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Access / BTEC Entry requirements

   
   
Below is a table showing courses which most commonly accept the Access HE Diploma and BTEC qualifications and their entry requirements. These qualifications are the minimum requirements and you may need additional GCSEs or other qualifications – you should check with the relevant school or department for your subject. You may also be called to attend an interview.

Please be aware that not all courses are listed here. If you can’t find the information you need, please contact wpadmin@nottingham.ac.uk or call 0115 8466733.

Access / BTEC Entry requirements


Course BTEC qualification and grades required Access to HE Diploma and grades required
American and Canadian Literature, History and Culture T700 DDM Pass Access with 45 level 3 credits, 50% at Merit. 
American and Canadian Literature, History and Culture (International Study) T704  Not accepted  Pass Access with 45 level 3 credits, 50% at Distinction. 
American Studies and English QT37 Not accepted Pass Access with 45 level 3 credits, 50% at Distinction, 9 of which must be in English. 
American Studies and History TV71 Not accepted  Pass Access with 45 level 3 credits, 50% at Distinction, 9 of which must be in history. 
Animal Science D320 Not accepted
Access to Science: 60 credits overall; 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be achieved from relevant core sciences at merit grade
Archaeology V400 Not accepted Pass Access including merit in a minimum of 50% of level 3 credits. 
Archaeology V401 Extended Diploma in Applied (Forensic) Science: DDM-DDD Pass Access: 60 credits overall; 45 at level 3, of which 30 level 3 credits must be achieved from relevant core sciences at merit grade
Architectural Environment Engineering K240 Extended Diploma: DDM with at least a distinction in Mathematics and Further Mathematics units; portfolio also required Contact the department directly; appropriate mathematics, physics or engineering content required; a number of distinctions required; also a portfolio
Architecture K100 Extended Diploma: Engineering/Art and Design/ Construction and the Built Environment: DDD plus supporting portfolio Pass Access with 60% of modules at distinction; a portfolio may also be required
Biochemistry and Genetics CC47 (BSc)/CC4R (MSci) Not acceptable Access to Science: 45 credits at level 3 to include 12 credits of chemistry (6 at distinction and 6 at merit); plus 12 credits of biology (6 at distinction and 6 at merit)
Biology C100/C101/C300/C301 Extended Diploma in Applied Science: DDM-DDD Strong science component needed. Pass Access course with distinction in 60% of all level 3 credits
Biotechnology J700 Extended Diploma in Applied Science: DMM-DDD Contact school directly; considered on an individual basis
Business courses Extended Diploma in Business: DDD plus GCSE maths grade B Pass Access with 33 credits at distinction, 27 of which must be achieved in business units
Civil Engineering

All courses (H201/H200/H294/H295)

Extended Diploma in appropriate engineering subject: DDD; plus A level maths; plus GCSE grade B in maths and physics-/science-based subjects

 BEng courses only (H201/H2914)

60 credits overall with 45 at level 3, with at least 18 maths credits and 12 engineering/science credits all at level 3 distinction; plus GCSE English grade C or level 2 equivalence

Access not accepted for MEng courses (H200/H295)

Computer Science G400(BSc) or G404(MSci) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence G4G7 (BSc) or G4G1 (MSci) Computer Science and Management Studies GN42 Software Engineering G601 BTEC Extended Diploma in IT only: DDD; plus GCSE maths grade B 60 credits overall with 45 credits at level 3 to include at least 15 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit; plus GCSE maths grade B (level 2 equivalencies will not be accepted)
Electrical Engineering H622/ Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems HH6F Extended Diploma in appropriate engineering subject: DDD including distinction in maths and further maths; plus grade B in GCSE maths and physics-/science-based subject or A level maths   Pass Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, Construction or Civil Engineering including 18 credits of level 3 maths at distinction and 12 credits of level 3 science (physics) or engineering at distinction; plus GCSE English grade C or level 2 equivalence accepted
Engineering with Foundation Year H100 Extended Diploma in appropriate engineering subject: DDM; plus GCSE grade B in maths and relevant science; plus GCSE English grade C Access: applications considered on individual basis (high level of maths needed) – contact the admissions tutors
English courses Not accepted Pass Access with distinction in 15 credits at level 3, of which 9 credits must be in English modules
Film and Television Studies W630 Extended Diploma in appropriate subjects: DDM-DDD; applicants assessed on an individual basis Pass Access (preferably in arts and humanities subjects) with 45 level 3 credits, 50% at Distinction
Food Science D610 Extended Diploma: DDM-DDD Access to science with 60 credits overall, including 45 at level 3, of which 30 must be in relevant science modules and at merit
Genetics C400 (BSc)/C401 (MSci) or Human Genetics C410 (BSc)/C420 (MSci)  Extended Diploma in Applied Science: DDM with 6 distinctions in relevant modules; strong science component Access to Science: 50% of all level 3 credits at distinction if 2 or more science subjects are being taken; if there is only one, 60% of level 3 credits at distinction
History V100 Not accepted Access to Humanities/Teaching: 12 credits in history, mainly at distinction
Humanistic Counselling Practice B940 Assessed on an individual basis: contact the school Assessed on individual basis: contact the school
International Media and Communication Studies P900 Extended Diploma in appropriate subjects: DDM-DDD; applicants assessed on an individual basis Pass Access (preferably in arts and humanities subjects) with 45 level 3 credits, 50% at Distinction
Law M100 Not accepted Access to Law to include 30 credits at level 3 at distinction. Please note that you will also have to take the LNAT test
Mathematics Not accepted

