What are the chances I get offers for these courses? (2026 entry)

I currently study Economics, Politics and Sociology at A level, being predicted AAA so far during year 12. I understand GCSE's matter very little when applying but for reference I got the vast majority at a grade 6.

I understand the courses listed are a little varied but I may narrow them down to a particular subject as I go through year 12.

The courses listed below are the current courses I'm considering, including my firm choices + Insurance choices:

1) Criminology - Durham - AAB
2) Economics - Lancaster - AAB (The BA not BSc)
3) Business Management - Lancaster - ABB
4) Social and Public Policy - York - BBB
5) Econ, Finance and Itn'l Business - BCC

What are the chances I get offers for 2026 entry? Or similarly, does anyone have any other courses they recommend?

Many thanks!

Reply 1

GerardW4y

You've got almost 100% chance to get into one, if not all of those courses. Your predicted grades exceed the entry requirements for all three, and you might even be able to increase ur predicted to A*AA, which would practically guarantee you a place. With a strong personal statement, you've got it. But that would be extremely hard to write for such varied courses. Which is your firm?

Reply 2

McGinger

Remember that you only have ONE Personal Statement and therefore applying to a range of different courses/subjects is not feasible. It will be obvious you have a muddled focus and you are likely to get rejections for all courses.

In the summer, go to some University Open Days, listen to a range of different subject presentations and work out which subjects you want to study - and why. You will get more accurate/realistic predicted grades at the start of Year 13 and these are what you need to base your 5 choices on.

Reply 3

University of Sheffield Students

Official Rep

Original post

by Jaa_

I currently study Economics, Politics and Sociology at A level, being predicted AAA so far during year 12. I understand GCSE's matter very little when applying but for reference I got the vast majority at a grade 6.
I understand the courses listed are a little varied but I may narrow them down to a particular subject as I go through year 12.
The courses listed below are the current courses I'm considering, including my firm choices + Insurance choices:
1) Criminology - Durham - AAB
2) Economics - Lancaster - AAB (The BA not BSc)
3) Business Management - Lancaster - ABB
4) Social and Public Policy - York - BBB
5) Econ, Finance and Itn'l Business - BCC
What are the chances I get offers for 2026 entry? Or similarly, does anyone have any other courses they recommend?
Many thanks!

Hi there,

I'm currently a second year student at the University of Sheffield. I would recommend looking at BA Sociology with Social Policy (which is what I study). The sociology element gives you a great and in depth understanding on how society works, and how people relate to each other, and institutions, which is inevitably what informs social policy. The social policy element of the degree looks at both global and national perspectives, on key social, political and economic issues. I think it makes sociology a lot more relevant to today's problems, and studying sociology alongside social policy gives a great insight into how society works, from many theoretical perspectives.

Let me know if you have any further questions!

Trudie :smile:

Reply 4

Jaa_

Original post

by GerardW4y

I'm rather unsure of what to put as my firm, but I have plenty of time to decide as I'm only about 4 months into yr12!

I'm leaning towards Economics at Lancaster being my firm, but I've been looking at some other courses at Durham such as International Relations as it links a bit more to my subjects. Essentially due to other responses I think I need to narrow it down to a similar subject/degree for ease of writing a personal statement and probability of getting an offer.

Reply 5

Jaa_

Original post

by McGinger

Remember that you only have ONE Personal Statement and therefore applying to a range of different courses/subjects is not feasible. It will be obvious you have a muddled focus and you are likely to get rejections for all courses.
In the summer, go to some University Open Days, listen to a range of different subject presentations and work out which subjects you want to study - and why. You will get more accurate/realistic predicted grades at the start of Year 13 and these are what you need to base your 5 choices on.

Thanks for the response,

I do understand what you mean, I've signed up to get email notifications whenever Lancaster, Durham and York have their open days however I've visited Lancaster multiple times so that ones less imperative.

