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Some universities show their recognition of the importance of level 3 maths qualifications through the admissions information on their websites for some degree courses.

The following universities make alternative offers to students with Core Maths qualifications, who apply for some of their degree courses.

  • Aston University
  • University of Bath
  • University of Essex
  • University of Exeter
  • University of Huddersfield
  • Keele University
  • Lancaster University
  • University of Leeds
  • University of Sheffield
  • University of York

These universities recognise the benefits students gain from taking Core Maths, which will not only support their university studies, but also their future career and employment.

A summary of the alternative offers provided by these universities and recognition of Core Maths and other Level 3 maths qualifications by some other universities can be viewed below.

Aston University makes alternative offers for students who have a Core Maths qualification, across a wide range of subject areas There is often a reduced offer of one grade for students with grade B in Core Maths for example:

  • BSc Psychology and Sociology – offer reduced from ABB to BBB for students with grade B in Core Maths or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
  • BSc Economics and BSc Biology Science – offer reduced from BBB to BBC for students with grade B in Core Maths or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
  • BSc Politics and Social Policy and BSc History and English Literature – offer reduced from BBC to BCC for students with grade B in Core Maths or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Since 2020, the University of Bath has been using alternative offers that reduce one of the entry grades that are usually required for their degree courses. For example, where the typical offer is AAA, the alternative offer would be AAB. You can view details of their alternative offers on their website.

All degrees that do not require A level Mathematics, include alternative offers based on achieving a grade B in a Core Maths qualification, AS or A level Mathematics or AS or A level Statistics, when it is studied in addition to three other subjects. Example subjects include Architecture, Business Courses, Biosciences, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Education, Health and Sport degrees, Languages, Politics, Psychology and Social Sciences.

Degrees that do require A level Mathematics, such as Civil, Chemical, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Economics and Accounting & Finance, include alternative offers based on achieving a grade B in AS or A level Further Mathematics where this is studied in addition to three other subjects.

The University of Essex state that if a student’s results fall short of the offer level by a small margin, results in other qualifications such as the Extended Project, a Core Maths qualification or an additional AS-level may be taken into account.

The university also state that Core Maths can count towards any Tariff point offers may be made.

The University of Exeter values students studying the Extended Project and/or Core Maths and its role in preparing students for a successful higher education experience and would wish to recognise and encourage this extended piece of independent work undertaken by the learner. In recognition of this, for students who receive a standard offer, make Exeter their Firm choice and achieve a grade A in either the EPQ or Core Maths they guarantee to confirm their place if they achieve one grade below their offer, excluding any subject conditions.

The University of Huddersfield welcomes applications from students who have taken one of the Core Maths qualifications. They believe that this qualification supports the development of mathematical skills for progression to higher education, particularly for those students applying to courses in subject areas such as psychology, geography, business and computing. For the majority of their courses, they will make offers which can include the UCAS Tariff points gained from Core Maths; but advise students to check their course-specific web pages for the specific entry requirements for the courses that they are interested in.

The University of Kent welcomes the introduction of Core Mathematics qualifications to provide students with the opportunity to develop their mathematical skills beyond GCSE. As the University is a nationally recognised Q-Step centre for quantitative social science skills, they value the importance of giving students the chance to develop broader statistical, problem-solving, evaluation and data analysis skills. They believe students taking degree subjects that do not require an A level in Mathematics benefit from taking a Level 3 Core Mathematics qualification. Although not a prerequisite for admission, they continue to look positively on applications from students offering Core Mathematics qualifications.

Keele University makes alternative offers for students who have a Core Maths qualification, across a wide range of subject areas. If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer.

The University of Lancaster welcome Core Maths qualifications as adding value to a student’s academic profile. For many courses, they may make a lower offer in recognition of this. In those cases, you would receive two offers: their usual offer plus an offer at one grade lower plus grade B in Core Maths as a fourth subject. For example, they may make an offer at AAB, or ABB plus B in Core Maths.

The University of Leeds has reduced offers in some subjects, for example Biology

They state that when an applicant is taking any of the following:

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ); Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ); Core Maths (if A level Mathematics or Further Mathematics isn’t studied as a full A level); AS level Mathematics (if A level Mathematics or Further Mathematics isn’t studied as a full A level) or Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.

It will be considered alongside A levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A levels, this would be a one grade drop from the standard offer. For example, an A in one of the above qualifications with AAB at A level (MBiol applicants).

The University of Manchester welcomes and recognises the value of Level 3 core mathematics qualifications. Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result they will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer made to the student. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when they consider their application, particularly for certain non-science courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element.

Further, on some subject pages, For example Architecture, they state “Academic Schools may also choose to take a student’s performance in Core Mathematics into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.”

The University of Sheffield, for courses with a GCSE Maths requirement, will give a contextual offer equivalent to one A Level grade below the standard entry requirements for the course, subject to students achieving a specific grade in Core Maths.

For example: AAB would be reduced to ABB for students who attain a grade B or above in Core Maths acrossa number of undergraduate degree courses including Geography, Biology, Politics, Architecture and Economics.

The University of Surrey “supports the ethos behind this new qualification in that it may be beneficial to a range of degree subjects that do not generally ask for A level Mathematics but where enhanced numerical or statistical skills may be helpful”. For this reason, they encourage applicants to consider taking this qualification where practical.

The University of York welcomes the introduction of Core Maths qualifications and recognise the benefits that they bring, not only to university study, but also to future employment. Some of its departments will make a reduced offer for their courses where such a qualification is taken alongside three A levels or equivalent. You can view more information on the University of York website (under Typical requirements, click United Kingdom and scroll down to Core Maths). These offers are applicable to around 40 subject areas, including Accounting, Business, Finance & Management, Social Work, Genetics, Linguistics, and Archaeology.For example, for Geography, “If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer”, which is AAB.

Other universities, whilst not making formal reduced offers, do offer strong encouragement for the study of Core Maths and recognise its usefulness in preparation for their degree courses. For example:

  • The University of Cambridge encourage students to take Core Maths as it strengthens mathematical ability”.
  • Coventry University “would be pleased to receive applications from students offering these qualifications.”
  • Goldsmiths College, University of London say that “Core Maths qualifications will be looked upon favourably for degrees where there is a maths requirement”.
  • King’s College, University of London “recognise that Core Maths qualifications have the potential to develop a level of mathematical skill that would be beneficial for studying many of our undergraduate programme”.
  • The University of Liverpool “recognises the value of the Core Maths qualification to support the development of mathematical skills”.
  • Loughborough University state that “Core Maths may be useful for a range of degree subjects where enhanced numerical or statistical skills are beneficial”.
  • The University of Plymouth “encourages and welcomes the study of Core Maths and Extended Project qualifications and recognise its usefulness in preparation for our degree courses.  We have accepted these qualifications for several years in combination with other level 3 qualifications.”
  • Queen Mary College, University of London “welcomes the introduction of the new Core Maths qualifications and believe they will be beneficial to students wishing to study Social Science subjects that may involve the use of applied mathematical skills, such as Business Management, Geography, and Politics.”
  • The University of Surrey “supports the ethos behind this new qualification in that it may be beneficial to a range of degree subjects” and “encourage applicants to consider taking this qualification where practical.”
  • The University of Warwick “welcomes the development of the Core Maths qualifications, and the additional relevant skills that the qualifications can provide in preparation for a range of our courses.”

The AMSP offers guidance for universities on the advantages of recognising level 3 maths qualifications, including Core Maths, in admissions requirements.

If level 3 maths would be useful preparation for a degree course at your university, please consider including it in your published admissions criteria, perhaps in a similar way to the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

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