Are my gcse results good enough for Oxford

Hi, i want to study PPL (philosophy and psychology as a bipartite degree at oxford)

These were my results

English literature- 9
English language- 8
French- 8
Re- 8
Chemistry- 7
Biology- 7
History- 7
Spanish- 7
Business- 7
Maths- 6
Physics- 6

I am aware psych is recommended a 7 therefore im resitting in hopes of a 7 in november.

My a levels will be: RE, Psychology, English/Biology (still deciding)

Are my gcse results good enough?

Reply 1

Stiffy Byng

19

You should believe what Oxford says on its website and disregard stuff which you read elsewhere or chit chat you hear at school.

Oxford says this -

GCSEs

GCSEs will be taken into account when we consider your application but they are just one aspect that we look at. GCSE results will be considered alongside your personal statement, academic reference, predicted grades and performance in any written work or written test required for your course.If you are shortlisted, your performance in interviews will also be taken into account. Higher grades at GCSE can help to make your application more competitive, and successful applicants typically have a high proportion of 7,8 and 9 grades. However, we do look at GCSE grades in context.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/admission-requirements/uk-qualifications

Reply 2

Anonymous #2

Hello, I’m in exactly the same boat as you, wanting to take PPL or Psychology at Oxford, also getting a 6 in maths- I’m also unsure whether ‘recommended’ means necessary or, well, simply recommended. Is it best if resist getting a 7 (since I was only 5 marks off) or staying with a 6- and it I do, is there any chance I can still enter the course or is a 7 required/ compulsory?

Reply 3

s1enn5

13

Original post by Anonymous

Hello, I’m in exactly the same boat as you, wanting to take PPL or Psychology at Oxford, also getting a 6 in maths- I’m also unsure whether ‘recommended’ means necessary or, well, simply recommended. Is it best if resist getting a 7 (since I was only 5 marks off) or staying with a 6- and it I do, is there any chance I can still enter the course or is a 7 required/ compulsory?

you were only a few marks off so id recommend getting a remark first, if result is still the same then maybe resit? I don’t think it’s required otherwise oxford would say however to be competitive I assume 7+ in maths is advantaged. Also remember it’s our high predicted grades, TSA score and extracurriculars need to be very strong too plus interviews. Grades are just a tiny aspect

Reply 4

Anonymous #2

Original post by s1enn5

you were only a few marks off so id recommend getting a remark first, if result is still the same then maybe resit? I don’t think it’s required otherwise oxford would say however to be competitive I assume 7+ in maths is advantaged. Also remember it’s our high predicted grades, TSA score and extracurriculars need to be very strong too plus interviews. Grades are just a tiny aspect

Thank you, that’s really helpful. I’m going to consider resitting it.

Reply 5

s1enn5

13

Original post by Anonymous

Thank you, that’s really helpful. I’m going to consider resitting it.

me and you both! wishing you the best of luck and hopefully see you there if we get into the course :smile:

Reply 6

Stiffy Byng

19

Original post by Anonymous

Hello, I’m in exactly the same boat as you, wanting to take PPL or Psychology at Oxford, also getting a 6 in maths- I’m also unsure whether ‘recommended’ means necessary or, well, simply recommended. Is it best if resist getting a 7 (since I was only 5 marks off) or staying with a 6- and it I do, is there any chance I can still enter the course or is a 7 required/ compulsory?

Recommended means recommended.

Oxford Dons are very precise in their use of language.

Oxford's admissions process is as described on its website, and as described by the youtube videos made by colleges. None of these people are lying to you. That kid in your class whose brother told him that you can only get in if you have four Nobel Prizes? He's the one that's lying to you.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 7

Anonymous #2

Original post by Stiffy Byng

Recommended means recommended.
Oxford Dons are very precise in their use of language.
Oxford's admissions process is as described on its website, and as described by the youtube videos made by colleges. None of these people are lying to you. That kid in your class whose brother told him that you can only get in if you have four Nobel Prizes? He's the one that's lying to you.

So, is it worth resitting maths? I got 5 9’s (english lit, english language, art, geography, Italian) 4 7’s (Mandarin, biology, physics, chem) and a 6 in maths. I know Oxford doesn’t only look at GCSE grades , nor are they the deciding factor, but are these grades what’s expected as a potential Oxford candidate, or are they not good enough/ mediocre? Also, thank you for your advice. That was helpful. If a 7 is recommended and not mandatory, then I’m hoping a 6 is ok??

Reply 8

s1enn5

13

Original post by Anonymous

So, is it worth resitting maths? I got 5 9’s (english lit, english language, art, geography, Italian) 4 7’s (Mandarin, biology, physics, chem) and a 6 in maths. I know Oxford doesn’t only look at GCSE grades , nor are they the deciding factor, but are these grades what’s expected as a potential Oxford candidate, or are they not good enough/ mediocre? Also, thank you for your advice. That was helpful. If a 7 is recommended and not mandatory, then I’m hoping a 6 is ok??

Dang you got a load of A** im sure it’ll be fine 😅

Reply 9

Anonymous #2

Original post by s1enn5

Dang you got a load of A** im sure it’ll be fine 😅

Thank you!

Reply 10

Stiffy Byng

19

Original post by Anonymous

So, is it worth resitting maths? I got 5 9’s (english lit, english language, art, geography, Italian) 4 7’s (Mandarin, biology, physics, chem) and a 6 in maths. I know Oxford doesn’t only look at GCSE grades , nor are they the deciding factor, but are these grades what’s expected as a potential Oxford candidate, or are they not good enough/ mediocre? Also, thank you for your advice. That was helpful. If a 7 is recommended and not mandatory, then I’m hoping a 6 is ok??

I suggest that you seek guidance from your teachers and from Oxford's website and youtube videos, and not from random people on the internet. The rumour mill about Oxford is unceasing. Please ignore the rumours.

I understand that you may well be anxious about university applications, but nobody can provide you with the assurances which you seek. The same is true as to all of the other threads which are like this thread. The only way to see if you can obtain a place at Oxford is to work mega hard and to apply for a place, following the guidance I mention above. Good luck!

(edited 1 month ago)

Are my gcse results good enough for Oxford

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