University with no A Levels

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MR Kirbyz

Original Poster:

559 posts

158 months

Friday 7th October 2011
quotequote all
Hi, i hope this thread is in the right place as I was not sure where to place it.

Basically, i left school after my GCSE's to go to college to do an nvq 2 and btec in Mechanical Engineering.
I passed both of those and got a job in August. I am now currently studing for an Nvq3 and another Btec in mech eng. Then a HNC when i finish my nvq3 in May.
I have come to the conclusion that without a degree my pay could be capped at a pretty low amount imo.
So what i am asking is can i get onto a mech eng uni course with no A levels but with a HNC?.

I think this is a good idea as surely with a few years job experience already in hand i should have practical knowledge and a good change of getting a graduate job.

I should add i could of done A levels if i had wanted. GCSE results- 2A's, 4B's and 3 C's

mph1977

12,467 posts

167 months

Friday 7th October 2011
quotequote all
MR Kirbyz said:
Hi, i hope this thread is in the right place as I was not sure where to place it.

Basically, i left school after my GCSE's to go to college to do an nvq 2 and btec in Mechanical Engineering.
I passed both of those and got a job in August. I am now currently studing for an Nvq3 and another Btec in mech eng. Then a HNC when i finish my nvq3 in May.
I have come to the conclusion that without a degree my pay could be capped at a pretty low amount imo.
So what i am asking is can i get onto a mech eng uni course with no A levels but with a HNC?.

I think this is a good idea as surely with a few years job experience already in hand i should have practical knowledge and a good change of getting a graduate job.

I should add i could of done A levels if i had wanted. GCSE results- 2A's, 4B's and 3 C's
given at the end of your current studying and planned studying you will have an NVQ3, an ND? and a HNC, I suspect that you have a fighting chance if your maths is up to it ...

Capita

94 posts

152 months

Friday 7th October 2011
quotequote all
MR Kirbyz said:
Hi, i hope this thread is in the right place as I was not sure where to place it.

Basically, i left school after my GCSE's to go to college to do an nvq 2 and btec in Mechanical Engineering.
I passed both of those and got a job in August. I am now currently studing for an Nvq3 and another Btec in mech eng. Then a HNC when i finish my nvq3 in May.
I have come to the conclusion that without a degree my pay could be capped at a pretty low amount imo.
So what i am asking is can i get onto a mech eng uni course with no A levels but with a HNC?.

I think this is a good idea as surely with a few years job experience already in hand i should have practical knowledge and a good change of getting a graduate job.

I should add i could of done A levels if i had wanted. GCSE results- 2A's, 4B's and 3 C's
After your nvq3 & btec could you not jump straight onto a mech eng foundation degree part time, then once you have the foundation degree (which is roughly equivalent to 2 yrs of a bachelors) you can then do further study which i believe is approx 1 yr to gain the necessary modules required for a bachelors.

Most entry requirements for a fdeng are 18+ with a level 3 qual or higher, some places offer 'full' time which is 2 days per week, or 'part time' which is 2 days per week or some cases 1 day + 1 evening, it is also offered over a 2 or 3 year basis.

If your employer will allow you to do it then personally i would take the fdeng route.

Mojocvh

16,837 posts

261 months

Friday 7th October 2011
quotequote all
"Then a HNC"

Just like that, simples huh?

"Your" HNC will only be worth something if you had to work for it.

Employers know that.

Munter

31,319 posts

240 months

Friday 7th October 2011
quotequote all
I went to uni with a BTEC National Diploma. So it seems to me you don't need to do the HNC unless you want to.

I would think the best thing to do would be to contact a few of the Unis you're thinking of going to, and asking them for their entry requirements.

MoonMonkey

2,207 posts

212 months

Friday 7th October 2011
quotequote all
Although I am now old and probably know fk all about the modern education system I would have thought it was highly probable that you could enrol on a degree course with a relevent HNC and experience. Good luck too in your studies smile

Odie

4,187 posts

181 months

Friday 7th October 2011
quotequote all
HNCs HNDs NDs etc are all equivalent to A - levels iirc my ND was equivalent to 3.5 A-levels grade A/B since I got all distinctions in my ND.

When I contacted the uni I went to with my ND details I was offered a place without having to complete any paper work or have an interview.

Y282

20,566 posts

171 months

Friday 7th October 2011
quotequote all
Right...

