GCSE Grades as a Mature Student at Oxbridge

Hello,

I am the process of completing my GCSEs and I have decided that I'm going to go back to university as a mature student rather than go straight away and I was wondering, how much emphasis do admissions tutors at Oxbridge put on GCSE grades for mature students?

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies!
FLM2318

Do you mean you are GCSE age now and you aren't planning to go to University until you are over 21? In which case, no point in thinking about it, you will have to deal with the entry requirements in 5 years or more and they will be different than they are now. Cambridge is a highly academic university, you need to get the very best grades you can at all levels to be competitive, unless you have relevant experience to compensate.

Hello,

So does that mean that in a couple of years time, when I go back as a mature student (I'm intending on going to university in my 30s when I have more money and experience), they're going to put a lot more emphasis on my GCSE grades from when I was a teenager compared to the recent grades I got in an Access to HE course or in my A levels?

Thanks,
FLM2318

No, of course not. Your most recent academic performance is more important.

Why are you even sitting (or retaking?) any GCSEs? Your Access to HE "trumps" your GCSEs.

What course are you considering at Cambridge, and what are your A-levels (and are they recent?).

Hello,

So does that mean that in a couple of years time, when I go back as a mature student (I'm intending on going to university in my 30s when I have more money and experience), they're going to put a lot more emphasis on my GCSE grades from when I was a teenager compared to the recent grades I got in an Access to HE course or in my A levels?

Thanks,
FLM2318

Hello,

I'm debating studying natural sciences or human, social and political sciences (hence why I suggested the Access to HE course idea).

I'm intending on becoming a biomedical scientist in the RAF when I finish my A levels and then go on to complete a natural sciences degree. Hopefully that experience as a biomed scientist will help increase my chances of getting onto such a course!

I've also considered human, social and political sciences because it has elements of science in it and because I'm interested in how people interact, rule and act in different cultures and time periods!

I'm currently of GCSE age and I've chosen my A levels, which are history, English literature, chemistry and an EPQ in biology. The RAF only requires an A level in at least one science so I've covered all my bases tbh.

Thanks,
FLM2318

I'm intending on becoming a biomedical scientist in the RAF when I finish my A levels and then go on to complete a natural sciences degree. Hopefully that experience as a biomed scientist will help increase my chances of getting onto such a course!

Tha RAF also says you complete a degree as part of your training. Therefore you would have to fund a second degree after your 12 years service.