Reccomendations for a acess student who wants to go to a top business uni?

Universities Forum Helper

Leeds - Business Management BA | Undergraduate | University of Leeds
Bristol - BSc Business and Management | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
Exeter - Business and Management BSc | Undergraduate Study | University of Exeter
Sussex - Business and Management Studies (with a professional placement year) BSc : University of Sussex

Etc etc

Reply 2

artful_lounger

21

Original post by Maizeak

I have an acess in humanities and social sciences - 12merit, 33 distinction, GCSE MATHS B, ENGLISH/LIT AT C. - Meaning i meet a couple entry requirments for unis, but nowhere near enough to be competitive, although i may be eligible for contextual offers at alot of unis

You would meet the entry criteria (minimally) for AAB A-level offer courses at LSE as well, for example (e.g. sociology, anthropology, some similar courses). So you certainly have options :smile:

If you meet an contextual criteria you might have an even wider range of options. Also if you're a mature student many universities can also be a little flexible relative to your situation and background.

Note also if your goal is to go into a business role, you can realistically do any degree - especially if your aim is to get an MBA later (which typically means more than an undergraduate business degree regardless!).

Reply 3

OP

Original post by artful_lounger

You would meet the entry criteria (minimally) for AAB A-level offer courses at LSE as well, for example (e.g. sociology, anthropology, some similar courses). So you certainly have options :smile:

If you meet an contextual criteria you might have an even wider range of options. Also if you're a mature student many universities can also be a little flexible relative to your situation and background.
Note also if your goal is to go into a business role, you can realistically do any degree - especially if your aim is to get an MBA later (which typically means more than an undergraduate business degree regardless!).

Wow I never considered doing an unrelated degree.

Currently as I’m a marginal candidate, I’m thinking to do 3 foundation year choices and 2 1st year choices - would you agree with this ? I don’t know how much contextual admissions should factor into this tho

Reply 4

OP

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by McGinger

Leeds - Business Management BA | Undergraduate | University of Leeds
Bristol - BSc Business and Management | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
Exeter - Business and Management BSc | Undergraduate Study | University of Exeter
Sussex - Business and Management Studies (with a professional placement year) BSc : University of Sussex
Etc etc

Would you even reccomend applying as a marginal candidate? Or just consider foundations? I don’t know how to factor in contextual admissions to this decision however

Reply 5

artful_lounger

21

Original post by Maizeak

Wow I never considered doing an unrelated degree.

Currently as I’m a marginal candidate, I’m thinking to do 3 foundation year choices and 2 1st year choices - would you agree with this ? I don’t know how much contextual admissions should factor into this tho

If you meet the standard entry requirements otherwise you are not a "marginal candidate", you have as good a chance as anyone else :smile:

There's no need in applying to a foundation year course if you meet the requirements for the main degree. You should only apply to those if you don't meet the requirements for direct entry. If you are uncertain, contact the unis and ask - they are very happy to answer questions about these kind of things from applicants! Bear in mind thought currently we're at the tail end of the clearing period so you may not get a reply for a couple of weeks.

Universities are very transparent as to what contextual criteria they require to make a contextual offer and what those offers look like, and if you meet the criteria you would expect to be made a contextual offer. You need to research the requirements of each university though as no two are the same though!

Reply 6

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by Maizeak

Would you even reccomend applying as a marginal candidate? Or just consider foundations? I don’t know how to factor in contextual admissions to this decision however

Lower grade contextual offers do not apply to Access to HE applicants. What is stated as the Access offer grades is what they want - especially as you have achieved grades so there is no chance of you improving this next summer.

You do not need to apply for Foundation years - your grades are good and meet the entry requirements for the main degrees I have given you the links for. If there are courses that dont state an Access entry requirement on the course page, then just email their Admissions office and ask what they want.

You have until January to decide where you want to apply - there is no rush.
Take your time, go to Uni Open Days, look around, ask questions.
Pick the courses that are best for you, and the Unis where you will be happiest.

Reply 7

artful_lounger

21

Original post by McGinger

Lower grade contextual offers do not apply to Access to HE applicants. What is stated as the Access offer grades is what they want - especially as you have achieved grades so there is no chance of you improving this next summer.

Really? That is interesting to know. I would have thought contextual criteria would also apply to Access courses...? Unless they just include them by default somehow...?

Reply 8

Original post by artful_lounger

Really? That is interesting to know. I would have thought contextual criteria would also apply to Access courses...? Unless they just include them by default somehow...?

Access course entry requirements are at contextual level already - there are no 'extra' grade reductions because of home postcode etc. Yes, Unis are keen to attract mature students but ultimately they won't accept anyone who they think can't cope with the degree. Access courses are often a bit skimpy on certain topics - its an 8 month course, not a 2 year A level parallel and they cannot cover everything - so Unis are already compromising on requirements they would normally expect from other applicants.

Reply 9

OP

Original post by McGinger

Lower grade contextual offers do not apply to Access to HE applicants. What is stated as the Access offer grades is what they want - especially as you have achieved grades so there is no chance of you improving this next summer.
You do not need to apply for Foundation years - your grades are good and meet the entry requirements for the main degrees I have given you the links for. If there are courses that dont state an Access entry requirement on the course page, then just email their Admissions office and ask what they want.
You have until January to decide where you want to apply - there is no rush.
Take your time, go to Uni Open Days, look around, ask questions.
Pick the courses that are best for you, and the Unis where you will be happiest.

Is the no contextual offer for Acess student true for All unis?

If so im suprised you don’t reccomend a foundation year as the places you listed are decent unis and I only just about meet the requirements. I worried to end up in the situation of no offers especially if contextual dosent apply to me. Currently I’m thinking of doing 3 foundation applications, two for normal entry - would you reccomend this?

Reply 10

Original post by Maizeak

Is the no contextual offer for Acess student true for All unis?
If so im suprised you don’t reccomend a foundation year as the places you listed are decent unis and I only just about meet the requirements. I worried to end up in the situation of no offers especially if contextual dosent apply to me. Currently I’m thinking of doing 3 foundation applications, two for normal entry - would you reccomend this?

No - because if you meet / exceed the entry requirements for the main degree course you will probably get an offer. One Foundation course or something with very low requirements, but you really dont need any more than this.

You started this thread wanting a place at 'a top business school' - do you want that?

Reply 11

OP