What is GMSA Pathways?
What is GMSA Pathways | HE Jargon Buster | FAQ
What is GMSA Pathways?
GMSA Pathways has been made possible through agreements between colleges and universities. These special agreements can help you get onto a higher level course at universities and colleges across Greater Manchester. Through GMSA Pathways you can register your interest in higher education courses, and as a result you may be offered an interview or even a place (subject to confirmation of grades and any additional requirements). Please note, full time students will still be required to apply through UCAS.
Please click here for the GMSA Pathways Guide in PDF format
Which universites and colleges are in GMSA Pathways?
What’s in it for me?
You will find courses where you are sure to be made an offer or guaranteed an interview.
You can be confident that the universities and colleges in GMSA Pathways will welcome your application.
You can search a wide range of courses across many subject areas, for example, if you are studying on a BTEC National Diploma IT practitioners course you will find pathways into Computer Games Technology, Business Accounting, Nursing, Leadership & Management and Law.
How do I get started on GMSA Pathways?
You can either:
Start searching right away – just click on Search. In six short steps you can find courses that match your BTEC subject area and predicted/achieved grades. These results will be filtered by your current subject area. Select "All Subject Areas" to see the full list of courses.
OR
Create an account before searching. This will allow you to save courses as you search and enquire directly to colleges and universities to get more information about the course you are interested in. You will also be able to log back in and track your enquiries.
To find out more on how to apply click here.
Benefits of Using GMSA Pathways
- Your application will be welcomed by any of the colleges or universities in your search
- You may be invited for an interview, giving you the chance to find out more about the college or university
- In some cases a conditional offer is made (subject to confirmation of grades, and any additional requirements)
- You can search for a course from a wide range of opportunities across different subject areas
- If you want to study locally you can find a course near you
You can even make contact with the provider to gain more information about the type of courses they offer, the qualifications you can gain and the range of support available. This includes careers advice, support for international students or students with a disability, financial support and even study support.
Please note, you can also apply for courses outside GMSA Pathways so you'll have more choices. Visit www.ucas.com to find out more.
HE Jargon Buster
Academic Year
A college or university year that traditionally runs from September to June although there are some providers, such as the Open University, that run course programmes at different times throughout the year.
Access Funds
Money given to higher education providers to assist students who may be experiencing financial difficulty. There is an application procedure to determine who can access this support. The level of support you receive will depend on your financial circumstances.
Additional Learner Support
This is financial support that can help in situations where a lack of money would often be a barrier to continuing your studies. It targets individuals on a low income or those suffering from financial difficulties. It can help to cover the cost of childcare, equipment and other aspects.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) /Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
Often used as an alternative to formal qualifications to assess a student’s suitability to enter Higher Education. It allows you to claim ‘credits’ for your learning and experiences that take place outside a formal academic setting. You must show evidence of this learning.
Apprenticeships
These are available to young people aged 16-24 who are not in full time education. An Apprenticeship involves working for an employer, learning on the job, building up relevant knowledge and skills, gaining a qualification and earning money while you learn. They cover all kinds of vocational careers. You will need to be in work before you can access training through an Apprenticeship. You can use the qualification gained from an Advanced Apprenticeship to progress into higher education.
Bachelor of Arts / BA (Hons)
This is an undergraduate bachelor's degree awarded for a programme in Humanities or Arts subjects. The degree generally lasts three years and receives the title BA for an ordinary/pass degree and BA (Hons) for an honours degree.
Bachelor of Science / BSc (Hons)
This is an undergraduate bachelor's degree awarded for a programme in Science subjects. The degree generally lasts three years and receives the title BSc for an ordinary/pass degree and BSc (Hons) for an honours degree.
BTEC (National Diploma / National Certificate)
These are vocational qualifications that teach the skills that are needed for working life. There are BTEC courses in a wide range of subject areas, and are usually assessed by practical work and coursework rather than traditional exams.
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
Many social care, education and health-care programmes require you to have a CRB check prior to working/studying in these areas.
Distance Learning
Students can study from their homes and are provided with specially prepared learning materials often in the form of TV and radio programmes, correspondence materials, video, computer network, electronic materials (using the internet) or CD ROM. The institution you are registered with is responsible for marking and commenting on your work, and providing the appropriate support.
Foundation Degree (FdA/FdSc)
The Foundation Degree is a vocational qualification and is on the same level as the Higher National Diploma and Certificate (HND/HNC). Courses are typically two years long and are offered by both universities and colleges offering higher education. These degrees are intended to give a foundation in a subject, and enables the holder to go on to employment in that field. They have been designed in partnership with employers, Further Education Colleges (FECs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). There are a range of formats (full-time, part-time, distance learning) and in some instances, the FdA/FdSc can turn in to a full Degree Award (BA/BSc), sometimes called a 'Top Up degree', by completing an extra period of study.
