Gap year / Reapplication

It won't be to your detriment applying next year after a gap year. In fact having your grades already will mean you know what Unis you have high enough grades to apply to. You will probably get quicker offers and they will be unconditional!

some admission tutors would like everyone to have a gap year as they think you are less likely to drop out.It's only a disadvantage if you get worse grades than predicted, as narrow misses may still be accepted.

Ah I see. If I exceed the entrance requirements will I still be in a comfortable position? Am I stressing unnecessarily? I'm guessing that taking a gap year will not make my application much different from others except I will already have my grades so unconditional offers can be made.

If you exceed the entrance requirement or even match it you'll normally get an unconditional offer. There are some exceptions where universities (like Oxbridge) normally have a lot of applicants who exceed their stated requirement but if you get A"AAB you'd have a chance if you reapplied to Oxford. Universities like achieved grades because they know a lot of predicted grades are overesimates so they'd nrmally take you in preference to someone predicted the same grades. Reapplicants are also often first in accommodation queues.

That's great to hear thanks for your help.

Just realised I misread what they said about your grades. If you get A*A*A*B it would definitely be worth trying Oxford again, perhaps choosing a different college. You could even try Cambridge for Natural Sciences.

I think the Biochemistry course at Oxford appeals to me more than NatSci. I have looked into it though! Are you currently studying at University at all?

No - my child is and some of my family have been involved in university admissions.