I'm thinking of retaking my a levels so I can go to a Russell Group Uni

My A-Level grades weren't too great! I got BBC and I did not get into my firm choice, QMUL. I was absolutely devastated( and I still am!) and Im thinking of retaking my exams to boost my grades to AAB. I was only 4 marks off an A in Law. Do uni look down those who retake alevels? I am also worried about writing my personal statement again. No one really supports my decision because they think that I should go to any uni and it doesn't matter if I go to a Russell group uni. Im just doing it for myself, I want to be proud of myself. Everyone is telling me to be proud of myself because I have had difficult circumstances but Im still very down on myself. I did better in my exams this year. I achieved 4 A out of the 7 exams. As I hope to be an accountant must grad schemes want 300 or 320 ucas points and I only have 280! Any advice as to what I should do?Kind regards

Reply 1

TSR Jessica

Sorry you've not had any responses about this. :frown:

Are you sure you’ve posted in the right place? Posting in the specific Study Help forum should help get responses. :redface:

I'm going to quote in Tank Girl now so she can move your thread to the right place if it's needed. :h:

Spoiler

Reply 2

h3110

BBC are not bad grades you shouldn't be upset. I think you should do whatever you can to go to the best university possible. If that means you have to retake your A levels, then go for it.

You will be at a disadvantage since you are retaking some modules, however you will still have a chance.

What courses are you thinking of applying to?

Reply 3

vanessaranae

Original post by h3110

Thank you for replying. I want to study accounting and finance. I'm thinking of applying to Birmingham,qmul,warwick(foundation year) I'm just upset because I was so close to an A. I worked extra hard this year but my grades from last year pushed it down. I got an A in A2 Econ but a C last year so that averaged my grade out to a B. Is it true that it doesn't matter which uni you go to as employers are only interested in your degree? Surely the uni does matter.. I'm hoping to get AAB when I retake my exams.

Reply 4

vanessaranae

Original post by h3110

Why would I be at a disadvantage? I know some uni raise the entry requirements for those retaking ( Manchester does)

Reply 5

returnmigrant

What do you think a 'Russell Group' Uni will do for you that another Uni wont? Just because a Uni is asking for higher grades doesn't actually mean 'better' or 'you'll enjoy the course more' or even 'you'll get a job'.

What subject are you interested in?

Reply 6

excusethatkid

Original post by vanessaranae

I got BDE in my A-Levels but they say that you need to complete 3 a-levels. I'm really worried now,as i think my grades definitely won't be good enough? :frown:

Reply 7

Depleted

Do you know what Russell Group means?

Reply 8

vanessaranae

Original post by Depleted

Do you know what Russell Group means?

Yes I do. Why do you ask?

Reply 9

Depleted

Original post by vanessaranae

Yes I do. Why do you ask?

Then why do you think it matters so much considering you're an undergrad?

Reply 10

vanessaranae

Original post by Depleted

Then why do you think it matters so much considering you're an undergrad?

I just want to get better grades. What do you mean? I don't know much about this.

Reply 11

h3110

Original post by vanessaranae

Why would I be at a disadvantage? I know some uni raise the entry requirements for those retaking ( Manchester does)

Both the uni and the degree matter to employers. You would be at a disadvantage because you are retaking A levels, and completing them in 3 years rather than the standard 2 years. However, you will still have a chance of getting into a Russel group. Some are more lenient than others.

Reply 12

Depleted

Original post by vanessaranae

I just want to get better grades. What do you mean? I don't know much about this.

A Russell Group university is one that specialises in it's research centres- which are only used for those embarking on post-graduate qualifications (i.e. a PhD). As long as you're not going to London Met then the uni you're at doesn't really matter, what matters more is the skills you have, the experience etc. when you're applying to companies (presuming you want to do ACCA?). Of course there's nothing stopping you from resitting, and going to a better university can only be a good thing, but what would be more important is finding a university with a placement year e.g. For perspective, and relevant to you, I know an accounting graduate from the University of Huddersfield who's just entered a graduate scheme at Deloitte. Just remember it's not the be all and end all.

Reply 13

returnmigrant

As above, the vast majority of mainstream employers don't actually care which Uni you went to. All they are interested in is a) 2i or First and b) what else did you do at Uni apart from your degree.

'Russell Group' is simply a marketing concept - it has no real meaning beyond this, and has no relevance when picking an undergraduate degree course.