Can you get into a good university e.g. Oxford, Cambridge with poor GCSE results

i got a C for English language GCSE and Biology, but if i get B/A/A* for Chemistry, Physics, Maths, can i get into Cambridge?

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Reply 1

L'Evil Fish

I doubt Oxbridge will be an option if I'm honest.

When you have all your results and GCSEs, you can post again. There is always hope however.

It's just the C in English Language is a bit low, normally a B is seen as the accepted grade for top courses.

Reply 2

Shadow Killer

I was a few marks away from a B and i tried my best but it was too hard, especially with our teacher who barely helped us and confused us more. I don't want that to be the reason that i do not get into the uni and career which i deserve.

Reply 3

Joshua-P

As far as I know, Oxford look more at GCSE than Cambridge, but your A Levels are what matter the most. Try and get straight A* at A Level to impress them in order to make up for poor GCSE.

Reply 4

tomfailinghelp

Original post by Shadow Killer

i got a C for English language GCSE and Biology, but if i get B/A/A* for Chemistry, Physics, Maths, can i get into Cambridge?

I agree with Fish to some extent. To be honest, if you're getting Cs in subjects like English Language (and particularly Biology if you're interested in a Science course) it does seem unlikely that you will do well enough at A-Level to get in.

However, it is not impossible. I am going in October to study a Humanities subject, but only achieved a C in GCSE maths, alongside a set of generally poor GCSE results. There is still a chance, but the harsh reality is that GCSEs are a good indicator of A-Level achievement and your chances seem relatively low at this point.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Reply 5

Shadow Killer

I will try my best, thanks

Reply 6

Banana00

Original post by Shadow Killer

It all really depends; if you got A*s and As for your other subjects, you may still have a reasonable chance. The type of school you go to will also make a difference; getting excellent grades is expected from the very top schools, however if your school isn't that great (I don't mean to be rude at all) then slightly lower grades will still look good because you will have done very well in comparison to most people at your school, if that makes any sense to you.

I wish you luck though and hope you do well enough in your A Levels to end up in the right place for you :smile:

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 7

Shadow Killer

i am from a normal secondary school

Reply 8

troubadour.

Original post by Shadow Killer

Hate to burst your bubble but nobody 'deserves' to be at Cambridge - it has to be earned. And the unfortunate reality is that grades are still used as the measure of academic ability, which is prized first and foremost at universities like Oxford and Cambridge.

By all means resit the exam in November if you think you could've done better but don't try to shift the blame onto your teacher. :/

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 9

Shadow Killer

i didn't mean deserve like that, i meant it like for all the hard work i put in should be given a chance , that's all i meant

Spoiler

Original post by Itsmonique

Spoiler

what uni did he go

Reply 12

Itsmonique

Original post by Shadow Killer

what uni did he go

Cambridge

Reply 13

Shadow Killer

Original post by Itsmonique

Cambridge

AWESOME- I wanted to do a med course too!!!

Reply 14

Laurenafenete

To be honest you will find out very quickly that GCSEs dont really matter in the grand scale of things. Its your A levels that will decide if you go to a decent uni or not. Oxbridge is not the be all end all. There are other really good universities out there, like the unis in the Russell group, that are just as good as oxbridge.