Specific maths units needed to be achieved at distinction. Please contact the school directly. 

Mechanical Engineering (H302) or Mechnical Engineering and Management (HN72) or Product Design and Manufacture (H700) or Biomedical Materials Science (BJ85) 

Usually: Extended Diploma in relevant Science/Engineering subject: DDD with distinctions required in Maths and Further Maths for Technicians and other idenitified course-specific units; applications will be assessed on an individual basis
Minimum requirement is usually for the qualification to be awarded, including a minimum of 18 credits at level 3 in maths subjects at distinction; plus 12 credits in science or engineering at level 3 at distinction; there will be additional course-specific requirements; applications will be assessed on an individual basis
Medical Physiology and Therapeutics with Foundation Year B12B Extended Diploma in Applied Science/Health and Social Care: DDM Pass Access to Science: assessed on individual basis 
Medicine  Not accepted  Not accepted 
Microbiology C501 Contact the school directly - considered on an individual basis
Contact the school directly - considered on individual basis
Midwifery B721*

Extended Diploma: overall DDM including science; plus 8 GCSEs at A-C including English and maths

or

Extended Diploma: overall DDM without science*; plus 1 AS level science at grade B; plus 8 GCSEs at A-C including English and maths

Diploma: overall DD; plus 1 A level science at grade B*; plus 8 GCSEs at A-C including English and maths

or

Diploma: overall DD; plus 1 A level at grade B; plus 1 AS level science at grade B; plus 8 GCSEs at A-C including English and maths

* BTEC science components may be acceptable

BTEC Level 2 qualifications in literacy and numeracy can compensate for GCSEs in English and maths

Pass Access to Nursing/Midwifery with 45 credits at level 3 to be achieved at merit/distinction, including 24 credits in human biology (biological scienecs)

If no English/maths at GCSE, must attain 12 credits in each at level 2 as part of Access


Neuroscience B140 Extended Diploma in appropriate subjects: DDM-DDD; applicants assessed on an individual basis  Access to Science: merit or distinction in all level 3 units; appropriate biological content required; applicants assessed on an individual basis 
Nursing BSc - B740 Adult/B730 Child/B768 Learning Disabilities /B767 Mental Health

Extended Diploma in Health Studies/Health and Social Care: overall DDM (other relevant Extended Diplomas may be considered); plus 5 GCSE's at A-C including English, maths and science (BTEC science components will be accepted). Level 2 Functional Skills will be accepted in lieu of maths GCSE. Key skills will not be accepted.

  Or

Diploma: overall DD-DM; plus 1 A level at grade C; plus 5 GCSE's at A-C including English, maths and a science (BTEC science components will be accepted). Level 2 Functional Skills will be accepted in lieu of maths GSCE. Key skills will not be accepted.

 Or

CACHE Diploma: overall grade B; plus 5 GCSE's at A-C including English, maths and a science (BTEC science components will be accepted). Level 2 Functional Skills will be accepted in lieu of maths GCSE. Key skills will not be accepted.  

