Advice on A-Levels Results

Hello everyone

Just seeking some advice regarding my A Level Results. I left in 2022, id say I’m fairly smart but just not so good at exams and I think COVID affected my grades too.
I got:
Business - B
Geography - C
Media Studies - Distinction *
Extended Project qualification- B

Are these grades good? Sort of wish I’d tried a bit harder now but just struggled with exams. I’m applying for apprenticeships but also toying with the idea of university. I’d be interested in software engineering, business or economics/finance, but I feel my results are holding me back because of the entry grade requirements. Is there anyway around this?
I’ve heard about getting in via clearing from my sister. Can you get into a Russell uni with these grades via clearing? And is getting in by clearing looked down upon?

Sorry for all the questions anything university is foreign to me.

Thanks for your time !! :smile:

Reply 1

joesfg

Bump!

Reply 2

bigpc

following!

Reply 3

NU London

Official Rep

Original post by joesfg

Hello everyone
Just seeking some advice regarding my A Level Results. I left in 2022, id say I’m fairly smart but just not so good at exams and I think COVID affected my grades too.
I got:
Business - B
Geography - C
Media Studies - Distinction *
Extended Project qualification- B
Are these grades good? Sort of wish I’d tried a bit harder now but just struggled with exams. I’m applying for apprenticeships but also toying with the idea of university. I’d be interested in software engineering, business or economics/finance, but I feel my results are holding me back because of the entry grade requirements. Is there anyway around this?
I’ve heard about getting in via clearing from my sister. Can you get into a Russell uni with these grades via clearing? And is getting in by clearing looked down upon?
Sorry for all the questions anything university is foreign to me.
Thanks for your time !! :smile:

Hi there,

You're A-level grades are great and you'd definitely be eligible for university places in finance/business/economics! Clearing is also about adjustment, allowing students to level up on their university offers! It has become a great way to find new opportunities and opens up a range of different courses that you'll be eligible for, getting in via clearing isn't looked down upon, this is a misconception! I'd write a list of courses/universities your interested in and contact the university during clearing to see if they have places available. Preparing a personal statement could also be helpful if the university ask for it or want to conduct a small interview to understand why you want to study with them. Alternatively there might be universities who take direct applications (like us!) so you could apply before clearing.

I hope that helps! :smile:

Reply 4

Swansea Students

Official Rep

Original post by joesfg

Hello everyone
Just seeking some advice regarding my A Level Results. I left in 2022, id say I’m fairly smart but just not so good at exams and I think COVID affected my grades too.
I got:
Business - B
Geography - C
Media Studies - Distinction *
Extended Project qualification- B
Are these grades good? Sort of wish I’d tried a bit harder now but just struggled with exams. I’m applying for apprenticeships but also toying with the idea of university. I’d be interested in software engineering, business or economics/finance, but I feel my results are holding me back because of the entry grade requirements. Is there anyway around this?
I’ve heard about getting in via clearing from my sister. Can you get into a Russell uni with these grades via clearing? And is getting in by clearing looked down upon?
Sorry for all the questions anything university is foreign to me.
Thanks for your time !! :smile:

Hey Joesfg,

Your grades are great and coming from someone who also took their A-levels in 2022, Covid had an impact on a lot of people's grades, but you still did amazing to achieve those results!

If you are wanting to start in 2025 you can apply through UCAS from the beginning of September. Clearing is an option if you choose to start this September, with most course vacancies being advertised from July. Here is a link to our Clearing guide, if you would like any more information or help on the matter: Your Guide to Clearing - Swansea University

My advice to you would be to look into the different universities you are interested in and you can always contact them to discuss worries about entry requirements. Some will even have a dedicated Clearing hotline opening in August around A-level results day, like us!

