Getting into university without English language GCSE

I want to study chemistry at university. A levels aside, everywhere requires at least a 4 in GCSE English language. I have a 3. I don't want to resit because that exam actually boiled my blood, I hated the text we were given, and the writing prompts, 2021 paper. This was the only GCSE I failed. There seems to be some universities who accept a pass in functional skills lvl 2 in lieu of a 4 at GCSE, and having looked at last years paper I could have done it with my eyes shut ten years ago. Do you seriously get a dictionary? Anyway, I am somewhat fascinated by the written word, which is ironic considering. It is worth noting that due to personal circumstances I won't be taking a levels till at least next year, and possibly the year after (I'm a lunatic). If I have good A level grades in maths, chemistry and biology will they even be bothered?

Yes, they might well be bothered. Getting a better grade will give you far more options.

Any school / college will require you to resit English Language alongside your A levels, and future employers will expect it.

I'm not sure they will if I am already 18 when I start the course? Anyway, thanks for answering. (I am scared of failing again and feeling even worse lol).

I'm not sure they will if I am already 18 when I start the course? Anyway, thanks for answering. (I am scared of failing again and feeling even worse lol).

Are you in sixth form yet?

There are sometimes some exceptions for mature students who are years out of education, (but who otherwise have some recent level 3 study). At 18 that won’t be the case and for the majority of unis it will be an automatic rejection.

If that's the case I find it very silly. Obviously I can read and write, to a good standard. The GCSE paper I did, turns out 2022 paper, sorry, made a mistake, I honestly think I failed because I had to write about conflict between a man and a scorpion. A scorpion is an insect. Also the extract was practically devoid of writing techniques. It was taken from The Pearl by John Steinbeck, one of my least favourite authors. In my opinion he couldn't write to save his life. I know that is very rich coming from me, but it still stands. I also hated the description prompt. Really the exam couldn't have gone worse. I'm not sure why everyone has the view of no GCSE = practically illiterate.

If that's the case I find it very silly. Obviously I can read and write, to a good standard. The GCSE paper I did, turns out 2022 paper, sorry, made a mistake, I honestly think I failed because I had to write about conflict between a man and a scorpion. A scorpion is an insect. Also the extract was practically devoid of writing techniques. It was taken from The Pearl by John Steinbeck, one of my least favourite authors. In my opinion he couldn't write to save his life. I know that is very rich coming from me, but it still stands. I also hated the description prompt. Really the exam couldn't have gone worse. I'm not sure why everyone has the view of no GCSE = practically illiterate.

*Arachnid.

Year 13. They didn't make me redo English Language because I started doing Literature instead. If you're wondering 'why did they even let you do A levels?' It is because it is an autism specialist school and there are so few sixth form students they'll let you have a go at whatever you like. I was planning on doing A level chemistry and A level History, I know, weird mix, but I am passionate about them both, even if I only got a 4 on the history exam! Also I was going to take GCSE literature and computer science.

The main problem is the aforementioned lunacy, I've always struggled with life but in December of last year I had a nervous breakdown. I currently reside in a mental hospital, so, yeah not taking any exams. P.S. I also did not try hard enough because my old meds (fluoxetine) before they stopped working made me a lot less anxious e.g. I could leave the house, but also complacent so I would do things like not do the homework, which isn't going to get you anywhere doing an A level. I only hope the next thing I'm on (sertraline) will not do the latter.

If I get the will to live back, then I'll try and apply for a mainstream college doing sciences. Only problem is when I went to a mainstream education setting in year 7 and 8, I simply could not cope, not academically (I do have some sense) but socially is where my problems lie. Any exam I've ever taken demonstrates the fact that when it comes to writing essays how the examiners want I am as much use as a chocolate teapot. I look back at the history essays I wrote and they seem fine to me, but, despite sometimes spending hours on these pieces of work, my teacher often thought I was joking when I handed my work in. As for the failed English GCSE, I tried VERY hard, spent months 'learning the test', still failed. It seemed to me if my history writing was engaging for the reader in any way, it would get a bad mark. I actually tested this once by purposefully making my essay as dull as dishwater. 'This is the best one you've done yet' :P Sorry for such a long reply, but it's a long story.
P.S I wrote this reply last night but by the time I'd finished writing it it was past 11 and the Wi-Fi shuts off here :I