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Explanation for high UCAS entry?

Cambridge has a average UCAS point entry standard of 601, and Oxford's is 577.

How???

Cambridge's is equivalent to AAAAA at A Level. 5 A Levels! 5! The average student has done 5 A Levels, and gotten A's in all of them?!

When I attended Cambridge's Law Masterclass yesterday, I didn't find anyone who was doing 5 A Levels. 4 at most, and that was rare!

Bearing this in mind, how can it be that they say their typical offer is A*AA?
Reply 1
Avatar for Jehaan
Jehaan
19
Most people get above the entry requirements for example my friend was quite low when Cambridge ranked her UMS average at AS as ab got a *measly* 92% showing how everyone is extremely clever. Also bear in mind Cambridge offer holders tend to get more than one A* plus it's not just academics you get UCAS points from. You can also get them from being proficient in instruments and doing golds dofe
Because UCAS is not just a-levels but other things such as piano grade and stuff.

Also, international students tend to pull the tariffs up as many overseas exams are relatively more challenging yet Oxbridge don't set the requirement at the equivalent level so as to not be flooded with applicants.

For example, an A in UK's a-levels (second highest grade) was only a C in Hong Kong's a-levels (third highest grade) but Oxford set the requirement at 3 As for HK a-levels (which would be a requirement that is a level higher than A*A*A*).

On your other question - the typical offer is A*AA but it doesn't mean everyone has only A*AA in the end.
Original post by Jehaan
plus it's not just academics you get UCAS points from. You can also get them from being proficient in instruments and doing golds dofe

I didn't know that!

Do you know how many points you can get from those sorts of things?
Original post by Abstract_Prism
I didn't know that!

Do you know how many points you can get from those sorts of things?


https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/entry-requirements/tariff/tariff-tables
Reply 5
Avatar for Doones
Doones
21
Original post by Jehaan
You can also get them from being proficient in instruments and doing golds dofe


Not DofE as such. But yes non-traditional qualifications do have points, including some for volunteering (ASDAN). Horse care is another one...

Posted from TSR Mobile
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by Abstract_Prism
Cambridge has a average UCAS point entry standard of 601, and Oxford's is 577.

How???

Cambridge's is equivalent to AAAAA at A Level. 5 A Levels! 5! The average student has done 5 A Levels, and gotten A's in all of them?!

When I attended Cambridge's Law Masterclass yesterday, I didn't find anyone who was doing 5 A Levels. 4 at most, and that was rare!

Bearing this in mind, how can it be that they say their typical offer is A*AA?


Yeah that doesn't make any sense, at least it's easier with 3 a levels
Reply 7
Avatar for Doones
Doones
21
Original post by Abstract_Prism
Cambridge has a average UCAS point entry standard of 601, and Oxford's is 577.

How???



Original post by zXcodeXz
Yeah that doesn't make any sense, at least it's easier with 3 a levels


Commonly many will achieve:
A*A*A* = 420 points for the typical 3 A-Levels
+ an A in a 4th AS, 60 points (in Y12)
+ an A in EPQ, 60 points (in Y12 or Y13)
= 540 total

And then many will have a 4th A-Level to bring the average up. Plus music, etc, etc...

Posted from TSR Mobile
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by jneill
Commonly it will be:
A*A*A* = 420
+ A in a 4th AS, 60
+ A in EPQ, 60
= 540

And then many will have a 4th A-Level to bring the average up. Plus music, etc, etc...

Posted from TSR Mobile


Oh ok thanks, do you know their requirement for 4 A2 levels?
Reply 9
Avatar for Doones
Doones
21
Original post by zXcodeXz
Oh ok thanks, do you know their requirement for 4 A2 levels?


They don't have a typical requirement for 4 A-Levels. Requirements are set in 3 A-Levels.

And my example was not a requirement, it's what many ACHIEVE. The requirements are lower, check the course you are interested in.

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by jneill
They don't have a typical requirement for 4 A-Levels. Requirements are set in 3 A-Levels.

And my example was not a requirement, it's what many ACHIEVE. The requirements are lower, check the course you are interested in.

Posted from TSR Mobile


Thanks, are you currently studying in any university?
Reply 11
Avatar for Doones
Doones
21
Original post by zXcodeXz
Thanks, are you currently studying in any university?


No, I'm a parent.

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by jneill
No, I'm a parent.

Posted from TSR Mobile


Ok any of your kids at uni?
Reply 13
Avatar for Doones
Doones
21
Original post by zXcodeXz
Ok any of your kids at uni?


One will be at Cambridge in October, but we are going off topic :wink:
Original post by jneill
One will be at Cambridge in October, but we are going off topic :wink:


Wow that's actually amazing good luck to them all!
Original post by jneill
One will be at Cambridge in October, but we are going off topic :wink:

I'm having concern about next year. Next year I'm doing AS hopefully and I want to study Biology Chemistry Physics and Maths. In your opinion should I take 3 A levels or 4?
Reply 16
Avatar for Doones
Doones
21
Original post by zXcodeXz
I'm having concern about next year. Next year I'm doing AS hopefully and I want to study Biology Chemistry Physics and Maths. In your opinion should I take 3 A levels or 4?


Best to look for similar threads and if necessary start your own. :wink:
Original post by jneill
Best to look for similar threads and if necessary start your own. :wink:


Ok thanks

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