resit A-levels or accept uni offer? gap year, apprenticeships and masters goals
Hi, I'd really appreciate some help and advice on what do to in terms of my future career in Computer Science.
I recently got my A-level results: A in History, B in Computer Science, and a C in Maths (I missed a question in the exam which was one of my strongest subjects and missed my B grade because of it). Maths and Comp Sci used to be my strongest subjects, but due to extenuating circumstances my performance suffered. This was also due to me focusing more on History as it was my weakest subject throughout year 12 and 13.
I was predicted AAA at the start of year 13 and got offers from Warwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Loughborough, however due to my results, I didn't get in. However, through clearing, I received offers from several universities, including the University of Liverpool, which I'm considering for this September. My goal is to study Computer Science, but I'm unsure whether to resit Maths and Computer Science - aiming for higher grades and to potentially reapply to better universities next year, or to accept the Liverpool offer. I'm concerned about whether universities would view resits/my previous results negatively (most courses look for at least a B in Maths, which made it difficult to get into more reputable universities through clearing).
During a gap year, I'd plan to look for degree apprenticeships whilst studying, and work experience. I'd also like to do a my Masters at Oxbridge, but I'm not sure of the best path to achieve this.
For context, I’m the first in my family to attend university in the UK, so I really want to open up as many opportunities as possible and set myself up for success.
Any advice on whether I should resit or take the current offer? How would a gap year and degree apprenticeships impact my university applications, and is it realistic to aim for an Oxbridge Master’s later on?
I recently got my A-level results: A in History, B in Computer Science, and a C in Maths (I missed a question in the exam which was one of my strongest subjects and missed my B grade because of it). Maths and Comp Sci used to be my strongest subjects, but due to extenuating circumstances my performance suffered. This was also due to me focusing more on History as it was my weakest subject throughout year 12 and 13.
I was predicted AAA at the start of year 13 and got offers from Warwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Loughborough, however due to my results, I didn't get in. However, through clearing, I received offers from several universities, including the University of Liverpool, which I'm considering for this September. My goal is to study Computer Science, but I'm unsure whether to resit Maths and Computer Science - aiming for higher grades and to potentially reapply to better universities next year, or to accept the Liverpool offer. I'm concerned about whether universities would view resits/my previous results negatively (most courses look for at least a B in Maths, which made it difficult to get into more reputable universities through clearing).
During a gap year, I'd plan to look for degree apprenticeships whilst studying, and work experience. I'd also like to do a my Masters at Oxbridge, but I'm not sure of the best path to achieve this.
For context, I’m the first in my family to attend university in the UK, so I really want to open up as many opportunities as possible and set myself up for success.
Any advice on whether I should resit or take the current offer? How would a gap year and degree apprenticeships impact my university applications, and is it realistic to aim for an Oxbridge Master’s later on?
I think it really depends on your outlook on things. Truthfully speaking, the University of Liverpool is considered a quite reputable and good uni, I believe it is ranked within the top 20 in the UK at the moment. I actually have an offer to go to it myself, however, I am tbinking if deferring my entry for a year as I have an offer for a degree apprentice instead.
Between university and a degree apprentice, I think I will always recommend a degree apprentice more than university. Whilst university is a good option and is the traditional route, I feel that degree apprentices are more practical and beneficial. Nonetheless, realistically speaking, there is no guarantee that you will get an offer in the gap year you take. You need to make surs you have the strength to push through that gap year, as well as fill your CV with useful experiences to show them that your dedicated, especially as you would no longe be dedicate.
When it comes to retaking your A Levels, I think it depends on whether you feel comfortable with fbe grades you got, and if you do, are they the grades that will get you where you need to be? Aside from the Unis you have mentioned, have you looked into DAs and their grade requirements (typically they are differ by comany - sometimes if they're paired with unis instead of training providers, the unis choose the grades).
At the end of the day, it is your decision. But try to have a back up in case. If you take a gap year, maybe try seeing if liverpool can defer yoyr entry by a year, or apply for uni next year as well as degree apprentices. Nonetheless, make sure to build uo your portfolio.
Good luck with whatever you decided to do, and this may be late, but congratulations with your A Level results and completing year 13!
Between university and a degree apprentice, I think I will always recommend a degree apprentice more than university. Whilst university is a good option and is the traditional route, I feel that degree apprentices are more practical and beneficial. Nonetheless, realistically speaking, there is no guarantee that you will get an offer in the gap year you take. You need to make surs you have the strength to push through that gap year, as well as fill your CV with useful experiences to show them that your dedicated, especially as you would no longe be dedicate.
