Applications are considered individually on their merits, and GCSE background and results in the first year BTEC/OCR (or qualifications deemed equivalent from other awarding bodies) examinations may be taken into account, bearing in mind, where appropriate, the course requirements. Offers are based on the overall grade(s) awarded. However, for some degrees specific grades in individual units will be required to fulfil course requirements e.g. degrees In Engineering.

The targets set for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences-based subjects range from overall grades DDD - D*D*D* in the BTEC Extended Diploma/ BTEC National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

In Science, Engineering and Agri-Food and Land Use, applicants offering a relevant BTEC Extended Diploma/BTEC National Extended Diploma /OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma are considered individually on their merits. Where offers are made, they range from overall grades DDD - D*D*D*. Depending on the course, some offers will stipulate specific grades in specified units.

A combination of A-levels and BTEC/ OCR Level 3 qualifications will also be considered and, where applicants take two A-levels and a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/ National Extended Certificate/OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma/Extended Certificate or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma offers will be made in terms of the overall grade(s) awarded.

Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate/OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma/Extended Certificate will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications (except Dentistry, Medicine and Pharmacy, for which these qualifications are not acceptable). Again, offers will be made in terms of the overall grade awarded. The following table is for guidance based on the current entry requirements.

More detailed information is available via the Course Finder on the University’s website at go.qub.ac.uk/coursefinder 

NB: AQA Level 3 Extended Certificate is considered equivalent to BTEC/OCR

*Please note that the acceptable combination of qualifications listed above are considered for entry to the majority of degrees (except Dentistry, Medicine and Pharmacy, for which BTEC/OCR qualifications are not acceptable). Applicants must be in a position to meet any subject requirements at GCSE and/or A-level.

NB: AQA Level 3 Extended Certificate is considered equivalent to BTEC/OCR

Applications are considered individually on their merits and academic background at GCSE, GCE General and Applied A-levels and results in the first year examinations are taken into account, bearing in mind, where appropriate, the course requirements.

For Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences based subjects, where offers are made these range from Merits in all final year units to a mixture of Distinctions and Merits for the more competitive courses including some of the BA Single Honours degrees, Law, Psychology and for degree programmes in Queen’s Business School. Entry would normally be to Stage 1 although some courses at Queen’s may consider admission to Stage 2.

In Science, Engineering and Agri-Food and Land Use, applicants offering a relevant Higher National Diploma are considered individually on their merits for Stage 1 or Stage 2 entry, depending on how closely the syllabus correlates to Stage 1 and on their performance in first year. Where offers are made for Engineering these are normally based on 12 Merits (4–6 units specified) and four Passes for Stage 2 and nine Merits (3 units specified) and seven Passes for Stage 1. Science-based subjects usually require either Merits in all final year units or a mixture of Distinctions and Merits.

Applicants offering BTEC Higher National Certificates are considered on the same basis as applicants offering Higher National Diplomas, however, entry would be to Stage 1.

Applicants offering a Foundation Degree are considered individually on their merits and academic background at GCSE, GCE General and Applied A-levels and the performance in first year may be taken into consideration. Where offers are made these are based on completion of the full qualification and for Stage 1 or Stage 2 depending on compatibility and performance.

The University accepts Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications. The following is a guide to the standard required in terms of equivalencies to A-level target grades.

• For certain degree courses within Science, Engineering, Agri-Food and Land Use, Queen’s Business School and Pharmacy programmes, an Advanced Higher in one or more specified subjects will be required.
• For Medicine and Dentistry, performance in Scottish Highers at first attempt is important with a minimum of AAABB required. Three Advanced Highers are necessary except where applicants achieved AAAAA in Scottish Highers. In such cases, two Advanced Highers would be acceptable.

Applicants must obtain the Diploma in order to be eligible for admission. While it is not possible to give exact equivalences, the following acts as a guide.

More detailed information is available via the Course Finder.

(Maximum grade 7 – Minimum pass grade 4)

Applicants presenting with a combination of A-levels and individual IB Higher Level (HL) subject certificates will also be considered.

Applicants offering Open University qualifications are considered individually on their merits and on level of performance. Applicants are normally expected to offer 120 CATS points and previous academic background may be taken into account. For high-demand courses, 60 of the 120 CATS points may be required at Level 2 and a specified grade may be stipulated.

The Cambridge Pre-U Diploma and Principal Subjects are acceptable, on their own or in combination with A-levels. A Principal Subject will be acceptable in lieu of a specified A-level in fulfilment of course requirements, with a grade D3 considered comparable to a grade A at A-level, a grade M2 considered comparable to a grade B at A-level and a grade M3 considered comparable to a grade C at A-level.

The University will accept a maximum of one Level 2 BTEC Extended Certificate/OCR National Award/Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate or one Level 2 BTEC Diploma/OCR National Certificate/Cambridge Technical Diploma in fulfilment of the General Entrance Requirement or where performance at GCSE Level is used in the selection process for individual programmes.

Normally a maximum of the equivalent of four GCSEs in acceptable vocational qualifications will be counted where performance at this level is used in the selection process.

Applications from applicants will be considered on an individual basis and a final decision taken in light of the full portfolio of qualifications, previous academic performance, relevant experience and the nature of the course applied for. In practice these qualifications have normally been included in conditional offers.