LSE - Stringency on GCSEs

Hello all,

I am looking to understand the LSE's stringency on GCSE grades, as per the title. I achieved the majority of my GCSEs at 6 or 5, with only 2 grades at a 7 originally. I am fully aware is far from their site's preference for "students to have the majority of GCSEs between 7-9".

With this in mind, I applied last year, pending an A-Level retake, for BSC Economic History, though I was rejected - and fairly quickly too. I have since achieved A*AA in my A-Levels of Eco, Business, and Statistics. I am aware Business isn't preferred here. Many will state that a problem of many applying to Eco History is the fact that, the statements are not centered around the subject - but I had mine peer-reviewed and explicitly sought to make this apparent.

Now, I plan to potentially add Mathematics in a gap year to give me the ability to apply to more Economics-based courses which state they require A-Level Maths. Assumably, this decision would override my non-preferred A-Level in Business also.

I am wondering if I can make a competitive application with these 2 disadvantaged areas (below average GCSEs + A-Level retake), or if it's not realistic in my scenario. I am aware that it is common for the LSE to re-offer students who previously hold offers but miss them in the original sittings, but with 2 disadvantaged areas, I am unsure if I can

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Reply 1

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

I think they may have had more of an issue with the combination of business studies and economics which they specifically highlight as an example of a "narrow range of study" which they consider less competitive.

Taking an additional A-level in a gap year isn't a "retake" it's just a new qualification. Not sure to what extent that may ameliorate other matters, although obviously useful if you plan to do any economics work at some point in whichever degree you do.

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by artful_lounger

I think they may have had more of an issue with the combination of business studies and economics which they specifically highlight as an example of a "narrow range of study" which they consider less competitive.
Taking an additional A-level in a gap year isn't a "retake" it's just a new qualification. Not sure to what extent that may ameliorate other matters, although obviously useful if you plan to do any economics work at some point in whichever degree you do.

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry, I had meant to put I retook Statistics! It was due to some extenuating circumstances, but now I have an A in the subject compared to a C previously. I have been made aware by one university I contacted that such circumstances would warrant me to input a ext. circumstances form alongside my ucas application too, which could mitigate this factor.

I am aware that the Business/Eco combination provides a 'narrower' study, it makes sense with the overlapping content. However, I am under the assumption that the top 3 A-Levels would only be considered, and in the event I were to take A-Level Maths, I would imagine this subject would take precedence to avoid - but I am not sure. Equally, I'm not sure if the fact taking Maths outside of the typical '2-year period' would be a problem for the LSE either. I believe for this course they once said Maths was 'preferred' on their site, though I have checked now and it only mentions Econ or History - I may be remembering wrongly.

Would love to hear your thoughts in the event you've seen this before on here. But, of course, I will be asking this to their undergraduate admissions team to hear directly from them too.

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by Anonymous

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry, I had meant to put I retook Statistics! It was due to some extenuating circumstances, but now I have an A in the subject compared to a C previously. I have been made aware by one university I contacted that such circumstances would warrant me to input a ext. circumstances form alongside my ucas application too, which could mitigate this factor.

I am aware that the Business/Eco combination provides a 'narrower' study, it makes sense with the overlapping content. However, I am under the assumption that the top 3 A-Levels would only be considered, and in the event I were to take A-Level Maths, I would imagine this subject would take precedence to avoid - but I am not sure. Equally, I'm not sure if the fact taking Maths outside of the typical '2-year period' would be a problem for the LSE either. I believe for this course they once said Maths was 'preferred' on their site, though I have checked now and it only mentions Econ or History - I may be remembering wrongly.

Would love to hear your thoughts in the event you've seen this before on here. But, of course, I will be asking this to their undergraduate admissions team to hear directly from them too.

They're going to look at your A-level profile as a whole I would expect, and so I don't think it'll be that they "discount" one subject in favour of a new one - they'll just look at the overall picture. Although that said, I think maths and stats is also a bit narrow on the other side. Like I said I don't think taking a new A-level in a gap year is an issue necessarily. Whether the extenuating circumstances would influence the outlook on resitting stats I'm not sure.

At the end of the day it's one out of five choices, I probably wouldn't recommend pegging your hopes and dreams to getting an offer but I think it's still reasonable to apply :smile:

LSE - Stringency on GCSEs

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