The Student Room Group

Is it very hard to get into PPE as a non-contextual Scottish student?

Hi, I attend a pretty average (maybe below-average - 35% leave with 5 Highers, 160th in Scottish rankings) state school in Glasgow. I have read much about it being impossible for a Scottish student to get in given the government's restrictions on places for us, as well it being doubly challenging if you aren't a contextual student.

From my understanding, I don't meet any of the standards for a contextual application - although my father moved to this country and I suppose I am technically a second-generation immigrant. However, my SIMD decile now is 10 and does not qualify and frankly I don't want to make my application about how sad my life is.

I hope to study PPE. At National 5, I got 9 A-band-1s with an average mark of 99%. At Higher, I got 6 A-band-1s with an average mark of 94%.

I am currently studying 3 Advanced Highers in Maths, English, and History, as well as a crash Higher in RMPS. My pastoral care teacher told me I would be predicted As (or A1s if UCAS allows you to submit bands) in all of my current subjects.

I have completed supercurriculars such as being part of the national debating squad where I have attended the Edinburgh Law School several times, tutoring other students at school in Maths, winning UKMT Golds, winning the Glasgow Schools Public Speaking Competition, and reading many political books.

Sorry if I sound like that guy asking if he can get in with straight-As but I really am curious about the difficulty of non-contextual Scots getting in as I always hear stories on the news about this. Can anyone suggest, with my academic profile, if getting in may still prove difficult?

Quick Reply