GCSE results and top 20 universities

what would really piss me off is if she doesn't actually achieve the As when it comes to A2 as she has in a way, used predictions to get herself into uni but that's another thing. If she does get the As then fair enough but if she doesn't

How much do GCSE results effect one getting into a good university for say law.

After reading somewhere on here that one can't get into Nottingham unless they have 7a* @ GCSEs (for economics but even so) is impossible to get into a top 20 university without those sort of gcse grades.

so for example someone like me, already got 3a's at gcse, predicted 5a*, 1a and 2b this year (state school educated, neither parent graduated from university), will it be very difficult for me to get into somewhere like southampton.

assuming I'm predicted 3a's for a-level and get a set of top as levels btw.

How much do GCSE results effect one getting into a good university for say law.

After reading somewhere on here that one can't get into Nottingham unless they have 7a* @ GCSEs (for economics but even so) is impossible to get into a top 20 university without those sort of gcse grades.

so for example someone like me, already got 3a's at gcse, predicted 5a*, 1a and 2b this year (state school educated, neither parent graduated from university), will it be very difficult for me to get into somewhere like southampton.

assuming I'm predicted 3a's for a-level and get a set of top as levels btw.

7 A*s for economics at Nottingham? First time I've heard that. For economics at LSE, yes, but Nottingham (which is still one of the top economics departments but not quite as strong and competitive as LSE, Warwick etc) then no. Anyway, I really wouldn't take much notice of this "GCSE Nazi" and "seven A*" talk. Whether it's LSE, Durham, Nottingham or even Oxbridge. It's just ludicrous. Universities are entitled to use GCSE grades and some may use them as a filter, particularly for exceptionally popular courses. But it's unlikely they'll look for a set number each year and instantly reject anyone who does have this arbitary number of A*s. It's quite common to find a student (with only a handful of A*s, if any at all) who has more motivation and stronger A-level performance that another student with stronger GCSE grades. To suggest that this student will get an instant rejection, just because they've fallen short by a couple of grades in GCSE subjects that probably have no real relevance to the degree subject they're applying for, is just stupid. Even for these "GCSE Nazi" unis there'll always be exceptions.

Should you meet your predictions then 5A*s, 4 As and 2Bs that's an excellent set of results in anyone's book.

With AAA predicted (ideally is traditional subjects), a very strong PS and a great set of GCSE results (which yours hopefully will be) then Southampton is certainly a realistic choice. So too are the very strongest law schools (LSE, Durham, UCL, Bristol, KCL etc.) even Oxford and Cambridge. Although, of course, for those you'd also need to take the LNAT (the two exceptions being Cambridge and LSE, I think). A strong performance on the LNAT will certainly compensate for a lack of a couple of A*s.

Don't be put off applying to a few places ust because you think you GCSEs aren't up to scratch. Try and be ambitious but also realistic, spread out the choices. But remember that those GCSE results are still excellent.

For Oxford, it does not matter what you get in GCSE, but it is what you get at AS level and predicted for A2. I'll provide the link if you need it.

Dependent on subject my friend. Law only interview around half of their candidates and, okay, there is the LNAT. But it'd definititely require a very good performance in that to be considered. For Medicine, with 0-2A*s you'd need to finish in around the top 3-5% of BMAT scores. And for my subject - History - I even fulfilled the minimum HAT score (after working out what they said in the feedback in concurrence with other statistics that are easily accessible), yet was rejected without interview (probably on the basis of GCSEs).

I got into Cambridge with 2.5 A*s.

Some have got in with none.

End of thread.

For economics, LSE, Durham, Nottingham and Bristol are the GCSE bumhuggers.

For Oxford, it does not matter what you get in GCSE, but it is what you get at AS level and predicted for A2. I'll provide the link if you need it.

University points formula penalises students at best schools




http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/student/article6036348.ece

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/education/article6035025.ece

I don't think the OP will be that interested as he is not looking to apply to do econ.
But I am very interested. so link away.

For economics, LSE, Durham, Nottingham and Bristol are the GCSE bumhuggers.

For Oxford, it does not matter what you get in GCSE, but it is what you get at AS level and predicted for A2. I'll provide the link if you need it.

I also know people who have offers from "top 20" unis with no A*s at all, and barely any As.

I doubt GCSE's are important, unless you're going for Oxbridge or maybe Durham. A girl at my sixth form got into UCL for law with ABBBBBBBCCC (or something along those lines) at GCSE and AAAAC at AS level.