Access to Nursing and Midwifery/Access to Science: 45 credits at level 3 to include at least 30 credits at merit or above with a minimum of 15 of these achieved from science, social science or psychology units. The Diploma must include maths in a nursing context at level 2. Plus GCSE English and maths.*

*If you do not have English, maths and a science GCSE at grade C or above, we will accept 12 level 2 (or above) credits in English, maths and a science at Pass. We will also accept 6 level 3 credits as an integrated part of an Access course in place of GSCE English.

MNursSci Master of Nursing Science - B700 Adult/RB30 Child/RB60 Mental Health

Extended Diploma in Health Studies/Health and Social Care: overall DDD (other relevant Extended Diplomas may be considered); plus 5 GCSE's at A-C including English, maths and science (BTEC science components will be accepted). Level 2 Functional Skills will be accepted in lieu of maths GCSE. Key skills will not be accepted.

 Or

CACHE Diploma: overall grade A; plus 5 GCSE's at A-C including English, maths and science (BTEC science components will be accepted). Level 2 Functional Skills will be accepted in lieu of maths GCSE. Key skills will not be accepted.

Access to Nursing and Midwifery/Access to Science: 45 credits at level 3 to include at least 30 credits at Merit or above with a minimum of 15 of these achieved from science, social science or psychology units. The Diploma must include maths in a nursing context at level 2. Plus GCSE English and maths.*

*If you do not have English and maths GCSE at grade C or above, we will accept 12 level 2 (or above) credits in English and maths at Pass. We will also accept 6 level 3 credits as an integrated part of an Access course in place of GCSE English.

Nutrition B400 A science-based Extended Diploma: DDM
Access must be science-based. Overall pass with merit in 30 credits of level 3 modules with a high science content, particularly biological science and chemistry. These modules need to be specified as part of the entrance requirements. Please forward to admissions tutor for consideration.
Pharmacy B230 Extended Diploma in Applied Science: DDD plus distinctions in key subjects such as applied chemistry or pharmaceutical sciences; plus A-B in chemistry at A level; plus A in maths and C in English at GCSE
Not accepted
Physics F300 Not accepted

Contact the school directly – considered on an individual basis

Physiotherapy B160* Extended Diploma: DDM to include majority of units in biology and the life sciences; plus minimum of 6 GCSEs at grades A–B to include English, maths and either biology or integrated/combined sciences Access to HE Diploma: majority of credits should be in biology and other life science subjects; a minimum of 60 credits with at least 45 passed at level 3, of which 30 should be at distinction
Politics (all courses)* Extended Diploma: DDM-DDD Pass Access to include at least 12 credits at distinction and 18 at merit 
Psychology C800 Must be predicted an overall number of UCAS tariff points equivalent to our minimum A level requirement; plus at least B in maths and English at GCSE. We also prefer BTEC students to have at least one additional A level in a strong subject – please contact the school directly.
Pass Access with 30 credits at level 3 at distinction and 10 at merit; plus GCSE maths grade B (level 2 equivalence not accepted)
Science with Foundation Year CFG0 Contact the school directly - considered individually
Contact the school directly - considered individually
Social work LL54* Extended Diploma DMM: diploma will need to be in a subject area of direct relevance to social work (for example, Health and Social Care) Access to Social Science/Social Work to include 30 level 3 credits at merit
Sociology L300/Sociology and Social Policy LL34/Cultural Sociology L372  Extended Diploma: DDM Pass Access to HE Diploma with 50% of level 3 modules at merit
Veterinary Medicine and Science with Preliminary year D104 Extended Diploma: DDD (subjects considered on individual basis); plus 5 grade A GCSEs including chemistry, biology, physics (or double science), maths and English Accept Access qualification; applicants considered on individual basis
Veterinary Medicine and Science with Gateway year D190 Extended Diploma: DMM (subjects considered on individual basis) plus 5 grade B GCSEs including chemistry, biology, physics (or double science), maths and English Accept Access qualification; applicants considered on individual basis
Zoology C300 Extended Diploma in Applied Science only (Biological sciences pathway preferred): DDM including distinctions in relevant modules (check with the school) Strong science components: pass Access course with distinction in 50% of main subjects; distinction in 50% of additional units; distinction in 50% of study skills

* All short-listed applicants will be invited to an interview as part of the selection process for these courses.

The Enquiry Centre

The University of Nottingham
King's Meadow Campus
Lenton Lane
Nottingham, NG7 2NR

t: +44 (0) 115 951 5559
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e: undergraduate-enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk
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