University and Maths?

Fruitloops

So.... do you NEED to have a C pass or higher at GCSE Maths to get into Uni?

What if you're a mature student? And what about OU degree course?!?

BigBouncyBall

You'd have to talk to the various places you want to apply to. It will vary, i doubt very much they would refuse entry based on you having not got C in Maths considering all the 'life experience' you'd have. No one looks at GCSE's past A-Levels do they??

ianian99

If you are a mature student then you dont need any qualifications as long as you can show that you have relevent skills from say work etc

Fruitloops

I'm 25 so I'm classed as a mature student... but not with as much life experience as say... someone in the mid 40s.
But I still have life experience and I'm planning on taking up some voluntary work to add to it. (as I'm hoping to do a Social Work degree)

powerbase

I was always convinced that when applying to uni they listed your GSCE grades (highlighting English and maths) and predicted A levels. I know they go on different qualifications (equivalent) if you are a mature student but I always thought GCSE English and Maths were generally compulsory (may depend on uni).

Just did a quick check and I think things may have changed since I went to uni. I depends on the course and the uni. I think people who haven't gone the A level route can be evaluated individually on their own merits.

I'd guess if you are going for a science degree you'd need maths.

OU, I have no idea but I would get the impression that maybe you wouldn't have to have the maths (maybe you would do a catch up maths module if you really needed it).

Contact the uni, only way to find out.

Dead_Eye_Jones

Maths at Uni is quite tricky, I dont know what qualifications you do need, but you might want to investigate carefully whether you are up to it. If you found GCSE maths tough then im not sure this is the right choice, on the other hand if you dont have it for other reasons then perhaps fair enough - only you can really answer that.

GL!

PS my mate did a chemistry degree with a D in chemistry. (he got a 3rd)

Fruitloops

I got a D in Maths and was told I was a couple of marks away from a C... I didn't struggle in it, I just couldn't be bothered with it. If only I'd studied :rolleyes:

Anyway... thanks everybody for the advice... much appreciated. I'll do some more research into it and I think i'll speak to someone at some of the Unis and the OU too.

Thanks again :T

kittiwoz

The Op doesn't want to do a degree in maths, they want to do social work.

You will need some sort of relevant FE qualification such as A-levels, GNVQ, or Access. Most degrees do require C or above in maths and english GCSE but if you ring the admissions department you may be able to negotiate. A suitable substitute for A*-C GCSE maths would be a basic numeracy certificate which is offered by many colleges or through Learn-Direct.

Edit: If you got a high D and have certificates or results transcripts which show your actual percentage and so confirm that you probably have a good chance of negotiating for that to be accepted as sufficient proof of numeracy.

Fruitloops

kittiwoz wrote: »

The Op doesn't want to do a degree in maths, they want to do social work.

You will need some sort of relevant FE qualification such as A-levels, GNVQ, or Access. Most degrees do require C or above in maths and english GCSE but if you ring the admissions department you may be able to negotiate. A suitable substitute for A*-C GCSE maths would be a basic numeracy certificate which is offered by many colleges or through Learn-Direct.

Edit: If you got a high D and have certificates or results transcripts which show your actual percentage and so confirm that you probably have a good chance of negotiating for that to be accepted as sufficient proof of numeracy.

Thanks kittiwoz ... I've tried ringing but can't get to speak to the right people at the moment so I just emailed a few people at the University detailing my situation so hopefully they can point me in the right direction.

I might take a walk down to the local college and ask about their Access course too :cool:

Thanks again :T

spl2nh

For a degree in social work I was told that you need level two or above in maths at least. I am currently doing an MA in social work with no maths gcse. I did have to attend a maths class in the first semester though.

Oldernotwiser

It's a statutory requirement for a degree in Social Work to have a level 2 qualification in Maths and English. You'll usually find that the C&G Level 2 Adult Numeracy is acceptable rather than going for a GCSE grade C. Check with your local university about this but I understand that there's no way round the Maths/English requirement.

http://www.socialworkandcare.co.uk/socialwork/qa/train.asp?qn=2