Expand+Step by step guide to making an application
1. Browse the course information on our website www.belfastmet.ac.uk

2. Discuss your options with your school teacher, careers advisor/teacher, Belfast Met Course Co-ordinator or a member of Belfast Me...

Hide-Step by step guide to making an application
1. Browse the course information on our website www.belfastmet.ac.uk

2. Discuss your options with your school teacher, careers advisor/teacher, Belfast Met Course Co-ordinator or a member of Belfast Met’s Careers & Employability team.

3. Visit: The College at one of our Open Days and talk to the tutors/students to see what we have on offer.

4. Apply as early as possible: Once you have decided which courses you are interested in, complete your application online at www.belfastmet.ac.uk. You will be allowed to apply for up to five courses. If you apply for more than five courses, this may result in a delay in your application.

You will be able to create an account with an unique username and password. Please note that you require a valid email address to create your account. If you already have an account created, please make sure you use the same email address and password.

Anyone who experiences difficulty completing an online application form should in the first instance use the (i) icons displayed on the screen or contact the relevant Campus Administration office on tel: 02890 265 265 during office hours.

Capturing examination results: You will be provided with a hyperlink to record pending and achieved results. It is essential that you record all examination results because this information helps course tutors to make decisions about your application. This information must be kept up-to-date at all times.

5. Pre-Entry advice and guidance: Once your application form has been received, you will be invited to attend a pre-entry advice and guidance session. Attendance at the session is mandatory.

After attending the pre-entry advice and guidance, one of the following will happen:
• If you currently hold qualifications which meet/exceed the entry requirements and there is a place available, you will be invited to enrol immediately at which point you will enter a contractual agreement with the College agreeing to enrolment terms.

• If you are awaiting results but will meet/ exceed the entry requirements before the course start date AND there are places available, you will receive an OFFER.

• If you do not hold or are not awaiting results and will not meet the entry requirements by the course start date at the required level, your application will not be successful. The College will invite you to contact the Careers and Employability Team.

• If you meet or are expected to meet/exceed the entry requirements but no places are immediately available, you will be placed on a waiting list. Step by step guide to making an application

6. Decision: When you receive your offer, you will be given an appointment to come into the College once you receive your examination results. You must attend the appointment otherwise your offer will be withdrawn.

7. If your application is at Wait or Late: Make sure that you have provided us with a valid email and mobile/home contact number. Ensure that you check your emails and mobile for updates about your application. Should a place become available, you will be asked to attend the College with your examination results.

Remember
• You can check your application status when you log onto your student portal account.

• It is vitally important that you keep your contact details up-to-date to ensure you do not miss out on enrolment opportunities.

Expand+Minimum entry requirements
Please note that where insufficient numbers of students are recruited, the College reserves the right to withdraw the course or a specific course element. If you are unsure about the choice and level of a course, please ...

Hide-Minimum entry requirements
Please note that where insufficient numbers of students are recruited, the College reserves the right to withdraw the course or a specific course element. If you are unsure about the choice and level of a course, please feel free to avail of our Careers & Employability Service on 028 9026 5066.

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 the course satisfactorily.

The College welcomes applications from students who do not have academic qualifications but who wish to apply by virtue of experience.

Please note: at all levels, admissions criteria may be enhanced by the College if a course is oversubscribed. General entry requirements for full-time higher education programmes at Belfast Metropolitan College are outlined below.

Exceptions to minimum entrance requirements
Some courses may enhance the entrance criteria above the minimum. Exceptions are noted within the requirements under each individual course.

Higher Education (Level 4 +)
All courses are delivered in the English Language, apart from language specific courses.

Full-time students who do not have English as their first language should be able to provide an English Language Certificate at Level 2/GCSE level.

Applicants must:
•Have evidence of competence in written and spoken English and Numeracy, equivalent to Level 2 certification in each subject or GCSE grade C.

•Have attained at least 12 points at Level 2 or above (e.g. GCSE) or have alternative approved qualifications.

•Have attained a pass in at least one GCE A Level subject or equivalent Level 3 qualification. Applicants should have attained a minimum of 80 UCAS points achieved through the completion of A Levels, National Awards, Access or other alternative approved qualifications. The College reserves the right to increase the entrance criteria for all higher education provision based on demand and required academic standards as specified by the awarding body/validating organisation.

