Which universities can I realistically get into through clearing/adjustment?

With the following grades, which universities (that have good quality teaching, are respected universities and have good employment prospects) would be willing to accept me through clearing/adjustment on results day?? I want to study an undergraduate degree in something related to History/Politics. I'm in my last year at college, I'm 19 just to paint the bigger picture (yes I failed my first year A levels :frown:

)
I'm just really stressed about whether there is any chance for me to get into somewhere good as I don't have three full A levels to offer on results day.

Please help me out and many thanks in advance.

Grades I feel I'll get on results day :

A2 Sociology: A*
A2 History: B
As Business: A
As English Language: C
As English Literature: E

thanks for reading all this :smile:

Reply 1

x__justmyluck

Without 3 full A levels you'll struggle to get into any decent uni, it would be better for you to finish one of your AS subjects at A2 next year and apply for 2015 entry.

Reply 2

Carnationlilyrose

Agree with the above. History and politics is very, very competitive and the good universities you want will be able to pick and choose from candidates with 3 good A levels.

Reply 3

nulli tertius

Original post by carnationlilyrose

Agree with the above. History and politics is very, very competitive and the good universities you want will be able to pick and choose from candidates with 3 good A levels.

I think you are operating in a different league to the OP who is hoping to trade up from his current Middlesex offer.

Reply 4

Acidy

Firstly why did your school allow you to take only 2 AS levels to A2? And why are you taking five?

I agree with the posters above that for the majority of the universities you wish to apply to, you will need multiple A levels. With that said however, there are respectable universities that accept UCAS points, albeit not Oxbridge. You have more than enough qualifications at a reasonable standard to transfer into points, which might work out quite well.

G'luck.

Reply 5

Carnationlilyrose

Original post by nulli tertius

I think you are operating in a different league to the OP who is hoping to trade up from his current Middlesex offer.

Didn't know he had one. Perhaps so. I took 'good quality teaching, respected universities, good employment prospects' at face value.

Reply 6

WitnessMO

The only decend subjects you have their are History and English Literature. The rest are wish-washy, and you would need 3 A2s for most decend unis.

Reply 7

returnmigrant

You only have 2 complete A levels. Realistically you can only aim at one of the lower Unis asking for points rather than grades as every other Uni will expect 3 A2s minimum. Have a look at Royal Holloway, Queen Mary (London), UWE, Roehampton, Worcester, Bath Spa, Greenwich - all are realistic with your points. You don't need to wait for Clearing - if these places are still accepting applications (phone them) you could apply now.

Or - since you clearly have ability - another year of A levels to get at least 3 full A levels and get into a really good Uni would be worth it.

Reply 8

crazycollegeboy

Original post by returnmigrant

The thing is I'm currently doing my third year in college and no way am I prepared to do 4 years in college just to get into a better uni. It isn't worth the extra year for me. But I'm looking to squeeze myself into a relatively good uni never the less...I just need somewhere decent to accpt points and let me in :frown:

Reply 9

returnmigrant

You have a simple choice then - go to one of the Unis I've listed above or sort your A levels out and go somewhere 'better'. The 'better' is subjective. All the Unis I've listed are perfectly sensible, okay Unis to do a History degree.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 10

crazycollegeboy

Original post by returnmigrant

This is what Royal Holloway have listed on UCAS search: You will need 340 UCAS Tariff points from 3 A levels (or their equivalent).

Do you think my two A levels and three As Levels could fit into the requirement? Could my 2 A2s and 3As levels be appropriate and fit where it states 'or their equivalent'?

Thanks for your help.

Reply 11

returnmigrant

All you can do is phone or email them and explain your qualifications/background, and ask if its worth you applying. Bear in mind that your academic history is ropey - regardless of the A*, you have taken several attempts to get this far. You could understand it if they didn't think you were worth the risk.

Look at UWE etc. They really are perfectly good Unis, and all in nice places. Ignore all the snobbery about 'top' Unis, a History degree from any of these places will be fine as far as future employment etc is concerned.

Reply 12

1drowssap

Original post by crazycollegeboy

I've looked at RHUL and QMUL's entry requirements, although some state points, they also list it in terms of three A2 grades beside the points required. It looks really ambiguous. Better give them a call to confirm that they do accept 2 A2 levels.

http://www.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/index.html

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/history/coursefinder/bahistory.aspx

Reply 13

ageshallnot

It might be worth approaching Hull:

"Each application is treated individually, so our offers vary. For our joint degrees, however, our typical offer is 300 UCAS points from three A levels (or equivalent)."

http://www2.hull.ac.uk/ug/courses/history-politics.aspx

Reply 14

Strangey

Original post by crazycollegeboy

I wouldn't bother with Royal Holloway, they'll need 3 A levels, and Queen Mary's have just entered the Russell Group and are trying to up their game massively- I'd be amazed if they considered you. If you're looking at London, then try South Bank, Westminster and Greenwich

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 15

1drowssap

Original post by crazycollegeboy

I think Middlesex Uni actually fulfills your requirements, especially the teaching bit. A Uni is just an institution that helps you learn at an advanced level. What matters more is how you use that degree.