I need exam certs but the school doesn't have records and says it can't tell me which exam board it was . . .

[Shortysoso]

. . . so not sure where that leaves me.

Does anyone know what my options are? I've applied and been accepted onto a MSc programme but they need proof of maths and english and first degree. The University supplied a letter for proof of degree but the school said it didn't have records going back that far (I am old, lol) and couldn't tell me what exam boards they were using at that time.

Now what?! Anyone been in similar situation?

There's a chance that the exam board doesn't exist anymore but there are an awful lot of exam boards and I can't write to them all asking them to check (or should I?!).

Any advice gratefully received.

Did you do O Levels or GCSEs - that will give you a clue about the boards. Pre GCSE most schools used their 'local' board so in the north of England it was JMB or occasionally AEB, London was London etc.

It's probable that if you do get to the right board they may not still have a record.

Were your grades in the local paper?

It might be less hassle to just take functional skills maths and English, check if the uni will accept them.

The uni may also have its own tests for people without maths and English but you might need to pay.

You could also have a look at this

www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate/if-your-old-exam-board-no-longer-exists

Does your old school have a former pupils ‘society’ or similar? An online Facebook group? Perhaps the administrator could email members requesting former pupils from your year check their certificates and let you know - different subjects and year of exams may have different examining boards so precise info. is crucial.

I did O levels so thats a useful steer about the likely board, thanks Sashh.
Former school has no alumni org that i can see; I've been trying to recall names of people in my year and track them down on facebook and linkedin with very limited success. Slightly reluctant to contact anyone out of the blue after 30 years with such a random favour to ask but I will if it comes to that.
I do have proof of degree so that demonstrates I had the qualifications needed for entrance to a degree but I guess its not ‘proof’.

Useful advice here: https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate

You might have to contact all the exam boards, but there's only 4 of them that have legacy boards!

Thanks titchy; i think i'll start with the board which covered the north and take it from there. just off out to copy id and get the ball rolling.
thanks for all advice!

Strange that this is for your MSc when clearly you needed maths and English to be able to do your degree. Surely that is proof enough of your O levels.

Just did my MSc. I couldn't get my school stuff either so I juts phoned them and they said they were happy with degree stuff only.

Meant to continue....is it worth calling them to find out?

Might be worth asking your old uni if they have records as I imagine they needed to see evidence of your O levels? I'm a bit surprised you have to produce these as when I did my MA I had to evidence my degree but not my A levels and O levels.

when i did my degree o-level maths was not required, and many people did not have it. i think it was only required for stem subjects. and this was at pukka traditional london college.
but it seems silly OP if inst is requiring them at your stage in your career. try to parly with them, someone in the actual course, get beyond computer says no.

i can remember people rushing to get on to a PGCE course as they were proposing to bring in o-level maths as a requirement.

Just thinking about this OP

Lots of people go to uni from access courses, many mature students don't have the standard entry qualifications so there should be provision for students without GCSE/O Level.

You could try joining the local area Facebook group for your old school and ask if anyone recalls the board used during that time.
I have definitely seen people ask a similar question on ours

Yes the local school Facebook board is a good idea as I bet lots of the parents of the children there, who have the Facebook feed, in fact went to the school themselves.

Your post made me chuckle

You’ve been offered a place on an enquiry evidence based science masters level course and you’re asking MN! Ask the university! Go to the source

I suspect you’ve been out of formal education since your degree, which if you did the typical route of A Levels then University, it’s been 25 years since your last experience of University culture. It’s a student maker economy for which they pay handsomely. University is student funded so they will want to bend over backwards to accommodate you - actually the money you bring to the university. I think that will be the biggest change you will be experience when you return.

Is ‘recent’ achievement in GCSE maths and English a requirement? If so, this would need to have been awarded probably in the last 5 years. Therefore a student achieving the award prior would need to resit.

The question really is : is the requirement for GCSE Maths and English mandatory or discretionary?

If mandatory, is this a requirement laid down by the professional body for whom the University has created a ratified course to meet the professional standards?

If so, what alternatives are acceptable to the University that will comply with the professional standard?

If discretionary, can the University do a ‘an accreditation of prior learning’? Otherwise, will the Academic Board accept the other qualifications and experience required to be offered a place as a reasonable evidence of competence in these subject areas?

Best wishes with your MSc. Sounds fab.

I had this situation OP. Luckily my school could at least tell me the exam board. Could you contact someone from your year group who might still have their exam certificates lying around? Once you find out the exam board you just pay a fee and they send you a replacement.

I think mine were Oxford and AEB and there was also Cambridge (or was it just Oxford & Cambridge?). That was 1984 if that's any help!