GCSE Requirements
Please check here whether the subjects/qualifications you have passed cover our entry requirements for different GCSE subjects.
Competence in written and spoken English is a General Entrance Requirement for entry to all courses and a GCSE at Grade C or above in English covers this requirement.
If you haven't completed a GCSE in English at Grade C or above, we do accept a range of additional qualifications to satisfy that requirement.
| TYPE | ENGLISH |
|---|---|
| UK Boards |
|
| Scottish Certificate of Education |
|
| Access Courses |
Any approved Access course validated by Ulster or QUB NB: The Access to HE Diploma (GB version) does not cover GCSE requirements. |
| HNC/HND | Any HND or HNC awarded in the UK |
| Foundation Degree | Any Foundation Degree awarded by Ulster University |
| Undergraduate or Masters Degree | Any Undergraduate or Masters Degree awarded by a UK or Irish University |
| International Baccalaureate | Higher or Subsidiary level in English Language (grade 4 or above) |
| Irish Leaving Certificate |
|
| QQI Level 5 (Irish Qualification) | We accept the Communications unit (5N0690) with a grade of Merit. |
| Open University | Relevant level 1/2 courses |
| Royal Society or Arts | Stage III (Advanced) |
| Equivalency Tests | Ulster accepts the following equivalency tests as meeting GCSE English requirements: A Star Equivalency - English Equivalency Testing - English |
Competence in Mathematics is a General Entrance Requirement for entry to a lot of courses at Ulster and a GCSE at Grade C or above in Mathematics covers this requirement.
If you haven't completed a GCSE in Mathematics at Grade C or above, we do accept a range of additional qualifications to satisfy that requirement.
Please refer to the online prospectus for specific entry requirements to individual courses as Level 2 Essential/Functional Skills in Application of Number/Maths is accepted as an alternative to GCSE mathematics for some courses, however not all courses will accept this qualification.
| TYPE | MATHEMATICS |
|---|---|
| UK Boards |
|
| Scottish Certificate of Education |
|
| Access Courses | We will consider approved Access courses with mathematics modules. This may also include those Access courses which were previously approved, but which are no longer running. The following Ulster University approved courses are recognised as incorporating mathematics to the required standard:
|
| International Baccalaureate | Higher or Subsidiary level in Mathematics (grade 4 or above) |
| QQI Level 5 (Irish Qualification) | We accept the Mathematics unit (5N1833) with a minimum grade of Pass. Where we asking for the equivalent of Grade C* or B at GCSE, you will need to pass this unit with a grade Merit. |
| Irish Leaving Certificate |
|
| Institute of Mathematics and its Applications | Polymaths Diploma |
| Equivalency Tests | Ulster accepts the following equivalency tests as meeting GCSE Mathematics requirements: Foundation Maths may be considered comparable for courses that accept the Essential Skills in the Application of Number qualification as an alternative. |
GCSE Science is a requirement for a number of science based degrees at Ulster. In most cases you will be asked to have completed a Double Award GCSE in Science with grades CC or above, or a specific core science GCSE (core sciences are Biology, Chemistry or Physics).
Where you have completed an A-Level in a core science, or a BTEC in Applied Science, this may supersede the requirement to have GCSE double award science but please refer to the online prospectus for specific entry requirements to individual courses as these may differ from course to course depending on what the prior learning requirements are for your chosen course.
Pearson BTEC Level 2 awards
The Pearson BTEC Level 2 First Award in Principles of Applied Science will satisfy GCSE requirements for courses that ask for GCSE Science.
Where we stipulate a requirement for Double Award Science, candidates will need to have completed both the Principles of Applied Science and the BTEC Level 2 First Award in Application of Science, both passed with Merit.
Equivalency Tests
Ulster accepts the following equivalency tests as satisfying science GCSE requirements:
Please note that these only cover GCSE requirements for single award science. If you are asked for double award science, these tests would not be a suitable alternative.
Other Level 2 Awards
Ulster does not accept any other Level 2 qualification as satisfying the GCSE requirement.