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Edge Hill University

Admissions Criteria

General Entry Requirements

Edge Hill welcomes applicants with a wide variety of qualifications and/or experience and each application is assessed on its own merits. We accept qualifications such as A and AS levels, BTEC/OCR Nationals and Higher Nationals, International/European/Welsh Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers, Irish Leaving Certificate, Access to HE, NVQ 3, the new 14-19 Diplomas, etc.

Applicants to Edge Hill programmes would normally be expected to have a minimum of two A levels, or equivalent qualifications, plus passes in at least three other subjects at GCSE (or equivalent).

Pre and Post –16 Qualifications

Applicants are normally expected to offer a range of five GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent) in different subjects. GCSE English Language at grade C or above is normally required, although in some circumstances other subjects may be accepted in lieu of this. Some courses have specific requirements at GCSE and these are detailed on the individual course pages.

Other Qualifications

We recognise that our students come from a variety of backgrounds and we try to reflect this in our Admissions criteria. The qualifications listed below satisfy the general entry requirements, however, the list is not exhaustive, so please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Team on 01695 584637 or our Pre-Entry Advice and Guidance Worker at adviceandguidance@edgehill.ac.uk if you require further clarification or you have qualifications which are not listed below.

Qualifications may be either academic or vocational, for example: full Access Certificates, Advanced GNVQ, A Levels taken before 2001, Open University Credits, Registered Nurse (RN), Scottish Highers, Irish Leaving Certificate and the European, International or Welsh Baccalaureate. Other international qualifications are considered on an individual basis.

New National Diploma Qualifications

We welcome applicants with New National Diploma/Certificate qualifications. If you are studying full-time for a New National qualification, we would normally expect you to be studying 18 units, i.e., to be studying towards a National Diploma. However, for most courses the National Certificate will meet the minimum entry requirements. 

New National qualifications are awarded UCAS Tariff Points and, in general, students are expected to meet the same tariff point requirements as A level or AVCE students on a course-by-course basis. However, as these National Awards are graded Pass, Merit and Distinction some tariff point scores cannot be matched precisely. In this instance we would ask for the nearest possible point score below the published requirement. (Please note that the BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Early Years attract different tariff points to other BTEC qualifications – you should refer to the latest UCAS Tariff information for further details).

14 – 19 Diplomas

Edge Hill University welcomes the developments in the 14-19 Curriculum and acknowledges the merits of applied learning and employer involvement associated with these. The University also believes that the development of Personal Learning and Thinking skills will be of significant benefit as a preparation for HE level study. Academic Staff from the University are working closely with those developing the new Diplomas to advise on curriculum design and entry to Higher Education and to ensure that young people taking the Diplomas will know which combination of modules to take to progress onto which degree programmes.

As a University committed to widening participation and providing opportunities for all potential students, we recognise the new Advanced Diploma as the equivalent of 3 A Levels and meeting the entry requirements of Degree and Foundation Degree courses at the University and associated Colleges. The agreed UCAS Tariff Points attributed to the Diploma grades will be recognised fully. This can comprise up to a total of 420 points for the full Diploma, including the Extended Project. As with any University qualification, subject or programme entry requirements may specify a particular subject specialism, whilst the grades needed for entry will vary between programmes with some requiring higher grades than others. 

For the initial five Diploma lines introduced from September 2008, the following advice is given:

  • Health, Society & Development will fulfil entry requirements for Nursing, Midwifery and Social Science courses;
  • ICT will fulfil entry requirements for Information Systems courses;
  • Construction and Engineering will fulfil entry requirements for QTS courses in Design and Technology;
  • Creative & Media will fulfil entry requirements for Media related and Performing Arts courses. However, it would be advisable for the Additional or Specialist Learning elements of the Diploma to be in the subject area of interest at degree level, e.g. Animation, Drama, Dance, etc.

Prospective applicants should note that some courses, particularly Nursing, Midwifery, Teacher Training and Psychology, have requirements for specific subject passes at Grade C or above at GCSE level to meet the professional requirements of these courses.  Diploma students will be expected to meet any specific GCSE passes for entry to these courses. Additional study (ASL) will only be required where individual programmes ask for prior study of specific subjects at A level not already met within the Diploma syllabus

Applicants Returning to Study

We welcome applications from those who wish to return to study after a period out of education and recognise that such applicants come from a variety of backgrounds – some possess professional, vocational, BTEC National or Higher National qualifications or A levels; others have completed an Access course, Edge Hill’s own Fastrack or Fast Forward courses, or other qualification. Some applicants are offered places on the basis of their work and life experience. For those returning to study after a number of years, evidence of recent academic study is essential to your successful performance on your chosen course.   If you have any queries about your individual circumstances, you should contact our Pre-Entry Advice and Guidance Worker by emailing adviceandguidance@edgehill.ac.uk. Please note, Key Skills qualifications do not satisfy the GCSE requirements for entry to ITT programmes

For Degree Courses

Most requirements will be expressed in terms of points in the UCAS tariff system. For some courses there may be additional criteria such as a specific number of points in a particular subject. These are detailed on the individual course pages.

No offers will be made solely on the basis of AS or equivalent awards.

Edge Hill welcomes Key Skills qualifications. UCAS Tariff Points for Key Skills will be counted towards the overall point score requirement. However, where Key Skills are not offered as a qualification, we will look for evidence of Key Skills in your personal statement and supporting reference.

Applicants From Outside the United Kingdom

Edge Hill University welcomes applicants from overseas.

To benefit from your course you must have a good command of both oral and written English. The equivalent of a GCSE grade C or Cambridge Proficiency Certificate in English Language/IELTS/etc, is required. Please note that whilst some qualifications or tests of English as a second language may indicate an ability to study at degree level, they might not be considered as acceptable equivalents to GCSE English for entry to Teacher Training courses.

The equivalent academic requirements for admission apply as for UK students. Please provide a full translation of your qualifications and send only photocopies of your certificates direct to our Admissions Office.  You can also check the equivalency of your qualifications online through UK NARIC at www.naric.org.uk.

Foundation Degrees (FdA, FdSc, FdTech)

We recognise the particular role of Foundation Degrees and will operate a flexible policy with regard to entry requirements. Where appropriate, we will recognise relevant work experience in lieu of, or supporting, academic qualifications to ensure that a student has the ability to successfully complete the course. However, programmes in Health and Education may have particular entry requirements and the specific course listing should be consulted. Students considering a Foundation Degree as a precursor to an ITT Degree programme should bear in mind the TDA requirement for GCSE passes in English, Mathematics and Science.

Please see the relevant course pages for details about entry requirements.