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To apply for a Foundation Degree programme, applicants must meet:

  • the General Entry Requirements of Ulster University, and any additional requirements for their selected programme of study;
  • or, they must provide evidence of their ability to undertake the programme through the accreditation of prior experiential learning.

Our General Entry Requirements

Student must show evidence of:

  1. Competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent) and, where specified within individual programme entry requirements, in numeracy (GCSE grade C or equivalent)
  2. In addition, students need to provide evidence of passes in four different subjects, of which one should be at GCE Advanced level (A level) (grades A to E) and three at GCSE level (grades A, B or C) or an equivalent standard in an approved alternative qualification.

Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level subjects will be taken as 40% of one GCE A level as long as that the applicant’s profile also contains one GCE A level equivalent qualification.

Other qualifications that meet our entry requirements

  • A VCE/GCE Applied A level and either three passes at GCSE (grade C or above) or two Double Award Vocational GCSEs.
  • BTEC National qualifications awarded by Pearson.
  • Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma
  • OCR Cambridge Technicals (2016 suite, Applied General Category).
  • Four Highers and/or Advanced Highers of the Scottish Qualifications Authority
  • The European, International or Welsh Baccalaureate.
  • An Irish Leaving Certificate with passes in four approved subjects at grade D/6 Higher level.
  • Satisfactory completion of an approved Access programme.
  • Any Foundation degree awarded by Ulster University.
  • For entry to Art and Design degree courses, satisfactory completion of a full-time foundation course in Art and Design of not less than one academic year in duration.
  • Qualifications deemed to satisfy the GCSE requirements

Please note that no subject may be counted at more than one level.

Applications from persons who hold other qualifications may also be considered.

Prior experience that may be accepted

Ulster University may accept studies pursed and examinations passed by the applicant in respect of other university qualifications, or evidence from the accreditation of prior experiential learning.

This could also mean that applicants are exempt from taking some elements of an approved programme as long as they:

  • register as a University student and complete a set number of modules that makes up at least the final third (33%) of the credit value of the programmes' highest level award and,
  • meet any other conditions outlined in their programme's regulations.

For applicants registered on approved programmes at recognised institutions, the same regulations will apply for that institution.