Find out the entry reqts of the places you want to go to first. If you have a level 3 fe qualification (which it sounds like you do) then you will be able to apply subject to having enough ucas points. If you cant find out how many you have or want to apply outside of ucas, contact the place you want to study at and as about doing a direct application. You will probably have to have reached a basic literacy and numeracy level, so ask what this is. If you dont have it you can do functional skills tests. Ask them who to do them with, itll probably be at a college near you and you can resit them as many times as you need to.

Finally, if they wont take you, you could look at an access to HE course to get your points up. It woud be another year though and you may not qualify for funding, so try to avoid this if you can. Also dont forget to mention any relevant skills or experience you have and ask for APEL consideration in this.

Be polite and enthusiastic and keep asking what you can do. Visit the places you want to apply to, get a rapport going with someone in that department who interviews and accepts people and then keep in contact.

Wherever possible we favour people who are serious and committed over paper prospects. They usually give the best results as students.

Good luck.

mph1977

12,467 posts

167 months

Friday 7th October 2011
quotequote all
Odie said:
HNCs HNDs NDs etc are all equivalent to A - levels iirc my ND was equivalent to 3.5 A-levels grade A/B since I got all distinctions in my ND.

When I contacted the uni I went to with my ND details I was offered a place without having to complete any paper work or have an interview.
GCSEs D-G are level 1

GCSE A*-C are level 2

NDs are a level 3 qualification as are A levels

HNCs are level 4

HNDs are level 5 as are Foundation Degrees and DipHEs

an Honours degree is a Level 6 qualification

Masters level study is level 7

Doctoral level is level 8

Fatman2

1,464 posts

168 months

Saturday 8th October 2011
quotequote all
MR Kirbyz said:
Hi, i hope this thread is in the right place as I was not sure where to place it.

Basically, i left school after my GCSE's to go to college to do an nvq 2 and btec in Mechanical Engineering.
I passed both of those and got a job in August. I am now currently studing for an Nvq3 and another Btec in mech eng. Then a HNC when i finish my nvq3 in May.
I have come to the conclusion that without a degree my pay could be capped at a pretty low amount imo.
So what i am asking is can i get onto a mech eng uni course with no A levels but with a HNC?.

I think this is a good idea as surely with a few years job experience already in hand i should have practical knowledge and a good change of getting a graduate job.

I should add i could of done A levels if i had wanted. GCSE results- 2A's, 4B's and 3 C's
Personally I'd get a degree with the Open University. It's not the obvious choice but you may be able to get some credit transfer, in which case you may only need to study 1-2 years to get your honours. Not only that but your employer may also cover some/all of the costs. Either way, as you are already working it will not be as burdensome as finishing work and studying full time. So you would most likely graduate with zero debt - a marvel in the current climate although even the OU's fees are going up at the end of this academic year.

The OU used to have a bit of a stigma but from my own experience employers have been very positive about the fact that I held down a stressfull full time job, mortgage, kids etc. and still got a 2:1 in the process (as opposed to obtaining a degree from one of the top UK uni's). On a techical note the OU's engineering courses have been consistently rated in the top 10% for their quality of teaching.

It won't be easy but one other thing to consider is dropping of the salary scale temporarily. Experience is king IMHO and you could have 4 years by the time you finish your degree part time. This should put you well ahead of your contemporaries and keep your salary at a reasonable level too.

Just my opinion of course but it's worth looking at your industry (not sure what that is) to see what your future options will be.

Best of luck smile

Phil.

4,755 posts

249 months

Saturday 8th October 2011
quotequote all
MR Kirbyz said:
Hi, i hope this thread is in the right place as I was not sure where to place it.

Basically, i left school after my GCSE's to go to college to do an nvq 2 and btec in Mechanical Engineering.
I passed both of those and got a job in August. I am now currently studing for an Nvq3 and another Btec in mech eng. Then a HNC when i finish my nvq3 in May.
I have come to the conclusion that without a degree my pay could be capped at a pretty low amount imo.
So what i am asking is can i get onto a mech eng uni course with no A levels but with a HNC?.

I think this is a good idea as surely with a few years job experience already in hand i should have practical knowledge and a good change of getting a graduate job.

