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Can I even get anywhere with these grades?

Sorry for being dramatic but I'm severely depressed. I'm coming to the end of my first year of A levels, a time where I'm about to attend a UCAS convention with Sixth Form to inquire on potential degrees.

MAIN QUESTIONS: Is there any potential in developing a career in computing (for example, freelance web development) without a computer science degree? Do clients ask for qualifications and would they even consider hiring you if you don't have one?

DETAILS: Sorry it's so long, I got caught desperately trying to explain my situation so those who read it could suggest if my pursuit is realistic and if I have the potential for it with my chosen subjects and qualifications. I certainly have the ambition at times until I come across those of you far more accomplished on here and the set-in-stone grade demands by universities. I guess I just need some support that ensures me that my goal can be accomplished.

My GCSE grades are:
A - English Literature
A - Religious Studies
A - Art
B - I.T
B - History
B - Science (1st exam in year 10)
C - Maths
C - English Language
C - Science (2nd exam in year 11)
Not much potential there aye? My A level choices are:
- English Literature
- Art
- I.T
I'm only doing 3 because I wasn't allowed to do psychology as I needed a B in maths and science at GCSE ( despite this, people who failed maths and science were allowed to do psychology A level. I presumed I was one of the first the teacher rejected and then they ended up having to fill in the spaces for the subject and chose at random).

Clearly I did poor in maths and science which are the top important subjects for the best degrees at University - many of which take GCSEs into account. I feel that my grades don't reflect my capabilities. I did well in class but I have always been poor in exams and was given no help on improving this. I would've turned to the internet for help if only I wasn't rendered homeless for a few weeks due to parents falling out before exams. School knew of this but was only concerned of my attendance. I didn't press the matter further as I felt it was a whiny excuse for my poor results - I'd be victimising myself, yet who's at fault? Thankfully my grandparents allowed me and my mum to stay over. They have no internet and count coins to make pounds for food due to paying heavy rent.

Such a state of life has made me fearful of a future in poverty, especially as me and my mum got ourselves out of it just a year before. (My mum and step-dad are back together and we're stable now)

As a result, I've crossed out all art-related and English-related degrees. After all, English degrees are frowned upon unless you wish to be a teacher or editor of sorts (I could see myself in editing but working with kids? Nope). I see art as a skill you learn through experimentation. You look at texts in English and analyse the way an author has crafted it to uncover deeper meanings and learn from such methods. You look at an art piece - especially the old and traditional ones - and you'll never see the techniques and stages used to develop it. Plus, I see people bashing art students on 8/10 forums and videos concerning degrees.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to follow my passion if only I wasn't so anxious about my future financially. I've done programming in the past at previous schools where I created websites (in different years - 8, 9, 10 but at different schools. I've been to 7 schools in total...) and really enjoyed it. Hence, I looked up computer-related degrees at decent universities and was hit with demands for an A grade in A level maths and/or at least a B in GCSE maths. Ha. ha...
I know there are other universities that offer computing on it's own but they are universities you wouldn't know of unless you lived in the area and I continuously hear from teachers and students that which university you go to matters (due to reputations I gather).
My dream job would be freelancing in the areas I'm good at, such as doing numerous jobs in: illustration, writing, editing, graphic design, web design, web development, music and translating. My main concern is the lack of financial stability due to no guarantee of frequently getting clients (hence I chose to pursue multiple jobs which thankfully happen to be freelance). I have severe social anxiety as a result of 10+ years of bullying which stops me from seeking help from councillors, teachers and contacting universities. Hence, I will be more comfortable working at home so my pursuit is freelance work.

I've found that the majority of those jobs don't require degrees, just portfolios and the like, yet if I would get clients, the computer-based careers will earn me the most income yet according to some people a computer science degree is required for you to even be considered for hiring.
I've come across contradicting answers and I expect such on here but I just wish to know if I have any potential in the area? I'm already learning code via books, online sources, codeacademy etc.

I've searched up every decent university and it seems I won't have a chance taking such a degree with a C in maths GCSE (my school won't let me retake because I passed it). However I came across Durham's foundation programme which would allow me to take foundation computer science. Other degrees required some GCSEs at B grade however the information on the foundation programme said a grade C in subjects at GCSE may be required. Wouldn't they say a grade B would be required if that was the highest requirement? It didn't say what was required for the foundation computer science but perhaps it's just common sense that it is required anyhow?
I've come across people saying that Durham takes the Oxbridge rejects so yes I guess even looking into this university is too optimistic and unrealistic but surprisingly seems to be the only decent place that might allow me to take the degree.

