Enquiry about swapping courses

Hi, my name is Amelie Burgess and I have been accepted at Nottingham University to do Hispanic Studies. I am forever grateful that I got a place but now during my gap year I am starting to get second thoughts about the course. I would love to make an enquiry about possibly switching to Neuroscience because this is something I am truly passionate about and I know I would enjoy it much more. However the problem is that my A levels did not quite go as well as I had hoped, and I did not study biology. I know this makes me under qualified to study this subject, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to catch up on missing knowledge. I know this must be a very uncommon request given my circumstances but does anyone have any advice on what I should do ?
Would be super appreciated xx

For Neuroscience at University of Nottingham, the required A level subjects are "Two science subjects, one of which must be biology/human biology and/or chemistry. Second science subject can be from biology, chemistry, electronics, geography, geology, human biology, maths, computer science, statistics, physics or psychology."

You've said that "did not study biology". Does that mean your A levels don't actually meet the subject requirements? What A level subjects do you have?

Nottingham's grade requirements for Neuroscience are AAB. You say "my A levels did not quite go as well as I had hoped". How far away from AAB are you?

I got BBB and my a levels are psychology philosophy and Spanish

I think it may be more illuminating to consider why you did not want to study any of biology/chemistry/physics/maths to A-level, but now wish to study neuroscience at degree level.

Also it would be illuminating to know why you are having "second thoughts" about your original course choice.

Well we had a paper on neuroscience in our psychology criteria and I really enjoyed it.

Im having second thoughts because i don’t think I would enjoy the course upon further reflection.

I got BBB and my a levels are psychology philosophy and Spanish

Well we had a paper on neuroscience in our psychology criteria and I really enjoyed it.

Im having second thoughts because i don’t think I would enjoy the course upon further reflection.

So you'll be asking to switch to a course where you don't meet the subject requirements ("Two science subjects, one of which must be biology/human biology and/or chemistry") and where you're two grades below the grade requirements. If you'd applied direct to Neuroscience it would have been an immediate rejection for not meeting the A level subject requirements - so they're not going to allow you to switch to that course. Sorry.

You're best bet, I'd have thought, is to ask to switch to Science with Foundation Year BSc (here), which has a grade requirement of BBB. The description of that course says, "Want to study a science degree, but you took the wrong A-Levels? This course is designed to give you all the knowledge you need to progress on to one of our science undergraduate courses. ... Unlike other universities, successful completion of your foundation year guarantees you progression on to your chosen undergraduate degree.*"

If you hit the "..." button to the right of the basic course details and then scroll down that panel it says, "We expect students to have an idea of the course they would like to progress on to before starting. You can progress onto a range of degrees, including:

Biology, Biochemistry, and Neuroscience Courses (Including Genetics and Zoology)
Sport and Exercise Science
Biosciences Degrees
Chemistry Degrees (excluding Chemistry and Molecular Physics)
Medical Physiology and Therapeutics
Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Pharmacology
Psychology
Cancer Sciences
Natural Sciences"

You said above that you're "willing to do whatever it takes to catch up on missing knowledge". Does that include a foundation year?

You are an absolute angel!! I had no idea about the foundation year option and it seems absolutely perfect for me! God bless you and thanks for helping me out x