Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Staffordshire University is a firm believer that higher education should be available to more people. We welcome applications from students with a wide variety of qualifications, skills and experiences. In fact, we lead the way in recognising alternative routes into higher education and take pride in attracting students from diverse backgrounds and with non-traditional qualifications. So please contact us even if you’re not sure you have the necessary qualifications to study.

On this page we explain the minimum qualifications for entry to our courses. For some awards an in-depth knowledge of certain subject areas is required and additional requirements may be needed. You can find out about these in the detailed information for each course entry.

Please note that satisfying the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission to a course. If you are studying Key Skills Level 3, we will take this into account in the offer we make to you. We recognise that the VCE Double Award enables students to develop skills, knowledge and understanding in the area that they study and prepares them for progression to higher education. We have, therefore, reflected this within our entry criteria and welcome applications from VCE students.

It is important to check the specific requirements for any awards before making your application.
For admission to our first degrees, you will normally be expected to have passed at least one of the following options:

• two subjects at Advanced GCE (A Level)
• one VCE Double Award
• two, six-unit Advanced VCEs
• one Advanced GCE (A Level) and one, six-unit Advanced VCE
• a Scottish Certificate of Education with passes in five separate subjects, of which three are at the Higher grade
• two subjects at Scottish Advanced Higher
• an EDEXCEL BTEC or SCOTVEC National Certificate/Diploma at a good standard
• an access programme passed at the required QAA-recognised standard for entry to Higher Education
• an award of the European Baccalaureate Diploma, with at least 60 percent overall; English at 60 percent
• an award of the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 24 points; English at four points
• an award of the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of five Higher passes
• a Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma.

Please see our Guide to Level 2 English and mathematics qualifications accepted for entry to undergraduate courses for more information.

The normal admission requirement for an HND programme is 100 points, with 80 points from at least one Advanced GCE (A level) or VCE. Twenty points may come from key skills and other units. Students offering Advanced Modern Apprenticeship qualifications will be considered. All applicants require a GCSE minimum grade C in Mathematics or a recognised equivalent.

For admission to our HND course, you will normally be expected to have passed at least one of the following options:

• one subject at Advanced GCE (A level)
• one Advanced VCE
• one Scottish Certificate of Education with passes in five separate subjects, of which two are at the Higher grade
• two subjects at Scottish Advanced Highers
• an EDEXCEL/BTEC or SCOTVEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma
• an award of the European Baccalaureate Diploma
• an award of the International Baccalaureate Diploma
• an award of the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of five Higher passes.

If you pass a VCE Double Award you may be able to transfer to a degree course.

At Staffordshire University we are committed to widening participation in higher education and always seeking to open new and exciting pathways.

With increasing numbers of students moving into vocational areas of study, we take a lead role in developing new progression routes for students who have chosen vocational routes of study.

For example, Advanced Modern Apprenticeships, National Vocational and GNVQ Advanced qualifications at Level 3 can lead to a higher education qualification. Please contact the appropriate Faculty recruitment centre for the course that interests you.

We work with a number of schools and colleges in the region to help students develop the skills required for higher education. Your careers advisor or head of sixth form, will be able to tell you if your school or college is part of this scheme. If you are participating in this scheme, please indicate this clearly on your UCAS form.

ASDAN

We believe that it is important to acknowledge alternative accreditation and encourage young people to build on their interests and develop their key skills. That is why we accept ASDAN Youth Achievement Awards and ASDAN Universities Award.

The level of your offer will reflect recognition of COMPACT and ASDAN achievements.

Use the information below to calculate how the UCAS scoring system relates to GCE/VCE qualifications and grades.

Use the information below to calculate how the UCAS scoring system relates to Key Skills qualifications and grades.

The points shown are for each of the three Key Skills qualifications – Application of Number, Communication, and Information Technology.

We are committed to providing opportunities to local students, and have strong links with schools and colleges in the region.

There’s no upper age limit when it comes to higher education. And we’d like everyone, regardless of age, to benefit.

Nearly half of our students are aged 21 or over and, like, most universities, we value mature students for their enthusiasm and the experience they bring.

Mature students come to us through a variety of routes and we have a flexible approach to admission.

Each application is considered individually so if you don’t have the normal entry requirements please contact us – you may still be able to apply. Your previous experience (in work or other areas of your life) may have already prepared you for some of our awards.

When filling in your UCAS form, it is worth remembering how admissions staff will assess your application.

They will consider your ability to study at higher education level, your experience, knowledge and skills, and your commitment to the course. In some cases they may ask for more information. This could be through an interview or by completing a piece of work.