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Why did I get an offer from Royal Holloway of AAB when my predicted were BBB?

I just received an offer from Royal Holloway a day after sending my application for Law even though I was predicted BBB, below the entry requirements, and was given an offer of AAB. Royal Holloway was my firm choice but now I’m hesitant, and I don’t really understand why they have provided me an offer so high? Are they just trying to kick me off their list?
I'm not an expert so take this with a pinch of salt, but I think their law course is just more competitive this year and so although they've accepted you and want you in, they done have a super large amount of spaces to fill - you might not have done as amazingly as some of the other applicants in all the areas of your application (although im sure you still did great seeing how you got in!) and since your grades are below the entry requirements for royal Holloway law (ABB - AAB) thet mustve decided to up your offer a bit as an alternative to no offer, although this offer is still within the entry requirements. Good luck though, I'm rooting for you!
*don't have not done have lol
Original post by fascinated-audit
I just received an offer from Royal Holloway a day after sending my application for Law even though I was predicted BBB, below the entry requirements, and was given an offer of AAB. Royal Holloway was my firm choice but now I’m hesitant, and I don’t really understand why they have provided me an offer so high? Are they just trying to kick me off their list?

The grades they ask for are slightly nonsensical, to be honest. In recent years, despite their standard entry requirements being AAB, they made offers to 95% (19 in 20) applicants - many of whom will not have been predicted AAB, like yourself.

On results day, they can opt to accept those still holding a offer even if they don't achieve the required grades. In recent years, they did so for all those who achieved BBB grades - and 84% of those who achieved CCC. (See the "Historical entry grades data" section of this UCAS page for confirmation.)

Of course, they can only do that if you select them as your firm choice, or at least your insurance choice. So if that's where you'd like to study, you should make them your firm choice regardless of those offer grades. (Just make sure you pick an insurance choice with lower entry requirements - just in case.)
Original post by fascinated-audit
I just received an offer from Royal Holloway a day after sending my application for Law even though I was predicted BBB, below the entry requirements, and was given an offer of AAB. Royal Holloway was my firm choice but now I’m hesitant, and I don’t really understand why they have provided me an offer so high? Are they just trying to kick me off their list?
Hi there,

Thanks for your message.

We recommend contacting our Admissions team directly - you can contact them by phone, online form, or online chat: Tel: +44 (0)1784 414944. Our phone lines are open at the following times: Monday to Friday: 10am-4pm (UK time) Saturday to Sunday: closed.

• Admissions Enquiry form
• Chat online with our Admissions team

Our team will be able to discuss your application in more depth. You can also find some more information about how applications are assessed and offers given on our website.

We hope this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out.

Best wishes,
Royal Holloway, University of London Official Rep
(edited 2 months ago)
I think it's as simple as it being their standard offer, and that they make aspirational offers to those predicted below. Predictions otherwise don't have any bearing on the offer made.
So why does it say that Royal Holloway is one of the most ‘highly selective’ universities and that the acceptance rate is just 17%
(edited 2 months ago)
Original post by London scholar
So why does it say that Royal Holloway is one of the most ‘highly selective’ universities and that the acceptance rate is just 17%

Where does it say that? Do you have a link?

Depending on what they mean by "acceptance rate", it may be that only 17% of candidates who receive an offer choose to accept it. :wink:
Original post by DataVenia
Where does it say that? Do you have a link?
Depending on what they mean by "acceptance rate", it may be that only 17% of candidates who receive an offer choose to accept it. :wink:

The Sutton Trust also lists Royal Holloway as one of the top 30 unis in the UK and one of the most ‘highly selective’ universities?!
Original post by London scholar
The Sutton Trust also lists Royal Holloway as one of the top 30 unis in the UK and one of the most ‘highly selective’ universities?!

Here are some other rankings for law (which is what OP was asking about):
• Complete University Guide: 78th (source)
• The Guardian: 98th (source)
• The Times: 46th (source)

I can see that the Sutton Trust include Royal Holloway within the "Sutton Trust 30", which is a "grouping of highly selective universities comprises universities in Scotland, England and Wales with over 500 undergraduate entrants each year, where it was estimated that less than 10 per cent of places are attainable to pupils with 200 UCAS tariff points (equivalent to two D grades and a C grade at A-level) or less."

I don't have access to the data which Sutton Trust used and am so not in an position for qualify their findings, which appear to be for the university overall, rather than for law specifically. Their measure of "highly selective" (fewer than 10 percent of students at grades DDC or below) might also raise an eyebrow with many.

I'm not in any way trying to disparage Royal Holloway, I'm simply trying to explain why they may have been happy to make an offer to a predicted BBB student when the stated entry requirement is AAB.
Original post by fascinated-audit
I just received an offer from Royal Holloway a day after sending my application for Law even though I was predicted BBB, below the entry requirements, and was given an offer of AAB. Royal Holloway was my firm choice but now I’m hesitant, and I don’t really understand why they have provided me an offer so high? Are they just trying to kick me off their list?

Royal Holloway often give high offers, only to take you anyway with CCD grades in some cases.

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