I will look to really narrow down my subject/degree choice then, thanks!

Reply 6

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post

by Jaa_

I currently study Economics, Politics and Sociology at A level, being predicted AAA so far during year 12. I understand GCSE's matter very little when applying but for reference I got the vast majority at a grade 6.
I understand the courses listed are a little varied but I may narrow them down to a particular subject as I go through year 12.
The courses listed below are the current courses I'm considering, including my firm choices + Insurance choices:
1) Criminology - Durham - AAB
2) Economics - Lancaster - AAB (The BA not BSc)
3) Business Management - Lancaster - ABB
4) Social and Public Policy - York - BBB
5) Econ, Finance and Itn'l Business - BCC
What are the chances I get offers for 2026 entry? Or similarly, does anyone have any other courses they recommend?
Many thanks!

Hi @Jaa_
Nice to hear your interested in the BA Economics course at Lancaster! Have you thought about including a year in industry as part of your university course, as these can be a great way to develop industry connections and get a sense for what working in the economics sector is like.
If you have any questions about Lancaster, feel free to ask!
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 7

University of Kent

Official Rep

Original post

by Jaa_

I currently study Economics, Politics and Sociology at A level, being predicted AAA so far during year 12. I understand GCSE's matter very little when applying but for reference I got the vast majority at a grade 6.
I understand the courses listed are a little varied but I may narrow them down to a particular subject as I go through year 12.
The courses listed below are the current courses I'm considering, including my firm choices + Insurance choices:
1) Criminology - Durham - AAB
2) Economics - Lancaster - AAB (The BA not BSc)
3) Business Management - Lancaster - ABB
4) Social and Public Policy - York - BBB
5) Econ, Finance and Itn'l Business - BCC
What are the chances I get offers for 2026 entry? Or similarly, does anyone have any other courses they recommend?
Many thanks!

Hey @Jaa_,

I hope you're keeping well. 🙂

First of all, huge congrats on your predictions so far - that’s a fantastic start! Truly.
I personally would also say that it's great to see that you’re keeping your options open by considering a similar-variety of courses, but as you and others have mentioned, it probably would be best to skim a few of the subjects.

Hopefully by the time you've chosen 5 firm options, they will be a bit more similar, but just as a little tip - if you happen to have varied course interests, focus on demonstrating transferable skills and a genuine curiosity for elements which tie and relate them all together - e.g. social systems, decision-optimising, or societal impact. Rgesardless, you're bound to be in a much more solid position if you tailor your personal statement as much as possible to fit the courses you’re most keen on though (as you know).

What I really love about your selection so far though is how well balanced it is. You're bound to get into a good university, and so it's great that they all seem to be one's which offer something you'd be happy with. Personally, even if it might seem a bit too much work, I would wholeheartedly recommend you visit some unis during open days or applicant days, or even check them out online if possible. Not only do you get a feel for the campus, something that weirdly matters quite a bit when students first arrive, but also it gives you the chance to talk to professors and student representatives who, like you, will be interested in a whole range of subjects and topics, and who will also be more than happy to answer your questions as well! It's (in my humble opinion) probably the best way to get to know a course, even more than just researching it online by yourself.

TLDR; I wouldn't stress about chances for 2026. In fact, I don't think anyone would blame you if you wanted to choose a uni with a higher degree standard, just as long as you focus your passion, curiosity, and interest on your revision.

Maybe check out a little more about economics. I say this as it's a surprisngly broad field, and includes subsects such as social economics, economics of crime, geographical economics, etc. and so MIGHT (Might, not guaranteed) be a subject which I honestly think might interest you. I just say that as I currently study economics, but share many interests in the subjects you've listed out - which I'm able to study and learn as it stands right now as an economics student.

Anyways, I wish you the best of luck with finding the perfect choices for yourself. But, I'm confident that you'll do fantastically!

Warm regards,

David 🙂
University of Kent Student Rep

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