Should I even be applying to cambridge and UCL with A*AB?

I think your best approach for those universities and that course would be to smash your A-levels and apply next year with achieved grades.

Honestly, I would only apply to one of those. Even if the B raises to and A you are not hitting the grade requirements and they are both hugely competitive. Did your school offer Further Maths? because alot of other applications will have that. There are many disappointed applicants every year through no particular fault other than too many people applied.

I would focus your other 4 spaces on the many very excellent courses around the country that aren't quite so competitive.

I think your best approach for those universities and that course would be to smash your A-levels and apply next year with achieved grades.

That’s a very good idea, I didn’t think of that. So I can apply now and if I don’t get the offers I can take a gap year and reapply if I do better in the final exams? (Alt account btw sorry about that)

My other 3 are Southampton, Queen Mary’s and Royal Holloway as a safe option. Do you recommend any other less competitive but still high end unis, maybe KCL instead of UCL? (I’m OP, just realised I’m signed in on my alt)

That’s a very good idea, I didn’t think of that. So I can apply now and if I don’t get the offers I can take a gap year and reapply if I do better in the final exams? (Alt account btw sorry about that)

These are all great looking courses with good industrial links:
Surrey AAB
Sheffield A*AA
Loughbough AAA
Bath A*AA

I was going to do bath, but I’m pretty sure they require A*A*A. I’ll check out Loughborough because I’ve seen it in the high ranks too. Thank you!