Academic Course Entry Requirements 

Applicants must check course details pages for specific academic entry requirements.  Applicants can use this the information to ensure that are currently studying towards the correct level of qualifications to meet course entry requirements.

Important: All applicants must also meet the following conditions:

Minimum Age Requirement

Applicants must be 16 years old by 1 July 2026.  This is set out in the Further Education (NI) Order 1997.  Exceptions to this are the arrangements under formal School-College Partnerships – please contact us or your own post-primary school to check if this arrangement might to available to you.

Right to Study in the UK

Applicants must provide proof of Right to Study in the UK.  For courses with work placement, proof of your right to work in the UK is also required.  For more information on documents/evidence on Right to Study in the UK, please visit www.belfastmet.ac.uk/full-time/student-status 

Proof of Identity

Applicants must provide photographic proof of identity.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

The College welcomes applications from student who do not have academic qualifications but who wish to apply by virtue of evidence.  For further information, please refer to the Accreditation of Prior Learning (RPL) process on our website.

English Language Competency

• Applicants should also check the English language criteria for progression to other further and higher education institutions as these may vary.
• Where a GCSE grade in English is specified as the only qualification accepted, other English competency qualifications may not apply.
• Where an ESOL qualification is used, the appropriate level must be achieved across all skills - Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening.
• Other qualifications may be accepted as evidence of level of competency on a case-by-case basis. Alternative qualifications/evidence or a diagnostic assessment may be used to establish competency. 

 Contact studentportal@belfastmet.ac.uk for more information.

English Language Qualifications

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. Belfast Met accepts the following qualifications as evidence of Level of English.  

International Qualifications

Belfast Met must verify that applicants holding international qualifications meet course entry requirements before they can be enrolled onto a course. To help us verify that course entry requirements are met, applicants must:

• Get a full English language translation of your qualifications. Belfast Met will accept the full English translation from UK ENIC www.enic.org.uk UK ENIC is the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills.
  
  
• Ensure that the translation provides clear evidence that your qualifications meet or exceed the course entry requirements. UK ENIC can also help with Statements of Comparability and UK Qualification Reference Statements. There is a charge for this service. 
  
  For more information visit their website at www.enic.org. The Department for Communities can also provide information and/ or help with qualification equivalencies. For more information visit: www.communities-ni.gov.uk

September 2025 Courses

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 2025.
• Students must have completed a programme of general education to Key Stage 4.
• Students must have achieved grade D-G (or equivalent) in GCSE English Language. 

Applicants who have not achieved grade D-G (or equivalent) must provide evidence of English Language competency.

Level 2

• Students must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July 2025.
• Students should have at least three points at Level 2. See tables below.
• Students must have completed a programme of general education to Key Stage 4.
• Students must have achieved grade D-G (or equivalent) in GCSE English Language. 

Applicants who have not achieved grade D-G (or equivalent) must provide evidence of English Language competency.

Level 3 (Vocational)

• Students must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July 2025.
• Students must have completed a programme of general education to Key Stage 4. 
• Normally students must have achieved grade C (or equivalent) in GCSE English Language. Please refer to individual course admission requirements on course web pages. Students who have not achieved a Grade C or Essential Skills Level 2 Communication will be required to undertake Essential Skills Communication as part of their programme of study. Applicants who do not have the above must provide evidence of English Language competency. Please refer to the course details page for specific details. 

Schools will continue to liaise with ESOL & Modern Languages Curriculum area to assess required competency of English Language.

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). See table below.
• BTEC First Diploma or Certificate (with a qualification
  profile equivalent to 12 points or above). See table below.
• 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). See table below.

Enhanced Entry Requirements

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

In order to support learners in achieving their potential, progress reviews will be undertaken during their 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.

International Qualifications

Belfast Met must verify that applicants holding international qualifications meet course entry requirements before they can be enrolled onto a course. To help us verify that course entry requirements are met, applicants must:

• Get a full English language translation of your qualifications. Belfast Met will accept the full English translation from UK ENIC www.enic.org.uk. UK ENIC is the UK National Information Centre
  for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills.
• Ensure that the translation provides clear evidence that your qualifications meet or exceed the course entry requirements. UK ENIC can also help with Statements of Comparability and UK Qualification Reference Statements. There is a charge for this
  service.

For more information on UK ENIC, visit their website at www.enic.org. The Department for Communities can also provide information and/ or help with qualification equivalencies. For more information, visit their website at: www.communities-ni.gov.uk/.

A Guide to Qualifications (Level 1-3)

Occupational Studies

GCSE Points Tariff

Leaving Cert Ordinary Level

Key Skills/Essential Skills