Essential Skills opens doors to Higher Education

Queen’s University, Belfast and the University of Ulster will now accept Essential Skills qualifications as acceptable alternatives to GCSEs, making higher education accessible to many more learners.

Commenting on the announcement, 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."

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.

One student who hopes to benefit from this announcement is Patrice Cunningham from Southern Regional College. After gaining Essential Skills qualifications, Patrice enrolled on an Access Course on a part-time basis to help her realise her life long ambition of going to university to study nursing. Prior to her return to education, Patrice had been unemployed for five years, caring for her terminally ill mother. After her death she realised that she would like to work in a caring profession and was offered the chance to do an Essential Skills course as part of her NVQ course. Patrice said: "English was a subject which really scared me but I had a really good tutor and enjoyed the relaxed teaching environment. My success has made me want to learn more and realise my goal of becoming a nurse."

Remarking on Patrice’s achievements the Minister said: "Essential Skills learning can provide learners with life changing opportunities. For some, they are the perfect first step back into education, for others a means to pave the way into further learning and a chance to access higher education."

Notes to editors:

1. Essential Skills courses are free and available now at your local college. You can also obtain more details about courses across Northern Ireland by ringing the freephone number 0800 66 0800 or online http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/knowhow.
2. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.