GCSE grades too low for Oxford?

Hi, I’m interested in applying for PPE at Oxford. I currently study a level maths, English lit and history, predicted A*AA. My GCSE grades however, seem a little low for Oxford standards- they are: english lit-9, English language-9, history-9, biology-8, chemistry-7,physics-7,maths-7 and psychology-7. Do you think they will look too low against other applicants?

Reply 1

McGinger

18

TSR PPE article - https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/university/student/ppe-at-oxford

Reply 2

HoldThisL

21

yes, these are low for ppe, probably below average. it's worth applying, but you should be ready for a rejection

Reply 3

liverninthered

12

Not too low, no. Remember that GCSE grades are contextualised, such that they consider your grades compared to other people from your school. Nonetheless, the number of A*/9/8s is below average and they do value GCSEs. This means you may need to perform better on other parts of the application - should you do this, it would account for any disadvantage those GCSEs pose.

Reply 4

username5737602

17

Wow I didnt know grades would be considered to low. So what grades are considered sufficient then?

Reply 5

azby1098

15

Original post by tej3141

Wow I didnt know grades would be considered to low. So what grades are considered sufficient then?

your grades are 4 A*s 4 As, considering you attended a low performing secondary school, for certain subjects with a less GCSE focused admissions process, you’d be fine! however, ppe is incredibly competitive and therefore focuses on the TSA score and your contextualised GCSE grades.

Reply 6

username5737602

17

Original post by azby1098

your grades are 4 A*s 4 As, considering you attended a low performing secondary school, for certain subjects with a less GCSE focused admissions process, you’d be fine! however, ppe is incredibly competitive and therefore focuses on the TSA score and your contextualised GCSE grades.

Lucky I'm not applying for ppe then. But,from what you've said,I should be good

Reply 7

leviticus.

15

Original post by tej3141

Lucky I'm not applying for ppe then. But,from what you've said,I should be good

gcses are weighed up differently for each subject, Medicine having the strictest measures and PPE/Econ management being next

Reply 8

OxFossil

19

According to a recent Freedom of Information response, for PPE, the average number of A*s at GCSE is 8 (for those offered an interview) or 8.5 (for those offered a place). Between 24% and 38% of those interviewed had just 5 A*s. The link also describes the relative importance of different components of an application.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/reque...2%202.pdf.html

Reply 9

username5737602

17

Original post by OxFossil

According to a recent Freedom of Information response, for PPE, the average number of A*s at GCSE is 8 (for those offered an interview) or 8.5 (for those offered a place). Between 24% and 38% of those interviewed had just 5 A*s. The link also describes the relative importance of different components of an application.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/reque...2%202.pdf.html

Damn. That's high. I've got sufficient grades but I never knew they were that strict