What does it mean when a highly reputable uni has low entry requirements for a partic

You mean ABB, right? Otherwise I'm hopelessly confused.

Of course I could've done worse, I guess I'm lucky I got into a course I originally applied to at a uni I've visited and know about the course, instead of ending up at a totally different university/course, but I'm still disappointed with both my result and the difference in reputation between Nott'm and my original top two choices. I really couldn't do with a gap year yet I sometimes keep contemplating if I'm not happy at Nottingham, that I would reapply to 'better' universities for 'lower standard' courses that only need AAB, and then going there? For example Bristol did give me a clearing offer for 'Environmental Geoscience' which was originally only an AAB course anyway, but I decided against it thinking it was a lower standard of course given the entry requirements, as well as being a totally new place and course to me, and it seems reputation-wise there isn't a huge difference. I despise UCL now but for me the main disappointment is not getting into Durham. They also offer 'environmental geosciences' at AAB too, but said that they were full this year.

I'm confused now with regards to reputation of unis, courses as well as their entry requirements vs who actually gets accepted.

I ended up getting AAB so missed out on Durham and UCL for natural sciences (A*AA and AAA respectively) but managed to get a place at Nottingham, even though they originally wanted A*AA too (I originally got an offer for the same course with them but I didn't choose them). So although I was rather grateful that I got into an A*AA 'worth' course - it makes me wonder why it was lowered so much for clearing? I wonder how many of those who made them firm/insurance also got less than A*AA, which makes me wonder why they set it at A*AA at all?

Of course I could've done worse, I guess I'm lucky I got into a course I originally applied to at a uni I've visited and know about the course, instead of ending up at a totally different university/course, but I'm still disappointed with both my result and the difference in reputation between Nott'm and my original top two choices. I really couldn't do with a gap year yet I sometimes keep contemplating if I'm not happy at Nottingham, that I would reapply to 'better' universities for 'lower standard' courses that only need AAB, and then going there? For example Bristol did give me a clearing offer for 'Environmental Geoscience' which was originally only an AAB course anyway, but I decided against it thinking it was a lower standard of course given the entry requirements, as well as being a totally new place and course to me, and it seems reputation-wise there isn't a huge difference. I despise UCL now but for me the main disappointment is not getting into Durham. They also offer 'environmental geosciences' at AAB too, but said that they were full this year.

There's no such thing as an 'A*AA worth course'.

A university asking for A*AA can either mean they get a lot of applications and need to reduce the pool of candidates, or the university wants to project an image of quality (they rely on students like you assuming they're awesome just because they ask for high grades).

Environmental Geoscience isn't a lower standard course, just less popular than Natural Sciences. More specialised degrees usually have lower entry requirements. If you wanted to do that degree at Durham or UCL then you should have applied for it. This is why research is so important.

Why 'despise' UCL for rejecting you when you failed to make their offer?

While Nott'm is good in it's own right, being RG and all that, I'm still disappointed and ashamed to tell everyone but my closest friends and family about my grades and what has happened.

No, lol I'm just saying based off the fact that kings only started offering the economics degree a few years ago and is asking for A*AA. I'll hopefully be applying there this year!

Kings do Economics now?

news to me.

By one grade? When others miss their offer by one or even two grades they still get in?
Not just that - I regret choosing them in the first place having heard about the current situation regarding rent, student satisfaction, etc, I really should've chosen Imperial which has more academic rigour than UCL which now seems overrated. The staff in general also seemed rude and lacked passion, but unfortunately I was 'bowled over' by the reputation...

I think you should focus on trying to enjoy Nottingham and stop hating on a university that rejected you - it is not very becoming.

I shall certainly try my best to enjoy Nottingham... But for one last time I will say that the UCL-hating it is not 'simply because they rejected me' but it is due to their pointless policy which in short is putting all their courses with vacancies on adjustment and not clearing - so I met the conditions for some yet couldn't get on to them. This has left me a very bad impression of the university. Other universities either do clearing properly or not at all. I don't know any who do adjustment separately to clearing...

I don't want this thread to become more off topic so I'll be leaving it now...

Lol, feel free to continue - I don't mind. Got rejected from Durham (insurance) too and I loved it so much I decided I wouldn't have at all minded going there if I missed my UCL offer (it was like having two firms) so I truly, genuinely feel your pain. But good luck with whatever you do - you have to move on, is what I'm realising.

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It's late and I hadn't read your earlier posts properly - I didn't know UCL was your firm, and interesting to know Durham was your insurance - So essentially we were in the same position? Over the past few weeks, surrounded by friends celebrating getting into their 1st choice, I've felt like I'm the only one, so it's now good to know you're not the only one - and there was nothing wrong in aiming high, right?

But you're right in saying it was like two firms since they're both very oversubscribed I guess, so can't accept many near misses, unlike more lenient unis.

Edinburgh sounds great, I personally didn't consider the Scottish universities due to the extra year but in the grand scheme of things it's a small price to pay, I'm sure you'll do well - good luck!
I think the key is to focus on the positives - we've got into the courses we wanted and still at RG unis!

It's late and I hadn't read your earlier posts properly - I didn't know UCL was your firm, and interesting to know Durham was your insurance - So essentially we were in the same position? Over the past few weeks, surrounded by friends celebrating getting into their 1st choice, I've felt like I'm the only one, so it's now good to know you're not the only one - and there was nothing wrong in aiming high, right?

But you're right in saying it was like two firms since they're both very oversubscribed I guess, so can't accept many near misses, unlike more lenient unis.

Edinburgh sounds great, I personally didn't consider the Scottish universities due to the extra year but in the grand scheme of things it's a small price to pay, I'm sure you'll do well - good luck!
I think the key is to focus on the positives - we've got into the courses we wanted and still at RG unis!