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05/01/2010
Essential Skills 'Wins' University Place
The two NI universities will now accept Essential Skills qualifications as acceptable alternatives to GCSEs, making higher education accessible to many more learners.
Queen's University, Belfast and the University of Ulster will now recognise the qualifications, and, commenting on the announcement, Stormont Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey said: "I welcome this significant announcement by both universities and congratulate them on recognising the value of the Essential Skills qualification.
"Together with the recent UCAS statement that an Essential Skills Level 2 qualification will attract 10 tariff points towards university entrance requirements, learners can now avail of even greater opportunities than ever before.
"We have always known the benefits of Essential Skills learning for increasing an individual’s job prospects, career enhancement or personal development - now we can include third level education opportunities."
Addressing the importance of high-quality Essential Skills provision, the Minister continued: "The recent Audit Office report on adult literacy and numeracy has highlighted that, whilst recognising the success of the 'Essential Skills for Living' strategy, greater effort must be made to make contact with employers and the hardest to reach groups.
"My officials and I will work to ensure that these areas are addressed and, as the strategy evolves, it meets the requirements of those most in need," he continued.
Both universities have agreed to accept Level 2 Essential Skills in Communication as an alternative to Grade C GCSE English in fulfilment of the General Entrance Requirement. Level 2 Essential Skills in Application of Number will be considered on an individual basis, in place of GCSE Maths Grade C, where this is a course requirement.
(BMcC/GK)
Queen's University, Belfast and the University of Ulster will now recognise the qualifications, and, commenting on the announcement, Stormont Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey said: "I welcome this significant announcement by both universities and congratulate them on recognising the value of the Essential Skills qualification.
"Together with the recent UCAS statement that an Essential Skills Level 2 qualification will attract 10 tariff points towards university entrance requirements, learners can now avail of even greater opportunities than ever before.
"We have always known the benefits of Essential Skills learning for increasing an individual’s job prospects, career enhancement or personal development - now we can include third level education opportunities."
Addressing the importance of high-quality Essential Skills provision, the Minister continued: "The recent Audit Office report on adult literacy and numeracy has highlighted that, whilst recognising the success of the 'Essential Skills for Living' strategy, greater effort must be made to make contact with employers and the hardest to reach groups.
"My officials and I will work to ensure that these areas are addressed and, as the strategy evolves, it meets the requirements of those most in need," he continued.
Both universities have agreed to accept Level 2 Essential Skills in Communication as an alternative to Grade C GCSE English in fulfilment of the General Entrance Requirement. Level 2 Essential Skills in Application of Number will be considered on an individual basis, in place of GCSE Maths Grade C, where this is a course requirement.
(BMcC/GK)
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