How do I know what I want to apply for?

I'm currently in year 12 and study physics, maths and chemistry and UCAS applications are on the horizon. I still have no clue what my plans are for university only that I want to go to one. I have a lot of pressure to apply to prestigious universities like Oxbridge and Russel group unis. At the moment my grades aren't the best ranging from a D-B despite this I know I can get at the very least AAA in the end and this is a bump in the road. I'm open to any paths though it would be good to utilise things I've learnt at A level. I have a peaked interest in journalism despite the fact I don't take any humanity subjects. I fear I'm running out of time and need advice on what to apply for or at least how to figure that out.

Reply 1

Stiffy Byng

Hello, I recommend that you apply to study the subject which you are most interested in and most enjoy. Please don't let family, teachers, or anyone else pressure you to make decisions you do not wish to make, but do listen to advice from teachers. Try to go to as many university open days as you can, in order to get a feel for different types of universities: old, new, collegiate, campus, urban, and/or watch the youtube videos made by and about universities.

If you like the look of a university which uses subject-related aptitude tests for admissions, have a look at those tests and consider which you might be able to do well in.

There are plenty of journalists who studied maths and science subjects at university. You can get into student journalism while an undergraduate to get a taste of that world.

Years 12 and 13 can be tense, but interesting and enjoyable times lie ahead. Work hard, take time to rest and have fun, and don't burn out. Good luck!

Reply 2

McGinger

No-where does it say you can only apply to University straight from school.
Plan an interesting gap-year and take the pressure off yourself.
With only 'middling' grade expectations, 'top' Unis asking for A grades are not realistic ambitions - at the moment.
Telling your family that you are therefore going to work your socks off over the next year, and apply with achieved grades once you have them, is actually quite reasonable. If you explain it carefully, and make sure that you have a real plan for a gap-year - not just 'I'll get a job' - then it wont look like a cop-out.

In the meantime, its worth forming even some vague 'I want to do something connected to....' type ideas, even if these keep changing. Good places to start are :

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Sensible careers website with hundreds of job/career descriptions - Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk

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NHS job roles (good for science heads) - Explore roles | Health Careers

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Look at apprenticeships, even if it helps you work out a job area that interests you - and remember, you can still go to Uni after an apprenticeship - Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Reply 3

user488949439

With your grades Oxbridge seems out of range as well as most RG universities. It is likely your predicted grades wont be that high so getting into those universities seems far fetched. Your claim that I can get at least AAA when you are working nowhere near those grades seems over optimistic.

If you really can get AAA then you would be best taking a gap year and applying with actual grades.

As far as what to study the list is endless. Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Genetics, Applied Medical Sciences, Economics, Accountancy, Computer Science and so many more are available if your grades prove good enough.

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/medicine/

https://www.swansea.ac.uk/health-social-care/