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Fastrack: Preparation for Higher Education University Foundation Certificate

Gain the skills and confidence required to join an Edge Hill University degree on a free 7-week course that is ideal if you are returning to study or seeking to enhance your subject knowledge and skills.

Overview

Course length: 7 weeks full-time
Start dates: June 2024
October 2024
June 2025
October 2025
Location: Edge Hill University
Subject(s): Fastrack: Preparation for Higher Education
Faculty: Arts and Sciences
Department: Language Centre
Four students walking out the front entrance to the Main Building.

Fastrack is an intensive, seven-week preparation for higher education programme for adults. Consisting of one week of preparation and six weeks of full-time study, it is designed to enhance your subject knowledge, introducing you to key elements in your chosen degree subject. Fastrack also takes the fear out of academic study by training you in essential skills such as academic reading and writing, note-taking, revision techniques and an introduction to IT. The programme is free of charge to UK students.

Successful completion of this Fastrack course will enable you to be considered for a place on a degree in your chosen subject at Edge Hill University, in lieu of achieving the UCAS Tariff points in the entry criteria for the relevant programme, although places on specific degrees are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Subject to confirmation, the available Fastrack pathways for June 2024 entry are:

  • Creative arts
  • Social sciences and History
  • Psychology
  • Business
  • Law, Criminology and Policing
  • Computing
  • Biological sciences
  • Adult Nursing
  • Mental Health Nursing
  • Learning Disabilities Nursing
  • Operating Department Practice
  • Health
  • Teaching/Education
  • Social Work

Please note, the availability of Fastrack subjects and progression routes varies for each academic year. There are currently no Fastrack routes for prospective Midwifery, Nursing & Social Work (dual award), Paramedic Practice, or Sport and Physical Activity students.

What you'll study

This Fastrack course comprises two strands, one of which is related to your subject choice while the other focuses on study skills training.

The subject you study on Fastrack will have a close link to the degree that you progress onto but may not match it exactly. For example, you can study Biology as your Fastrack subject and progress onto a degree in Biology or related areas such as Biomedical Science, Ecology and Conservation, Genetics, and Plant Science.

Whichever Fastrack subject you choose, you will receive guidance in essay writing, taking and arranging notes, reading effectively, report writing, presentation skills, time management, working in groups, action planning, reflective writing and confidence building.

You will also gain an introduction to ICT covering basic IT awareness, using University systems, word processing and developing visual presentations.

How you'll study

Teaching is through lectures, tutorials, small group work and practical sessions. You will be allocated a personal tutor and have access to a wide range of services and facilities, including the University library, computer hardware and software, ICT/Internet access and media facilities.

You can expect to be in University from 10am until 3pm, Monday to Friday. There will be morning and afternoon sessions with a one-hour break for lunch.

How you'll be assessed

You will be assessed through assignments, projects and coursework. You must also achieve a minimum attendance threshold of 90%.

There are no formal written examinations as part of the current assessment methods on this programme.

Who will be teaching you

The programme is delivered by a team of tutors who are experienced in teaching and supporting adults returning to education.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Formal entry qualifications are not typically required to join this Fastrack course. However, if you are educated to GCSE standard this would be beneficial. If you can show that you are committed to studying for a degree and demonstrate the skills and potential, for example through relevant work/life experience, then we will offer you a place. An interview forms part of the selection process.

All Fastrack applicants must demonstrate a level of competency in written English. This can be shown through GCSE English or GCSE English Language at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or Level 2 Literacy or equivalent, prior to interview. In lieu of this, we will test your competency in written English as part of the recruitment process.

To study Secondary Mathematics as your Fastrack subject, an AS Level (or equivalent) in Mathematics is required.

Applicants to Fastrack initial teacher training, Nursing and Operating Department Practice subjects would also benefit from having some experience in a relevant setting, demonstrated through employment, volunteering or observation. In addition to this, you should possess an awareness of your chosen career pathway and have a strong interest in your chosen sector.

Depending on the degree you wish to study on successful completion of Fastrack, additional progression criteria may apply which must be satisfied before a place on your intended degree can be confirmed.

How to apply

Please visit our Fastrack pre-application page for further information on how to apply for this course.

 

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

Did you know?

If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.

Discover our accommodation

Facilities

Students walk past the Catalyst building at dusk.Based in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Edge Hill University campus is a unique and inspirational place to study. Industry standard resources and cutting edge technology combine to make an interactive and highly advanced teaching and learning environment.

Everything you could want is on one site, from fantastic modern spaces in which you can study and socialise, more than 2,300 rooms in halls of residence, and 60 acres of sport and leisure facilities.

