Has anyone got into university without having the qualifications

[TravellingSpoon]

Trying to find advice for my best friend, who is thinking of applying for a part-time Health and Social Care degree. She doesnt any qualifications that attracts UCAS points, but she has some level 2 and three courses that are relevant to the job she does (she works in home care). She can write a good personal statement and has loads of experience but has anyone been able to do this?

For what its worth, the course was in clearing last September, so it looks like its not that popular, so have told her it might mean she is more likely to get accepted.

Many universities will only offer places onto health related courses to people without relevant a levels and UCAS points without an access to heath and social care or access to nursing course now unfortunately. Even with an NVQ 2 or 3. It's worth her speaking to the university she is interested in and seeing what they suggest.

My friend has 6 years experience working in domiciliary care with an NVQ 2 before applying to uni to study nursing and she was still denied a place due to not having done an access course. Experience is really great at giving you the skills to do the job, unfortunately it isn't counted for the academic side of the course.

I did.

Did a post graduate certificate in management.. and then a degree in Social work.

I don't have any GCSE's above a D.

She will not be able to get in unless she meets the UCAS points requirement for a degree.

She won't necessarily need UCAS points. She will need evidence of recent learning at an appropriate level. Mature students typically do this through Access courses or OU credits.

Just because a course is in clearing doesn't mean they'll take anyone. It's in no-ones interests to have students fail their first year. Particularly in a course which presumably leads to professional accreditation.

Yes, I was told I needed an Access course officially but I just messaged the course leader and arranged a meeting with him and I was accepted.

Has she considered the Open University? Entrance requirements are often flexible for mature students and she could look into an Access course first

Its not a professional accreditation course, its just a part time BA in Health and Social Care.

I was a very mature student - I went (on advice longer story) to local uni advisor - I had a nvq in childcare (ex-childminder) & had left school age 16 in another country with equivalent GCSE - I like the look of Psychosocial Studies course - had email from tutor who asked me to do rough essay on inequality - 1500 words at about 10oclock one morning by next lunch time I sent rough notes through based on some of the things I had seen as a cm - the tutor called me in did interview & offered me a place. I had basic knowledge of it usage etc so I had to learn a lot the first year. I got a 2/1 -the uni support (& the library!) were fantastic - much depends on how much on whether your friend likes to read, & is willing to work & what background she has (I am & always have been a bookworm) I did start a phd but family circumstances changed - I loved it!

Two of my sisters did. One had a few lowish grade GCSEs and a childcare qualification. She did a Batchelor’s and then a Master’s degree. The other sister had a GCSE in English with a C degree. She started a degree in criminology/sociology but dropped out. Both were mature students.

I'd also be wary of any courses willing to accept minimal qualifications, in terms of teaching quality and progression. Would it not normally be a bsc for Health and Social care? What does she hope to achieve through it? Check student satisfaction and employability.