When it comes to retaking your A Levels, I think it depends on whether you feel comfortable with fbe grades you got, and if you do, are they the grades that will get you where you need to be? Aside from the Unis you have mentioned, have you looked into DAs and their grade requirements (typically they are differ by comany - sometimes if they're paired with unis instead of training providers, the unis choose the grades).
At the end of the day, it is your decision. But try to have a back up in case. If you take a gap year, maybe try seeing if liverpool can defer yoyr entry by a year, or apply for uni next year as well as degree apprentices. Nonetheless, make sure to build uo your portfolio.
Good luck with whatever you decided to do, and this may be late, but congratulations with your A Level results and completing year 13!
can i ask what courses you got offers from originally?
Original post by SCREAMINGDYING
can i ask what courses you got offers from originally?
I second this 😁
Original post by legendary-spectr
I think it really depends on your outlook on things. Truthfully speaking, the University of Liverpool is considered a quite reputable and good uni, I believe it is ranked within the top 20 in the UK at the moment. I actually have an offer to go to it myself, however, I am tbinking if deferring my entry for a year as I have an offer for a degree apprentice instead.
Between university and a degree apprentice, I think I will always recommend a degree apprentice more than university. Whilst university is a good option and is the traditional route, I feel that degree apprentices are more practical and beneficial. Nonetheless, realistically speaking, there is no guarantee that you will get an offer in the gap year you take. You need to make surs you have the strength to push through that gap year, as well as fill your CV with useful experiences to show them that your dedicated, especially as you would no longe be dedicate.
When it comes to retaking your A Levels, I think it depends on whether you feel comfortable with fbe grades you got, and if you do, are they the grades that will get you where you need to be? Aside from the Unis you have mentioned, have you looked into DAs and their grade requirements (typically they are differ by comany - sometimes if they're paired with unis instead of training providers, the unis choose the grades).
At the end of the day, it is your decision. But try to have a back up in case. If you take a gap year, maybe try seeing if liverpool can defer yoyr entry by a year, or apply for uni next year as well as degree apprentices. Nonetheless, make sure to build uo your portfolio.
Good luck with whatever you decided to do, and this may be late, but congratulations with your A Level results and completing year 13!
Between university and a degree apprentice, I think I will always recommend a degree apprentice more than university. Whilst university is a good option and is the traditional route, I feel that degree apprentices are more practical and beneficial. Nonetheless, realistically speaking, there is no guarantee that you will get an offer in the gap year you take. You need to make surs you have the strength to push through that gap year, as well as fill your CV with useful experiences to show them that your dedicated, especially as you would no longe be dedicate.
When it comes to retaking your A Levels, I think it depends on whether you feel comfortable with fbe grades you got, and if you do, are they the grades that will get you where you need to be? Aside from the Unis you have mentioned, have you looked into DAs and their grade requirements (typically they are differ by comany - sometimes if they're paired with unis instead of training providers, the unis choose the grades).
At the end of the day, it is your decision. But try to have a back up in case. If you take a gap year, maybe try seeing if liverpool can defer yoyr entry by a year, or apply for uni next year as well as degree apprentices. Nonetheless, make sure to build uo your portfolio.
Good luck with whatever you decided to do, and this may be late, but congratulations with your A Level results and completing year 13!
Hi, when you were looking at degree apprenticeships, what website did you use to see what's available to you? Or did you have to go to every website individually and then submit an application? I'm tentative on the university side of things, but am also looking into all options in the eventuality university doesn't work out.
Additionally, when you say "fill your CV with useful experiences", what do you mean exactly? Do you mean work experience specifically or just any experience related to your learning of CS? Because if it's the latter, I shouldn't really have too many problems, but if it's the former, I've had so many problems with finding work experience and I do have some but it's not as much as I'd like it to be. As a result, I've completed many virtual experience and job simulations online to compensate for this so if you could please clarify this, I would appreciate this greatly.
I don't think A levels or GCSEs are too problematic either (A*AAA in Maths, Further Maths, CS and Chem + A in EPQ and then 9s and 8s at GCSE).
I had offers from Imperial and Edinburgh but messed up the STEP which cost me the place at Imperial and my A levels weren't good enough for Edinburgh. I'm super disappointed with my A level performance as well. I've done terribly.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by vnayak
Hi, when you were looking at degree apprenticeships, what website did you use to see what's available to you? Or did you have to go to every website individually and then submit an application? I'm tentative on the university side of things, but am also looking into all options in the eventuality university doesn't work out.
Additionally, when you say "fill your CV with useful experiences", what do you mean exactly? Do you mean work experience specifically or just any experience related to your learning of CS? Because if it's the latter, I shouldn't really have too many problems, but if it's the former, I've had so many problems with finding work experience and I do have some but it's not as much as I'd like it to be. As a result, I've completed many virtual experience and job simulations online to compensate for this.
