Struggling with what to do after A levels

Hi Guys, I was looking for some advice, hopefully this is the right forum. I applied to nursing this year and I've put down my firm and insurance unis. They need BBB or BBC from me. The trouble is, in my most recent mock for A-level chemistry I got a D, 2 marks off an E. I had another exam for it today and it went awfully (a similar mark if not, lower probably.) I've lost all hope of getting into either of my unis this year. I just wanted to ask for people's opinions on taking a gap year and then reapplying to more realistic unis, and if I could still get onto a nursing degree with Ds? Also, how does the clearing process work in terms of nursing and do many Unis in the south take on many nursing students via clearing? Apologies for the over-complicated questions I've just been stressing recently about my options for next year. Thanks guys :smile:

Reply 1

normaw

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

19

Original post by Lilyvanilla

Hi Guys, I was looking for some advice, hopefully this is the right forum. I applied to nursing this year and I've put down my firm and insurance unis. They need BBB or BBC from me. The trouble is, in my most recent mock for A-level chemistry I got a D, 2 marks off an E. I had another exam for it today and it went awfully (a similar mark if not, lower probably.) I've lost all hope of getting into either of my unis this year. I just wanted to ask for people's opinions on taking a gap year and then reapplying to more realistic unis, and if I could still get onto a nursing degree with Ds? Also, how does the clearing process work in terms of nursing and do many Unis in the south take on many nursing students via clearing? Apologies for the over-complicated questions I've just been stressing recently about my options for next year. Thanks guys :smile:

Don't lose hope. Unis receive your results before you and, except for the most competitive courses, there is often some wiggle room. They would rather have students who have missed a grade or two and want to go there rather than enter the course into clearing. Keep working on your chemistry (do a few past paper questions every day) and you might surprise yourself. If the worst comes to worst, and you don't get at place a uni, you will be automatically entered into clearing. In the week before results day, keep an eye on the UCAS website for clearing places (more will be added as the day approaches) so that you are ready to call when you have your results.

Reply 2

Lilyvanilla

OP

4

Original post by normaw

Don't lose hope. Unis receive your results before you and, except for the most competitive courses, there is often some wiggle room. They would rather have students who have missed a grade or two and want to go there rather than enter the course into clearing. Keep working on your chemistry (do a few past paper questions every day) and you might surprise yourself. If the worst comes to worst, and you don't get at place a uni, you will be automatically entered into clearing. In the week before results day, keep an eye on the UCAS website for clearing places (more will be added as the day approaches) so that you are ready to call when you have your results.

Thank you for that advice it makes a lot of sense! I didn't even realise I would automatically go to clearing so that gives me a bit more hope. Thank you!

Reply 3

Antique1

11

If the results go pear-shaped, which hopefully they won’t, I do know of students taking the adult nursing degree apprenticeship route who were accepted with lower grades.

That probably varies between universities though.
You would be employed as a health care support worker part-time and supported to do the degree part-time.

You do have time to improve on the mock results, they are not a definite prediction of grades. Hopefully, you’ll just continue to work hard & get the grades you want!

Original post by Lilyvanilla

Hi Guys, I was looking for some advice, hopefully this is the right forum. I applied to nursing this year and I've put down my firm and insurance unis. They need BBB or BBC from me. The trouble is, in my most recent mock for A-level chemistry I got a D, 2 marks off an E. I had another exam for it today and it went awfully (a similar mark if not, lower probably.) I've lost all hope of getting into either of my unis this year. I just wanted to ask for people's opinions on taking a gap year and then reapplying to more realistic unis, and if I could still get onto a nursing degree with Ds? Also, how does the clearing process work in terms of nursing and do many Unis in the south take on many nursing students via clearing? Apologies for the over-complicated questions I've just been stressing recently about my options for next year. Thanks guys :smile:

Hey,

You've got this don't lose hope. All you can do is try your best and grades don't always mean everything to some universities. If you really want to be a nurse and are passionate this would of come across in your interview.

As mentioned above, some universities can accept you through clearing. Ensure you research as many universities as you can that offer nursing as you may find a university that will accept you through clearing if you don't manage to meet the grade requirements for your chosen universities.

Stay positive and all you can do is try your best.

We are wishing you the best of luck :thumbsup: