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How it works

Step 1
Check your eligibilityStep 2
Speak to an advisorStep 3
ApplyStep 4
We'll set up your interview and help you prepareStep 5
Start UniversityThat’s it.

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Explore Your Course Options

Find the best route into university based on your situation.

Not sure where to start?👉 No qualifications? → Choose CertHE or Foundation routes
👉 Want a full degree? → Choose BSc (Hons) pathways
👉 Need flexibility? → Look for online or blended options

🎓Start Without Qualifications (21+)

- University of Suffolk
- UWTSD
- UWS
- Study in Manchester, Cardiff, Swansea, Birmingham or London
- CertHE routes

• Subject and intake info

🎓 Full Degree Pathways

- Roehampton
- Arden
- UWS
- Study in London, Birmingham, Manchester or via blended/online learning
- BSc with Foundation Year

• Subject and intake info

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🎓 University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Most Popular)Start your university journey without traditional qualifications — flexible study across the UK.📘 Course:
CertHE (1 Year – equivalent to Year 1 of a degree)📚 Subjects & Where You Can Study Them:
• Business
· Cardiff
· Swansea
· Birmingham
· London• Computing
· Birmingham
· London• Health & Social Care
· Cardiff
· Birmingham
· London👤 Entry Requirements:
• 21+ → No formal qualifications required
• Under 21 → Typically requires GCSEs/A-levels💷 Funding:
Student Finance available (tuition fees covered)⏳ Upcoming Intakes:
September (Main intake)
January & May (Limited availability)

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🎓 University of SuffolkStart your university journey without traditional qualifications — with flexible study options in major UK cities.📘 Course:
CertHE with Foundation Year (2 Years – designed for beginners)📚 Subjects Available:
• Business Studies
• Health & Social Care📍 Study Locations:
London • Manchester👤 Entry Requirements:
• 21+ → No formal qualifications required
• Under 21 → Typically requires GCSEs/A-levels💷 Funding:
Student Finance available (tuition fees covered)⏳ Upcoming Intakes:
September (Main intake)
January & May (Limited availability)

• See if you qualify

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🎓 University of the West of Scotland (UWS)Start your university journey without traditional qualifications — with flexible degree pathways available in London.📘 Course:
• CertHE (1 Year – equivalent to Year 1 of a degree)
• CertHE with Foundation Year (2 Years – designed for beginners)
• BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year (4 Years – full degree pathway)📚 Subjects Available:
• Business
• Computing
• Health & Social Care📌 Degree Pathways:
• Business Management
• Business & Marketing
• Computing📍 Study Locations:
London👤 Entry Requirements:📌 CertHE Routes:
• 21+ → No formal qualifications required
• Under 21 → Typically requires GCSEs/A-levels or equivalent📌 Degree Pathways / Foundation Year:
• 21+ → Applications assessed individually (experience may be considered)
• Under 21 → Typically requires A-levels or equivalent qualifications💷 Funding:
Student Finance available (tuition fees covered for eligible students)⏳ Upcoming Intakes:
September (Main intake)
January (Limited availability)

• See if you qualify

Why apply through CareerStep UK?✔ We match you with the right university
✔ We guide your full application
✔ We help with student finance
✔ Ongoing support throughout your journey

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🎓 University of RoehamptonEarn a full degree with a foundation year — ideal if you’re starting without traditional qualifications.📘 Course:
BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year (4 Years – full degree pathway)📚 Subjects Available:
• Business Management
• Business Management & Marketing📍 Study Mode:
Blended learning (online + on-campus sessions)👤 Entry Requirements:
• 21+ → No traditional qualifications required (assessed individually)
• Under 21 → Typically requires A-levels or equivalent💷 Funding:
Student Finance available (tuition + maintenance)⏳ Upcoming Intakes:
September (Main intake)
January (Limited availability)

• See if you qualify

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🎓 Arden UniversityFlexible degree pathways from foundation to full undergraduate level — study online or on campus.📘 Course:
Flexible Degrees (Foundation → Full Degree)📚 Subjects Available:
• Business
• Computing
• Psychology📍 Study Locations:
London • Birmingham • Manchester
+ Online study available👤 Entry Requirements:
• 21+ → No formal qualifications required (experience considered)
• Under 21 → Typically requires A-levels or equivalent💷 Funding:
Student Finance available (tuition + maintenance)⏳ Upcoming Intakes:
Multiple intakes throughout the year (limited spaces)