There is also a University library which stocks around 200,000 items, including books, journals, e-resources and multimedia. In addition, you can access PCs, laptops, software and assistive technologies. Dedicated support is available for students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD).

Finance

Tuition fees

UK Full-Time

Free of charge

for the course

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may also be eligible to join the Fastrack course free of charge.

Financial support

We may be able to assist you with funding, which you will not need to pay back, while you are enrolled on the Fastrack course.

This includes financial contributions towards travel expenses, childcare costs and/or accommodation fees (if you live some distance from the University and wish to stay in our halls of residence, subject to availability). Eligibility criteria apply.

Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support.

Tuition fees

UK Full-Time

Free of charge

for the course

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may also be eligible to join the Fastrack course free of charge.

Financial support

We may be able to assist you with funding, which you will not need to pay back, while you are enrolled on the Fastrack course.

This includes financial contributions towards travel expenses, childcare costs and/or accommodation fees (if you live some distance from the University and wish to stay in our halls of residence, subject to availability). Eligibility criteria apply.

Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support.

Your future career

Fastrack: Preparation for Higher Education is designed to equip you, in just seven weeks, with the skills and knowledge required to study on an Edge Hill University degree or foundation degree in a selected subject area. The specific programme(s) you may be eligible to progress onto will be determined by the Fastrack subject you choose.

Please note, however, that while we expect many candidates who successfully complete a Fastrack course to proceed onto a relevant degree at Edge Hill University, the availability of a suitable progression route and acceptance onto this course, or other degrees, cannot be guaranteed.

Depending on the degree you wish to apply for, additional progression criteria may also apply. Some potential progression routes, for example, including initial teacher training programmes and Psychology degrees, stipulate that you must have GCSE English, GCSE Mathematics and/or GCSE Science at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). If you do not already have these GCSEs, Edge Hill University offers equivalency tests.

Some degrees will also require you to undergo DBS Enhanced Disclosure prior to progressing onto the course. For other subjects, DBS Enhanced Disclosure is not required in order to undertake the Fastrack course but may be required to progress to your preferred degree. Further information will be supplied to you at the relevant time.

You can view the standard entry criteria for each degree, which includes details of DBS Enhanced Disclosure where required, by consulting our A-Z of courses.

You should also be aware that this Fastrack course is designed to enable progression onto a degree at Edge Hill University and may not be accepted by other institutions.

Course changes

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Track changes to this course

Download our course leaflet

Progression criteria

If you are offered a place on the Fastrack course, you will be classed as holding a conditional offer for the degree you wish to progress onto.

Progression to all available routes will be conditional upon:

  • Successful completion of the relevant Fastrack pathway.
  • Meeting the 90% attendance criteria for the course. You are expected to attend all timetabled sessions. Students falling below 90% attendance may be asked to leave the Fastrack course.
  • Securing a recommendation of progression from your tutors on completion of the Fastrack course. This will take into consideration all aspects of your work, commitment and engagement with the course.

Some potential progression routes will stipulate additional entry requirements which must also be met, such as securing Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure or demonstrating physical fitness.

Fastrack progression criteria are listed on a course-by-course basis below. If the degree you will be progressing onto is not listed, no additional requirements currently apply, other than successful completion of the Fastrack course, though this is always subject to possible change. You should disregard the entry criteria listed on the actual course pages if you are progressing to the course via the relevant Fastrack subject.

Where GCSE English Language, GCSE Mathematics and/or GCSE Science are required, at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent), Edge Hill University offers equivalency programmes, including revision courses and standalone tests, which allow you to demonstrate that you satisfy these additional criteria.

Please note that satisfying the competency in written English requirement to join the Fastrack course does not replace the need for GCSE English Language if it is stipulated for progression onto your chosen degree below.

We reserve the right to request a reference in some instances. For example, where an applicant is studying on another course, still eligible for compulsory education, or an additional reference is required for professional courses.

BSc (Hons) Accountancy

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Numeracy).

BSc (Hons) Biochemistry

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).

BSc (Hons) Biology

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).

BSc (Hons) Biotechnology

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).

BSc (Hons) Child & Adolescent Mental Health & Wellbeing

  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BA (Hons) Children’s Learning and Development

  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BSc (Hons) Computing

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of admission to Department of Computer Science programmes, a Level 2 Numeracy qualification is not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in Mathematics.

BSc (Hons) Computing (Games Programming)

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of admission to Department of Computer Science programmes, a Level 2 Numeracy qualification is not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in Mathematics.

