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Foundation & Access Qualifications Guide

As a general rule, our requirements for Foundation and Access qualifications are
  1. a high grade in Mathematics,
  2. a good grade in Physics, Electronics or Electrical Science or Engineering,
  3. a suitable grade in a third subject and/or as an overall score, as appropriate, and
  4. a suitable qualification in English Language.

We offer accredited engineering programmes, and also scientific programmes in combination with Mathematics, all as shown above. For more information see our approach to computer science and engineering.

We do not not offer programmes in Information Technology, except to the extent that IT occurs as part of Computer Science and Engineering - and especially as part of Computer Science with Enterprise Systems. The Department does not offer programmes in Business Studies explicitly; but, as an engineering department, our teaching does include business awareness - especially, again, in the case of Computer Science with Enterprise Systems.

For all our programmes: we require Mathematics at a high level. Our offer will refer to Mathematics.

We do not require Computing or IT. They do not count as mathematical or physical subjects within our requirements.

Please note that these requirements are our usually necessary conditions for admission. They are not automatically sufficient conditions: that is, their acquisition does not, on its own, guarantee admission to the University or to any particular programme. We might think it appropriate to make other requirements in your particular case. Conversely, we might think it appropriate to waive some aspect of our requirements in your particular case: bear in mind that we are generally looking for reasons to admit you, and not for reasons to turn you away.

We make positive efforts to gather information about Foundation and Access programmes, concerning the method of reporting grades in individual subjects of interest to us, and the meanings of those grades. The list below comprises of those programmes, about which we have been able to obtain this information so far.

Please remember to give us full information about your Foundation or Access programme when you apply. If it corresponds to one of those listed below, then we shall be able to give full consideration to your application.

On the other hand, if it is one that is new to us, or about which we have been unable so far to obtain details, we will make fresh enquiries. The form of those enquiries is shown at the foot of this page. Unfortunately, in some cases we are unable to obtain a reply, or we receive a reply that does not answer our questions. In such cases we must, regretfully, reject your application. So, do please encourage your institution, if it is not listed below, to make available to us the information that we need.

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Index of Foundation and Access Institutions

A Athens: BS College of Athens | Athens: Foundation College | Athens: Network Educational Services

B Bath: City of Bath College | Beijing: Limai School | Brighton: University of Sussex | Brighton & Hove: Bellerbys College | Bristol: University of Bristol

C Cambridge: Anglia Ruskin University | Cambridge: Bellerbys College | Cambridge: Cambridge Seminars | Cambridge: St Andrews | Canterbury: Stafford House College (CATS) | Coventry: Henley College Coventry

D Dhahran: College Preparatory Programme | Dublin: International Foundation College

E Exeter: University of Exeter

F G Guangdong: Training School for Studying Abroad

H Hull: University of Hull | Hull: Wyke Sixth Form College

I J K L Leeds: Leeds City College (Park Lane Campus) | Leeds: University of Leeds | Leicester: Irwin College | Leicester: University of Leicester | London: Bellerbys College | London: Brooklands College | London: David Game College | London: Queen Mary University of London | London: University College London | Loughborough: Loughborough College

M Manchester: City College

N Newcastle: University of Newcastle | Northampton: Bosworth Independent College | Nottingham: Castle (formerly Broxtowe) College

O Oxford: Kings' School

P Portsmouth: Highbury College  |  Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth

Q R Reading: University of Reading

S Sheffield International College | Sheffield: University of Sheffield | Southampton: University of Southampton

T Thessaloniki: DEI

U V W Warwick: University of Warwick

X Y York: York College | York: University of York Department of Electronics

Z

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BS College of Athens

Applicants from the BS College of Athens Foundation Course must have followed the ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES stream (Discipline B) and must obtain at least the following grades:

Pure Mathematics Physics Information Technology
Grade A Grade A Grade B

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least Grade B in English (EFL, Conversation, Preparation for IELTS) in the BS College of Athens Foundation Course for ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES.

