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Will my GCSE results guaranteed me a university place for chemical engineering?

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Reply 20
Original post by ollie1024
Extended Project Qualification. Its not a necessary qualification to have as university's don't usually count it in their offer however if your first year grades have fallen short a high EPQ grade may work well in your favour.


Lets just say I fail EPQ/get a grade C, will 3 A-levels at grades AAA or AAB still be enough to secure a place? Since all of the universities only want 3 A-levels. Let's also say my grades don't fall short at all.
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 21
I see what you mean now. That looks like it would be promising but it would be beneficial to have the physics a level in there. It's just that you want to do a course that involves a lot of dofferent sciences and it would be useful to be up to scratch before uni on all of them despite it's immediate ability to scare you. It may be worth looking in those prospectuses to make sure you have the right choices as a piece of mind and also know what you need to achieve
Reply 22
Original post by Stevee12
I see what you mean now. That looks like it would be promising but it would be beneficial to have the physics a level in there. It's just that you want to do a course that involves a lot of dofferent sciences and it would be useful to be up to scratch before uni on all of them despite it's immediate ability to scare you. It may be worth looking in those prospectuses to make sure you have the right choices as a piece of mind and also know what you need to achieve


So it'd be better to switch the biology to physics?
Original post by Thalassa-
Lets just say I fail EPQ/get a grade C, will 3 A-levels at grades AAA or AAB still be enough to secure a place? Since all of the universities only want 3 A-levels. Let's also say my grades don't fall short at all.


At AAA I'd say very likely, at AAB id say probably not. If you get AAB and A in EPQ then you should be ok.
Reply 24
Original post by ollie1024
At AAA I'd say very likely, at AAB id say probably not. If you get AAB and A in EPQ then you should be ok.


So I should dismiss EPQ entirely and aim for AAA in the A-levels? (bio chem math)
Original post by Thalassa-
So I should dismiss EPQ entirely and aim for AAA in the A-levels? (bio chem math)


No if you were to dismiss the EPQ entirely aim for A*AA. In all honesty the EPQ doesn't take that much time and effort to complete you just have to do it right. It is recommended by AQA that you spend up to 120 learning hours on your project. This should include meetings with your supervisor, planning, researching, organising, writing and drafting.
Reply 26
Original post by ollie1024
No if you were to dismiss the EPQ entirely aim for A*AA. In all honesty the EPQ doesn't take that much time and effort to complete you just have to do it right. It is recommended by AQA that you spend up to 120 learning hours on your project. This should include meetings with your supervisor, planning, researching, organising, writing and drafting.


I mean I could easily get a C in the EPQ.
Reply 27
I would feel that would best suit it but definitely check online on university requiremebt pages etc. There will be a lot of flow rate atuff probably!
Original post by Thalassa-
I mean I could easily get a C in the EPQ.


No, never dismiss something because you think you will do well in it anyway. If you get a D or E that might bite you in the ass and look bad on your grades profile
Reply 29
Original post by ollie1024
No, never dismiss something because you think you will do well in it anyway. If you get a D or E that might bite you in the ass and look bad on your grades profile


Alright! Thanks for the support and consistency very appreciated!
Original post by Thalassa-
Alright! Thanks for the support and consistency very appreciated!


No problem :smile:
Reply 31
Original post by Stevee12
I would feel that would best suit it but definitely check online on university requiremebt pages etc. There will be a lot of flow rate atuff probably!


I mean most want Maths and either chemistry or physics at a level, the 3rd could be any A level, which most prefer to be physics/chemistry if either is already chosen or biology.
Reply 32
Original post by Thalassa-
By guarantee I mean would they not put me at a disadvantage from those students applying with A*/A's and if I get AAB-AAA at A levels and an A-B in EPQ would that guarantee me a place?

I intend to do a masters degree in either chemical or petroleum engineering in universities such as:
UCL
University of Manchester
Leeds
University of Bath
Queen Mary's
Etc.

I'm starting A levels this year, my subjects being: Biology, Chemistry, Maths and EPQ - I intend to get AAA in the A levels and perhaps an A on the EPQ as well.

My GCSE grades are:
A - Core Science
A - Additional Science
B - Maths (getting remarked as extremely close to A grade/feel paper not marked appropriately)
B - Computing
B - French
C - Geography
C - English Language
C - English Literature
C - Business Studies

I prefer chemical engineering over petroleum but would enjoy doing both!
Also was wondering would the EPQ put me at a big disadvantage from students doing a 4th A-level/AS. My GCSE grades could have been much better if I put in the effort, but guess that's a lesson learnt to not make the same mistake during A-levels. I think I am capable of achieving at least AAB and B in EPQ but will try my very hardest to get AAA on the A Levels and maybe an A on the EPQ.


