Reference Trouble

I know im applying after the January Deadline but this is after my tutors have constantly talked me out of it and ive had enough.

I applied for Lancaster University Computer Science. It is a dream of mine to go there, I am currently doing an apprenticeship and hate it.

I got D,D,D In my BTEC, will this be enough or should I finish my apprenticeship?

I have a second problem, I have been off a few weeks due to an illness and my workplace will refuse to give me a reference because I have been off to much even though ive been there a year and havent been off until then! I think its unfair to not give a reference because of that. What do I do? Will I be allowed to submit before a reference? Im stressed and would love to go there

DDD in your BTEC meets Lancaster's entry requirements for Computer Science (source).

Do you also have GCSE Mathematics grade B or 6, and GCSE English Language grade C or 4?

Theoretically you can submit your UCAS application without providing details of a referee, but it's not recommended. It would be more sensible to return to your workplace for a few weeks, and then ask if they'd be happy to be your referee. (Not that you being ill should have any impact here, but you imply that they're not very happy with you right now.)

I got a conditional offer for Lancaster compsci at BBM so ur grades should be fine the only thing that I’d be worried about is applying after the deadline

yep ☹️ im still waiting on my college to send it off im so scared i wont get it but i really want to go ;( im even doing an apprenticeship i dont really like so that should help me more hopefully my college speeds it up but i feel like people are really screwing me over with the times on things

that sounds tough, all I can tell you is the sooner u get the application in the better have you finished your personal statement and everything?