• LAVA Moderator: Shinji Ikari

Getting into university without the required prior qualifications - can it be done?

Jesusgreen

Bluelight Crew
Joined
May 6, 2010
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Poland
Alright so I originally posted this in the PD social thread, for simplicity's sake I'll just copy-paste it here:

Hey does anyone know anything about going to university/getting university equivalent qualifications without the usual prior qualifications required (e.g. A levels in the UK) - the reason I'm asking is the last couple years I spent at school didn't go too well, didn't get very good A level results so did a BTEC IT course instead, but only completed 1/3 of it so only got a smaller qualification rather than the full one. Anyway, I'd very much love to go to University now that I have sorted out where I want to go with my life, but I really don't want to have to go back and do 2 years of A-levels, or worse, have to do the Polish equivalent, in a foreign language I can't read/write in..

Thanks a ton in advance. I really appreciate any help on this matter :)

Edit1: Ideally I'm looking at something in Poland, possibly England if I can't do that, and if all else fails, the US (It's not that I don't want to live/study in the US, but I have doubts about my ability to move there since I have no family there, and nothing that would grant me a Green card)

Edit2: PS if there are universities I could go to, but they cost extra, that isn't a huge issue for me, since I'll most likely be studying in Poland where universities are a fraction of the price they are elsewhere anyway.
 
I have close to zero knowledge of Polish university entrance standards. My gut, unfortunately, says unless you have some sort of serious connection to a person fairly high up in the university program, it will be very difficult to just get in straight away without meeting many of their requirements.

Surely there are people from Europe or who have studied there that can help you better than I with this question, so don't give up. :)
 
In australia there is a test one can take which can be used as a substitute for HS results, but there may be age considerations too.

try a private or community colleage to buy your time, build some educational credentials and (depending on how old you are) await eligibility for adult education.

also, there's heaps you can benefit from being in the workforce which is absolutely impossible to learn at any school. it might be an idea to get some years of work experience under your belt before furthering your education. I just completed my first year in uni in my thirties.
 
Alright so I originally posted this in the PD social thread, for simplicity's sake I'll just copy-paste it here:

Hey does anyone know anything about going to university/getting university equivalent qualifications without the usual prior qualifications required (e.g. A levels in the UK) - the reason I'm asking is the last couple years I spent at school didn't go too well, didn't get very good A level results so did a BTEC IT course instead, but only completed 1/3 of it so only got a smaller qualification rather than the full one. Anyway, I'd very much love to go to University now that I have sorted out where I want to go with my life, but I really don't want to have to go back and do 2 years of A-levels, or worse, have to do the Polish equivalent, in a foreign language I can't read/write in..

Thanks a ton in advance. I really appreciate any help on this matter :)

Edit1: Ideally I'm looking at something in Poland, possibly England if I can't do that, and if all else fails, the US (It's not that I don't want to live/study in the US, but I have doubts about my ability to move there since I have no family there, and nothing that would grant me a Green card)

Edit2: PS if there are universities I could go to, but they cost extra, that isn't a huge issue for me, since I'll most likely be studying in Poland where universities are a fraction of the price they are elsewhere anyway.

Assuming you have completed your secondary education and your papers are acceptable in the EU, you can basically study whatever you want. The question is the popularity of your field of study and how prestigious an university you want. Popular fields like psychology or political sciences have very high admission standards on the best state universities. They still are easily accessible at the less prestigious schools or private universities. If you've got the balls and want to study something hard like engineering or chemistry, then even the most prestigious universities will take you happily. The challenge is that classes are really difficult, so it's also very easy to give up.

If you want to study in Poland and you have your history of ups and downes, I'd be more concerned about finding foreigner-friendly place. Poland is not that foreigner friendly, language barrier is tough. Not to mention that studying abroad is not that easy on its own. Worry less about your secondary school grades, find a university with a good number of foreign (usually Erasmus) students and make sure you always have at least one fellow foreigner in your class. It sucks not to understand what's going on around you. It sucks way more to be the only one all the time who doesn't understand.
 
In the UK there are a lot of 'mature' students, people over 21 who wish to go to university. They are not expected to get A levels, they can complete an access course. To be accepted onto these courses you will need to demonstrate some academic ability in the way of qualifications, but mostly they will take you based on an interview. They will need to be satisfied your language skills are enough to keep up. The fact that you will be considered an International student may go in your favour.

The best thing to do is figure out where you where/what you want to study and contact either the Dept of Admissions, or ask them to send you a copy of their prospectus. You should be able to do this online. Entry sequiremnets don't need to be so harsh with people returning to uni, as the fact they want to be there means the drop out rate is way lower than the 18-21 bracket.
 
Not sure of the state of play in poland but if you did come to study in the UK there are a few options open to you. I did an access to HE course in the 90's ,, it got me into university to do a Bsc ,,, I've met mature students who got into uni without even an access certificate ,, a good personal statement on your ucas application helps ,, also with fees going up through the roof it might be an idea to consider the open university ,, check with your local college too as more and more colleges are offering full degree programs ,, depending on the subject a HNC or HND will qualify you for the final year of a degree course ,, part time degree courses tend to be less strict when it comes to entrance criteria.... best thing would be to make an appointment at your local college or careers service ,, good luck
 
its quite easy in Canada if your over 18 years of age and out of school for 1 year. There's also private career colleges who'll let in as long as pay. If you pass (They are held to standards by the gov't and issue legit diplomas) then you have Ontario college diploma which should meet the academic requirements to enter into Bachelors program.
 
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