Leniency in grade conditions for University of York

In 2016 I was accepted into my course at York with BBC for an AAB course. However a) that was a fair few years ago now b) the course isn’t super popular and c) I think it’s gonna be pretty impossible to work out how universities are going to manage admissions this year due to the whole COVID situation.

For what it’s worth, I would say just firm and insure the universities you genuinely want to go to - there’s so many possibilities (that you’ll achieve your grades, that you won’t but you’ll still be accepted etc) that you might as well choose your favourite unis to give yourself a chance of getting in, and then do lots of research into clearing and/or gap years so that if it comes to that then you’re well informed.

In 2016 I was accepted into my course at York with BBC for an AAB course. However a) that was a fair few years ago now b) the course isn’t super popular and c) I think it’s gonna be pretty impossible to work out how universities are going to manage admissions this year due to the whole COVID situation.

For what it’s worth, I would say just firm and insure the universities you genuinely want to go to - there’s so many possibilities (that you’ll achieve your grades, that you won’t but you’ll still be accepted etc) that you might as well choose your favourite unis to give yourself a chance of getting in, and then do lots of research into clearing and/or gap years so that if it comes to that then you’re well informed.

Totally agree that it's course dependent, I didn't get in with ABB to an AAB course (got the paper remarked and went up to AAB and they accepted me the year later). My course is fairly small and popular so perhaps they were more strict.
It probably depends on what the other people also applying get awarded by their schools unfortunately.

Hi to you both! I'm also hoping to go to York in September and was wondering what subjects you guys studied? I'm asking since I've applied for Politics and Philosophy however it doesn't seem as though I'll meet my offer and am now worried about how competitive/popular the course is and how likely I am to still be accepted.

I’m currently having a crisis in that there is no in between in universities I applied for as potential insurance choices and those I applied for as aspirational. University of York is easily my favourite of the 5, however it’s the hardest to get into with AAA. With everything going on with grading right now, I’m worried my teachers won’t even give me my UCAS predicted grades which are AAB. Does anyone know if the university is lenient on its grades?

In 2016 I was accepted into my course at York with BBC for an AAB course. However a) that was a fair few years ago now b) the course isn’t super popular and c) I think it’s gonna be pretty impossible to work out how universities are going to manage admissions this year due to the whole COVID situation.

For what it’s worth, I would say just firm and insure the universities you genuinely want to go to - there’s so many possibilities (that you’ll achieve your grades, that you won’t but you’ll still be accepted etc) that you might as well choose your favourite unis to give yourself a chance of getting in, and then do lots of research into clearing and/or gap years so that if it comes to that then you’re well informed.

I agree with what BlueEyedGirl said below. York was one of my 5 choices but I don't know why I didn't firm it instead of Leeds. TL;DR I got rejected by Leeds and got into Essex (my insurance) but didn't want to go there so phoned York on clearing to get a place on Social and Political Sciences which I'm studying now and they wanted BBC which is exactly what I got. They normally ask for AAB. I originally applied for History and Politics but had a change of heart.

This year's admission is going to be very problematic due to the current coronavirus pandemic but I'm sure they'll take the current situation into deep consideration about how to manage admissions.

Do you think I should firm York then regardless of my worries? The only thing is that Kent is offering ABB if I make them my firm, however I’d still rather go to York. I’m just pretty certain I won’t end up with AAA.

I would also firm York, I am there now and I know lots of people where they accepted them despite missing the offer by 1/2 grades.
You should check to see if your course was in clearing for York last year - that will give you an indication if they will be flexible with grades

This isn't an easy decision ofc. If your heart is definitely set on York, I would make them your firm and I would recommend an insurance choice that is in line with your predicted grades ideally and failing that, at least lower than what your firm wants. It would be stupid to make a uni your insurance choice when it has wants higher grades than your firm. Hope this helps and good luck!

Totally agree that it's course dependent, I didn't get in with ABB to an AAB course (got the paper remarked and went up to AAB and they accepted me the year later). My course is fairly small and popular so perhaps they were more strict.
It probably depends on what the other people also applying get awarded by their schools unfortunately.

What course did you do?

Thanks! The only thing holding me back is the grade drop Kent offered, lowering it to ABB, but if it’s worth the risk then it’s worth the risk. My course is Psychology which is highly competitive though, so slightly worrying.

hey! its been a couple years, but i'm in the same situation now, going for psychology at york but predicted AAB. how did it go? is it worth applying anyway?

I’m currently having a crisis in that there is no in between in universities I applied for as potential insurance choices and those I applied for as aspirational. University of York is easily my favourite of the 5, however it’s the hardest to get into with AAA. With everything going on with grading right now, I’m worried my teachers won’t even give me my UCAS predicted grades which are AAB. Does anyone know if the university is lenient on its grades?

ik a friend who got in for 2022 entry with ABC grades for math(for an AAA course), but she excelled in the interview. This person wasnt contextual, i dont think anyway...