Is it better to retake or do a foundation?

I got BCD in my a levels, ing Graphics, Psychology and Biology, i'm on a gap year right now, but I want to do a Biology course, is it better to retake my alevels and try to get into a better university or do a foundation? I'm also thinking about changing Universities if I do well in the foundation year, is that possible?

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by helloyesilizzie

is it better to retake my alevels and try to get into a better university or do a foundation?
Considering your current grades, I would say there is sufficient room for improvement (they're not like As and the unis asking for A*s) so I would go for a retake than a foundation. Whether you do is up to you.
Also, retaking the A Levels can mean you're open to more unis that you can apply to as opposed to doing a foundation year (which is usually just 1, or possibly 2 if you're lucky).

I'm also thinking about changing Universities if I do well in the foundation year, is that possible?
Yes, but very very difficult. Degrees aren't generally standardised unless they're affiliated with specific professional bodies that require the unis to meet specific standards in order for the degree to be accredited for certain qualifications e.g. IBMS. As such, foundation years are often designed for students to progress onto the individual uni's specific courses, not other unis'.
If you do transfer to another uni, the new uni would need to check the contents of your foundation year and to see if there are any spaces prior to approving the transfer. It's a lot of paperwork and a lot of hassle.
Personally, I would rather resit the A Levels to widen the options.