The following pages list the normal minimum entry requirements for degree programmes. You should check this information carefully before submitting your UCAS application and if you have any queries please contact the admissions offices Contacts. Also, please note that entry requirements are subject to alteration after the publication of this Prospectus, and their publication does not imply that the University must offer you a place at the level indicated. Nor does it imply that if you have already met the minimum standards (or could achieve them) you will be made an offer. Offers are based not only on your academic record but on your evidence of potential as outlined in your personal statement and in the reference and in your suitability for the course as indicated in your UCAS application.
If you are offering non-UK qualifications, contact the appropriate admissions office: see Contacts.
SQA Highers
The University normally expresses its entry requirements for Scottish applicants in terms of individual Highers achieved at particular grades. Where appropriate, specific subjects achieved at a specified level may be required.
Advanced Highers
The Advanced Higher may be taken into consideration for admission purposes: the University may grant some exemption from Level-1 study for applicants with exceptional grades in the Advanced Highers as it currently does for applicants presenting with exceptional A-level results. This will NOT apply to all faculties and for all degree programmes. You must also consider whether by seeking such exemption you are limiting your degree programme choices. You should consult the appropriate admissions office if you are interested in applying for exemption on the basis of Advanced Highers.
The University recognises the value of the Advanced Higher and the benefit which the depth of study brings to an applicant in an individual subject. At the same time, the degree structure requires breadth of study. The University will take the Advanced Higher into account if the same subject at Higher was achieved at Grade C or below or where a B was attained and a second sitting offer requires a grade A at Higher to be attained. The University normally regards a grade B at Advanced Higher to be equivalent to a Higher at A.
A-levels
For general entry, all A-level subjects are accepted, including General Studies. You should check with individual faculties for specific exclusions. AVCE awards may be accepted in conjunction with A-levels but not as the sole qualification. An AVCE single award may be considered equivalent to one A-level, depending on the subject, and a double award may be accepted as equivalent to two A-levels, again depending on the subject. Please check with admissions staff before enrolling for AVCE courses.
The University will consider granting some exemption from Level-1 study for applicants with exceptional A-level results. This will NOT apply to all faculties and for all degree programmes. You must also consider whether by seeking such exemption you are limiting your degree programme choices. You should consult the appropriate admissions office if you are interested in applying for exemption on the basis of A-level performance if this was not specified in any offer made to you.
14-19 Curriculum Developments
Advanced Diplomas
We will be happy to consider applications from those studying towards the new Diplomas from 2010. We hope to publish more detailed entry requirements for specific Advanced Diplomas to our courses in our next prospectuses for entry in 2010.
Extended Project
The University very much values the Extended Project and its role in preparing students for a successful higher education experience. We are supportive of the requirement for Diploma students to undertake an Extended Project as part of their Diploma programme, and in highly selective areas preference may be given to students entering from 2010 with A-levels, who also offer the Extended Project for entry.
More detailed information on specific entry requirements for the new qualifications will be published when further information is available on their content and delivery.
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma
We welcome applicants offering the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma. Combinations of individual Pre-U subjects and A-level subjects are acceptable if three subjects are offered overall.
Higher National qualifications
If you have an HNC or HND you can gain entry to a wide range of degree programmes. In some cases, advanced level entry may be possible. Many of the Higher National qualifications listed in the following table have been revised as part of the Scottish Qualification Authority’s recent review. If you are unsure of the status of your Higher National Qualification and its suitability for entry into one of our degree programmes check out the the ‘alternative qualifications’ column within indivvidual faculty entry requirements. If you still require further information contact the appropriate admissions office : see Contacts.
Key/core skills
Although the University welcomes the attainment of key/core skills it will not normally include such attainment as part of a formal offer.
UCAS tariff points
The University does not frame its offers in terms of UCAS tariff points.
Age and stage
The University recognises that schools may present pupils for SQA Highers in fourth year. Normally, providing no more than one Higher is taken, this would not be considered as a first sitting. However, if two Highers are attempted in fourth year, the University may consider any assessed Highers from fifth year as a second sitting. This general rule may not apply if you are making application to the Medicine (MBChB) degree programme, where you will be expected to gain your entry requirements in one sitting. Please contact the appropriate admissions office for advice: see admissions offices Contacts.
Additional Contextual Data
The University has robust and equitable admissions procedures, based on all relevant academic and personal circumstances, as outlined in the application form and/or in subsequent correspondence. We carefully consider academic qualifications, the personal statement, the reference, the results of any additional tests such as UKCAT or LNAT if appropriate and the outcome of any interview as required. We aim to ensure that potential and suitability for study are thus identified. Further contextual information, for example that on care leavers and parental education, that is or may become available from UCAS forms, may be used to supplement the overall picture of a candidate, but no single piece of such information will, on its own, be conclusive in an admission decision. The additional information will be useful in terms of ensuring that adequate support is provided to students once they are on course and will assist us in ensuring that our activities in terms of outreach and widening participation are effective.