As part of the Access to HE course I’ve been told I can also gain GCSE equivalences in English language, mathematics and science: but what does ‘equivalence’ mean?
GCSE equivalence means that you have attained, in the subject studied, a standard which has been accepted as equivalent to a GCSE by local higher education institutions (HEIs). Athough you may not have undertaken the volume of study that would be achieved from a full GCSE, you will have achieved an equivalent level of study. You are not awarded a full GCSE in that subject, but your achievement of equivalence will be certificated by the AVA. This provides evidence to the university to which you have applied that you have attained a suitable level of competence in that subject area. The acceptance of such qualifications for admission to HE depends on the admissions policies of individual HEIs: while HEIs generally accept GCSE-equivalent units/qualifications where they have been involved in the approval of the course, and often accept those approved elsewhere, there can be no guarantee that these qualifications will be accepted unless an HEI explicitly makes such a guarantee.