Speaking as someone who got my place at university on the Business Management course through Clearing, I have had no issues with others looking down at me and found a lot of people were in similar situations.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Alexis
(2nd Year Business Management Student)

Reply 5

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

Original post by joesfg

Hello everyone
Just seeking some advice regarding my A Level Results. I left in 2022, id say I’m fairly smart but just not so good at exams and I think COVID affected my grades too.
I got:
Business - B
Geography - C
Media Studies - Distinction *
Extended Project qualification- B
Are these grades good? Sort of wish I’d tried a bit harder now but just struggled with exams. I’m applying for apprenticeships but also toying with the idea of university. I’d be interested in software engineering, business or economics/finance, but I feel my results are holding me back because of the entry grade requirements. Is there anyway around this?
I’ve heard about getting in via clearing from my sister. Can you get into a Russell uni with these grades via clearing? And is getting in by clearing looked down upon?
Sorry for all the questions anything university is foreign to me.
Thanks for your time !! :smile:

Hey, Coventry University Student Ambassador here! 👋

These are great grades and can definitely get you into some courses we have at Coventry University! Don't put yourself down because of your grades. It's very difficult to stay motivated, especially with the impact of covid. Our entry requirements for Software Engineering BSc are:

•

BBC to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing, or Design Technology. General Studies is excluded.

We have an excellent curriculum with a wide range of facilities to benefit from during your studies, such as our new modern Beatrice Shilling Building with high-spec learning environments, laboratories with high-end PCs, as well as a dedicated programming support center for coding help. If you're struggling to meet those requirements, I can suggest a foundation year that equips you with the fundamental software engineering and data storage concepts, network theory and technology in business, and fundamental mathematics to help you meet the entry requirements for software engineering! Definitely check us out on our upcoming open days to get a feel for student life and speak to lecturers and ambassadors like us for further insight. Best of luck!

Dorna | Coventry University Student Ambassador

Reply 6

CardiffUni Rep

Official Rep

Original post by joesfg

Hello everyone
Just seeking some advice regarding my A Level Results. I left in 2022, id say I’m fairly smart but just not so good at exams and I think COVID affected my grades too.
I got:
Business - B
Geography - C
Media Studies - Distinction *
Extended Project qualification- B
Are these grades good? Sort of wish I’d tried a bit harder now but just struggled with exams. I’m applying for apprenticeships but also toying with the idea of university. I’d be interested in software engineering, business or economics/finance, but I feel my results are holding me back because of the entry grade requirements. Is there anyway around this?
I’ve heard about getting in via clearing from my sister. Can you get into a Russell uni with these grades via clearing? And is getting in by clearing looked down upon?
Sorry for all the questions anything university is foreign to me.
Thanks for your time !! :smile:

Hi there,

You can definitely get into a good university with those grades. Equally an apprenticeship could be a great option, and help you get work experience. If you do go by the university root, I just want to emphasise how important it is to research the course that you are interested in and making sure that you do get on one that you think you will enjoy the content of. I realise that this can be challenging, but apply through clearing may limit your options.

Clearing is not looked down on, as there are many reasons why someone might apply to university this way. And whether your grades are accepted or not, generally depends on the number of students applying etc.

I hope this helps!

All the best,
Jaz - Cardiff student rep

Reply 7

UniofLaw Student

Official Rep

Original post by joesfg

Hello everyone
Just seeking some advice regarding my A Level Results. I left in 2022, id say I’m fairly smart but just not so good at exams and I think COVID affected my grades too.
I got:
Business - B
Geography - C
Media Studies - Distinction *
Extended Project qualification- B
Are these grades good? Sort of wish I’d tried a bit harder now but just struggled with exams. I’m applying for apprenticeships but also toying with the idea of university. I’d be interested in software engineering, business or economics/finance, but I feel my results are holding me back because of the entry grade requirements. Is there anyway around this?
I’ve heard about getting in via clearing from my sister. Can you get into a Russell uni with these grades via clearing? And is getting in by clearing looked down upon?
Sorry for all the questions anything university is foreign to me.
Thanks for your time !! :smile:

Hi,

It really depends on the university whether you would be able to get in via clearing with the grades you have. I would do some research into where you think you will be able to get into via clearing so you are prepared for the process. Often, people find the clearing process stressful as it can be quite fast-paced so I would make sure you have a plan of attack ready for when the time comes.

In terms of getting in via clearing, no one will know that is how you got into a university/on a course so it has absolutely no impact on the way yourself or your qualification may be viewed in the long run!.

I hope this helps 🙂