Is it worth applying to AAA or A*AA courses with AAB predicted grades?

I’m currently in year 13 and I would like to study economics. I’ve been predicted AAB, with an A in maths, an A in biology and a B in chemistry (I’m also doing an EPQ). Is it worth applying to unis such as Leeds, UCL or LSE that require AAA or even A*AA? I am aware that economics is an incredibly competitive subject and I don’t want to waste an application.

Thank you.

yeah no, try convincing your teacher to increase it to an A, economics is hella competitive, zero chance they will consider your application if you do not have the required predicted grades, unless you're from a disadvantaged background, like LSE has something like 12 applicants per place and the vast majority have better pred grades than A*AA, especially that the unis know that pred grades are on the optimistic side

yeah no, try convincing your teacher to increase it to an A, economics is hella competitive, zero chance they will consider your application if you do not have the required predicted grades, unless you're from a disadvantaged background, like LSE has something like 12 applicants per place and the vast majority have better pred grades than A*AA, especially that the unis know that pred grades are on the optimistic side

I would suggest talking to your chemistry teacher about predicting you one grade higher for the sake of UCAS. AAA will open way more opportunities.
If your teacher refuses, ask to sit tests/prove yourself in some way to be predicted one grade up.

Best of luck!

I’m currently in year 13 and I would like to study economics. I’ve been predicted AAB, with an A in maths, an A in biology and a B in chemistry (I’m also doing an EPQ). Is it worth applying to unis such as Leeds, UCL or LSE that require AAA or even A*AA? I am aware that economics is an incredibly competitive subject and I don’t want to waste an application.

Thank you.

That's funny, because I got 5/5 offers when I applied for B.Sc Economics at Bath, Birmingham, Nottingham, York, and Exeter with A*AB. My B prediction was in Maths, as well - where Nottingham, Bath, and Birmingham require a A (and Exeter A*AA with a B in Maths).

Economics is extremely competitive at Bath, as well.

Oh, and I went to a grammar school, not a first generation university student, and don't live in an area of low progression.

Respectfully, you don't know what you're talking about. Predicted grades form a part of the application, but it's not the only factor. A strong personal statement and a strong reference are important in landing offers.

OP, you really don't need to worry. You have an excellent chance of applying to AAA places. Just be a bit cautious of A*AA places.

Yh, I’m aware that the grades aren’t the only part, I was just slightly worried because I know economics is very competitive and I felt I was at a disadvantage because there are others with much higher grades. However, I know I’ll be able to write a strong personal statement so I should be ok in that area.
Thank you so much!

That's funny, because I got 5/5 offers when I applied for B.Sc Economics at Bath, Birmingham, Nottingham, York, and Exeter with A*AB. My B prediction was in Maths, as well - where Nottingham, Bath, and Birmingham require a A (and Exeter A*AA with a B in Maths).

Economics is extremely competitive at Bath, as well.

Oh, and I went to a grammar school, not a first generation university student, and don't live in an area of low progression.

Respectfully, you don't know what you're talking about. Predicted grades form a part of the application, but it's not the only factor. A strong personal statement and a strong reference are important in landing offers.

OP, you really don't need to worry. You have an excellent chance of applying to AAA places. Just be a bit cautious of A*AA places.

Definitely depends on the uni. For LSE even if you had A*AA without FM you would be much less competitive. Without an A* in maths and without meeting the standard criteria there is really no point applying there, imo - I think you would be immediately screened out at first pass.

For UCL again the lack of FM and not meeting the standard requirements could be an issue if you don't meet contextual criteria. I think it's more likely than not that you would not get an offer but i think they might consider you at least.

For Leeds I think you have a reaonsable chance of being considered, although the offer will most likely be the standard offer.

Sorry, I didn’t realise you were replying to the other guy, but thank you anyways

No worries! But yeah, to echo everyone else:

UCL and LSE you might want to not apply to. Economics there is extremely competitive, and so entry requirements are rigid.

But, going back to what you said, definitely don't worry about people applying with higher grades than you. For York and Exeter, I'm fairly sure people had similar predicted grades with applications, Birmingham too, probably.

But for Nottingham and Bath, there were people with like 3A*, however many A*s at GCSE, whatever, and I still managed to bag offers from both of those places. Don't be intimidated by other people, just ensure that you make yourself as competitive as you can be from your personal statement and reference.

I’m currently in year 13 and I would like to study economics. I’ve been predicted AAB, with an A in maths, an A in biology and a B in chemistry (I’m also doing an EPQ). Is it worth applying to unis such as Leeds, UCL or LSE that require AAA or even A*AA? I am aware that economics is an incredibly competitive subject and I don’t want to waste an application.

Thank you.

That's funny, because I got 5/5 offers when I applied for B.Sc Economics at Bath, Birmingham, Nottingham, York, and Exeter with A*AB. My B prediction was in Maths, as well - where Nottingham, Bath, and Birmingham require a A (and Exeter A*AA with a B in Maths).

Economics is extremely competitive at Bath, as well.

Oh, and I went to a grammar school, not a first generation university student, and don't live in an area of low progression.

Respectfully, you don't know what you're talking about. Predicted grades form a part of the application, but it's not the only factor. A strong personal statement and a strong reference are important in landing offers.

OP, you really don't need to worry. You have an excellent chance of applying to AAA places. Just be a bit cautious of A*AA places.

Im also predicted a*ab and was thinking of applying go Exeter and bath. What were the offers they made you in terms of grace requirements?

I’m currently in year 13 and I would like to study economics. I’ve been predicted AAB, with an A in maths, an A in biology and a B in chemistry (I’m also doing an EPQ). Is it worth applying to unis such as Leeds, UCL or LSE that require AAA or even A*AA? I am aware that economics is an incredibly competitive subject and I don’t want to waste an application.

Thank you.

Yes do it. I know idiots that applied to Exeter on ABB for econ with the excuse of extra-curricular theatre work and got in (believe you need A*AA normally..)


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