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🎓 University of the West of Scotland (UWS)Start your university journey without traditional qualifications — with flexible degree pathways available in London.📘 Course:
• CertHE (1 Year – equivalent to Year 1 of a degree)
• CertHE with Foundation Year (2 Years – designed for beginners)
• BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year (4 Years – full degree pathway)📚 Subjects Available:
• Business
• Computing
• Health & Social Care📌 Degree Pathways:
• Business Management
• Business & Marketing
• Computing📍 Study Locations:
London👤 Entry Requirements:📌 CertHE Routes:
• 21+ → No formal qualifications required
• Under 21 → Typically requires GCSEs/A-levels or equivalent📌 Degree Pathways / Foundation Year:
• 21+ → Applications assessed individually (experience may be considered)
• Under 21 → Typically requires A-levels or equivalent qualifications💷 Funding:
Student Finance available (tuition fees covered for eligible students)⏳ Upcoming Intakes:
September (Main intake)
January (Limited availability)

• See if you qualify

Why apply through CareerStep UK?✔ We match you with the right university
✔ We guide your full application
✔ We help with student finance
✔ Ongoing support throughout your journey

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Testimonials

What our students say:

Aisha, 31 — Birmingham
"I've been a care worker for 8 years and always felt stuck. I left school with no GCSEs and thought university wasn't for me. CareerStep UK showed me I could do a Health & Social Care CertHE without any qualifications. I'm now in my second term and loving it. I was eligible for student finance and I didn't have to pay a penny upfront."

Marcus, 35 — London
"I was working warehouse shifts at £11 an hour and going nowhere. I messaged CareerStep UK on a Sunday night not really expecting anything. But by Tuesday I had an interview booked for a Business Management foundation degree. The classes are evenings and the odd Saturday, so I'm still working. Best decision I've made in years!"

Ahmed, 26 — London
"I came to the UK with settled status five years ago and was told I wouldn't qualify for university because I didn't have UK A-levels. CareerStep UK showed me that wasn't true. I'm doing a Computing CertHE in Canary Wharf and Student Finance is paying my tuition. I work nights so I can study days, it's exhausting but worth it."

Priya, 38 — Manchester
"I'm a mum of two and didn't think going back to study was possible. Soheib explained the part-time options and walked me through the whole application. The Foundation Year with Suffolk has been brilliant, there are no exams for this course, all coursework, and the teachers know we've got families and jobs. My kids see me studying now and it's changed how they see school too."

Yvonne, 42 — Leeds
"I've worked in care for 12 years and was running a small home as deputy manager for the last four. I never had GCSEs but my work experience counted towards Arden's entry route. I'm now doing a BSc Health and Care Management via distance learning — fully online, evenings and weekends. The flexibility is the only reason it's possible for me. I'm building a career on top of the work I'm already doing."

Linda, 47 — Cardiff
"I genuinely thought I was too old. My eldest had gone to uni and I felt left behind. I rang CareerStep UK half expecting them to say no, and instead Soheib spent 40 minutes on the phone going through my options. I'm now studying Business at UWTSD two days a week. Some of my classmates are 22, some are 60. Nobody cares about my age."

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Frequently asked questions

Do I really not need GCSEs or A-levels?For most CertHE routes, if you're 21 or over, you don't need formal qualifications. If you're under 21, you'll need Level 3 qualifications totalling around 64–80 UCAS points. Arden University has its own entry rules, including a work experience route — we'll check your situation when you enquire.

How long do these courses take?Anywhere from 1 year for a standalone CertHE, up to 4 years for a full BSc with Foundation Year. Master's distance learning courses are 2 years part-time.

Can I study while working?Yes. Weekend, evening, blended (online plus on-campus), and fully distance learning options are all available depending on the university.

Can I study fully online?Yes, through Arden University's distance learning programmes. Blended options are also available through Roehampton — online evenings plus occasional Saturdays on campus.

What documents will I need?Typically: a valid passport or EU ID card, your share code if applicable, an up-to-date CV, and proof of address. Some courses also ask for a personal statement or a work reference. We'll tell you exactly what's needed for your chosen route.

What if my qualifications are from outside the UK?For most adult routes, formal qualifications aren't required. Where they are, the university can usually assess the equivalence of your overseas qualifications.

How do interviews work?Depending on the university, interviews are either on campus or online via Microsoft Teams. You'll need a valid ID document on the day. We tell you what to expect and how to prepare.

What happens after I fill in the form?We'll get in touch to talk through your options. There's no obligation — the form is the start of a conversation.

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