Aiming too high?

I am an access student that applied to UCL, Durham, Uni of Nottingham, Uni of Manchester and Warwick for politics courses most requiring i achieve 30 Distinctions and 15 merits minimum apart from the Nottingham one which requires 24 Distinctions and 21 Merit.

I've done a bit of research regarding how these universities treat access student but still unsure how my application will do

It’s certainly tougher to judge, with annual volatility a part of university applications these types of courses tend to have far less data available and some can even be case by case. A-levels and IB at least have clear correlations with objective results data.
My advice, email the course admissions director, carefully review all university admissions requirements (both course & university requirements) & go to open days and ask them directly. Nothing better than the “horses mouth” to get a perspective.
The problem you will likely have with this is, it’s now one working week until xmas, & then January meaning university academics all have to manage end of semester assessments, holidays with family, followed by January exams (on top of their day-to-day teaching & research activities) which means you may well very well struggle to get responses before the UCAS deadline.

I did tons of research during the summer I originally wanted to do an economics degree but realised it was far to competitive and most unis would require some kind of A in GCSE Maths or A Level Maths so opted out to do politics instead and applied for courses that dont require anything above a 4 for maths or english gcse. I think I may have a chance of getting in so long as i secure the grades but I know of other Access Students who got all distinctions but we're still rejected I do think most unis prefer A Level Students over Mature Students

It really depends where you apply to. Some unis want to widen participation and guarantee offers to access course students. Bristol is a prime example.

Do you have a safety choice in those? Just in case?

I didnt pick any safeties thought if I dont get into the ones I want to go to Ill apply through clearing

Wanted to go apply for bristol but dont want to live down south to expensive

Just be aware that there is no guarantee that they will be in clearing and if they are they will only reconsider you if you gain higher grades than originally predicted. I don't know about the course you are applying to but those universities are competitive choices and likely to fill.

I strategically applied to courses that dont get many applicants but still relevant to my Access course. Also according to trends less and less people are going to university so hopefully it works out in my favour.
I'd probably apply to the likes of cardiff, newcastle, exeter and sheffield if i get 45 distinctions my current goal

I did tons of research during the summer I originally wanted to do an economics degree but realised it was far to competitive and most unis would require some kind of A in GCSE Maths or A Level Maths so opted out to do politics instead and applied for courses that dont require anything above a 4 for maths or english gcse. I think I may have a chance of getting in so long as i secure the grades but I know of other Access Students who got all distinctions but we're still rejected I do think most unis prefer A Level Students over Mature Students

'Most' universities would prefer mature students over A level students, because mature students have usually made a much better informed intention to study at Uni and are ore invested int eh outcome. However, Most universities prefer A levels as an entry qualification than Access courses, and that's a much stronger preference than the age of the applicant. That's your challenge.

Resitting A Levels is such a hassle even though i would prefer to resit them and my gcses just english and maths. Im in no rush to go uni especially if it means ending up where i don't want to be i turn 20 next year summer. Honestly wouldnt mind working for another year or two then going back to university

Resitting A Levels is such a hassle even though i would prefer to resit them and my gcses just english and maths. Im in no rush to go uni especially if it means ending up where i don't want to be i turn 20 next year summer. Honestly wouldnt mind working for another year or two then going back to university

Going to university at “20” is not a mature student. Although as mentioned above mature students are often likely to receive lower admissions requirements then high school peers due to typically showing more commitment and dedication once on campus.
Plenty of students take gap years. Some students do a couple years professional experience before university.
If you can retake A-levels or international baccalaureate and happy to do so these are by far the most convenient route onto courses, universities are familiar with the academic background of students and have plenty of data on how they progress. As above universities really want the best for their students and this means students who will thrive at the university and hence if they have data on how performance at X qualification performs they can offer with far greater confidence.

What age would i need to be to be classified as a mature student?
If i dont get into the schools i want to get into this year i'll probably work full time for a year or two

What age would i need to be to be classified as a mature student?
If i dont get into the schools i want to get into this year i'll probably work full time for a year or two

There's a difference between technically being a mature student (which I think is 21 on starting the course) and being given leeway on entry qualifications because you've got life experience to support your qualifications. Trying to get into competitive universities, via an Access course, when you have very little life/professional experience, ie are under 25, maybe even 30, makes you a weak proposition. It's fine for recruiting universities, ie ones that have more places than applicants, but not for highly selective universities (many more applicants than places)