Qualifications policies
Source: https://sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/qualifications-policies Parent: https://sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply
This page sets out our policies on several qualifications matters relevant for entry to undergraduate courses.
On
Resitting A Levels
We welcome applications from students resitting their A Levels, and for most courses these will be considered equally alongside other applications.
For our most competitive courses, we may set a higher entry requirement than is standard, we may require a certain baseline of achievement at the first sitting, and/or we may ask that students don't apply until after they've met our standard entry requirement. Alternatively, applicants may not be considered equally when compared with those who aren't resitting.
In all cases, we may ask for further information about the reasons for resitting to inform our overall review of the application. Each case is considered individually.
Taking qualifications early
Taking A Level or equivalent qualifications early and length of study : We normally recommend that applicants undertake a sufficient volume of study in one sitting, for example by completing three A Levels or equivalent over two years, to demonstrate that they will be able to successfully manage a high level and volume of study once at the University.
Applicants who have taken an A Level or equivalent qualification a year early will usually be given credit for this in any offer made. However, as above, applicants are typically expected to complete the equivalent of three A Levels within two years. If applicants start qualifications a year early but take three years to prepare for and complete their final exams they may be asked to meet a higher entry requirement than is standard.
Each applicant in these circumstances is considered on a case-by-case basis and we may request further information to support our overall review of the application.
Taking GCSE or equivalent qualifications early : For most courses, taking GCSE or equivalent qualifications early doesn't affect how an application is assessed, providing the general University and course-specific requirements have been met. Exceptions will be set out in the relevant course entries in our prospectus.
All applicants must demonstrate general preparation in English, demonstrated by grade 4/C in GCSE English Language or an[accepted English language qualification](https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/english-language). Some courses have additional and/or higher GCSE requirements, either from a broader range of subjects, such as for Medicine and Dentistry, or from one specific subject, often GCSE Maths. Again, these requirements will be listed [our prospectus](http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/prospectus).
Our position on new qualifications
The University of Sheffield actively monitors qualification reform. We're keen to ensure that every cohort of applicants is treated fairly so that potential students who have the ability to thrive at Sheffield are given the opportunity to do so.
The entries below cover some recent reforms and the stance we're taking towards them. It's aimed at helping schools and students make decisions about which qualifications to study, and reassuring them of Sheffield's commitment to fair admissions.
T Levels : T Levels were introduced in 2020 and offer two years of in-depth technical education in a specialist area, set at Level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework. Given the degree of specialisation in T Levels, they normally only provide suitable preparation for degree courses within the same field.
For many of our courses, the entry requirements in our online prospectus indicate whether or not T Levels are accepted. Where a course doesn't specify a position on T Levels but an applicant presents a qualification likely to be allied to the degree pathway, we'll assess their application on a case-by-case basis.
Where specific Level 3 knowledge is required to progress onto a degree course, often expressed via A Level subject requirements (for example a certain grade in A Level Maths), it may be that this subject matter isn't covered in equivalent depth or breadth within the relevant T Level. In these cases, we would ask students presenting a T Level also to complete an A Level (or equivalent), to ensure they're fully equipped to succeed on their degree. On other occasions we may advise the student to complete a suitable foundation year.
V Levels : V Levels are a new Level 3 qualification due to launch in September 2027, offering vocational training at Level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework. These will be two-year courses and so the first students will be eligible to progress to university in 2029. The expectation is that V Levels will replace the BTEC suite of qualifications, sitting alongside the existing A Levels and T Levels.
The University is supportive of plans to enhance vocational options and we'll be monitoring the development of V Levels closely. At this early stage we don't have enough information to establish what preparation V Levels will offer, nor do we know how they'll be graded, and therefore we aren't yet in a position to confirm our requirements from them. As soon as syllabuses are available we'll review these and update the course entry requirements in our online prospectus accordingly.
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