applying to universities with grades which don't exactly match their requirements

Hi, I've finished sixth form and have received my grades A*BB and also a B in Core maths which is worth half an A level and have 152 UCAS points overall. I'm applying to university on my own but I'm unsure if i apply to a university with grades that differ to my own like AAB or ABB would it still be worth applying even though I don't have these exact grades and would be applying even though the grades are higher. When I look at the tariff points for the course I have enough but the grades aren't always exact. Could my core maths grade (maths version of EPQ) lower the grade boundaries? Any advice on this would be super helpful as i'm finding the whole process quite stressful. Thanks!

Before I answer you question, I'd like to ask you one. If you're applying without the support of your school / college, do you have someone who will be in a position to write your academic reference? (Don't panic if you hadn't though of that, as there are options if you haven't.)

If you're applying to universities which present their entry requirements in the form of UCAS points, then your UCAS points are relevant. If they state their requirements in terms of grades, then it's the grades that are important.

You could reasonably apply to one or two unis were your achieved grades don't quite meet their requirements, like AAB for example. (Your A*BB does not meet the AAB requirement.) But you should definitely be looking primarily at courses where you meet (or even exceed) the requirements as they have written them.

Some unis will lower their requirements if you have Core Maths in addition to A levels. For example, Bath will make you an "alternative offer" (i.e. with a lower grade requirement) if you have "grade B in any Core Mathematics qualification" (as long as "Mathematics is not an essential subject for your degree") - see here. For example, for Sociology that ask for AAB normally, but the alternative offer (as you have a B in Core Maths) would be ABB.

just to check, you know you have to use Ucas to apply?

From helping my daughter this year, it seems if you apply in the normal cycle (ie Ucas in autumn for entry next year), then most Unis seem to look for you to have their typical offer or thereabouts. More competitive Unis / courses wont be interested if you are below, less competitive Unis / course will be more flexible

In clearing things seem to be slightly more flexible, Unis want to fill courses with folks who (i) can do the work (ii) will finish the course but seem to be more willing to stretch boundaries to fill the course

Another thing to consider is if you are potentially a 'widening participation' student, the usually get more flexible offers. Uniguide can be a good source of what students actually got grade wise to get on individual courses

Which course and which universities? That makes a lot of difference.

I want to do a philosophy or anthropology course with spanish too. There are quite a few universities which do this course with a modern language so I'm not quite sure which university yet possibly bristol, I need to do more research into the course details then create a shortlist

Sounds wonderful! Which subject was the a star in?

Thank you so much for this, I got my reference from my sixth form teachers before I left year 13 so I have it saved already.

Thank you! It was in criminology

What is a widening participation student?

Thank you! It was in criminology

Be aware some universities wont accept WJEC level 3 Criminology. UCL is one and I believe Bristol is as well. Check with the university before applying.

WJEC Level 3 Diploma / Applied Diploma in Criminology

We accept the WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology and WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology in lieu of one A-level for all courses offered within our Faculty of Social Science and Law.

This qualification must be accompanied by two A-levels, or one A-level and a further A-level-equivalent qualification. It cannot be used to satisfy a subject-specific A-level requirement.

We do not accept this qualification for entry to any other undergraduate courses

Which university is this for? Where did you find this?

Which university is this for? Where did you find this?

Which university is this for? Where did you find this?