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Athens Foundation College

Applicants from the Foundation College (Athens) Foundation Course must have followed the ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE stream and must obtain at least the following grades:

Mathematics Physics Computer Science
Grade A Grade A Grade B

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least Grade B in English for academic purposes in the Foundation College (Athens) Foundation Course for ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE.

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Athens Network Educational Services

Applicants from the Network Educational Services (Athens) Network Foundation Programme must have followed one of the following pathways:

  • ENGINEERING
  • COMPUTING INCLUDING OPTIONAL PHYSICS

and must obtain at least the following grades:

Mathematics for Engineering Physics any other subject
Grade 10 Grade 10 Grade 8

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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City of Bath College

Applicants from the City of Bath College Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades:

Mathematics Physics Any other subject
Grade A
as a MAJOR subject
over two semesters 		Grade A
as a MAJOR subject
over two semesters 		Grade B
as a MINOR subject

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least Grade B in English for Special Purposes as a minor subject in the City of Bath College Foundation Programme.

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Beijing Limai School

Applicants from the Limai School (Beijing) should see under the University of Sussex Foundation course.

University of Sussex

Applicants taking the University of Sussex (Brighton) Foundation Course must obtain at least the following grades:

Mathematics Physics
Grade A Grade B

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Bellerbys College

Applicants from Bellerbys College (Brighton and Hove), and from Bellerbys College (Cambridge), and from Bellerbys College (London), Foundation Programmes take five core modules and five pathway-specific modules. They must have followed the ENGINEERING pathway and must obtain at least the following grades in pathway-specific modules, and overall:

Pathway-specific modules Average
grade
overall
Pure
Mathematics 1
80% 		Pure
Mathematics 2
80% 		Electricity /
electronics
70% 		70%

The titles of the modules may be slightly different at the different Bellerbys colleges.  Please provide full details in your application.

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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University of Bristol

Applicants taking the University of Bristol International Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades:

Mathematics Physics
70% 65%

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining an average of at least 70% in the three English modules within the University of Bristol International Foundation Programme.

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Anglia Ruskin University

Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge) was formerly known as Anglia Polytechnic University. Applicants following the Foundation Year in SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY take 40 credits of Mathematics and 50 credits of Physics+Electronics. They must obtain at least the following grades:

Mathematics Physics +
Electrical
Science 		Additional
Maths +
Statistics 		Digital
+ Analogue
Electronics 		Average
grade
overall
90% 80% 90% 80% 70%

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Cambridge Seminars

Applicants from a Cambridge Seminars Foundation Programme must have followed one of the ENGINEERING programmes: either COMPUTER ENGINEERING, or GENERAL ENGINEERING. They must obtain at least the following grades:

Mathematics Physics All other subjects
Grade A Grade A Grade B

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Cambridge St Andrews

Applicants from the St Andrews (Cambridge) Science Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades:

First
science subject 		Second
science subject 		Overall
grade
Mathematics
at 85% 		Physics
at 80% 		Distinction

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Stafford House College (CATS)

Applicants from the Stafford House College (CATS) (Canterbury) Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades in the three MAIN subjects:

First subject Second subject Third subject
Mathematics
at grade A 		Physics
at grade A 		Another subject
at grade A

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

All Stafford House College (CATS) (Canterbury) students take IELTS towards the end of the programme.

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Henley College Coventry

Applicants from the Henley College (Coventry) International Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades in the ENGINEERING pathway:

Mathematics
common core 		Engineering
Mathematics 		Engineering
Science
Distinction Distinction Distinction

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Dhahran College Preparatory Programme

Applicants from the Dhahran (Saudi Arabia) College Preparatory Programme must have taken the following subjects, and must obtain at least the following grades in Advanced Placements (APs):

Algebra and
trigonometry 		Calculus
(note 2) 		Physics
(note 3) 		Chemistry
(note 4)
See note 1 AP Grade 5 AP Grade 4 AP Grade 4

Notes:

  1. It is our understanding that this is not examined as an AP.
  2. Must be AP Calculus BC.
  3. Must be AP Physics C.
  4. Or any other subject examined as an AP.

