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I’m doing an access course and got a pass in one of modules

I have offers from Russel group unis for econ they state 30-39 credits at distinction the rest at merit.

So far I have all distinctions but that one pass which one literally one of the easiest maths modules.

Am I done for is their any leniency? I literally feel like I’m suffocating right all that hard work for nothing.

While I do not want to say the unis they are all mid to top tier RG.
(edited 2 years ago)
A pass for a module may be potentially possible to be outweighed by other performance...however, getting just a pass in a basic maths module, while applying for economics, is very much a not good look. They would probably be expecting you to have distinctions in even the advanced maths modules for economics, because economics at degree level is necessarily mathematical and most economics degrees correspondingly require A-level Maths or equivalent, and for "top" economics unis this will usually be expected at A/A* (and also the very "top" courses for economics such as LSE, Cambridge, maybe Warwick or UCL, also normally expect the same in A-level Further Maths to be competitive).

I think if you struggle with maths at even a basic level you really need to sit down and think about whether an economics degree is a realistic option for you in terms of when (or perhaps, if) you actually get onto the degree. The mathematical prerequisites are not arbitrary ones to "filter" applicants, it's because they'll expect you to be using those maths skills throughout the course day in and day out and developing even more advanced mathematical skills in the degree. You may want to think about why you are considering economics and whether another course more aligned with your strenghts may be a better option to get you to your goal (or depending on what the goal is, also whether that goal is reasonable - no point deciding you want to be a data scientist or quant if you hate maths for example).
Just keep plugging away
Original post by artful_lounger
A pass for a module may be potentially possible to be outweighed by other performance...however, getting just a pass in a basic maths module, while applying for economics, is very much a not good look. They would probably be expecting you to have distinctions in even the advanced maths modules for economics, because economics at degree level is necessarily mathematical and most economics degrees correspondingly require A-level Maths or equivalent, and for "top" economics unis this will usually be expected at A/A* (and also the very "top" courses for economics such as LSE, Cambridge, maybe Warwick or UCL, also normally expect the same in A-level Further Maths to be competitive).

I think if you struggle with maths at even a basic level you really need to sit down and think about whether an economics degree is a realistic option for you in terms of when (or perhaps, if) you actually get onto the degree. The mathematical prerequisites are not arbitrary ones to "filter" applicants, it's because they'll expect you to be using those maths skills throughout the course day in and day out and developing even more advanced mathematical skills in the degree. You may want to think about why you are considering economics and whether another course more aligned with your strenghts may be a better option to get you to your goal (or depending on what the goal is, also whether that goal is reasonable - no point deciding you want to be a data scientist or quant if you hate maths for example).

My access course has a lot of maths modules in it, this was the easiest as I have done calculus before in this (distinction) course. Not really sure what I was doing to get a pass but I’m very capable of getting higher infacf most of the stuff I learned I end up using in other stuff so I had to relearn it and use to a higher degree.

So there is a small chance that unis will overlook? Thanks
Original post by killabitis
Just keep plugging away

That’s the plan but I’m really really hoping this blunder won’t prevent me from getting into my top choices cause I’ve already envisioned my self getting in and already worked hard would suck a lot. (Original post by killabitis)

Just keep plugging away
Original post by Accessburner
My access course has a lot of maths modules in it, this was the easiest as I have done calculus before in this (distinction) course. Not really sure what I was doing to get a pass but I’m very capable of getting higher infacf most of the stuff I learned I end up using in other stuff so I had to relearn it and use to a higher degree.

So there is a small chance that unis will overlook? Thanks

Perhaps, I think doing poorly in a foundational maths section will be concerning for a maths based degree like economics really...ultimately it's at the uni's discretion. I do think it is going to disadvantage you at the very least though.
Original post by artful_lounger
Perhaps, I think doing poorly in a foundational maths section will be concerning for a maths based degree like economics really...ultimately it's at the uni's discretion. I do think it is going to disadvantage you at the very least though.


Well that sucks ALOT and Yh I did so poorly cause I made a small typo in a formula I used through out the exam which I conveniently wrote at the start. A good chunk of my course is also further maths.

One of my chosen unis is making me do a maths exam if I do well enough will they be nice about it T-T. Also Is there literally any way I can get this up to a merit instead, cause it really is looking like I’ll be getting 42 Distinctions and 3 pass and I cannot stop stressing about that.

Like can I take an additional maths module so it’s 63 credits and that module has a distinction so it’s 45 distinctions and 3 passes.
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by Accessburner
Well that sucks ALOT and Yh I did so poorly cause I made a small typo in a formula I used through out the exam which I conveniently wrote at the start. A good chunk of my course is also further maths.

One of my chosen unis is making me do a maths exam if I do well enough will they be nice about it T-T. Also Is there literally any way I can get this up to a merit instead, cause it really is looking like I’ll be getting 42 Distinctions and 3 pass and I cannot stop stressing about that.

Like can I take an additional maths module so it’s 63 credits and that module has a distinction so it’s 45 distinctions and 3 passes.

Not really sure, you'd have to talk to your course provider about that (or about resit options or anything similar). I don't think Access courses tend to have those kind of options available - they're a bit all or nothing and hence quite intensive from the start. Probably worth discussing with your tutor(s) about it in any case to try and figure out how to improve for other areas.
Original post by artful_lounger
Not really sure, you'd have to talk to your course provider about that (or about resit options or anything similar). I don't think Access courses tend to have those kind of options available - they're a bit all or nothing and hence quite intensive from the start. Probably worth discussing with your tutor(s) about it in any case to try and figure out how to improve for other areas.

Yh okay, they don't allow extra modules, anyways I did the exam the university wants it was basically just AL pure maths and I did super well. in the end, I got the offer but I regret getting that pass in a simple maths module but I did great in the admission exam do you think they will let it slide since the content was very similar? Keep in mind this is a top top uni so is it possible to convince them and what would be the best way of doing that?
Original post by Accessburner
Yh okay, they don't allow extra modules, anyways I did the exam the university wants it was basically just AL pure maths and I did super well. in the end, I got the offer but I regret getting that pass in a simple maths module but I did great in the admission exam do you think they will let it slide since the content was very similar? Keep in mind this is a top top uni so is it possible to convince them and what would be the best way of doing that?

Not sure, it will be at their discretion I think if you got a pass and not a merit or distinction in it based on how you described the requirements of the course.
Original post by Accessburner
Yh okay, they don't allow extra modules, anyways I did the exam the university wants it was basically just AL pure maths and I did super well. in the end, I got the offer but I regret getting that pass in a simple maths module but I did great in the admission exam do you think they will let it slide since the content was very similar? Keep in mind this is a top top uni so is it possible to convince them and what would be the best way of doing that?


As already advised it is highly unlikely a top university will forego the fact you have a grade below a merit but only the university itself can make that decision. Unfortunately all we can give you is the likely outcome which will end up as a rejection
Original post by Accessburner
I have offers from Russel group unis for econ they state 30-39 credits at distinction the rest at merit.
So far I have all distinctions but that one pass which one literally one of the easiest maths modules.
Am I done for is their any leniency? I literally feel like I’m suffocating right all that hard work for nothing.
While I do not want to say the unis they are all mid to top tier RG.

did they reject the offer ?

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