The Student Room Group

Will this work? (Welsh Bac related)

I got BCCE at AS (meh) and dropped the E (Biology)
B- Economics
C - Maths & Chemistry

We do Welsh Bac at our school and its getting accepted by quite a few Unis in Wales and England, so I was planning on dropping Chemistry so I'd have Econ, Maths and welsh bac as my grades.

I was really close to an A in Economics and I'm thinking of getting my paper remarked anyway, and I think I'll be capable of getting an A in A2. Maths was disappointing and I'm resitting C1 and C2 (Got an A in S1 and Ds in core).
Chemistry was really difficult and I'm surprised I even got a C tbh.

I'm planning on doing Finance or accounting or something like that at Uni, so chemistry isn't actually needed, so dropping that would actually take a massive weight off my shoulders when it comes to revision. The Unis I'm thinking of applying to are Bristol, Exeter, Cardiff and Manchester. They all accept Welsh Bac as an A level (Equivalent to an A grade) but I feel nervous about making an application with only 2 A2 subjects on there.

My grades (if goes to plan) will hopefully be AAB at A2, with Welsh Bac and Economics at an A, and Maths being a B.

What do you think? Could I get some offers with this plan?
You need to read-up on what each Unis says about Welsh Bac on each of their websites.

The usual arrangement is that you can substitute your Welsh Bac grade instead of the the lowest A level grade - as long as this subject isnt a 'required' subject. But - you do need to check this very carefully both for each specific Uni AND the individual subject/course you are interested in.
Reply 2
Original post by returnmigrant
You need to read-up on what each Unis says about Welsh Bac on each of their websites.

The usual arrangement is that you can substitute your Welsh Bac grade instead of the the lowest A level grade - as long as this subject isnt a 'required' subject. But - you do need to check this very carefully both for each specific Uni AND the individual subject/course you are interested in.


So by "substitute", if the course allows it, I could apply with just 2 A2s and Welsh Bac?

So far I've got Exeter which allows an A in Welsh Bac as an A grade to submit. Its clearly explained.

Bristol however say this for welsh bac: Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Level Core.

Does this mean I can apply with 2 A levels plus Welsh Bac? I'm horrible at interpreting. It says replace, so do I have to have a 3rd A level for it to be replace?
Original post by Jack1066

Bristol however say this for welsh bac: Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Level Core.Does this mean I can apply with 2 A levels plus Welsh Bac?


It means you have to be taking 3 A levels - but that come results day, you can use your Welsh Bac grade instead of a lower A level grade IF that A level subject isnt a 'required subject'.
Reply 4
Original post by returnmigrant
It means you have to be taking 3 A levels - but that come results day, you can use your Welsh Bac grade instead of a lower A level grade IF that A level subject isnt a 'required subject'.


Ohh ok. Thank you! Guess I won't be having a nice empty timetable then haha
Original post by Jack1066
Ohh ok. Thank you! Guess I won't be having a nice empty timetable then haha


I should also point out that the Welsh Bacc, if you've just finished AS, is going to be graded so it's not just a matter of passing the qualification - you'll need to get the same grade in the Bacc as the A-level grade you're hoping to use it as a replacement for. Just thought I should point that out. :wink:
Reply 6
Original post by Hydeman
I should also point out that the Welsh Bacc, if you've just finished AS, is going to be graded so it's not just a matter of passing the qualification - you'll need to get the same grade in the Bacc as the A-level grade you're hoping to use it as a replacement for. Just thought I should point that out. :wink:


So I if I get an A in the Welsh Bac but a C in chemistry, does that mean I can use the A as a grade requirement, or will it be a C?
Original post by Jack1066
So I if I get an A in the Welsh Bac but a C in chemistry, does that mean I can use the A as a grade requirement, or will it be a C?


If Chemistry is a required subject, then no, you can't. But if it's just a third subject that isn't needed for the course, then yes. You should check individual entry requirements. :smile:
Reply 8
Original post by Hydeman
If Chemistry is a required subject, then no, you can't. But if it's just a third subject that isn't needed for the course, then yes. You should check individual entry requirements. :smile:


Ah brilll. I'm applying for finance so Chemistry is not a required subject. So just to clarify, I literally just need to sit the chemistry exam to swap it out for Welsh Bac? It doesn't matter if I get a U even, it would just be switched to an A in Welsh Bac?
Original post by Jack1066
Ah brilll. I'm applying for finance so Chemistry is not a required subject. So just to clarify, I literally just need to sit the chemistry exam to swap it out for Welsh Bac? It doesn't matter if I get a U even, it would just be switched to an A in Welsh Bac?


Different universities have different policies about that. For example, Cardiff University insist that you take three A-levels and get at least a C grade in the third A-level. Keele insists you get at least a B in the third subject and so on. Bristol on the other hand, doesn't have a minimum for the third A-level. You need to check with the individual universities by contacting them directly. It won't be a good feeling if you find out they have a minimum requirement in the third subject and you've got a U in chemistry...
Reply 10
Original post by Hydeman
Different universities have different policies about that. For example, Cardiff University insist that you take three A-levels and get at least a C grade in the third A-level. Keele insists you get at least a B in the third subject and so on. Bristol on the other hand, doesn't have a minimum for the third A-level. You need to check with the individual universities by contacting them directly. It won't be a good feeling if you find out they have a minimum requirement in the third subject and you've got a U in chemistry...


Ah ok! got some more research to do then. Thank you very much for telling me this, I would have been dicked over if I'd have just dropped chemistry haha
Original post by Jack1066
Ah ok! got some more research to do then. Thank you very much for telling me this, I would have been dicked over if I'd have just dropped chemistry haha


No worries. :smile: Good luck in your Finance aspirations.

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