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Dublin International Foundation College

Applicants from Dublin International Foundation College Irish University Foundation Programme must have followed the ENGINEERING route and must obtain at least the following grades:

Core modules First
route-
related
module 		Second
route-
related
module 		Third
route-
related
module 		Fourth
route-
related
module
Mathematics,
English 1,
English 2,
Learning Skills,
General Science,
ICT:
each at grade B 		Advanced
Mathematics
grade A 		Applied
Mathematics
grade A 		Physics
grade A 		Chemistry
grade B

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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University of Exeter

Applicants from the University of Exeter Foundation Programme (INTO) must obtain at least the following grades in the ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS pathway. Each module is worth 20 credits:

Pure Mathematics (1) Pure Mathematics (2) Introduction to Physical Science Remaining
three modules
80% 80% 70% Pass

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Guangdong Training School for Studying Abroad

Applicants from Guangdong Training Scool for Studying Abroad United Kingdom Foundation Year Programme (Huamei International Foundation Year) must have followed the SCIENCE stream and must obtain at least the following grades:

Speaking
and Listening 		Reading
and Writing 		Mathematics Physics
Grade B Grade B Grade A Grade A

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

All UKFYP (Huamei International Foundation Year) students are prepared for the IELTS exam.

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University of Hull

Applicants from the Wyke Sixth Form College (Hull) Foundation Programme franchised by the University of Hull must obtain at least the following grades:

First subject Second subject Third subject
Mathematics
at grade A (80%) 		Physics
at grade A (80%) 		Another subject
at grade B (70%)

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Leeds: Leeds City College (Park Lane Campus)

Applicants from the Leeds City College (Park Lane Campus) Access to Higher Education Diploma (SCIENCE) must obtain at least the following grades in units at Level 3.

Mathematics Physics
Grades DDDM Grades DDDM

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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University of Leeds

Applicants from the University of Leeds Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades in the 9 modules in the package (4 in Mathematics and 4 in Physics, together with Undergraduate Study Skills in English):

Mathematics Physics Undergraduate
Study Skills
in English
Grades AAAB Grades AAAB Grade B

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least Grade B in Undergraduate Study Skills in English in the University of Leeds Foundation Programme.

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Leicester Irwin College

Applicants from the Irwin College (Leicester) University Foundation Studies Course must obtain at least the following grades:

First core
module 		First option
module 		Second option
module 		Average
grade
overall
Mathematics
70% 		Further Maths
60% 		Physics
70% 		65%

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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University of Leicester

Applicants from the University of Leicester Foundation Engineering Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

Pure Mathematics Mathematics Applications Physics
Grade A (70%) Grade A (70%) Grade B (60%)

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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London Brooklands College

Applicants from the Brooklands College (London) Royal Holloway University Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

First
academic option 		Second
academic option 		Third
academic option 		Overall
grade
Mathematics
80% 		Physics
70% 		Any subject
60% 		70%

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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London David Game College

Applicants from the David Game College (London) University Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

First
minor
(core)
module 		First
major
(option)
module 		Second
major
(option)
module 		Third
major
(option)
module 		Average
grade
overall
Mathematics
(M1A)
80% 		Further Maths
(M5)
80% 		Electronics
(M8)
80% 		Physics
(M21)
80% 		70%

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Queen Mary University of London

Applicants from the Queen Mary University of London Science and Engineering Foundation Course (SEFP) or International Science and Engineering Foundation Course (ISEFP) must obtain at least the following grades.

Mathematics
1 and 2 		Physics
1, 2 and 3 		Average
grade
overall
70% 70% 60%

Note: 'Principles of Maths + Maths 1' is not sufficient; we require 'Maths 1 + Maths 2'.

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least a mark of 40% in English 1 and 2 in the QMUL ISEFP.

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University College London

Applicants from the University College London University Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering (UPCSE) programme must obtain at least the following grades.

Mathematics
(ADVANCED) 		Physics Overall
grade
80% 70% 70%

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least a mark of 70% in Academic English in the UCL UPCSE.

