Can you get into Cambridge without meeting grade requirements?

I want to get into Cambridge for Economics, but my school are being beyond strict with predicted grades and wont give me the grades to get into Cambridge even though I believe I could get the grades when I do my actual A Levels. I really want to apply there and I'm just looking for some sort of guidance from people who perhaps didn't even meet the entry requirements but managed to get in. Economics is something I am so passionate about and really think I could get in based on my personal statement and my extracurriculars and my genuine love for the subject. Is it worth applying?

Reply 1

Guru Jason

Personally I have no idea so don't take my word for anything but I will give my opinion.

People have trouble to get into Cambridge and Oxford even with required grades so I can see it being very difficult to even try without them. If you prove you expected results wrong and you exceed them there is no harm in trying again later.

(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 2

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by Anonymous

You haven't said how far away you are from their standard offer, but I'd suggest anything more than one grade below would definitely be a waste of a UCAS choice, (and even one below is iffy).

As above, Cambs routinely reject credible candidates who are predicted to meet or exceed their offer, so it will always be risky to apply there. If you are dead set on Econ there, it might be better to achieve the grades and then apply in the next cycle.