We welcome applications from students with a wide variety of qualifications, skills and experiences.
In fact, Staffordshire University leads the way in recognising alternative routes into higher education and takes pride in attracting students from diverse backgrounds and those with non-traditional qualifications.
Please contact us even if you're not sure you have the necessary qualifications to study.
Applications by course type
It is important to check the specific requirements for any courses before making your application.
For admission to our Undergraduate degree courses, you will normally be expected to have passed at least one of the following options:
- Three subjects at Advanced GCE (A Level)
- A full T Level
- A BTEC Extended Diploma
- A combination of BTEC qualifications at the appropriate level
- An Access to HE Diploma (QAA recognised)
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- International Baccalaureate
- European Baccalaureate Diploma
- One VCE Double Award
- Two, six-unit Advanced VCEs
- One Advanced GCE (A Level) and one, six-unit Advanced VCE
This is not an exhaustive list, there are lots of qualifications at level 3 so if your qualification is not listed, please contact us.
Please note that if you have had funding previously for studying at university, this may affect your eligibility for a loan.
UCAS Conversions
We consider a broad variety of qualifications that are on the UCAS tariff including:
- A-levels
- T Levels
- Access to Higher Education Diploma
- BTEC qualifications (e.g., Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Diploma)
- OCR Cambridge qualifications
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- Cambridge Pre-U subjects
- Extended Project
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- Scottish Highers
- International Baccalaureate
You can use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to assess your likely or actual points total.
Below are some examples of the qualifications needed to achieve:
104 UCAS points
There are many different ways of achieving 104 UCAS Tariff points.
Some of the most common ways are:
- 3 A-levels – Grades BCC, or ACD.
- 2 A-levels plus 2 AS – Grades BC+bb, or CC+aa.
- 2 A-levels plus 1 AS plus Extended Project – Grades BC+b+C, or BB+d+C.
- 1 A-level plus BTEC Diploma – Grades B+MM.
- BTEC Extended Diploma – Grades DMM.
- Access to HE Diploma – Grades D18 + M21 + P6, or D9 + M36.
112 UCAS points
There are many different ways of achieving 112 UCAS Tariff points.
Some of the most common ways are:
- 3 A-levels – Grades BBC, or A*CD.
- 2 A-levels plus 2 AS – Grades BB+bb, or AB+cc.
- 2 A-levels plus 1 AS plus Extended Project – Grades BB+b+C, or AB+a+D.
- 1 A-level plus BTEC Diploma – Grades B+DM, or D+DD.
- BTEC Extended Diploma – Grades DMM.
- Access to HE Diploma – Grades D21 + M21 + P3, or D15 + M30.
120 UCAS points
There are many different ways of achieving 120 UCAS Tariff points.
Some of the most common ways are:
- 3 A-levels – Grades BBB, or A*CC.
- 2 A-levels plus 2 AS – Grades BB+aa, or AB+bb.
- 2 A-levels plus 1 AS plus Extended Project – Grades BB+b+A, or AB+b+C.
- 1 A-level plus BTEC Diploma – Grades A+DM, or D+DD.
- BTEC Extended Diploma – Grades DDM.
- Access to HE Diploma – Grades D27 + M15 + P3, or D24 + M21.
128 UCAS points
There are many different ways of achieving 128 UCAS Tariff points.
Some of the most common ways are:
- 3 A-levels – Grades ABB, or A*AD.
- 2 A-levels plus 2 AS – Grades AA+bb, or AB+aa.
- 2 A-levels plus 1 AS plus Extended Project – Grades AB+a+B, or AA+b+C.
- 1 A-level plus BTEC Diploma – Grades A+DD.
- BTEC Extended Diploma – Grades DDM.
- Access to HE Diploma – Grades D33 + M9 + P3, or D30 + M15.
The normal admission requirement for an HND programme is 64/72 points, A levels BC/CDE equates to 72 points, BTEC: Extended Diploma -MPP, Diploma - MM equates to 64 points. 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.
Mature students
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.
Compacts
We work with several 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.
Find an undergraduate course