Alternative Approved Qualifications
•Belfast Met will accept as alternative approved qualifications:

•Irish Leaving Certificate with passes in three approved subjects at Ordinary Level, together with a minimum of 80 UCAS points gained at Higher Level

•BTEC National qualifications (Level 3) awarded by Edexcel

•OCR National qualifications (Level 3)

•NVQ qualifications (Level 3)

•A minimum of two passes at grade D or above in Scottish Highers

•The European, International or Welsh Baccalaureate

•Satisfactory completion of an approved Access course

For further information or enquiries about alternative qualifications recognised, please contact our admissions team or the course team lead as identified within the programme information.

All courses as detailed on the QCF (Qualifications and Curriculum Framework) will be taken into consideration.

Requirements
Requirements are pre-defined by the College’s admissions criteria which are outlined at the beginning of this document. Applicants should possess a Level 3 qualification in a biology-related subject. Please note that the minimum tariff accepted for this course in previous academic years was 200 points.

Expand+Tuition Fees for academic year (2017/18)
A full-time foundation degree/HND will cost £2685 per year.

Payment of Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are payable in full at the time of enrolment. Tuition fees can comprise course fees, registration fees o...

Hide-Tuition Fees for academic year (2017/18)
A full-time foundation degree/HND will cost £2685 per year.

Payment of Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are payable in full at the time of enrolment. Tuition fees can comprise course fees, registration fees or any other charge relating to the course. Payment is accepted by cash, cheque, direct debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard).

Payment of Fees by Direct Debit
Students with a UK bank account that facilitates direct debit can arrange for fees to be paid in instalments if they are enrolling on a course(s) of 16 weeks duration or more and the total cost is greater than £200. Students will have to pay a minimum of 25% of the total fee at time of enrolment, followed by three consecutive monthly equal payments by direct debit. Fully completed Direct Debit Forms must be provided at time of enrolment.

Payment by Sponsor/Employer
If your fees are to be paid by a sponsor such as your employer, please ensure that all the information is available to enable us to raise the appropriate invoices and to allow your sponsor to make payment on your behalf. You must present a signed letter from your sponsor/employer at time of enrolment. If you leave the employer it is your personal responsibility to ensure that your fees are paid and you will be liable for any outstanding balances.

Payment by Student Loan Company
If your fees are to be paid by the Student Loan Company (SLC) you must present a letter from your SLC at time of enrolment where possible. It is your personal responsibility to ensure that your fees are paid.

Refund Policy
The College’s policy is that all tuition fees are paid in full and are not refundable. The exceptions to this are as follows:

• A course/session is cancelled by the College. Where the cancellation of a course takes place, students will be offered either a place on a suitable alternative course or a full refund.

• Where a student has not attended a course and has provided written notification to the College at least 5 working days before the course commences.

• If the time, day or evening meeting of the class has been changed and the student is unable to continue attending because of these changes, a refund will be issued if written notification is received within 20 working days of the change.

• Other refund/cancellation applications shall be considered only in exceptional circumstances by the Director or designated authority (Head of Finance).

If an applicant has made one or more attendances, no refund/cancellation may be given, except in circumstances as listed beside in the refund policy section. However, where a refund has been refused it may be possible to transfer the tuition fee paid to another programme.

All applications for refunds must be made in writing. Requests for the refund/cancellation of tuition fees may be recommended by a member of the Curriculum Department and forwarded to Finance but only the Director or Head of Finance have the authority to authorise a refund or deferral of fees.

Where a refund has been authorised, payment originally made by credit or debit cards will be refunded by cheque within 20 working days.

Expand+Opportunities and Progression
This course is particularly suitable if you are interested in progressing to biology-related degree programmes at university, or wish to gain employment in biologically-based industries. The course also allows graduate...

Hide-Opportunities and Progression
This course is particularly suitable if you are interested in progressing to biology-related degree programmes at university, or wish to gain employment in biologically-based industries. The course also allows graduates to apply to become Associates of the Royal Society of Biology and/or Registered Science Technicians. With further experience, HND graduates can apply for Registered Scientist or Chartered Biologist status. Please note that while HND graduates typically progress into the second year of degree programmes, some professional degree programmes (e.g. Radiography, Physiotherapy etc.) require you to enter the first year.