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Loughborough College

Applicants from the Loughborough College International Foundation Programme: Mathematics and Physics must obtain at least the following grades.

This entry is provisional, as some points remain to be clarified.

Mathematics
(8 credits) 		Electricity 1 and 2
(3 credits) 		Other Physics
(6 credits)
80% 70% 60%

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Manchester City College

Applicants from the City College (Manchester) Overseas Foundation Stage for SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING must obtain at least the following grades in a total of at least 70 credits.

First three units
(10+10+5 crs) 		Second three units
(10+10+10 crs) 		Final two units
(10+5 or 10+10 crs)
Mathematics 1, 2, 3
at grades AAA 		Physics 1, 2, 3
at grades AAB 		Any subjects
at grades BB

Grade A = Distinction = at least 70%; grade B = Commendation = at least 60%.

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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University of Newcastle

Applicants from the University of Newcastle Foundation Programme (INTONU) must obtain at least the following grades in the PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING pathway. Each module is worth 20 credits.

Mathematics
for Physical Sciences
and Engineering (1)		 Mathematics
for Physical Sciences
and Engineering (2)		 Foundation Physics Remaining
three modules
80% 80% 70% Pass

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Northampton Bosworth Independent College

Applicants from the Bosworth Independent College (Northampton) University Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades in the ENGINEERING route. Note: each grade stated is the overall assessment of the work of three terms.

Mathematics Electronics Mechanics Remaining
modules
Grade A Grade A Grade A Pass

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining at least Grade B in the Communication Skills module in the Bosworth Independent College (Northampton) University.

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Nottingham Castle College

Applicants from the Castle College (Nottingham) [formerly Broxtowe College] International Foundation Courses must have followed the ENGINEERING programme, and must obtain at least the following grades.

Mathematics Physics Overall grade
80% 80% 60% (Distinction)

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Oxford Kings' School

Applicants from the Kings School (Oxford) Foundation Programme for SCIENTIFIC AND MATHEMATICAL disciplines must obtain at least the following grades, averaged over the two semesters for each subject.

Mathematics
(2 main units) 		Physics
(2 main units) 		Average
grade
overall
Starred
Merit
(70%) 		Starred
Merit
(70%) 		Merit
(60%)

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Portsmouth Highbury College

Applicants from the Highbury College (Portsmouth) University Foundation Programme for Computer Science must obtain at least the following grades in the package of four 5-credit modules at level 3.

Mathematics
(double) 		Physics Statistics
Grades AA Grade A Grade B

Grade A = at least 80%; grade B = at least 70%.

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

All Highbury College (Portsmouth) University Foundation Programme students are prepared for the IELTS exam.

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University of Portsmouth

Applicants from the University of Portsmouth Foundation Programme (Year 0) must have followed either the ENGINEERING or the COMPUTING pathway, and need, in either case, to obtain at least the following grades in 120 credits.

Engineering
Mathematics
(20 credits) 		Electrical
Engineering
(10 credits) 		Average
grade
overall
80% 80% 70%

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Reading University of Reading

Applicants from the University of Reading Preparatory Programme must obtain at least the following grades in three 40-credit modules.

First subject Second subject Third subject
Mathematics
at Grade I 		Further Mathematics
(or FM & Computer Science)
at Grade I 		Physics
at Grade I

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Sheffield International College

Applicants from Sheffield International College Foundation Certificate in Science and Engineering must obtain at least the following grades:

Pathway-specific modules Average
grade
overall
Foundation
Mathematics  
80% 		Advanced
Mathematics  
80%

Physics  
70%

70%

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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University of Sheffield

Applicants from the University of Sheffield Foundation Year for ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE (FYES) must obtain at least the following grades.

Mathematics Physics Chemistry
80% 80% 70%

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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University of Southampton

Applicants from the University of Southampton Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics Foundation Year must obtain at least the following grades.

