Are these good University choices to study English?

Hi,

I essentially want reaffirmation or advice about my current UCAS choices to study English. I'm predicted A*A*A* but I'm worried I'm more likely to get A*A*A/A*A*B (I have a whole other post about that). I'm not really sure, around those grades.

Sooooo....

Aspirational: Oxford (AAA)

Safe(r): Nottingham (AAA-AAB) - this is my top choice
St. Andrews (AAA)
Birmingham (AAB)

If exams don't go too well: Keele (ABC/BBB)

Do these sound like a decent spread of grade requirements? Does anyone have any experience of studying English at these Universities?

Would you be genuinely happy to get into Keele? If the answer is yes, then fine. If you would end up retaking in the hope of going somewhere else then don't put it down.

The same goes for each of your five choices, though Keele stands out in the above list.

That's actually something I have been thinking about - I probably wouldn't settle for Keele. However, I've been really struggling to find any unis I like with grades ABB or lower so I put Keele down because its pretty and its close to where I live.

Hopefully I'll get into one of the other ones!

It would therefore be a complete and utter logic fail to include Keele. If nothing else, apply with just four choices initially and add your fifth after you have some initital responses.

Hi,

I essentially want reaffirmation or advice about my current UCAS choices to study English. I'm predicted A*A*A* but I'm worried I'm more likely to get A*A*A/A*A*B (I have a whole other post about that). I'm not really sure, around those grades.

Sooooo....

Aspirational: Oxford (AAA)

Safe(r): Nottingham (AAA-AAB) - this is my top choice
St. Andrews (AAA)
Birmingham (AAB)

If exams don't go too well: Keele (ABC/BBB)

Do these sound like a decent spread of grade requirements? Does anyone have any experience of studying English at these Universities?

To be honest, I think Birmingham is perfect as a safe choice for a student with amazing predicted grades like you. Therefore if you don't particularly like Keele or want to go there then you don't need to put it down, in my opinion. However, if it will make you feel more secure in the exams then it's completely up to you.

Even if you're expecting A*A*A or A*A*B as long as you get an A in English I would expect all of your safe options to accept you if they have offered you a place.

Also, as an A-Level student who wishes to study English as well, have you considered Durham?

Anyway, good luck! I hope you're proud of those amazing results

That's actually something I have been thinking about - I probably wouldn't settle for Keele. However, I've been really struggling to find any unis I like with grades ABB or lower so I put Keele down because its pretty and its close to where I live.

Hopefully I'll get into one of the other ones!

Thank you so much for your response!

That's a fair point about Birmingham actually. I'm probably over worried, I'm sure I will perform well and hopefully get the A*A*A*/A but there's a paranoid part of me that feels like I'm actually going to fail all of them for some unexplained reason.

I do like having the security of Keele but if I find somewhere else I like before the deadline, I might swap it out.

I did consider Durham! It looks like an incredible Uni but just in the wrong location for me. I'm trying to stay close to home in the midlands, St Andrews is only an exception because it's so darn pretty!

Thank you so much to you too, good luck! X

Warwick?

Birmingham might well offer you 'unconditional if firmed'. Think carefully about your decision if they do.

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I think Warwick is AAB so not tooo safe. I'll think about it though - I think I'm being overly worried about failing all of my exams, it won't happen but there's part of me that is convinced it will.

Yeah I think Birmingham will - it depends on how confident I am about reaching the other officers before I choose.

I am academic & strong at my subjects, it's just my own self confidence that makes me feel like I won't do well - that's why I feel safe with Keele there.

I know exactly how you feel. My grades have been fine for most mocks I've done but English is so subjective that I'm constantly worried it'll just take one exam for me to fail. However, this isn't true. Once you have the exam technique polished you can do great and you sound like your methods have worked thus far, they won't fail you in the future either

Honestly, a more 'secure' university I really liked was Reading, who made the effort to speak to me individually about the course and gave me a lot of useful advice. And their grade requirements are ABB-BBB. I'd recommend there if it's not too far.

St. Andrew's is gorgeous! Unfortunately I don't think I got enough A* GCSEs to apply there, but I hope your application goes well (I'm sure it will)

YES!! The subjectiveness of English scares me - and I take History & Drama too which are also subjective and have a history of being wrongly marked. It genuinely terrifies me.

I hadn't thought of Reading, I'll have a read. Those are just the grade requirements I'm looking for for a super safe choice.

Ooh, I hadn't even thought about GCSE requirements for St.Andrews? I should be okay, I got 8 A*s, hopefully that's decent for them! I'm not too bothered about getting in there, my heart really is set in Notts, but the idea of living there excites me & it is such a good Uni for the course.

I hope everything goes well for you too!! Best of luck X