uni choices for economics

I put down UCL, warwick, durham, bath and loughborough on ucas. After speaking to my head of year he advised me that I need another safe option (such as manchester or lancaster) aswell as loughborough. However as economics is very competetive I wanted the best possible chance of recieving an offer from a top Uni hence my original decision.

Can anyone advice me on what to do here, as I can't decide. Thanks

Hi there.

I completely understand your struggle—picking Unis is hard, and it’s easy to want a top Uni and to go for ambitious choices. Usually the advice is 1/2 aspirational, 1 whose grade requirements you’d meet on a normal day (i.e. matches your realistic predicted grades) and 1/2 lower back up choices.

Based on the Unis you’ve chosen, I would assume you have A*A*A predictions or above, given their high entry requirements and competitive nature.

I agree with your head teacher somewhat that you’ll need to ensure you have a firm and insurance—are you fairly confident you’ll get an offer from Loughborough? If you do have A*A*A and a strong personal statement, references and GCSE performance, you can probably get away with the Unis you’ve chosen and only having Loughborough as a back up.

If your predictions are A*AA (or lower), and your GCSE performance is weak relative to other applicants for these competitive Unis (i.e. you don’t have straight A*s and As), I would consider taking your head teacher’s advice. Out of Warwick, UCL, Durham and Bath, pick the one you would least like to go to (by looking at the course first and place/Uni itself second) and rule one out. Then pick another Uni (Manchester and Lancaster are both good) that has requirements of AAA or AAB so this could be your firm. Don’t forget, a top Uni isn’t everything, and ultimately whether you choose to stick with your original choices or change them is your decision.

But, if I were you I’d think seriously about grades. If you are predicted A*A*A or higher, and crucially if you are confident that even on a not so great day you could obtain the A*AA needed, then feel free to stick with your current five. But if you aren’t that confident, having an extra backup doesn’t hurt. You could always apply to 4 to begin with (leaving out your least favourite of the top Unis), then if you get an offer from Loughborough you could enter your fifth top Uni (a lot of top Unis wait until January before giving out offers, and I reckon Loughborough would potentially get back to you with a decision promptly). This may be a safer option worth considering.

Good luck!

I agree with everything Mona has said above. I would say to put a 'safe' one down as well just to cover yourself- having a back up never hurts as any student can have a slip. But, make sure that it is a university you would actually want to go to (your safe option at the end of the day has to be something you'd enjoy in case you ever need to use it). I think open days and really looking at what the course at each specific university helps. As for applying for competitive courses, go for it- if you put in the work there's no reason why you can't achieve it. I applied for law, which is competitive so I completely see where you're coming from and am now at my university of choice studying it. Achieving offers really just is the first hurdle and with a good personal statement and predicted grades you should be fine (also look at potentially interview prep, as well as more competitive unis may well require this). Also remember that you'll need to narrow this down to two options anyway so it is worth having a mix of universities.

Thanks for the reply, I think it would be best to have 2 safe options but its just a tough decision really. I might do what mona said and apply for 4 first then see what offers I get back.

What are your predicted grades and in what subjects.

I got A*AA in my year 12 exams but my teacher might be moving one up so it will be A*A*A in maths, chemistry and physcis

I got A*AA in my year 12 exams but my teacher might be moving one up so it will be A*A*A in maths, chemistry and physcis

Thanks so much for the great reply, that was very useful!!! I didn't realise you could apply for 4 and see what offers you get, I think it may be best if I do this, however do you know how it will work when I go to submit my application. And how would I re apply for the final choice.

To be honest most teachers are unaware of this so they wont be of much help. @ageshallnot or @harrysbar might be of more help. You can only apply through ucas extra if you are not holding ay offers ie you have rejected or been rejected from all your choices. Otherwise it will be treated as a late application if made after the deadline and wont have to be considered by the university

Thanks so much for the great reply, that was very useful!!! I didn't realise you could apply for 4 and see what offers you get, I think it may be best if I do this, however do you know how it will work when I go to submit my application. And how would I re apply for the final choice.

Thanks so much for the great reply, that was very useful!!! I didn't realise you could apply for 4 and see what offers you get, I think it may be best if I do this, however do you know how it will work when I go to submit my application. And how would I re apply for the final choice.