How to Get into Uni with No A Levels

Universities accept A levels as standard when applying for a university place, but other qualifications can also help grant you access. You’ll find a range of A level alternatives such as access courses, a foundation year, or vocational qualifications.

In this article, you’ll discover how to get into university with no A levels and learn about alternative ways to earn a place on a degree course. You’ll also find out top tips on how to sell yourself on your personal statement without A levels and ways to make sure you build effective habits to help you gain a place at university.

How to get into university with no A levels

If you’d like to attend university but don’t have A levels, you can use other options to gain admittance, such as prior studies, alternative qualifications, and job experience. When thinking about university applications, you may be wondering, “Are A levels essential?” It’s often assumed that A levels are the only entry point. Whilst it’s true that A levels are common qualifications amongst university entrants, other Level 3 qualifications (Level 6 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) or above may provide you with University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) points. Some universities accept vocational qualifications and base entry on UCAS tariff points rather than A levels specifically. 

What are UCAS tariff points?

With a number of Level 3 options available for entry to university, UCAS tariff points give a numerical value to your qualifications and grades. This means universities can use your singular UCAS tariff point value for entry into a course instead of reviewing a complicated list of possible entry points based on different types of qualifications. The UCAS tariff value you receive depends on the type of qualification you studied and your overall grade. 

Options instead of A levels

You’ll find a number of alternative options, such as Access to Higher Education (HE) Diplomas or T Levels, for entry to university if A levels aren’t part of your pathway. Check with each individual university before you apply to make sure they accept your qualification and use the UCAS tariff point calculator to understand your UCAS tariff point score.

Let’s take a look at some of your options.

Access to Higher Education (HE) Diplomas

Access to Higher Education Diplomas provide a path for people who have been out of education for some time and those who want to apply for university with low grades to gain a qualification equivalent to an A level. You can study online, and courses are available in a number of disciplines so you can align your HE Diploma to your chosen degree course and career choice. Examples include:

• Access to HE: Nursing and Midwifery

• Access to HE: Medicine

• Access to HE: Social and Community Work

• Access to HE: Business

• Access to HE: Computing and Digital Technology

Although Access to HE Diplomas are not available in Scotland, you can enrol in comparable courses with the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP). To qualify, adult students must be out of education for at least 3–5 years, depending on the Scottish university they are applying to.

Foundation year

A foundation year is an additional year at university taken at the beginning of your course. It’s usually offered if you apply for university but don’t meet the requirements for entry. Fortunately, if you pass the foundation year, you typically gain entry to the full degree course. Additionally, completing a foundation year can enhance your skill set in areas such as teamwork, organisation, and communication.

International Baccalaureate 

An International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is the equivalent of three A levels and covers six subjects to improve your skills in a broad range of areas. The subjects covered are language and literature, language acquisition, maths, individuals and societies science, and art. You’ll find it widely accepted at UK universities. Finally, if you live in Scotland or Wales, you might investigate the Scottish and Welsh Baccalaureate alternatives.

BTEC Nationals

After A levels, the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) vocational qualifications are the most common qualification for entry to university. They mix classroom learning with vocational training, providing you with practical skills as well as academic knowledge. They have a higher focus on coursework than the traditional A level, making BTECs a good option if you struggle with an exam environment. 

T Levels

There are a couple of different kinds of BTECs: BTEC Nationals, which are equivalent to A levels, and BTEC Firsts, which offer an introduction to vocational sectors. BTEC Apprenticeships are also available from Levels 2 to 5. Another option is T Levels—a two-year vocational qualification launched in 2020 and equivalent to three A levels. With T Levels, you’ll spend 80% of your time learning in a classroom setting and 20% gaining experience through an industry placement. While subject options are still limited, the government is gradually expanding them.

Other vocational qualifications and experience

In addition to T Levels and BTECs, you’ll find a number of other vocational qualifications accepted by some universities, along with vocational experience. These may or may not carry UCAS tariff points, so it’s best to check with the individual university if they accept them. These include:

• CACHE

• City and Guilds Tech Levels

• Cambridge Technicals

• Apprenticeships

• Scotland Residents: Higher National Diplomas and Higher National Certificates

International qualifications 

If you’re an international learner planning to study abroad in the UK, you may be wondering whether your qualifications are relevant to UK universities. When applying through UCAS, you’ll find information on which international qualifications universities accept. Individual universities will also give you this information.

Find the right university for you.

Choosing your university is a personal choice, and you must do research into the university, the courses offered, the facilities available, and the location. Visiting the university in person will help you get a sense of what going there would be like. It’s also important to check the entry criteria to make sure the university of your choice allows you entry without A levels and what qualifications they accept.

How to write a personal statement that shines even without A levels

Your personal statement is a critical part of your UCAS application for university and is your chance to stand out against your competition. This is especially important if you don’t have A levels, are applying to university with low grades, or are applying for a very competitive course, as it looks at your strengths and passions beyond your grades.

To craft your personal statement and make it stand out, consider the following.

Experience

Along with academic qualifications, universities consider your work experience as important when reviewing your application. Including your previous experience in the subject you are studying within the personal statement is a key factor in your application, and if you have vocational qualifications or experience in industry, this can work in your favour. 

Extracurricular activities

As with experience, showing in your personal statement that you have a life with interests and achievements outside of your studies is important. It’s also a good idea to use these—school clubs, your blog, or hobbies—to show your interest in the course. You may discuss books you’ve read, volunteer work, team membership, sports, or anything relevant to your course. However, instead of writing your interests as a list, use them to build on a relevant point and highlight why you are an ideal candidate for the course. 

Focus on why

Rather than just highlighting your skills and experience in the personal statement, link everything to why you want to take the course, why you will be good at it, and what excites you about it. Your experience and alternative route to university plays into this. Think about what you have learnt along the way that someone taking A levels may not have. 

Habits to help you 

Whatever route you take to university, building study habits is important. This may be especially true if you have taken a break from your studies or taken a non-traditional route to university. Follow our tips for setting up good study habits:

• Get into a study routine: Get into the habit of learning something new every day. You can carve out some time for learning and studying an online course or reading a book, and this will become a useful habit for when you start your university course. When you do start your course, continue to use this time that you’ve set aside. Additionally, certain apps use a timer to limit your time on social media, and they reward you for sticking to the set time. This can increase your productivity.

• Join a study group: You may be in study groups as part of your course, but if not, join one. These can be in person or online and are a great way of keeping up with the work whilst having people to bounce ideas off and ask questions when you’re unsure.

• Revise: You want to revise consistently, not just when an exam is coming up. Make sure you are familiar with the study material, and don’t just cram at the last minute.

• Sleep: Remember to look after yourself and your body. You want to get enough rest and sleep, making sure to prioritise your well-being. 

Get started with Coursera 

If you’re looking to earn a degree and you don’t have A levels, a great option is to take an online course. Many UK universities offer online degree courses, allowing you a greater degree of flexibility to complete your studies. For example, if you’re interested in computer science, take a look at the University of London’s BSc Computer Science degree, listed on Coursera. It’s just one of many available options.