Entry Requirements - 2017 Changes

Students​ from the EU and further afield will need a qualification acceptable to the University that will indicate their ability to study through the medium of English Language to be able to successfully complete their chosen course.  We will require students whose first language isn't English to meet course specific English Language criteria such as IELTS.

Cardiff Met recognises the equivalence of qualifications awarded in each member country of the EU and further afield, applicants can visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/overseasquals for further information.  Non-EU students can also visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/international.

​GCSEs

​We generally ask for five GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above (Grade 4 for new GCSEs in England) for entry onto the majority of our programmes, to include English Language and Maths.  Some programmes will ask for Science GCSE also.

From 2015 onwards, Welsh students will be able to study and sit two Maths GCSEs; Mathematics and Mathematics - Numeracy.  It is expected that the majority of students will sit both GCSEs.  Cardiff Met will accept either Mathematics or Mathematics - Numeracy GCSE, or both, for entry onto the majority of our programmes.

GCSEs taught in England will see a change in the grading system.  New GCSEs will be graded 9 -1, with 9 being the highest grade.  Cardiff Met will accept a grade 4 as equivalent to a C grade.

AS Levels

From 2017 entry onwards, AS Levels will be repositioned to 40% of an A Level, as opposed to the current 50% and we will continue to take the whole application into consideration.   Cardiff Met will not count points from an AS Level if an applicant has progressed to the full A Level.

A Levels/BTEC

A large proportion of our students enter Cardiff Met with three A Levels or BTEC Level 3 Diploma qualifications.  We will also consider combinations of these qualifications for entry onto our Programmes. 

Welsh Baccalaureate

We welcome applications form applicants who are completing the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma alongside A Levels or vocational qualifications.  For 2017 entry onwards, the Welsh Baccalaureate will be graded and awarded tariff points equal to an A Level.

Extended Project Qualification

Due to the additional breadth of study the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) brings, we welcome applicants who have studied the Extended Project alongside A Levels or vocational qualifications.  You should ensure you list this qualification on your UCAS form so that it can be taken into consideration as part of your whole application.

Access to Higher Education Diploma

We welcome applicants with Access to HE qualifications, and it is particularly suitable for applicants who have been out of education for a period of time.  You will need additional English language and/or Maths qualifications such as GCSEs for certain programmes.  From 2017, the Access to HE will attract UCAS tariff points and you will need to check individual course pages for specific entry requirements.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

Cardiff Met is happy to receive applications from applicants who are studying the IB Diploma.  Some programmes will ask for specific subjects within the IB and grades at Higher level (HL).

Irish Leaving Certificate

We welcome applications from applicants studying the Irish Leaving Certificate.  Sp​​ecific requirements will vary according to the Programme, but we will only consider Higher Level subjects at C2 or above, or H4 or above from 2017 onwards.  Ordinary level of O4 or above or Higher level H6 or above in English language and Mathematics is required for entry onto our Undergraduate programmes.

Scottish Highers

We consider Scottish Advanced Highers, Scottish Highers and other Scottish qualifications that meet our entry requirements.  From 2017, the Scottish Advanced Higher has been repositioned on the UCAS tariff and our entry requirements will reflect this.  We will accept Standard Grades, Intermediate 2 and the new National 5 qualification as GCSE equivalence onto our programmes. 

For further information on course specific entry requirements please check our course pages: www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/undergraduate.

From​ 2017 onwards, UCAS are making major changes to the tariff.  Grading will still work in the same way (A, B, C etc.) but the number of tariff points awarded to each qualification will be adjusted, due to the way they are calculated.  Universities will also change their entry requirements to reflect this, for example - a standard offer may have been 280 points, but under the new system, that offer will be 112 points.

One of the biggest changes is the repositioning of the AS Level - from 2017 entry, it will become worth 40% of an A Level.

You can use the Tariff calculator to calculate points to use for 2017: UCAS Tariff Calculator 2017

The tables show some of the most common qualifications students use to gain entry to university along with the old and new tariff system.

A Levels

BTEC National Diploma

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