over two years and passed, I have now started my social work degree thanks to this course.
The best thing about the course is that you get help with your personal statement, before it is sent off, as the local colleges are experienced in this type of work.
Good luck for the future
Reply:As part of the government's drive for "Life Long Learning", many universities will overlook academic qualifications for mature students.
Best option would be to turn up at an Open Day, and lay it on the table, be upfront and convince them that you want to study at their Uni.
You will be suprised how many places they are trying to fill up.
Reply:u would have to have a levels or else do a conversion or foundation course to get u up to the standard of the other students who have a levels. why not go to college first and get some a levels. at 20 ur not mature enough in student terms to get in without qualifications , if ur older and with lot of experience in the subject u want to do may be different
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