I should add i could of done A levels if i had wanted. GCSE results- 2A's, 4B's and 3 C's
Simple answer is yes you will get in to university with a HNC assuming you are 21+ yrs. The HNC is widely regarded as equivalent to the first year of a degree so you may be allowed exemptions from certain modules, particularly if you decide to study by distance learning. As well as the OU also check out here www.rdi.co.uk

zaphod42

50,290 posts

154 months

Saturday 8th October 2011
quotequote all
I went to uni at 21 - was classed as a mature student - did an A level at night class and had 2 interviews. My A-levels at 18 gave me 4 UCAS points IIRC (one D)

MR Kirbyz

Original Poster:

559 posts

158 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies, just to update i passed my btec national diploma in June with merits.NVQ3 is due to be completed by december/January.
I start my hnc course next week and have decided to go to uni a year or two after completing it as i can save some money to get me through university in that time period (if i pass obviously).

Jumping ahead a bit here but i like to be organised, what universities are the best for mech eng/aero eng depending on what path i decide to take.
Ive looked up the league tables and researched these but i find it more accurate by getting experiences off people who have been there and done it.
I've spoken to friends from nottingham and sheffield who say they're both decent courses but any others?
Once again thanks.


Odie

4,187 posts

181 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
I went on a Engineering Degree with a national diploma in engineering, the university pretty much snapped my hand off when I rang them, I was given an unconditional place over the phone, that arrived in writing a couple of days later.

This was 10 year ago though.

All them qualification you have will equate in someway to A-levels.

nvq level 3 = 2 A levels
Btec National Diploma = 3 A levels
Btec HND = I think 5 A levels


Edited by Odie on Wednesday 22 August 10:01


Edited by Odie on Wednesday 22 August 10:06

Eric Mc

121,779 posts

264 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
Is there a way of furthering your technical qualifications WITHOUT having to attend a university?

I understand people like BAe Systems and Rolls Royce have very good apprenticeship schemes.

GadgeS3C

4,516 posts

163 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
MR Kirbyz said:
Thanks for the replies, just to update i passed my btec national diploma in June with merits.NVQ3 is due to be completed by december/January.
I start my hnc course next week and have decided to go to uni a year or two after completing it as i can save some money to get me through university in that time period (if i pass obviously).

Jumping ahead a bit here but i like to be organised, what universities are the best for mech eng/aero eng depending on what path i decide to take.
Ive looked up the league tables and researched these but i find it more accurate by getting experiences off people who have been there and done it.
I've spoken to friends from nottingham and sheffield who say they're both decent courses but any others?
Once again thanks.

My experience is very dated but Loughborough might be worth looking at.

Would also recommend the OU although the comment about 1-2 years to get honours seemed optimistic - it's still 360 points isn't it? Was 480 when I did mine, cue rant about when I were a lad...

McHaggis

50,290 posts

154 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all

mph1977

12,467 posts

167 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
Is there a way of furthering your technical qualifications WITHOUT having to attend a university?

I understand people like BAe Systems and Rolls Royce have very good apprenticeship schemes.
Apprenticeships tend to take people wit level 1 or level 2 qualifications and successful completion will result in a level 3 qualification if it's an ND and or NVQ3 or a level 4 if the terminal academic qualification is a HNC ,

this is the academic level required for Eng Tech registration where a level 5 or 6 qualification covers the academics for IEng and 7 the acadmics for CEng and yes there are routes to IEng and Ceng without further academic qualifications but sometimes the path of least resistence is to do the academic study to get the ticks in those boxes ...

Gwagon111

4,422 posts

160 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
You have to remember the tuition fees you will encounter at university could put you in debt before you've started, unless omeone is bankrolling you (via a sponsorship scheme or similar) or you have significant savings. If you are any good in your chosen field, you shouldn't *need* a degree to progress to better / higher paid roles. I have to do a fair bit of recruitment in my role nowdays. I am always a bit suspicious of someone who has a load of bits of paper, who trys to convince me what a clever boy / girl they are. It's ususlly fairly easy to tell who the bright / resourceful ones are, without having to see a load of certificates. The probationary period soon sorts the wheat from the chaff. I've canned a few 'highly qualified' types, who have not been as good as folk who have come to us with 'lesser' qualifications. It's swings and roundabouts, if the roles you're interested in don't specifically require a degree / professional accreditation, I would personally think long and hard before going down the uni / degree route.

Tonberry

2,078 posts

191 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
By all means enrol at Uni, OP, but try and get someone else to pay the tuition fees.

Have a dig about the National Grid site, a little birdy tells me they're after your sort.