The Student Room Group

Reapplying to Durham Univeristy

Last year I received an offer to study at Durham University, but because the grades required were so high (A*AA) I foolishly underestimated myself and was put off by this, so chose a different uni. However, after I got my grades, it showed I probably would’ve got in had I chose it as my firm choice. I tried to apply through clearing however was unsuccessful. I have now been at a different university since September and I don’t like it here. I will be reapplying to Durham (and some other unis of course) for September 2025. My question is - would they still consider giving me an offer considering the situation I am in? I mean this in terms of the fact I have basically wasted my time and money in a term at a different university that I am not satisfied with. Would they care about this?

Also, I plan on applying for both geography BA and BSc at Durham to increase my chances of success. BA wants A*AA, BSc wants AAA/A*AB.

I got A*A*B.

Last year my offer was for BA, but the fact there is no alternative grades for the BA suggests that I might not have got in considering I did get a B, but had the equivalent in UCAS tariff points.

Are these grades good enough for an offer in either? I would be happy with either course (preferably BA), but might have a higher chance of success with the BSc as they consider if you get a B.
Reply 1
Unless it has changed since my daughter graduated the 1st year modules for BA and BSc were the same for 1st year and people were swapping between the two. Even if you couldn’t swap you could still choose some BA modules for 2nd year and above. Can’t predict whether they would have taken you last year with A*A*B or if they will this year as it depends on the strength of each year’s applicants. I think a wise decision to apply to both if Durham is your top choice.
Original post by Leverager
Last year I received an offer to study at Durham University, but because the grades required were so high (A*AA) I foolishly underestimated myself and was put off by this, so chose a different uni. However, after I got my grades, it showed I probably would’ve got in had I chose it as my firm choice. I tried to apply through clearing however was unsuccessful. I have now been at a different university since September and I don’t like it here. I will be reapplying to Durham (and some other unis of course) for September 2025. My question is - would they still consider giving me an offer considering the situation I am in? I mean this in terms of the fact I have basically wasted my time and money in a term at a different university that I am not satisfied with. Would they care about this?
Also, I plan on applying for both geography BA and BSc at Durham to increase my chances of success. BA wants A*AA, BSc wants AAA/A*AB.
I got A*A*B.
Last year my offer was for BA, but the fact there is no alternative grades for the BA suggests that I might not have got in considering I did get a B, but had the equivalent in UCAS tariff points.
Are these grades good enough for an offer in either? I would be happy with either course (preferably BA), but might have a higher chance of success with the BSc as they consider if you get a B.


Not an expert, but I've been told A*A*B usually doesn't get accepted in place of A*AA as most unis don't use ucas tariff anymore (the fact that you got rejected in clearing probably suggests this)

You should probably apply to the BSc, since thats the one you actually meet the entry requirements for. Or maybe email the admission team to see if they would be willing to accept your grades for the BA if thats what you prefer.
Reply 3
I know candidates for 2024 who missed their Geography offer at Durham and still got taken. One was one grade down and one achieved an equivalent in points, but it included a B.

The thing is, they tend to only offer to people who have the predicted/actual grades of the standard offer, if you’re not contextual. They will likely do that again this year. No doubt some of those with the right predicted grades will only achieve what you got, but at this point, they can’t tell who will get less than predicted. But they can’t tell exactly what you got. On that basis, I’d think you’ll get an offer for the one you meet the offer for (probably) and not the other.

The other thing, is whether they actually offer to people who ‘only’ have the standard offer, or only to those who exceed it - can they be so picky because of numbers applying?

Unfortunatley most people fail to achieve their predicted grades (over 80%) so actually most people applying pre-exams have the strongest application on paper that they will ever have. Unis have to take a chance with giving offers….thry kniw lots won’t hit their predicted grades or the standard offer…but not which ones won’t. With you, they know you didn’t meet the standard offer grades for one of the course. As they are over-subscribed they don’t need to take you. Instead they can give an offer to a person with the right or higher predicted grades…and the annoying thing is, if they miss and get what you did, they will still probably take them.

It would def be worth ringing them and asking about this.
They might not give a definite answer and you could find you wait until the end of the admissions cycle as you’ll be a marginal candidate. It could well work out for you though, and esp for the course that has a slightly lower standard offer
Original post by Leverager
Last year I received an offer to study at Durham University, but because the grades required were so high (A*AA) I foolishly underestimated myself and was put off by this, so chose a different uni. However, after I got my grades, it showed I probably would’ve got in had I chose it as my firm choice. I tried to apply through clearing however was unsuccessful. I have now been at a different university since September and I don’t like it here. I will be reapplying to Durham (and some other unis of course) for September 2025. My question is - would they still consider giving me an offer considering the situation I am in? I mean this in terms of the fact I have basically wasted my time and money in a term at a different university that I am not satisfied with. Would they care about this?
Also, I plan on applying for both geography BA and BSc at Durham to increase my chances of success. BA wants A*AA, BSc wants AAA/A*AB.
I got A*A*B.
Last year my offer was for BA, but the fact there is no alternative grades for the BA suggests that I might not have got in considering I did get a B, but had the equivalent in UCAS tariff points.
Are these grades good enough for an offer in either? I would be happy with either course (preferably BA), but might have a higher chance of success with the BSc as they consider if you get a B.

Hello!

As far as I can tell, if you are hoping to enter Durham as a first year student, Durham's Admission Policy doesn't seem to have any regulations on your previous tertiary education other than leaving your current university with "Good Standing" (which means they'll hopefully consider you like any other candidate i.e. on your personal statement, A Levels etc.!) Personally, I know quite a few people who have completed a year in another university and joined Durham later on so your situation is definitely not out of the ordinary!

If you're hoping to join as a second year, Durham does have quite a few more regulations on that. Some courses (and even entire departments!) do not allow transfers into second year and even for the subjects that do allow it, the university grants them on a case by case basis. You would also have to meet the standard A Level criteria, be on track for a 2:1, be in "good standing" with your current university, have comparable modules and so on. I would recommend going through the transferring criteria here and the undergraduate matriculation (enrolment process) here to get a better idea of the criteria and process.

I hope this helps and good luck with your application!
Lesath (DU Rep.)

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