Further Education (FE)
Further Education is any study that you complete after the age of 16. Further Education is offered in schools and colleges, in the workplace, and by other training providers. A wide range of courses can be studied including vocational courses, traditional A levels and key skills all of which can be used to meet higher education entry requirements.
Higher Education (HE)
Higher Education is delivered in universites and colleges, and is generally taken after the age of 18. HE courses include undergraduate degrees (BA, BSc), HNCs and HNDs, foundation degrees (FdA, FdSc), and postgraduate study.
Higher National Certificate (HNC)
The HNC is a higher education qualification when studied full-time normally takes one year, or two years part-time. Many HNCs cover the same topics as an HND and it is often possible to complete an HND with one year of full-time study after successfully completing the HNC.
Higher National Diploma (HND)
The HND is a higher education qualification which takes two years of full-time study, or one year full-time following successful completion of a Higher National Certificate (HNC); part-time study takes longer.
Key Skills
Key skills are skills which are important in all aspects of life. They are ‘Communicaton’, ‘Application of Number’ (numeracy), ‘Information Technology’, ‘Improving Own Learning and Performance’, ‘Problem Solving’ and ‘Working with Others’.
Learndirect
Learndirect delivers learning opportunities for individuals over the age of 16 years. Its purpose is to equip individuals with essential skills needed in the workplace and to provide opportunities to those who are unlikely to engage in traditional forms of learning. Many of its courses can be accessed on-line so you have the flexibility to choose how you learn. You can also search for them by postcode or city. There are online learning centres (in your community) throughout the UK. You can use the free phone helpline number - 0800 101 901 to contact an advisor and gain information about a range of education and training opportunities.
Mature Student
Students who are over 21 when they start their course.
Open/Flexible Learning
Open or flexible learning allows students to study at their own pace. They use learning centres where they have full access to materials and resources. These centres also provide them with counselling, and tutorial support as required.
Progression Agreements
These are special arrangements made between colleges, universities and work based learning providers in and around Greater Manchester. Progression Agreements are designed to ensure that students can progress to higher education courses with some guarantees such as an interview, an offer of a place and an assurance that their application will be welcome.
Prospectus
A brochure or online resource giving details of a university/college and its courses, entry requirements and actual location of sites where courses are delivered.
Subject Area
A category based on industry sectors and academic subjects.
Tuition Fees
Course fees which are payable to the college/university.
University and College Admissions Service (UCAS)
The organisation that handles university applications. They also have a full list of higher education courses offered by colleges and universities. For more information see the official UCAS website www.ucas.com.
Vocational
Vocational learning is directly related to the job or career you intend to pursue. Such course programmes prepare learners for specific occupations, trades and careers. They are designed so that they include work based training. A typical example of this is the BTEC and Advanced Apprenticeship.
FAQ
1. How does GMSA Pathways complement existing services such as UCAS?
GMSA Pathways offers vocational learners hundreds of clear paths into higher education courses delivered by institutions across Greater Manchester. It directs users to the institutions website, where the learner can view detailed course information, helping them make informed choices. GMSA Pathways complements the UCAS application process by allowing learners to view their progression options before making a formal application.
2. What if I do not have any formal qualifications?
Prospective students with no formal qualifications can find further information on our advice page:
http://pathways.gmsa.ac.uk/advice.asp
3. Why does the student have to login?
Learners can use GMSA Pathways to view their progression options without logging in. However, creating an account allows the student to register their interest in a course, save, add or delete any courses in "My Courses" and print their results. It also enables them to make direct email contact with the college or university that they are interested in.
4. What happens when a learner enquires to get their offer?
Once logged in, learners can generate an automatic email enquiry to the institution of their choice by clicking on Enquire to Get Your Offer. This allows the learner to register their interests in a course without making a formal application, and their email goes to the admissions tutor, who will respond directly to the learner by email.
5. What if the student has additional qualifications such as A levels that aren’t listed?
In these circumstances prospective students are still encouraged to send an enquiry to the college or university that they are interested in. In addition to the courses listed in GMSA Pathways, there are further opportunities available to students through the UCAS application process. Please discuss your options with your advisor/tutor.
6. What happens to the learner's details once they have been submitted?
Please see the Privacy Statement for further details.
7. I work at a college or university. How can I add a course to GMSA Pathways?
We encourage our partner institutions to submit provision for inclusion in GMSA Pathways. To discuss this further please email pathwaysenquiry@gmsa.ac.uk Alternatively download the Additional Progression Application Form below.