Bath Spa University

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Do You Qualify For Entry in Autumn 2011?

There are a number of ways in which you can qualify to come and study at Bath Spa University. We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and educational experiences.

While most applicants will have passed academic examinations, we acknowledge that students can succeed if they have the right motivation and ability even if they missed out on formal qualifications.  We may therefore be able to take a wider and more flexible view of your potential.  For further information about applying without formal qualifications, please contact the Admissions Service.

Typical Offers

Each course page of our website includes details of the typical offers you could expect to receive from Bath Spa University. These are usually expressed in terms of UCAS tariff points (generally a range of points), and you should refer to the table below to see what tariff points your qualifications, or predicted qualifications, equate to. The example grades shown with 'typical offers' on course pages relate to A and AS grades - for example 'BB + ASc' indicates two A-levels at grade B and one AS-level at grade C. You should note that the actual terms of any offer we make to you may differ from our published offers because we will consider your application on its individual merits.

UCAS Tariff Chart

GCE/VCE Qualifications:			Scottish Qualifications:		Welsh Bacc Core:	BTEC Nationals:		BTEC Nationals in Early Years:		Points:
GCE AS / AC VCE	GCE A-Level / AVCE	AVCE Double Award	Adv Higher	Higher		Certificate	Diploma	Certificate	Diploma
							DDD			360
							DDM		DDD	320
							DMM		DDM	280
		AA				DD	MMM		DMM	240
		AB							MMM	220
		BB				DM	MMP	DD		200
		BC								180
		CC				MM	MPP	DM	MMP	160
		CD								140
	A	DD	A		PASS	MP	PPP	MM	MPP	120
	B	DE	B							100
	C	EE	C			PP		MP	PPP	80
			D	A						72
A	D			B						60
B										50
				C						48
				D						42
C	E							PP		40

International Baccalaureate:		Progression Diploma:
Grade:	Tariff Points:	Grade:	Tariff Points:
29	396	A*	350
28	373	A	300
27	350	B	250
26	326	C	200
25	303	D	150
24	280	E	100

Unabridged Version of UCAS Tariff Chart

The example grades shown with 'typical offers' on course pages relate to A and AS grades - for example 'BB+ASc' indicates two A-levels at grade B and one AS-level at grade C.

Key Skills

We will not consider Key Skills qualifications in our tariff offers, since not all candidates are able to offer these qualifications. However, we recognise the benefits that the skills acquired through these qualifications bring and evidence of Key Skills passes will provide strong support for your application.

Unit Grade Information

Please note that we will not use grade information for individual units within A and AS examinations when considering your application and making offers. Offers will be made and confirmed on the basis of overall grades at A and AS level. Candidates are, of course, welcome to highlight unit achievements in their Personal Statement (or to encourage referees to do so in their references).

14-19 Diploma

We welcome applications from students taking the new 14-19 Diploma. The Creative and Media Diploma and the Society, Health and Development Diplomas, which are among the first subjects to be introduced, will be a particularly suitable route into a number of our degree programmes.

Our standard requirement is for 240 UCAS Tariff points from a relevant Progression Diploma and/ or Advanced Diploma, and for some courses we may require specific subjects within the Additional Specialist Learning component of the Advanced Diploma. This will be shown under the 'Typical Offer' information on individual course pages.

General Entry Requirements

Our 'typical offers' are made in the context of our overall general entry requirements.

We expect applicants to successfully complete courses on which they are enrolled at the time of application. We will not make offers based on qualifications at the end of Year 12 (although these results will undoubtedly help to improve the accuracy of referees' predictions).

Degree Programmes (Except Art and Design)

• Our standard minimum qualifications required are as follows. Particular subject requirements are given with individual course details.
• The equivalent of two 4-unit or 6-unit awards - for example, GCE/VCE A-level, (other than General Studies), with the equivalent to three GCSE level qualifications or the Foundation Diploma (see above);
• OR: the equivalent of 18-unit qualifications with the equivalent to two GCSE level qualifications or the Foundation Diploma level;
• OR: the Advanced/Progression Diploma including 80 UCAS Tariff points from Principal and/or Additional Specialist Learning, with the equivalent to three GCSE level qualifications or the Foundation Diploma;
• OR: a BTEC National Diploma introduction (18 units) with the equivalent to two GCSE level qualifications or the Foundation Diploma;
• OR: a BTEC National Certificate (12 units) with the equivalent to three GCSE level qualifications or the Foundation Diploma;
• OR: a SCE with passes in five subjects including three at Higher grade, or in four subjects all at Higher grade;
• OR: International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma with minimum of 24 points possibly including 4 or 5 points in a relevant Higher Level subject
• OR: other qualifications considered equivalent and included in the UCAS tariff.
   