Due to my poor results I've considered taking a gap year which happens to be the year my autistic brother goes to live at a special college so I'll no longer need to look after him resulting in free time. Taking this opportunity, I aim to develop a portfolio specialising in the area as proof I have a passion and hopefully capabilities that are efficient enough to take the degree to compensate for the poor maths grade as I doubt just a C is really required for that subject so I'll likely not be accepted (in addition to the rest of my grades and A level choices).

The reason I'd prefer to take the degree is for a more probable chance of being hired or as back up for getting a job if freelancing doesn't work out.

I guess my other options are to just develop further the skills I need for the freelance jobs instead of attending university and build up a portfolio and get it seen across websites by potential clients. However I've heard it's hard to get noticed out there and the competition is high.
My other option would be to study English so I have a degree that could boost me towards getting a job in the likes of editing, advertising, publishing etc, for financial stability. And depending on the work load (I haven't look into the jobs in great detail), I could do freelance jobs on the side for more income if need be.

Thankyou for taking your time reading this. I realise that I've basically written a sulky whine of me failing in education so far whilst reading it through but how else to word it? I thought it best you understand why I'm panicking and I'm not someone who has just shrugged my GCSE results off without acknowledging the consequences of them causing limitations. I've debated with myself whether if it was worth asking at all because I've never participated in such forums and I'm not sure if people will bother answering but I'm now in such distress.

As long as they are realistic, positive and negative replies are appreciated. I just want the honest truth instead of pursuing a dead end. If I'm apparently too blind to see that my goals are delusional please set me straight with other suggestions that might relieve my anxiety.
Again, thank you soo much for your time, I doubt people even write questions as long... If I could give something in exchange I would!
You have exactly the same GCSE grades as me (In different subjects) and I had an interview for Oxford and have been offered a place to study at the London School of Economics. Your A level grades are significantly more important than GCSEs. Get good AS and A2 predictions and the world is your oyster!
Original post by Redmonds
You have exactly the same GCSE grades as me (In different subjects) and I had an interview for Oxford and have been offered a place to study at the London School of Economics. Your A level grades are significantly more important than GCSEs. Get good AS and A2 predictions and the world is your oyster!


This ^^^

Could you re-take you're GCSE's?
There was a nice man who was talking about the Unit 3 Maths Paper today with me, so couldn't you re-take?
Reply 3
Original post by Bulletzone
This ^^^

Could you re-take you're GCSE's?
There was a nice man who was talking about the Unit 3 Maths Paper today with me, so couldn't you re-take?


Unfortunately my school only allows those that failed to re-sit. Quite typical really, it makes me wish I got a worse grade in order to have a chance to do better
Reply 4
Original post by Redmonds
You have exactly the same GCSE grades as me (In different subjects) and I had an interview for Oxford and have been offered a place to study at the London School of Economics. Your A level grades are significantly more important than GCSEs. Get good AS and A2 predictions and the world is your oyster!


I've been chosen among the 8 people invited to stay over at Cambridge for the opening day later this month which definitely boosted my confidence until I was seemingly ridiculed by others given my A level choices. Am I right in guessing your higher grades were in the three core subjects: maths, english and science? I've heard that some universities favour certain subjects over others?
Original post by calixo
I've been chosen among the 8 people invited to stay over at Cambridge for the opening day later this month which definitely boosted my confidence until I was seemingly ridiculed by others given my A level choices. Am I right in guessing your higher grades were in the three core subjects: maths, english and science? I've heard that some universities favour certain subjects over others?


That sounds good, well done! Nope, C in maths, C in Science and an A in English.
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 6
Original post by Bulletzone
This ^^^

Could you re-take you're GCSE's?
There was a nice man who was talking about the Unit 3 Maths Paper today with me, so couldn't you re-take?


Oh god it's you again. Guys just ignore it and it'll go away.
Original post by Prussia5
Oh god it's you again. Guys just ignore it and it'll go away.


Pi*'s off
I mean it.

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