The Student Room Group

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.mo
(edited 2 months ago)
Reply 1
Original post by lina0
Extenuating circumstances heavily effected my performance during my GCSES and my school were too late to contact my exam boards for special consideration, therefore my grades were not as high as they could of been. Fortunately I passed all my subjects and I'm currently thinking about what pathway I want to take after Sixth Form. Some universities ask for a 6 in English language for a course I would potentially like to take and I achieved a 5. I was just wondering if universities really take into account GCSE requirements if your overall application is solid (such as grades, work experience, personal statements) Please let me know, It would help loads.

Yes they do. If they state a requirement, especially if the course is oversubscribed, they won’t even look at the rest of your application. They won’t tick the box and your application will be rejected. If a course is undersubscribed you may be luckier and the admissions team more lenient, but why don’t you retake the subject? Any offer that you get from the universities of your choice will just add the gcse retake to the A level requirements when they make you a conditional offer.
Reply 2
Original post by Euapp
Yes they do. If they state a requirement, especially if the course is oversubscribed, they won’t even look at the rest of your application. They won’t tick the box and your application will be rejected. If a course is undersubscribed you may be luckier and the admissions team more lenient, but why don’t you retake the subject? Any offer that you get from the universities of your choice will just add the gcse retake to the A level requirements when they make you a conditional offer.

Thank you for your response, I have thought about retaking the subject, but just wanted to know if there was a chance that I wouldn't need to - since price is also a problem for me. I also know that you can fill out a extenuating circumstances form for universities regarding grades and if that could be taken in consideration for marginally missing out a grade?
Reply 3
Original post by lina0
Thank you for your response, I have thought about retaking the subject, but just wanted to know if there was a chance that I wouldn't need to - since price is also a problem for me. I also know that you can fill out a extenuating circumstances form for universities regarding grades and if that could be taken in consideration for marginally missing out a grade?

You can fill out an extenuating circumstances form but as far as I know that’s normally for the exams that you are taking immediately prior to going to university, or to explain why you retook a gcse. @McGinger might know better.
Reply 4
Original post by lina0
Extenuating circumstances heavily effected my performance during my GCSES and my school were too late to contact my exam boards for special consideration, therefore my grades were not as high as they could of been. Fortunately I passed all my subjects and I'm currently thinking about what pathway I want to take after Sixth Form. Some universities ask for a 6 in English language for a course I would potentially like to take and I achieved a 5. I was just wondering if universities really take into account GCSE requirements if your overall application is solid (such as grades, work experience, personal statements) Please let me know, It would help loads.

If a University states a specific grade for a GCSE subject - typically English or Maths - its an essential grade, not 'nice to have'. If you apply without this, you will be rejected. Even with Mitigating Circumstances for your overall GCSEs, any University will expect you to be retaking this GCSE alongside your A levels to get the required grade.

Talk to your school about resitting this GCSE - now that you are working at a higher level, its usually not that hard to get a better grade. Its still worth also asking your referee to mention the reason for your overall low grades, and completing any extra form neded by each of your Unis - example - Extenuating circumstances | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol

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