The Student Room Group

Hopes for economics at top tier universities

I achieved AAB in my alevels this year in Maths,Economics and chemistry respectively,so I’m retaking maths and chem and also picking up further maths in my gap year and my new predicted grades are 3A*s and an achieved A in Econ. Do I stand a strong chance of getting into LSE for Econ and maths as well as imperial for Econ finance and data science, or any other top Uk uni for Econ such as Warwick ,st Andrew’s or Durham
(edited 4 days ago)
Original post by Sulayman05
I achieved AAB in my alevels this year in Maths,Economics and chemistry respectively,so I’m retaking maths and chem and also picking up further maths in my gap year and my new predicted grades are 3A*s and an achieved A in Econ. Do I stand a strong chance of getting into LSE for Econ and maths as well as imperial for Econ finance and data science.

(All emphasis in the following quotes is mine)

For LSE, your chances are reduced because of the retakes. How greatly they are reduced is not completely clear, but reading between the lines I think it is a long shot.

https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/Prospective-Students/How-to-Apply/Admissions-Information

"Given the competition for places and the nature of assessment at LSE, we prefer students who have achieved high grades in their first attempt (and in one sitting) at relevant examinations. If extenuating circumstances have impacted your exam performance, you should include details of these in your application."

Imperial says similar, allbeit less stronngly worded, (unless we look at a department level FAQ which we'll come to in a moment).

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/help-centre/undergraduate-admissions/-what-are-the-entry-requirements-and-what-qualifications-do-you-accept.php

"With the exception of our MBBS Medicine programme, candidates who have retaken exams may still be considered for entry.

However, submitting grades based on resits may be noted by our Admissions tutors. Where there are extenuating circumstances, these should be outlined in the reference which is supplied as part of your application by a teacher, adviser or professional who knows you academically."

However it looks like the appetite for retakes is determined at department level. Here's what the Maths department say, but you need to check with the specific academic departments running whatever course(s) you're considering.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mathematics/undergraduate/degree-courses-and-admissions/faqs/

"You are welcome to apply, but we do have a preference for first-time A-level sitters and usually only make offers to re-sitters if there are mitigating circumstances that meant their first set of results did not show their true potential."
Reply 2
Original post by Admit-One
(All emphasis in the following quotes is mine)
For LSE, your chances are reduced because of the retakes. How greatly they are reduced is not completely clear, but reading between the lines I think it is a long shot.
https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/Prospective-Students/How-to-Apply/Admissions-Information
"Given the competition for places and the nature of assessment at LSE, we prefer students who have achieved high grades in their first attempt (and in one sitting) at relevant examinations. If extenuating circumstances have impacted your exam performance, you should include details of these in your application."
Imperial says similar, allbeit less stronngly worded, (unless we look at a department level FAQ which we'll come to in a moment).
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/help-centre/undergraduate-admissions/-what-are-the-entry-requirements-and-what-qualifications-do-you-accept.php
"With the exception of our MBBS Medicine programme, candidates who have retaken exams may still be considered for entry.
However, submitting grades based on resits may be noted by our Admissions tutors. Where there are extenuating circumstances, these should be outlined in the reference which is supplied as part of your application by a teacher, adviser or professional who knows you academically."
However it looks like the appetite for retakes is determined at department level. Here's what the Maths department say, but you need to check with the specific academic departments running whatever course(s) you're considering.
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mathematics/undergraduate/degree-courses-and-admissions/faqs/
"You are welcome to apply, but we do have a preference for first-time A-level sitters and usually only make offers to re-sitters if there are mitigating circumstances that meant their first set of results did not show their true potential."

Ok thanks, Do you think I could maybe stand a strong chance of getting into other top tier unis for economics such as Durham, Warwick, St Andrews or Bath
Original post by Sulayman05
Ok thanks, Do you think I could maybe stand a strong chance of getting into other top tier unis for economics such as Durham, Warwick, St Andrews or Bath

All similarly competitive for Econ, so I expect their policies will be the same. You can always check directly with them.

If it's the uni as much as the course that you're after, you might want to see if any of them do "Economics with..." courses as they are usually a bit more flexible.

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