contextual offers help

super simply put, i've completed my alevels and i'm taking a gap year. i applied for uni in 2023 but turned it down in june (now regretting that) instead of deferring the place for a year.

i did not receive a contextual offer, likely due to the oversimplification of my situation in a postcode and attended school. it's not a good area, but it's a very unique place, which means that educated people do come here but access to opportunities is super slim, hence why all the young people move away. i initially applied notifying the unis of my low-income family, their occupations, my responsibilities as a young carer, etc, but it evidently wasn't taken into account.

my concern is that, like my last application, they won't give me consideration for a contextual grade in my coming application due to my postcode and school. the former shows me as being privileged (this is super subjective to the area, i don't come from the rich side at all) and the latter is a unique case in that it is the one sixth form in the local area that does a huge range of qualifications for higher education, so everyone with ambition of going to uni goes here and drives up the apparent success of the school.

during my alevels i experienced homelessness and mental/physical health issues that impacted me and my performance at alevels significantly. plus travelling hours to get to and from school every day, i feel i was disadvantaged quite heavily, and not getting a single consideration of this is quite hurtful.

thinking about results day that is coming closer, i genuinely believe that my only opportunity for getting into my top uni is if i can get a contextual grade based upon my circumstances at the time of taking the exams (i won't be in the country to sit alevel exams next year, so resitting isn't an option).

how do i better my chances into acceptance from my top universities? will they take my periods of homelessness and illness into account instead of where i go to school? how do i give myself my best chance possible to get into university, by contextual grade, special consideration, getting in contact with the universities soon... what?

i hope the info i've written above gives actual context and doesn't feel like me wanting pity regarding the situation. i just want advice because i really do want to go to university. and i want to go somewhere that i'll enjoy.

Reply 1

McGinger

Universities have definite criteria for eligibility for contextual offers - they are not going to vary that because you are don't meet the criteria but still think you deserve one.

Whilst Unis may take mitigating circumstances into account within the normal application cycle, you are still expected to have retaken A levels etc if you have had a gap year etc.

Contextual offers do not apply at Clearing.
Mitigating circumstances are not considered as part of Clearing.

This may seem a very negative reply but you do have to be realistic about what options you now have.
You may be accepted for a place in Clearing with the grades you now have, but it will be from what is on offer in Clearing. You could resit A levels, or take something like an Access to HE. Or you could apply for 5 choices in the autumn for 2025 entry, possibly including courses with a Foundation year. You might also like to look at courses like those offered by Bristol, but check the eligibility carefully - Foundation Years | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol

Reply 2

Justcurious_yr12

For some universities you have to fill in extenuating circumstances form after you send in the application. For some, they ask you to fill in the application once they have received the application.

Whether they ask for information or not depends on how you fill in your UCAS application and if your referee mentions your illness/ circumstances in the form. The references has an extra column for the referee to put in the detail. Did you make the school or your referee aware of your situation? If you haven't done this time make sure you do it in the future and also ask them to put it in the references.

When you fill in your application fill in the health section with your mental health issues and tick yes for carer. The university might ask you to send evidence when they are processing the application.

Also, if you do not contextual offer but you think you should get one, write back to the university even if you have received an offer, sometimes the information is missed.

While the postcode contextual system is unfair for some it works for the majority. Stick to ones that apply to you.