University advice, pls help

I have offers to study Computer Science at Imperial College London and UCL each with requirements of A*AA with Imperial specifying the A* in Maths. Imperial also required a 2 in STEP 2.

I am panicking because I feel like I have not met the requirements for either of my universities and don't really want to do a gap year because I don't want to be left behind, plus there are a tremendous number of things I have to organise in order to have a successful gap year. Furthermore, I have heard that Imperial and UCL look down on people who have to do re-takes to get into uni?

In the case that I am not able to get into my two universities, if I am able to switch my course to Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, should I?

I am looking to persue a job in Management Consultancy or Investment Banking.

I have offers to study Computer Science at Imperial College London and UCL each with requirements of A*AA with Imperial specifying the A* in Maths. Imperial also required a 2 in STEP 2.

I am panicking because I feel like I have not met the requirements for either of my universities and don't really want to do a gap year because I don't want to be left behind, plus there are a tremendous number of things I have to organise in order to have a successful gap year. Furthermore, I have heard that Imperial and UCL look down on people who have to do re-takes to get into uni?

In the case that I am not able to get into my two universities, if I am able to switch my course to Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, should I?

I am looking to persue a job in Management Consultancy or Investment Banking.

Switch at Imperial? Given the requirement is higher (A*A*A) I doubt it.


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First things first, this is all speculation ATM, you might have a nice surprise come results day. I think that taking a gap year is no bad thing. I personally did one - and it didn't take a huge amount of organising. I did a bit of work experience, a paid job, and then travel. I would recommend it to anyone, if nothing else, going to uni with a bit of spare cash can be really helpful while settling in. I have no idea if they look down on retakes. Maybe someone else has more experience with that.

But I guess that's besides the point. Only you can choose the course. I assume you aren't 'married' to Compsci if you are considering going into investment banking, etc. In which case, doing engineering or compsci makes no difference. Both are Stem and both will get you to where you want to be (although I don't know a huge amount about management consultancy ).

That said, your primary concern seems to be whether or not you have gotten the grades you need. Top universities for engineering (on a par with Imperial/UCL) are undoubtedly going to have the high grade requirements. A*AA is common - certainly in the top 10. I think you would be lucky to switch.

I personally think STEP is far more prestigious a qualification than A Levels. Regardless, I haven't spoken to them about this yet.

There are a few other unis which are targets for IB and require AAA e.g. Warwick, Manchester, Nottingham

Warwick is only one of the 6 targets if the student does Maths/Economics/MORSE. Other subjects would make it a semi-target. Manchester and Nottingham are semi-targets, too.