I don't think A levels or GCSEs are too problematic either (A*AAA in Maths, Further Maths, CS and Chem + A in EPQ and then 9s and 8s at GCSE).
I had offers from Imperial and Edinburgh but messed up the STEP which cost me the place at Imperial and my A levels weren't good enough for Edinburgh. I'm super disappointed with my A level performance as well. I've done terribly.
Additionally, when you say "fill your CV with useful experiences", what do you mean exactly? Do you mean work experience specifically or just any experience related to your learning of CS? Because if it's the latter, I shouldn't really have too many problems, but if it's the former, I've had so many problems with finding work experience and I do have some but it's not as much as I'd like it to be. As a result, I've completed many virtual experience and job simulations online to compensate for this.
I don't think A levels or GCSEs are too problematic either (A*AAA in Maths, Further Maths, CS and Chem + A in EPQ and then 9s and 8s at GCSE).
I had offers from Imperial and Edinburgh but messed up the STEP which cost me the place at Imperial and my A levels weren't good enough for Edinburgh. I'm super disappointed with my A level performance as well. I've done terribly.
When looking for degree apprentices I used 'rate my apprentice', the ucas website, the government website, 'get my first job' and I searched '(career) degree apprentice'. I also looked at companies individually to see whether they had degree apprentices but had not used other websites to advertise it.
To apply, you need to go through the application process in each of their websites (they are all seperate processes).
By useful experiences I mean anything that can be helpful. At the time I was still in year 13, so the majority of it was extra curricular stuff I took in school that helps show the skills I have learnt as well as my part time jobs. Other experiences can be the virtual work experiences you have mentioned, or even any projects you have done yourself. Try to pick relevant ones related to the roll you are applying for though. I have also been told that it is best to try and personalise the CV for each role, tweak the words so that they fit the companies code and what they are looking for.
I am sorry you missed the entry for the unis, but I believe you still did really good! Good luck with application processes!
Original post by legendary-spectr
When looking for degree apprentices I used 'rate my apprentice', the ucas website, the government website, 'get my first job' and I searched '(career) degree apprentice'. I also looked at companies individually to see whether they had degree apprentices but had not used other websites to advertise it.
To apply, you need to go through the application process in each of their websites (they are all seperate processes).
By useful experiences I mean anything that can be helpful. At the time I was still in year 13, so the majority of it was extra curricular stuff I took in school that helps show the skills I have learnt as well as my part time jobs. Other experiences can be the virtual work experiences you have mentioned, or even any projects you have done yourself. Try to pick relevant ones related to the roll you are applying for though. I have also been told that it is best to try and personalise the CV for each role, tweak the words so that they fit the companies code and what they are looking for.
I am sorry you missed the entry for the unis, but I believe you still did really good! Good luck with application processes!
To apply, you need to go through the application process in each of their websites (they are all seperate processes).
By useful experiences I mean anything that can be helpful. At the time I was still in year 13, so the majority of it was extra curricular stuff I took in school that helps show the skills I have learnt as well as my part time jobs. Other experiences can be the virtual work experiences you have mentioned, or even any projects you have done yourself. Try to pick relevant ones related to the roll you are applying for though. I have also been told that it is best to try and personalise the CV for each role, tweak the words so that they fit the companies code and what they are looking for.
I am sorry you missed the entry for the unis, but I believe you still did really good! Good luck with application processes!
Thanks for your response! It's been really really helpful.
Comp Sci for Birmingham, Computer Systems Engineering for Warwick, Computer and Electronic Engineering for Loughborough and Computer Science with an Integrated Foundation Year for
Manchester but i missed these due to my results. for liverpool i still have an offer for comp sci with year in industry but idk if i should retake/gap year
Manchester but i missed these due to my results. for liverpool i still have an offer for comp sci with year in industry but idk if i should retake/gap year
Hi! First of all I just want to say that's great that you passed all of your A Levels! In terms of re-sitting to get into a better university, University Of Liverpool is a really good university and you should be proud to have gotten accepted, but maybe just sit down and have a think about whether its for you or not. Write down all the pros and cons of going to Uni of Liverpool and then all the pros and cons of re-sitting your A Levels, and that might make your decisions a bit clearer. If it is your dream to go somewhere else for university, and if re-sitting is an option, don't settle for second best, you need to do what is best for you as a person. In terms of degree apprenticeships and work experience if you did take a gap year, they are a great way to gain experience, but it also gives you more to talk about on your personal statement, that will impress possible universities. I hope this helps.
From Josh
(Official LJMU Rep)
From Josh
(Official LJMU Rep)
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