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Frequently asked questions:

Choosing the right course and university for you

How do I find out what is the best course to apply for?

I’m looking for a list of universities and colleges in a specific region/area. Do you have this information?
Can you tell me about the different higher education qualifications?

Do you have university league tables or rankings?
Is x course at x university accredited/recognised?

How can I follow my progress during my study?
What is Access to Higher Education? Can I apply?

Applying to university

How do I apply to university?
What are the entry requirements for university?
Can I apply to university without A levels?
I want to go to university but don’t have any qualifications. What options do I have?

Choosing the right course and university for you

How do I find out which is the best course to apply for?

This is really a decision you have to make for yourself but there are various sources of information available that should help you in making your decision. Our review reports can help you understand the quality and standards in the institution overall but there may be other factors that may affect your decision, for example how you wish to study (full or part-time) or the kind of course you are looking for (eg combined).

The HERO website offers some guidance on answering these questions, including advice on which subject to choose or which institution to choose, and what qualification may suit you. You may also wish to look at the Unistats website which compares universities and colleges in the UK using data from the National Student Survey.

I’m looking for a list of universities and colleges in a specific region/area. Do you have this information?

No. QAA does not hold a list of universities. The HERO website lists universities and colleges by region, which is useful for students who are looking to study at a university in a specific area. To search for universities by region, visit www.hero.ac.uk/uk/universities___colleges/index.cfm

Can you tell me about the different higher education qualifications?

The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland outlines the level of higher education qualifications. For details about non-graduate level qualifications, please see Qualifications and Curriculum Authority website.

In Scotland, the various levels of qualifications are outlined in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework and in The framework for qualifications of higher education institutions in Scotland.

You may also wish to look at the Directgov website to find out more about different qualifications, including lower level qualifications.

Do you have university league tables or rankings?

Performance tables have been published in some newspapers, however, these tables are not official and newspapers use a variety of sources for their data.

Is x course at x university accredited/recognised?

For details about recognised UK higher education bodies please see the list on the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills website at www.dcsf.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees

If you are unsure about who awards the qualifications at the institution you are interested in, you might be best to ask them who awards the qualifications and you can then check the awarding institution.

How can I follow my progress during my study?

You will find that your institution will keep you informed. However, Getting the job you deserve, progress files for students is a guide aimed at highlighting how you can follow your progress during your study.

What is Access to Higher Education (Access to HE)? Can I apply?

The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a qualification which prepares students for study at university. It is designed for people who would like to study in higher education but who left school without the usual qualifications, such as A levels. Many Access to HE students go on to succeed at university and beyond, with a large number pursuing new careers.

There are over 1,000 different courses leading to the Access to HE Diploma and courses are available in most further education colleges in England and Wales. See www.accesstohe.ac.uk for further information.

Applying to university

How do I apply to university?

If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course, you will normally need to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). UCAS processes applications in early September for admission to courses in the following year. For further information on how to apply for a full-time undergraduate course, please see the UCAS website at www.ucas.ac.uk

If you are interested in studying part-time, flexible learning or postgraduate courses, you will usually apply directly to the institution running the course.

What are the entry requirements for university?

Entry requirements for higher education courses vary from institution to institution, and from course to course. UCAS have a tariff where grades are converted into points for the purpose of admissions to courses. Visit the UCAS website for more information on the UCAS Tariff: www.ucas.ac.uk/students/ucas_tariff/
           
Can I apply to university without A levels?

Yes, there are several different qualifications included in the UCAS Tariff, which includes diplomas, national vocational qualifications (NVQs) and many more. See www.ucas.ac.uk/students/ucas_tariff/qualifications/ for further information.

Institutions decide what qualifications they will accept for entry onto their courses. UCAS will have information on entry requirements for each course but it is advised that you speak directly with the institution if you have any concerns.

I want to go to university but don’t have any qualifications. What options do I have?

Many people in this situation choose to complete an Access to Higher Education course. An Access to Higher Education certificate or diploma is a qualification which prepares students for study at university and is designed for people who left school without the usual qualifications, such as A levels. We have a dedicated Access to Higher Education website (www.accesstohe.ac.uk) which has further information on how to apply to Access to Higher Education courses and the benefits of this qualification.