There are many different routes of entry from college to GCU. These include; Articulation, SWAP (Scottish Wider Access Programme), GCU Pathways, and Non-Articulation (level 1 entry).

Click through the tabs below to find out more information about each route.

Many undergraduate programmes of study at GCU have the option to Articulate into 2nd or 3rd year. This means, on successful completion of an HNC/D at college, you can 'Articulate' or 'skip to' 2nd or 3rd year. Articulation routes for each programme can be found under the entry requirements on the corresponding course page and your year of entry should be made clear on your UCAS application. In 2022-23, GCU had nearly 900 students Articulate to our degree programmes - this is not unusual and is encouraged so that you don't repeat years of study, and your prior learning is recognised.

The Scottish Wider Access Programme supports adult learners to access higher education. SWAP provides full-time, one-year courses across a variety of different areas including science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, education, languages, business, law, social work, nursing, allied health professions, medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine. SWAP courses have been specifically developed to help adult returners to education who have little to no qualifications and have been out of education for a long time. You can find out if you are eligible for a SWAP programme here. SWAP entry requirements can be found under 'entry requirements' on specific course pages on the GCU website. SWAP students will, in general, start their studies from Level 1.

You may also choose to enrol at GCU as a College Pathways student. This means you'll be a GCU student studying for two years at college and then progress directly into the 3rd year of your chosen pathways course at Glasgow Caledonian University. You can view a list of College Pathways degree courses here. Our College Pathways Programme allows you to study for your HND at one of our partner colleges (more information below) while ensuring your place at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Non-Articulating students are previous college students who start their GCU degree level study at Level 1. This could be because they have been studying at college to gain required grades, or they don't feel ready to Articulate to Level 3 entry.

UCAS Advice and Guidance

'Getting into GCU' UCAS Guide

'Getting Into GCU' is a short online guide to help you build your UCAS Application, aimed at students in their final year of HNC/HND or SWAP study.

The guide offers useful guidance and tips on how to construct your Personal Statement when applying to degree programmes at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Access the Getting Into GCU UCAS guide here.

If you have any questions about the guide, you can email us at collegeconnect@gcu.ac.uk.

'Getting into GCU' UCAS Workshop

We also offer 'Getting into GCU' as a workshop on college campuses, at lunchtime and have dates available from September - December 2023.

To arrange a 'Getting into GCU' workshop at your college, email us at collegeconnect@gcu.ac.uk

Key dates for 2024 entrants

You can pay and send your completed undergraduate application to UCAS from 5 September for 2024 entry.
Applications for the majority of 2024 entry undergraduate courses should arrive at UCAS by 18:00 (UK time) on 31 January 2024. This is UCAS's 'equal consideration' deadline, which means course providers must consider all applications received by this time equally.
28 February 2024 - Extra opens. If you have used all five choices and are not holding an offer, you can add another choice using Extra.
30 June 2024 18:00 (UK time) - Last date for receipt of applications with choices. Applications received after this deadline are automatically entered into Clearing.
4 July 2024 - Extra closes.
5 July 2024 - Clearing opens and vacancies are shown in the UCAS search

UCAS Terminology Explained

For further help and advice with your application from college to university, you can contact our College Connect team at collegeconnect@gcu.ac.uk

If your enquiry is related to Admissions, please contact the team directly at studentenquiries@gcu.ac.uk