GCSE Equivalence

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Please check here whether the subjects/qualifications you have passed cover our entry requirements for different GCSE subjects.

Competence in written and spoken English is a General Entrance Requirement for entry to all courses and a GCSE at Grade C or above in English covers this requirement.

If you haven't completed a GCSE in English at Grade C or above, we do accept a range of additional qualifications to satisfy that requirement.

GCSE English
TYPE	ENGLISH
UK Boards	GCSE/GCE O level in English, English Language (grades A-C/4-9) CSE in English, English Language or English Studies grade I CEE grades I, II, III Pass in Use of English examination AS Level English Language (grades A-C) A level in English Literature (but not a GCSE/GCE O level pass) Essential Skills in Communication at Level 2 Functional Skill in English at Level 2
Scottish Certificate of Education	Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3 in English National 5 - Grade C or above in English
Access Courses	Any approved Access course validated by Ulster or QUB NB: The Access to HE Diploma (GB version) does not cover GCSE requirements.
HNC/HND	Any HND or HNC awarded in the UK
Foundation Degree	Any Foundation Degree awarded by Ulster University
Undergraduate or Masters Degree	Any Undergraduate or Masters Degree awarded by a UK or Irish University
International Baccalaureate	Higher or Subsidiary level in English Language (grade 4 or above)
Irish Leaving Certificate	English at Ordinary Level (grade A, B or C) achieved in or after 1977 English at Ordinary Level (grade O1-O4) achieved after 2017 English at Higher Level (grade D or above) achieved in or after 1977 English at Higher Level (grade H6 or above) achieved after 2017
QQI Level 5 (Irish Qualification)	We accept the Communications unit (5N0690) with a grade of Pass.
Open University	Relevant level 1/2 courses
Royal Society or Arts	Stage III (Advanced)
Equivalency Tests	Ulster accepts the following equivalency tests as meeting GCSE English requirements: A Star Equivalency - English Equivalency Testing - English

Competence in Mathematics is a General Entrance Requirement for entry to a lot of courses at Ulster and a GCSE at Grade C or above in Mathematics covers this requirement.

If you haven't completed a GCSE in Mathematics at Grade C or above, we do accept a range of additional qualifications to satisfy that requirement.

Please refer to the online prospectus for specific entry requirements to individual courses as Level 2 Essential/Functional Skills in Application of Number/Maths is accepted as an alternative to GCSE mathematics for some courses, however not all courses will accept this qualification.

GCSE Mathematics
TYPE	MATHEMATICS
UK Boards	GCSE/ GCE O level Mathematics (grades A- C/4-9)* CSE in Mathematics grade I CEE grades I, II and III AS Level mathematics (grades A-C) A Level in mathematics (grades A-E)
Scottish Certificate of Education	Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3 in Mathematics National 5 - Grade C or above in Mathematics
Access Courses	We will consider approved Access courses with mathematics modules. This may also include those Access courses which were previously approved, but which are no longer running. The following Ulster University approved courses are recognised as incorporating mathematics to the required standard: Belfast Metropolitan College, Access to HE Diploma in Computing, Business and Multimedia North West Regional College, Access to HE Diploma in Combined Studies North West Regional College, Access to HE Diploma in Science Northern Regional College, Access to HE Diploma in Social Sciences South West College, Access to HE Diploma in Computing South West College, Access to HE Diploma in Creative Media Production South West College, Access to HE Diploma in Social Sciences South West College, Access to HE Diploma in Social Sciences and Humanities Southern Regional College, Access to HE Diploma in Adult Learning (Combined Studies) Southern Regional College, Access to HE Diploma in Adult Learning (Community Development) Southern Regional College, Access to HE Diploma in Adult Learning (Science) (Level 3 maths) Southern Regional College, Access to HE Diploma in Adult Learning (Social Sciences and Humanities) Southern Regional College, Access to HE Diploma in Adult Learning (Social Sciences and Humanities)
International Baccalaureate	Higher or Subsidiary level in Mathematics (grade 4 or above)
QQI Level 5 (Irish Qualification)	We accept the Mathematics unit (5N1833) with a minimum grade of Pass. Where we asking for the equivalent of Grade C* or B at GCSE, you will need to pass this unit with a grade Merit.
Irish Leaving Certificate	Mathematics at Ordinary Level (grade A, B or C) achieved in or after 1977 Mathematics at Ordinary Level (grade O1-O4) achieved after 2017 Mathematics at Higher Level (grade D or above) achieved in or after 1977 Mathematics at Higher Level (grade H6 or above) achieved after 2017
Institute of Mathematics and its Applications	Polymaths Diploma
Equivalency Tests	Ulster accepts the following equivalency tests as meeting GCSE Mathematics requirements: A Star Equivalency - Maths Higher Equivalency Testing - Maths Higher Foundation Maths may be considered comparable for courses that accept the Essential Skills in the Application of Number qualification as an alternative.

GCSE Science is a requirement for a number of science based degrees at Ulster. In most cases you will be asked to have completed a Double Award GCSE in Science with grades CC or above, or a specific core science GCSE (core sciences are Biology, Chemistry or Physics).

Where you have completed an A-Level in a core science, or a BTEC in Applied Science, this may supersede the requirement to have GCSE double award science but please refer to the online prospectus for specific entry requirements to individual courses as these may differ from course to course depending on what the prior learning requirements are for your chosen course.

Pearson BTEC Level 2 awards

The Pearson BTEC Level 2 First Award in Principles of Applied Science passed with Merit will satisfy GCSE requirements for courses that ask for GCSE Science.

Where we stipulate a requirement for Double Award Science, candidates will need to have completed both the Principles of Applied Science and the BTEC Level 2 First Award in Application of Science, both passed with Merit.

Equivalency Tests

Ulster accepts the following equivalency tests as satisfying science GCSE requirements:

Please note that these only cover GCSE requirements for single award science. If you are asked for double award science, these tests would not be a suitable alternative.