Art and Design Programmes

For entry to the BA (Hons) Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textile Design for Fashion & Interiors, Fashion Design, 3D Design: Ideal Material Object, and Photography programmes the normal general requirements are:

• Satisfactory completion of a Foundation Studies course in Art and Design or appropriate BTEC course, PLUS:
  • Five subjects at GCSE level, or the equivalent;
  • OR: one 6-unit award: for example, GCE/VCE A-level, with the equivalent to three GCSE level qualifications;
  • OR: other qualifications considered equivalent and included in the UCAS tariff.
     

The Creative and Media Advanced/ Progression Diploma including 80 UCAS Tariff points from relevant Principal and/or Additional Specialist Learning may be acceptable for entry, along with the equivalent to three GCSE level qualifications.

If you apply to study Art and Design, above all, we will be looking for your creative ability and suitability for your chosen course. This will be considered on the basis of your portfolios.

Foundation Degree Programmes

The entry requirements for Foundation degrees vary from course to course, but are generally set at a lower level than three year honours degree courses. You will find details on individual course pages.

Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) Programmes

The standard qualification required for entry to a DipHE programme is the equivalent of two 4-unit or 6-unit awards, for example - GCE/VCE A-level (General Studies is acceptable).

The actual terms of offers for DipHE programmes will be lower than those for degree programmes (typically 80-120 UCAS tariff points). Exceptional entry is possible with one 6-unit award.

Other Entry Routes

Mature Students

A mature student is anyone thinking about returning to education at undergraduate level after a break from studying. We welcome mature students, and in looking at your application we assess prior learning (APL) and experiential learning (APEL) as a foundation for higher education. We consider applicants with non- traditional qualifications and/or relevant experience positively. If you are considering joining Bath Spa University as a mature student you will be in very good company as over a third of our student population are mature students.

Access to Higher Education Learners

For many years Bath Spa University has been a popular choice for Access learners and we actively maintain close links with Access to Higher Education programmes at local and regional further education colleges. All courses at the University welcome applications from learners on appropriate QAA recognised Access to Higher Education programmes.

Typical offers for those applying with an Access to Higher Education qualification will be the achievement of the Access to Higher Education Diploma or Access to Higher Education Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be at Level 3 on a planned programme of study).

For 2010 entry, a grading system will be in place for the Access to Higher Education Diploma. At the time of going to press, full details of the grading system were not available. Please be aware that typical offers for those applying with an Access to Higher Education Diploma may change accordingly to reflect the new grading structure. Any subsequent queries should be directed to admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

As for all who apply for courses in Art and Design, Music, Dance, Drama and Performing Arts, applicants from Access to Higher Education programmes may be required to attend an interview, submit a portfolio or attend an audition as part of the selection process. Those applying for Creative Writing may also be asked to send in samples of their creative writing.

All applicants for the Education Specialised Award degree programmes leading to Qualified Teacher Status are required to have a GCSE at Grade C or above in English Language, Mathematics and Science. Applicants with an Access to Higher Education qualification may either offer GCSE qualifications in these subjects, or alternatively, AVA-accredited Access to Higher Education GCSE equivalents in English, Mathematics and Science.

Direct Entry

Direct entry to Year 2 or 3 of a degree course may be possible if you have an HND , DipHE, Open University credits, credits from another institution of higher education, or other relevant qualifications. The direct application should be made via UCAS, stating point of entry and listing the modules studied within HND , DipHE or year 1or 2 studies. Your reference should be written by the tutor for these studies as it is important that a sense of continuation is demonstrated.

Non-standard Qualifications on Entry

If you are offering what you believe to be a 'non-standard' qualification, please visit this website: www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk and then contact the admissions office (admissions@bathspa.ac.uk) to check that we would accept that qualification. We would need to know the year it was studied and completed, the name of the school or college and the results as well as any other qualifications you have in addition to this.