Ucl economics with bad gcses but stellar a levels?

Gcse grades were:

7 - English literature, Religious studies

6 - Maths, Combined science, English language

5 - Geography

4 - Business studies, Sociology

Would you say I stand a fighting chance with A*A*A* achieved in Maths, Economics and Chemistry? Also with work experience with jpmorgan (m&a)? Also looking at Warwick, Accounting and Finance. Are both courses just too competitive? Would like some realistic reassurance or some anecdotes from people who’ve been in a similar position. Thank you guys

Reply 1

Mintkoala

16

Original post by j25_8

Gcse grades were:

7 - English literature, Religious studies

6 - Maths, Combined science, English language

5 - Geography

4 - Business studies, Sociology

Would you say I stand a fighting chance with A*A*A* achieved in Maths, Economics and Chemistry? Also with work experience with jpmorgan (m&a)? Also looking at Warwick, Accounting and Finance. Are both courses just too competitive? Would like some realistic reassurance or some anecdotes from people who’ve been in a similar position. Thank you guys

Just apply, it’s only one choice out of 5 and you meet the requirements. See what happens. It’s not like applying and getting rejected would mean you won’t get into other good universities.

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 2

j25_8

OP

19

Original post by Mintkoala

Just apply, it’s only one choice out of 5 and you meet the requirements. See what happens. It’s not like applying and getting rejected would mean you won’t get into other good universities.

Thanks and yeah it’s true that i should just apply and find out and even w those a levels i think i could stand a chance but idk how to feel after looking at the applicants thread for both unis and seeing that people with better grades than me unfortunately didn’t get in. It’s even more weird seeing people get lower grades (either at gcse or a level) get in. Not that it’s bad at all but i just don’t know where I stand in terms of liklihood if that makes sense?

I’m guessing it comes down to ps more than i thought which i can understand, but all I wanted to know is whether or not the competition alone would be a basis to rule me out or at least make my chances very very very low :smile:

Reply 3

McGinger

20

For Econ, always look at degrees 'with placement' or 'with industrial experience' - this will improve your graduate job oppotunities enormously.
UCL - https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/degrees/economics-placement-year-bsc-econ
Bath - https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2023/economics/#course-entries
Liverpool - https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/courses/2023/economics-with-a-year-in-industry-bsc-hons
etc

Reply 4

JustAnotherFloop

12

If you are applying to the likes of Oxford PPE/LSE - No chance unless you have a viable reason why. Cambridge contextualises GCSES so it's dependent on your school performance relative to yours and any circumstances you have - However Cambridge holds much less emphasis on GCSES and focuses much more on other aspects of your application like interviews. If you make another aspect of your application strong, that could make up for a less stellar GCSE performance. UCL only really uses GCSES in order to diffinciate between similar applicants - same story, if your application is much stronger elsewhere then it won't be too much of a problem. Pretty sure most top Unis use a similar system to UCL. I would say go for it but it's really important that you make everything else stand out, due to the competitive nature of Economic degrees. I'd suggest doing FM A level if your school offers it and I think Unis would be much more interested in more further reading and Super Curriculars but the work experience is a good start though - Just make sure to explain what you gained from that JP Morgan experience.

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 5

memyselfandi1234

3

Original post by JustAnotherFloop

If you are applying to the likes of Oxford PPE/LSE - No chance unless you have a viable reason why. Cambridge contextualises GCSES so it's dependent on your school performance relative to yours and any circumstances you have - However Cambridge holds much less emphasis on GCSES and focuses much more on other aspects of your application like interviews. If you make another aspect of your application strong, that could make up for a less stellar GCSE performance. UCL only really uses GCSES in order to diffinciate between similar applicants - same story, if your application is much stronger elsewhere then it won't be too much of a problem. Pretty sure most top Unis use a similar system to UCL. I would say go for it but it's really important that you make everything else stand out, due to the competitive nature of Economic degrees. I'd suggest doing FM A level if your school offers it and I think Unis would be much more interested in more further reading and Super Curriculars but the work experience is a good start though - Just make sure to explain what you gained from that JP Morgan experience.

Sorry do you know where I can find how UCL uses GCSEs. Thank you

Reply 6

JustAnotherFloop

12

Original post by memyselfandi1234

Sorry do you know where I can find how UCL uses GCSEs. Thank you

"GCSE results do also help the admissions team whittle down applications to really competitive courses. If, for example, they need to choose between two applications, where predicted grades, personal statement and references are equally good, then the application with the slightly better GCSEs is more likely to receive an offer.

We understand that there are so many reasons why students might not have done as well in their GCSEs compared with their more recent education. It could be due to a bad illness during year 10 or 11; they may have recently arrived in the country and were getting used to the education system; a loved one may have passed away during the exams; there may have been problems with housing which meant moving around a lot. Whatever the reason, students should make sure their referee mentions this in the university reference: this will allow the admissions team to get a more rounded view of the student’s educational history and understand their potential on the chosen course if offered a place at UCL" - UCL's GCSE importance page

"The admissions selector looks at each application on its own merits, but those applicants with a high number of GCSEs passed at grade 8 are more likely to be successful." - UCL Economics FAQ page

Reply 7

Aarushiuuuuu

2

Original post by j25_8

Gcse grades were:
7 - English literature, Religious studies
6 - Maths, Combined science, English language
5 - Geography
4 - Business studies, Sociology
Would you say I stand a fighting chance with A*A*A* achieved in Maths, Economics and Chemistry? Also with work experience with jpmorgan (m&a)? Also looking at Warwick, Accounting and Finance. Are both courses just too competitive? Would like some realistic reassurance or some anecdotes from people who’ve been in a similar position. Thank you guys

Hi sorry im in year 12 now and looking to apply to UCL was ur application successful?

Reply 8

Alvia.b

2

Original post by j25_8

Gcse grades were:
7 - English literature, Religious studies
6 - Maths, Combined science, English language
5 - Geography
4 - Business studies, Sociology
Would you say I stand a fighting chance with A*A*A* achieved in Maths, Economics and Chemistry? Also with work experience with jpmorgan (m&a)? Also looking at Warwick, Accounting and Finance. Are both courses just too competitive? Would like some realistic reassurance or some anecdotes from people who’ve been in a similar position. Thank you guys

If you have achieved those grades, then definitely apply for ucl. If they aren’t achieved, and just predicted, getting a place would be really hard.

Ucl economics with bad gcses but stellar a levels?

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