The Student Room Group

Should I retake my A Levels or go to Lincoln/Sheffield Hallam

So I got my A Level results back last week and was horrified with my results in economics, biology, and maths (CCD respectively) after being predicted AAC. I was obviously very disappointed as I was then rejected from my firm choice, the University of Leeds for biology, but accepted to my insurance (the University of Lincoln for biomedical science). I'm really not sure if I'd actually be happy here so after calling up some clearing lines was accepted to Sheffield Hallam University, which I thought was alright but I'm similarly not thrilled with the option.

I've been seriously considering committing myself to taking a gap year in which I would retake the 3 A levels as an independent candidate. Ideally, I'd want to get into a Russel group as I went to visit a few and thought they were amazing in comparison in terms of facilities and obviously reputation. My friends and family are generally pushing me towards university this year, barring a few supportive exceptions. Although, I'm unsure if id truly enjoy my time at either of them and at this point I'm questioning if Biology would be a good choice of degree as I cant find any amazing career prospects from it and most people I've spoke to about studying it did so to later study medicine.

Just wanted some of your guys' advice/opinions on whether I should spend the year resitting my exams, or suck it up and go to Lincoln/Sheffield Hallam. Thanks! :smile:
Reply 1
Original post by Sam986986
So I got my A Level results back last week and was horrified with my results in economics, biology, and maths (CCD respectively) after being predicted AAC. I was obviously very disappointed as I was then rejected from my firm choice, the University of Leeds for biology, but accepted to my insurance (the University of Lincoln for biomedical science). I'm really not sure if I'd actually be happy here so after calling up some clearing lines was accepted to Sheffield Hallam University, which I thought was alright but I'm similarly not thrilled with the option.
I've been seriously considering committing myself to taking a gap year in which I would retake the 3 A levels as an independent candidate. Ideally, I'd want to get into a Russel group as I went to visit a few and thought they were amazing in comparison in terms of facilities and obviously reputation. My friends and family are generally pushing me towards university this year, barring a few supportive exceptions. Although, I'm unsure if id truly enjoy my time at either of them and at this point I'm questioning if Biology would be a good choice of degree as I cant find any amazing career prospects from it and most people I've spoke to about studying it did so to later study medicine.
Just wanted some of your guys' advice/opinions on whether I should spend the year resitting my exams, or suck it up and go to Lincoln/Sheffield Hallam. Thanks! :smile:

I am in such a similar position to you, I missed my grades for medicine at UOB and now am planning to do biomedical science somewhere else, however I’m not really excited either as It’s not even my insurance (pharmacy). Isn’t Sheffield a Russel group uni? I have heard it’s one of the best.
Original post by Sam986986
So I got my A Level results back last week and was horrified with my results in economics, biology, and maths (CCD respectively) after being predicted AAC. I was obviously very disappointed as I was then rejected from my firm choice, the University of Leeds for biology, but accepted to my insurance (the University of Lincoln for biomedical science). I'm really not sure if I'd actually be happy here so after calling up some clearing lines was accepted to Sheffield Hallam University, which I thought was alright but I'm similarly not thrilled with the option.
I've been seriously considering committing myself to taking a gap year in which I would retake the 3 A levels as an independent candidate. Ideally, I'd want to get into a Russel group as I went to visit a few and thought they were amazing in comparison in terms of facilities and obviously reputation. My friends and family are generally pushing me towards university this year, barring a few supportive exceptions. Although, I'm unsure if id truly enjoy my time at either of them and at this point I'm questioning if Biology would be a good choice of degree as I cant find any amazing career prospects from it and most people I've spoke to about studying it did so to later study medicine.
Just wanted some of your guys' advice/opinions on whether I should spend the year resitting my exams, or suck it up and go to Lincoln/Sheffield Hallam. Thanks! :smile:

Definitely not Lincoln, there's no chance that will earn you more than the debt you'll get into. Take a gap year, and have a think. If you are just improving 3 A levels, it should take that much of your time to improve your revision and exam technique, so try and find some gap year activity that gives you more ideas about the right course and career.
Are you sure your choices are as narrow as Lincoln/Hallam v resits?

Nottingham Uni is advertising a biotechnology degree at CCC - no harm in ringing them to see if that's negotiable. Clearing vacancies are on their website.

Reading Uni have courses in Biomed with professional placements that look really interesting. Offered at CCD

https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/2024/biological-sciences-ug/bsc-biomedical-sciences-with-professional-experience.

Essex and Sussex also have places available on a range of courses.

Have a ring around these places tomorrow and see if any of them excite you.

I wouldn't go to Lincoln or Sheffield Hallam not because these are awful places but because you're clearly not enthused by them! Check out doing an Access course as a possible alternative to resits - this is continuous assessment instead of exams so if you think it was specifically exam technique/revision that let you down this might be a better option.
Reply 4
Original post by Sam986986
So I got my A Level results back last week and was horrified with my results in economics, biology, and maths (CCD respectively) after being predicted AAC. I was obviously very disappointed as I was then rejected from my firm choice, the University of Leeds for biology, but accepted to my insurance (the University of Lincoln for biomedical science). I'm really not sure if I'd actually be happy here so after calling up some clearing lines was accepted to Sheffield Hallam University, which I thought was alright but I'm similarly not thrilled with the option.
I've been seriously considering committing myself to taking a gap year in which I would retake the 3 A levels as an independent candidate. Ideally, I'd want to get into a Russel group as I went to visit a few and thought they were amazing in comparison in terms of facilities and obviously reputation. My friends and family are generally pushing me towards university this year, barring a few supportive exceptions. Although, I'm unsure if id truly enjoy my time at either of them and at this point I'm questioning if Biology would be a good choice of degree as I cant find any amazing career prospects from it and most people I've spoke to about studying it did so to later study medicine.
Just wanted some of your guys' advice/opinions on whether I should spend the year resitting my exams, or suck it up and go to Lincoln/Sheffield Hallam. Thanks! :smile:

I think you should perhaps reflect on why you were content with Lincoln as your insurance choice, and what motivated you to contact Sheffield Hallam, especially if you are unsatisfied with both of these offers. Have you been to visit either of these institutions? Lincoln had an open event today, however, it now looks like the next one is not until way into September. I am due to start my PhD at Sheffield Hallam in October, though my decision was led through the research of the faculty and the expertise of my Director of Studies.

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