BSc (Hons) Computing (Networking, Security & Forensics)

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of admission to Department of Computer Science programmes, a Level 2 Numeracy qualification is not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in Mathematics.

BA (Hons) Contemporary Mental Health Practice

  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BA (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy

  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BA (Hons) Creative Writing

  • Following your application, a small portfolio of writing will be required.

BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology

  • GCSE English Language at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy).

BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy

  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BA (Hons) Dance

  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).

BSc (Hons) Educational Psychology

  • GCSE English Language at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy).

BA (Hons) Education and Mathematics

  • Evidence of post-GCSE study in Mathematics.

BSc (Hons) Genetics

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).

BSc (Hons) Information Technology Management for Business

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of admission to Department of Computer Science programmes, a Level 2 Numeracy qualification is not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in Mathematics.

FdSC Nursing Associate

  • GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy and Level 2 Numeracy);
  • Fitness to Practice: Medical Questionnaire.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult)

  • GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy and Level 2 Numeracy);
  • Fitness to Practice: Medical Questionnaire.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Learning Disabilities)

  • GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy and Level 2 Numeracy);
  • Fitness to Practice: Medical Questionnaire.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health)

  • GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy and Level 2 Numeracy);
  • Fitness to Practice: Medical Questionnaire.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BSc (Hons) Nutrition & Health

  • GCSE in a relevant science (for example Biology, Chemistry or Physics) at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy).

BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice

  • GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy and Level 2 Numeracy);
  • Fitness to Practice: Medical Questionnaire.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BSc (Hons) Plant Science

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).

BA (Hons) Primary Early Years Education with QTS

  • GCSE English Language, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Science at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics.
  • Fitness to Teach: Declaration of Health Questionnaire.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure (if not obtained prior to joining, or while studying, the Fastrack course).

BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS

  • GCSE English Language, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Science at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics.
  • Fitness to Teach: Declaration of Health Questionnaire.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure (if not obtained prior to joining, or while studying, the Fastrack course).

BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS (School-Based)

  • GCSE English Language, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Science at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics.
  • Fitness to Teach: Declaration of Health Questionnaire.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure (if not obtained prior to joining, or while studying, the Fastrack course).

BSc (Hons) Psychology

  • GCSE English Language at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy).

BSc (Hons) Psychology & Criminology

  • GCSE English Language at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy).

BSc (Hons) Psychosocial Analysis of Offending Behaviour

  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

BA (Hons) Secondary English Education with QTS

  • GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics.
  • Fitness to Teach: Declaration of Health Questionnaire.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure (if not obtained prior to joining, or while studying, the Fastrack course).

BSc (Hons) Secondary Mathematics Education with QTS

  • GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics.
  • Evidence of post-GCSE study in Mathematics.
  • Fitness to Teach: Declaration of Health Questionnaire.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure (if not obtained prior to joining, or while studying, the Fastrack course).

BA (Hons) Secondary Religious Education with QTS

  • GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics.
  • Fitness to Teach: Declaration of Health Questionnaire.
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure (if not obtained prior to joining, or while studying, the Fastrack course).

BA (Hons) Social Work

  • GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy and Level 2 Numeracy);
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.
  • Fitness to Practice: Medical Questionnaire.

BSc (Hons) Software Engineering

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of admission to Department of Computer Science programmes, a Level 2 Numeracy qualification is not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in Mathematics.

BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Psychology

  • GCSE English Language at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent, including Level 2 Literacy).

BSc (Hons) Web Design & Development

  • GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Please note, for the purposes of admission to Department of Computer Science programmes, a Level 2 Numeracy qualification is not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in Mathematics.

BA (Hons) Working and Teaching in the Early Years

  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure.

Next Steps

To meet any offer conditions for progression from Fastrack to a degree, other than successful completion of the Fastrack course, a brief summary of the next steps is provided below.

  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure – we will contact you before the start of your degree with details of how to apply for the police clearance which is required for all courses that involve working with children or vulnerable adults.
  • GCSEs – if you have not already provided your GCSE (or equivalent) certificates to demonstrate you meet the stipulated requirements, you should send the original certificates to the Admissions Office immediately. If you don’t have the required qualifications, you can complete an equivalency programme. We recommend booking onto and sitting the equivalency test(s) prior to Fastrack where possible.
  • Fitness to Teach or Practice – in line with the requirements of the relevant professional body in respect of physical and mental fitness, we will send you a medical questionnaire which you should complete and return to our Occupational Health provider.

All offer conditions must be met by 31 August, prior to a course starting in September, or it may not be possible for you to fully enrol and could impact on your eligibility to receive student finance.