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Minimum Entry Requirements (Level 1-3)

Entry Level and Level 1

  • Students must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July 2023.
  • Students must be well-motivated and have completed a programme of general education to Key Stage 4 which would enable them to benefit from and succeed on the course.


Level 2

  • Students must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July 2023.
  • Students should have at least three points at Level 2 (GCSE or Essential Skills). See tables below.
  • Students must be well motivated and have completed a programme of general education to Key Stage 4 which would enable them to benefit from and succeed on the course.


Level 3 (Vocational)

Students must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July 2023. Students must be well-motivated and have completed a programme of general education to Key Stage 4 which would enable them to benefit from and succeed on the course.

Students must have one of the following:

  • Four GCSEs at Grade C or above (in some circumstances, applicants with a qualifications profile equating to 12 points with a minimum of three GCSEs at Grade C or above will be accepted).
  • BTEC First Diploma or Certificate (with a qualification profile equivalent to 12 points or above).
  • NVQ Level 2 in a relevant subject area.
  • Leaving Certificate (a profile equivalent to 12 points of which three subjects must be at Grade C3 or above at ordinary level).


Students admitted for Levels 1-3 without a Grade C or above in GCSE English Language, Mathematics or ICT will be required to undertake Essential Skills qualifications in Literacy, Numeracy or ICT.

Students undertaking a qualification in Digital Technology / ICT will be exempt from having to undertake ICT Essential Skills.

The over-riding consideration in admitting students to any Further or Higher Education programme is a professional assessment of objective and available evidence in concluding whether a learner has demonstrated the attributes and competency to complete a course satisfactorily.

The following attributes will be considered:
  • attendance;
  • disciplinary record; and
  • evidence of under-achievement (where there are no extenuating circumstances).
The College welcomes applications from students who do not have academic qualifications but who wish to apply by virtue of experience. 


Enhanced Entry Requirements

Some courses may enhance the entrance criteria above the minimum. Exceptions are noted within the ‘Requirements’ section under each individual course.

In order to support learners achieve their potential, progress reviews will be undertaken during your programme. Where appropriate, the target qualification may be reviewed
and amended in line with projected learner outcomes as an agreed result of the progress review process.

All courses within Belfast Met are delivered and assessed in English, apart from language specific courses. Your competence in English must be verified prior to enrolling on your chosen course.


A Guide to Qualifications (Level 1-3)

Level Title Equivalent to
3 Level 3 Extended Diploma

OCF Level 3 NVQ Diploma

Level 3 Diploma

Level 3 (90-Credit) Diploma

Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma
Three GCE A-Levels

Three GCE A-Levels

Two GCE A-Levels

1.5 GCE A-Levels

One GCE A-Level
2
Level 2 Diploma

Level 2 Extended Certificate

Four GCSEs A*-C

Two GCSEs A*-C
1 Level 1 Certificate/Award GCSE D-G

Occupational Studies

Grade Belfast Met Points Tariff
Double Award Level 2 6
Single Award Level 2 3
Double Award Level 1 2
Single Award Level 1 1

GCSE Points Tariff

Grade Grade (AQA) Belfast Met Points Tariff
A* 9 or 8 6
A 7 5
B 6 4
C 5 or 4 3
D 3 2
E 2 1

Leaving Cert Ordinary Level

Grade Belfast Met Points Tariff
A1 6
A2 5
B1_B3 4
C1-C3 3
D1-D3 2

Key Skills/Essential Skills

Grade Belfast Met Points Tariff
Level 2 3
Level 1 2