Mathematics A Mathematics B Electricity and
Electronics 		Overall in
these three
subjects
Grade A/B Grade A/B Grade A/B AAB

Grade A = 80%. Grade B = 60%.

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

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Thessaloniki DEI

Applicants from the DEI (Thessaloniki) Foundation Programme must obtain at least the following grades.

Applied Mathematics Pure Mathematics Physics
Distinction
(Grade A, 70%) 		Distinction
(Grade A, 70%) 		Distinction
(Grade A, 70%)

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

All DEI (Thessaloniki) Foundation Programme students take IELTS.

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University of Warwick

Applicants from the University of Warwick Higher Education Foundation Programme (HEFP) must have folowed the SCIENCE/ENGINEERING pathway, and must obtain at least the following grades.

Mathematics Physics Information
Technology 		English and
Study Skills
Distinction Distinction Credit Credit

Distinction = at least 70%; Credit = at least 60%.

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

Alternatively, this requirement can be satisfied by obtaining a mark of at least 65% (that is, a good credit) in English and Study Skills in the University of Warwick Science/Engineering HEFP.

Please note that the BUSINESS STUDIES pathway in the Warwick HEFP is not acceptable as a qualification for admission to study Computer Science at York. Even if evidence is produced that an applicant has an adequate background in physical science (e.g. at school), the quantity and level of Mathematics studied in the Business Studies pathway is not sufficient for our programmes.

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York College

Applicants from the York College

  • Access to Science Programme, or

  • International Foundation Programme

must follow the SCIENCE pathway, and obtain at least the following grades in eight units at level 3.

Four units in Four units in
Mathematics
at grades AAAB 		Physics
at grades AAAB

A qualification in English language (e.g. IELTS) is also required from applicants whose first language is not English.

York College is a Further/Higher Education College affiliated to the University of York. The York College International Foundation Programme is accredited by the University of York. The SCIENCE pathway is the one that provides an appropriate preparation and qualification for admission to study Computer Science at the University of York.

Applicants from the Department of Electronics, University of York, having attended the Foundation Year, must obtain at least 80% as an overall mark, in order to enter any of our programmes.

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Letter of Enquiry

We are always trying to bring up to date our information on Access and Foundation programmes, so that we can treat applicants from them fairly by comparison with those offering A-levels. We are aiming to obtain the following information about any programme from which we have received an applicant. The list of points about which we are seeking information is shown here in full, in the interests of openness.

  1. Does your programme involve a choice from a few 'pathways', such as ENGINEERING, or SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, for which a student must register before getting down to the details of subjects and modules?

    If so, what are they?

  2. Is the group of subjects taken by a student (following an ENGINEERING or SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY pathway, if that applies)

    (i) a menu of options or modules from which the student can choose, or

    (ii) a fixed small number of subjects?

    If (i), do you place any restrictions on what a student can or must take?

    If (ii), what are those subjects? Are they of equal standing in the package?

  3. Is the quantity of material taught in Mathematics

    (a) at least equivalent to an A-level, or

    (b) about three quarters of an A-level, or

    (c) about two thirds of an A-level, or

    (d) less than that?

    If your programme is modular, how many modules in Mathematics have to be taken to attain this quantity?

  4. Is the quantity of material taught in Physics or Electronics

    (a) at least equivalent to an A-level, or

    (b) about three quarters of an A-level, or

    (c) about two thirds of an A-level, or

    (d) less than that?

    If your programme is modular, how many modules in Physics or Electronics have to be taken to attain this quantity?

  5. Do you report separately on the grade in each subject (or module)?

  6. Is your grading system

    (a) A, B, etc. closely related to A-level grades, or

    (b) A, B, etc., not related to A-level grades, or

    (c) Distinction, Merit, Pass, or

    (d) percentage, or

    (e) other.

  7. What are your grades that correspond in level of achievement (if not quantity of material) to grade A, and to grade B, at A-level?

  8. Is there a particular grade in a particular module or unit that corresponds to an IELTS score of 6.5, with scores of at least 6.0 in each of the categories of reading, writing, speaking and listening?

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