QUEEN MARGARET UNIVERSITY AND THE CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE
Queen Margaret University welcomes the Curriculum for Excellence. The University is
committed to ensuring that pupils undertaking the new curriculum in Scotland will be able to
progress to its courses in a way that best suits their needs. The increased emphasis within
Curriculum for Excellence on skills development in preparation for employment is consistent
with our Graduate Attributes. These are the core transferable (social and personal) skills that we
expect all QMU students to acquire through the course of their degree or diploma to equip them
for work and life after University.
The University is engaging in a number of ways with the Curriculum for Excellence and has
received updates on the new qualifications and learning styles which are welcomed as
preparing students for Higher Education at Queen Margaret University.
However, we recognise that students, parents and advisers will want to know how the University
is responding to the changes in terms of entry to its undergraduate courses. The statement that
follows is designed to explain this, but we are happy to address any questions that remain.
Contact details are set out at the end of this statement.
1.
Admissions criteria
We will continue to ensure that admission requirements for entry to courses at Queen
Margaret University are transparent and fair to all applicants. The University currently
attracts applicants with a very wide range of qualifications, taken at different stages,
including a large proportion of mature and college applicants. We will continue to operate
a fair admissions policy for school applicants who will be presenting a variety of
qualifications under Curriculum for Excellence.
The University has specified entry criteria for all courses which are published on its
website. All applicants are considered on their individual merits in line with the
Admissions Policy.
For most courses, there is no intention to revise the entry requirements. This is because
entry criteria are based on qualifications achieved 'on entry' rather than over any particular
number of sittings.
1.1
National 5s
Where we currently ask for a Standard Grade or Intermediate 2 qualification in a particular
subject, we will accept a National 5 at grade C or above instead.
Our current selection process does not consider the number of Standard Grades achieved
by an applicant, and our future selection process will not require the achievement of a set
number of National 5 qualifications.
The University will take into account the different patterns of provision in schools and local
authorities, so will ensure that candidates are not disadvantaged if it is the school's
decision to bypass qualifications at National 5. However, where candidates bypass
National 5 qualifications, and our courses stipulate a minimum entry requirement in a
given subject at National 5, we will require a minimum of a pass at grade C in the Higher.
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1.2
Highers and Advanced Highers
The University does not normally require students to achieve four or five Highers at one
sitting for entry to a course at present. The number of Highers required needs to be
achieved ‘on entry’ to the programme. Highers taken over two or more sittings are
accepted currently, as is any Higher taken in S4. The University does not make any
differentiation between Highers taken over a longer period.
The University uses the UCAS tariff to calculate the points given to Advanced Highers, full
details of which can be found on our website.
1.3
Non formal qualifications
Because of the professional nature of most courses, additional knowledge and skills
gained above and beyond formal qualifications are currently part of the stated entry
requirements.
We are considering how this might be refined and how 'evidence' of such skills might be
presented in future through Curriculum for Excellence
We offer Recognition of Prior Learning for many courses and will consider any initiatives
which are relevant to our courses.
2.
Advanced Entry
We have made a range of opportunities available for individual learner journeys. This
includes advanced entry into level two of some courses for applicants holding the Scottish
Baccalaureate or two Advanced Highers in relevant subjects. However we have not yet
had a strong take up of the opportunities we offer for direct entry through this route.
We do have strong participation through our articulation routes from HNC and HND for
college students, and we are working with our college partners to extend these routes and
to ensure progression with no loss of time for appropriately qualified applicants.
3.
Flexible new degree structure
We offer a three year Fast Track BA (Hons) Business Management degree which enables
well qualified and motivated students to progress through the four year Honours degree at
a faster rate.
4.
Academies
The University has established four Academies to take forward progression to University
degrees in Hospitality and Tourism, Food Science, Healthcare and Creative Industries.
Through the Academies, students will be undertaking level one University courses for
which they can gain credit for entry to University. We will also work with Academies to
identify employment based pathways.
5.
Engagement with Schools
We are interested in how schools will be assessing and evidencing non-academic
achievements and would be happy to contribute to discussions about what kind of
achievements would be particularly relevant for progression to our courses.
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We have initiatives to engage schools with research. Examples include the Alcolols
project: http://www.qmu.ac.uk/mcpa/CDial/AlcoLols.htm) and our Researcher in
Residence programme, which involves PhD students taking their research into primary
schools, to engage young people with real-life research, to raise aspirations and inspire
the next generation of researchers.
These and other projects illustrate our engagement with schools in the region, which we
will build upon a discussion with head teachers and others about Curriculum for
Excellence.
6.
Review
As the sector is currently going through a period of change, we will be flexible in our
application of admissions criteria in the next couple of years in order to ensure that
students taking the new Curriculum for Excellence are not disadvantaged. We will also
keep our admissions criteria under review. Any students or advisers who have any
concerns should contact us for further advice.
Applicants and advisers are advised to check our website regularly for the most up to date
information about our entry requirements and to contact admissions@qmu.ac.uk if they
have any queries.
Issued September 2013
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