Your GCSEs are fine but not as important as your A-level choices and performance.

If you plan on doing any flavour of engineering then Physics is a good idea. More useful for engineering than Biology.

An EPQ is nice to have but not as important as good A-levels. An engineering related EPQ is probably marginally more useful than a Psychology AS-level. Further Maths AS-level would be even better (but only if you can get a good grade).

I'd suggest ChemEng rather than Petroleum at this stage. Better not to specialise too soon.

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Original post by Thalassa-
So it'd be better to switch the biology to physics?


You don't need physics a level if you already have chemistry but it is preferred as it is related more to the course than biology
But I hear most course have modules that go over the physics anyway

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Reply 34
Original post by GabbytheGreek_48
You don't need physics a level if you already have chemistry but it is preferred as it is related more to the course than biology
But I hear most course have modules that go over the physics anyway

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Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking, and a large majority of applicants went on to do the course just fine without Physics as A-level.
Reply 35
Original post by jneill
Your GCSEs are fine but not as important as your A-level choices and performance.

If you plan on doing any flavour of engineering then Physics is a good idea. More useful for engineering than Biology.

An EPQ is nice to have but not as important as good A-levels. An engineering related EPQ is probably marginally more useful than a Psychology AS-level. Further Maths AS-level would be even better (but only if you can get a good grade).

I'd suggest ChemEng rather than Petroleum at this stage. Better not to specialise too soon.

Posted from TSR Mobile


Do you think I'll guarantee a place with grades AAA/AAB on the A-levels (Chem Maths Bio) and let's say a C/B in the EPQ?
(edited 7 years ago)
I'm applying for Chemical Engineering this September, focus on your a-levels for sure, they're 10x more important than your gcse grades (unless applying to imperial/Cambridge/Birmingham). I took AS levels in Maths, biology and chemistry and achieved AAA., I too didn't choose to take an AS in physics, although I wish I did:s-smilie:. An EPQ in my opinion is completely pointless and if you are going to take a fourth AS, make sure its relevant to chem eng - physics,economics,further maths are all good choices, but by all means are not required. Loughborough university is a top university in general and has the lowest entry requirements for Chemical engineering (AAB) so definitely consider applying there.:biggrin: Finally, good luck with your a-levels this upcoming year, and I'm sure if you work hard from day one, you'll get the grades you want!
Reply 37
Original post by OGFakiie
I'm applying for Chemical Engineering this September, focus on your a-levels for sure, they're 10x more important than your gcse grades (unless applying to imperial/Cambridge/Birmingham). I took AS levels in Maths, biology and chemistry and achieved AAA., I too didn't choose to take an AS in physics, although I wish I did:s-smilie:. An EPQ in my opinion is completely pointless and if you are going to take a fourth AS, make sure its relevant to chem eng - physics,economics,further maths are all good choices, but by all means are not required. Loughborough university is a top university in general and has the lowest entry requirements for Chemical engineering (AAB) so definitely consider applying there.:biggrin: Finally, good luck with your a-levels this upcoming year, and I'm sure if you work hard from day one, you'll get the grades you want!


Alright! Though I'm stuck with taking the EPQ since I have no option for an AS as all/most A-levels are now linear :c

Any tips on how to get the grades you've achieved? (I'm starting AS this year :biggrin:) And which AS did you take?
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 38
Original post by Thalassa-
Do you think I'll guarantee a place with grades AAA/AAB on the A-levels (Chem Maths Bio) and let's say a C/B in the EPQ?


There's no guarantee of anything, but most universities make offers to applicants who will realistically meet their course entry requirements.

And if you are predicted AAB you are likely to still get offers from AAA courses. Your challenge will be in meeting the offer...

Apply to a range of universities, a couple asking above your prediction, 1 or 2 at your prediction, and 1 or 2 below your prediction for insurance.

For most universities the EPQ will not form part of your offer.

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Reply 39
Original post by Thalassa-
Do you think I'll guarantee a place with grades AAA/AAB on the A-levels (Chem Maths Bio) and let's say a C/B in the EPQ?


There's no guarantee of anything, but most universities make offers to applicants who will realistically meet their course entry requirements.

And if you are predicted AAB you are likely to still get offers from AAA courses. Your challenge will be in meeting the offer...

You could apply to a range of universities, a couple asking above your prediction, 1 or 2 at your prediction, and 1 or 2 below your prediction for insurance.

For most universities the EPQ will not form part of your offer.

Posted from TSR Mobile

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