How to Apply Five A-Level Grades to Uni Entry Requirements

See, I'm really weird and I'm technically taking five A-Levels; maths, further maths, physics, computer science, and then my school forces everyone to take this new-fangled welsh baccalaureate qualification too. I've just finished my AS year and have some rough ideas of what kind of grades I'm going to achieve in each of these subjects and I like to be prepared for things, so I've started casually looking at universities already. However, all universities display their entry requirements as three grades. One of my friends says they lower the requirements a little the more subjects you take, the UCAS tarriff points calculator says some universities only count your top three A-Levels towards your total UCAS points and ignore the rest but makes no mention of what they do if they're not part of this "some universities" group, and overall the consensus seems mixed. I'm just hoping you guys can shed some light on this and help me more easily see which universities I might be able to get into.

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by fruityfurry69

See, I'm really weird and I'm technically taking five A-Levels; maths, further maths, physics, computer science, and then my school forces everyone to take this new-fangled welsh baccalaureate qualification too. I've just finished my AS year and have some rough ideas of what kind of grades I'm going to achieve in each of these subjects and I like to be prepared for things, so I've started casually looking at universities already. However, all universities display their entry requirements as three grades. One of my friends says they lower the requirements a little the more subjects you take, the UCAS tarriff points calculator says some universities only count your top three A-Levels towards your total UCAS points and ignore the rest but makes no mention of what they do if they're not part of this "some universities" group, and overall the consensus seems mixed. I'm just hoping you guys can shed some light on this and help me more easily see which universities I might be able to get into.

There are a very few universities / courses for which there is some benefit taking four A levels (e.g. Natural Sciences at Cambridge, or Computing at Imperial). For the rest is either a waste of time / effort, or it's positively detrimental to you chances (because your average grade may suffer, given that you're spreading yourself too thin).

As you've established, the majority of universities makes offers based on your best three A levels and ignore the rest. Suppose you get an offer from a university which requires AAA, but you miss one of those As because you're doing a fourth A level and the Welsh Baccalaureate. So you end-up getting AABBB. Whilst that would be an impressive set of grades, you'd have missed the offer requirements, and anyone with AAA would get a place ahead of you.

You need to politely explain to your school that making the Welsh Baccalaureate mandatory is an idiotic thing for them to do.

Reply 2

Muttley79

20

Original post by fruityfurry69

See, I'm really weird and I'm technically taking five A-Levels; maths, further maths, physics, computer science, and then my school forces everyone to take this new-fangled welsh baccalaureate qualification too. I've just finished my AS year and have some rough ideas of what kind of grades I'm going to achieve in each of these subjects and I like to be prepared for things, so I've started casually looking at universities already. However, all universities display their entry requirements as three grades. One of my friends says they lower the requirements a little the more subjects you take, the UCAS tarriff points calculator says some universities only count your top three A-Levels towards your total UCAS points and ignore the rest but makes no mention of what they do if they're not part of this "some universities" group, and overall the consensus seems mixed. I'm just hoping you guys can shed some light on this and help me more easily see which universities I might be able to get into.

It's pointless taking 5 A levels. Universties may well specify grades in particular subjects or even up their offer to 4 grades.

Reply 3

user488949439

19

Unfortunately the Welsh Government shall we say encourages the Welsh Bacc and loads of schools force it on students. It is putting Welsh students at a disadvantage to English students and some top English universities dont accept it all. Dont waste any time on it. Welsh Bacc isnt new. It has been around several years probably or 7 years.

Concentrate on 3 A levels. Doing that gives you the best chance of achieving the highest grades and that will ensure you can apply anywhere. If you get A*A*A* you will be able to apply to any university you wish to. Some very top universities are very competitive and might reject you but nearly everywhere they will accept students with the top grades.

Reply 4

user488949439

19

Just to make clear universities do not make lower offers for someone with 5 A levels amd most dont use the UCAS points system. Some who ask for lower grades do but typically that is used by universities who ask for below BBB.

A number of years ago I met a student who was studying Maths at Swansea university. She had done exactly what you did at a Welsh language school in Cardiff. She had missed her offer to get into Exeter to study Maths. What she told me was the amount of time she spent on her Welsh Bacc caused her to miss her grades and get rejected. It is a warning you need to heed.

(edited 10 months ago)

How to Apply Five A-Level Grades to Uni Entry Requirements

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you