Chances for Oxbridge/High Russell group.

I haven't looked so much for other Russel group but I'm assuming it's similar to Oxbridge.. A lot of people have said that they don't seem to be interested in extracurriculars or any other experience that isn't either related to the degree subject or HEAVILY contributed to the skills needed to be able to complete the grad degree, if I'm making sense?

Hi,

I've just completed my first year in Politics BA at Portsmouth University and am on track for a convincing 1st. I understand its first year but if I were to graduate with a 1st I would like to know my chances to get into the higher universities.

My A-Level grades are BBD which I understand are below par for a Russell group but I am not convinced they count for so much considering they should be irrelevant compared to a 1st?

When applying do they look for internships, work experience, language skills, being part of societies, SU etc? What would attract them the most? What do they appreciate more?
Plus any other advice I would love to hear.

I do completely understand that I might not end up with a first and it is only Portsmouth Uni but I want to do anything possible to help myself when applying for postgrad study and future jobs.

thanks.

Likely zero, every university has there own standards for a first year that then builds upon subsequent years, developing your writing style and study skills in the vein of that specific university....for example my university doesnt allow transfers into 2nd year...and many others dont and if they do they would only take top from top uni.

Postgrad may be a totally differing ballgame, i would get a first overall and go that route. You may be able to get into a middling Russell group, but Portsmouth is truly considered to be a poor uni even for an ex poly technic.

I wasn't asking to transfer at all, I was only asking about applying for a postgrad course (likely a normal MA), though I know too well myself Portsmouth isn't held in the highest esteem could you please expand upon that, is that due to its reputation or something else..

Its generally not elitely regarded and when i say middling Russell group is possible, i consider middling Russell groups to be Nottingham (where i attend) Bristol, Warwick *the top middling* Sheffield, etc so plently of respected unis, but im not sure if it would be enough for say oxbridge or LSE....

But you never know with university admissions, i was rejected by Leicester and accepted by Nottingham???? It can be really random lol.

Thanks for the reply, I really put oxbridge in the title to try and get peoples attention so i could get a reply! If anything the very top ones are a pipe dream but the ones as you mentioned I would love to go to, I had a similar experience when applying for unis, i was accepted by sussex yet rejected by leicester, sadly my D grade in Law cost me my place at sussex, Bristol/Birmingham are the type of unis I would like to go to.

Hi,

I've just completed my first year in Politics BA at Portsmouth University and am on track for a convincing 1st. I understand its first year but if I were to graduate with a 1st I would like to know my chances to get into the higher universities.

.

I had these same questions, .

Your extra-curricular activities could hold a big chunk in your acceptance . It depicts your interests outside of your field of studies.

Hi,

I've just completed my first year in Politics BA at Portsmouth University and am on track for a convincing 1st. I understand its first year but if I were to graduate with a 1st I would like to know my chances to get into the higher universities.

My A-Level grades are BBD which I understand are below par for a Russell group but I am not convinced they count for so much considering they should be irrelevant compared to a 1st?

When applying do they look for internships, work experience, language skills, being part of societies, SU etc? What would attract them the most? What do they appreciate more?
Plus any other advice I would love to hear.

I do completely understand that I might not end up with a first and it is only Portsmouth Uni but I want to do anything possible to help myself when applying for postgrad study and future jobs.

thanks.

What are you basing that assertion on?

It's not an assertion as such , it differs from uni to uni. The way I put it was wrong , I guess. I just meant to say that extra -curricular activities are also taken into importance

I do completely understand that I might not end up with a first and it is only Portsmouth Uni but I want to do anything possible to help myself when applying for postgrad study and future jobs.

Portsmouth is truly considered to be a poor uni even for an ex poly technic.

Good luck with everything, but as ive been told, Oxbridge and Russell Groups have a fast paced learning environment and it is much more challenging than attending, say, UEL. They will look at your A Levels and possibly GCSEs for Oxbridge.

This is categorically untrue for my subject (law) and I suspect for other subjects too. Neither Oxford nor Cambridge ask about qualifications below undergrad level as part of their standard application form and it's up to the candidate whether or not to include them on their CV (I didn't and received offers from both)

Hi. Thanks for that advice. I assume you are at Cambridge / Oxford then? I was nearly stating that, A Level grades will be looked at if they didn’t discuss this with you, then they probably did with other fellows / tutors etc.