Applying next year

Didn't get the A-Levels I wanted, expected A*AB but got ABC (Econ, Maths, Physics) AA (EPQ, AS Comp Sci) so I missed my only offer which is for Economics. Maths grade was 2 marks from an A and Physics grade was 4 marks away from a B so I'm hoping these remarks takes my grades to AAB.

As a result I want to take a gap year to resit, improve my grades and possibly take FM to make my application more competitive.

Is it possible/worth applying to universities with grade requirements above AAB (such as A*AA) because it is hard for me to see the point of resitting if universities only take into account of my achieved grades. Thanks for reading.

Reply 1

Jenna2003

9

Original post by decoratequail

Didn't get the A-Levels I wanted, expected A*AB but got ABC (Econ, Maths, Physics) AA (EPQ, AS Comp Sci) so I missed my only offer which is for Economics. Maths grade was 2 marks from an A and Physics grade was 4 marks away from a B so I'm hoping these remarks takes my grades to AAB.

As a result I want to take a gap year to resit, improve my grades and possibly take FM to make my application more competitive.

Is it possible/worth applying to universities with grade requirements above AAB (such as A*AA) because it is hard for me to see the point of resitting if universities only take into account of my achieved grades. Thanks for reading.

I didn’t get the grades I was expecting either and got rejected from my top choice and am now doing a foundation year at my back up uni in September. I think if you can find a place that will take you with the grades you’ve gotten then just go for it because they don’t really matter after this as long as you go for your degree

Reply 2

McGinger

20

How to Avoid 5 Rejections - read the bit about applying to 5 choices with a range of grade requirements - and why : https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/university/apply/how-to-avoid-getting-five-university-rejections

Reply 3

hss_2004

12

They would consider you if your personal statement is good and like you said taking up another subject would be very useful as you're directly showing them that you are doing something productive in your gap year. I would say still apply but don't expect them all to be willing to take you on it really just depends on how competitive the course is and what their admissions teams are like you would just have to make it very clear on UCAS that those were your achieved grades and that you are re-sitting :smile:

Reply 4

decoratequail

OP

5

I understand that with AAB achieved it would be extremely tough to get an offer for a course that is A*AA.
However the bit that I'm confused about is whether the admission officers take into account that I'm resitting and taking a new subject?
Assuming I get a grade increase for 2 resits it would bump up to AA*A and hopefully an A in FM.

Reply 5

decoratequail

OP

5

Original post by hss_2004

They would consider you if your personal statement is good and like you said taking up another subject would be very useful as you're directly showing them that you are doing something productive in your gap year. I would say still apply but don't expect them all to be willing to take you on it really just depends on how competitive the course is and what their admissions teams are like you would just have to make it very clear on UCAS that those were your achieved grades and that you are re-sitting :smile:

Yeah that's true, I applied for pure Econ this year which was quite competitive, might have to go for a similar course.

Reply 6

Be_alone

11

Original post by decoratequail

I understand that with AAB achieved it would be extremely tough to get an offer for a course that is A*AA.
However the bit that I'm confused about is whether the admission officers take into account that I'm resitting and taking a new subject?
Assuming I get a grade increase for 2 resits it would bump up to AA*A and hopefully an A in FM.

is the new subject FM?

Original post by Be_alone

is the new subject FM?

The post you’re replying to is from a year ago

Reply 8

Be_alone

11

Original post by PQ

The post you’re replying to is from a year ago

is it closed?

It's not that old, Im seeking advice for retakes

(edited 6 months ago)

Original post by Be_alone

is it closed?

It's not that old, Im seeking advice for retakes

From their other posts it looks like OP went to university at Southampton instead of retaking their A levels

Reply 10

Be_alone

11

Original post by PQ

From their other posts it looks like OP went to university at Southampton instead of retaking their A levels

I see, do you know anything about retakes?
I've heard you need to wait for at least 2 gaps years to apply if you do retake, that means I have to apply for 2026 cycle

Original post by Be_alone

I see, do you know anything about retakes?
I've heard you need to wait for at least 2 gaps years to apply if you do retake, that means I have to apply for 2026 cycle

That depends on what you're applying for and where/how you will be retaking.

To reapply you need a reference and if you're resitting that reference would normally include predicted grades for the resits. So if you aren't able to get a reference or your referee is unwilling to provide predicted grades and your chosen course/university insists on predicted grades then you'll have to wait until you have completed your resits to reapply.

Most resit applicants are able to find someone suitable to provide a reference and are able to arrange for predicted grades if their universities require them so just reapply in the same year they're resitting.

Applying next year

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