Should I Drop an A-Level After Getting a University Offer?
Hi everyone,
I’m in Year 13 and taking four A-Levels:
• Art: A*
• Japanese: A*
• Chemistry: A
• Maths: B
I’ve applied to the following universities for Architecture:
• UCL
• Nottingham
• Westminster
• Edinburgh (received an offer!)
• York
I recently got an offer from Edinburgh University for ABB, even though their standard requirement is A*AA. I feel this shows universities consider me a strong candidate.
However, I’ve been hospitalised for nearly a month, which has made it difficult to keep up with all my subjects. I’m now considering dropping Chemistry to focus on achieving my best grades in the remaining subjects.
Here’s my situation:
• Maths: It’s more related for Architecture, but my predicted grade is a B. I always did better in Math and know how to revise.
• Chemistry: I’ve worked really hard in Chemistry, which my teacher has acknowledged, but I’ve always struggled to achieve top grades (e.g., a C in Year 12).
I feel like being hospitalised is a valid reason to explain to universities if I drop a subject.
However, I’m unsure:
1. Is being hospitalised a strong enough reason to drop a subject, and should I inform universities about it?
2. Should I drop Chemistry or Maths?
3. When is the best time to drop a subject—before or after mocks?
4. Would dropping a subject give a lower chance for me to get into uni?
Any advice or experiences would really help. Thank you!
I’m in Year 13 and taking four A-Levels:
• Art: A*
• Japanese: A*
• Chemistry: A
• Maths: B
I’ve applied to the following universities for Architecture:
• UCL
• Nottingham
• Westminster
• Edinburgh (received an offer!)
• York
I recently got an offer from Edinburgh University for ABB, even though their standard requirement is A*AA. I feel this shows universities consider me a strong candidate.
However, I’ve been hospitalised for nearly a month, which has made it difficult to keep up with all my subjects. I’m now considering dropping Chemistry to focus on achieving my best grades in the remaining subjects.
Here’s my situation:
• Maths: It’s more related for Architecture, but my predicted grade is a B. I always did better in Math and know how to revise.
• Chemistry: I’ve worked really hard in Chemistry, which my teacher has acknowledged, but I’ve always struggled to achieve top grades (e.g., a C in Year 12).
I feel like being hospitalised is a valid reason to explain to universities if I drop a subject.
However, I’m unsure:
1. Is being hospitalised a strong enough reason to drop a subject, and should I inform universities about it?
2. Should I drop Chemistry or Maths?
3. When is the best time to drop a subject—before or after mocks?
4. Would dropping a subject give a lower chance for me to get into uni?
Any advice or experiences would really help. Thank you!
Reply 1
20
Talk to your unis about dropping Chemistry and ask if it would effect your offer.If they don't care drop it as soon as you like
Reply 2
20
Original post
by ScotneyTalk to your unis about dropping Chemistry and ask if it would effect your offer.If they don't care drop it as soon as you like
What is the offer. If Chemistry is not actually specified then it should be fine, but you do need to check with each Uni you have applied that they are okay with this before you do it. You then need to email each Uni to tell them you have actually dropped Chem, and to tell UCAS using this online form : Request to amend qualifications listed on your application | | UCAS
Reply 3
Original post
by ScotneyTalk to your unis about dropping Chemistry and ask if it would effect your offer.If they don't care drop it as soon as you like
This. Check with each uni before you drop it, then you're good to go.
From my experience Maths is considered equivalent to the sciences by employers, especially at A level, so I don't see an issue with dropping chemistry. You are doing super well in the first place by taking 4 A levels, that's amazing!
Reply 4
10
you should be okay, ive heard many people drop subjects after getting offers as the universities clearly think youre good enough anyway
also as for the low edinburgh offer, the lower entry requirements mean you're eligible for a contextual offer, and that may be the same for the other places youve applied for. that would also explain why edinburgh got back to you so soon
also as for the low edinburgh offer, the lower entry requirements mean you're eligible for a contextual offer, and that may be the same for the other places youve applied for. that would also explain why edinburgh got back to you so soon
Reply 5
Original post
by nina._.nina Hi everyone,
I’m in Year 13 and taking four A-Levels:
• Art: A*
• Japanese: A*
• Chemistry: A
• Maths: B
I’ve applied to the following universities for Architecture:
• UCL
• Nottingham
• Westminster
• Edinburgh (received an offer!)
• York
I recently got an offer from Edinburgh University for ABB, even though their standard requirement is A*AA. I feel this shows universities consider me a strong candidate.
However, I’ve been hospitalised for nearly a month, which has made it difficult to keep up with all my subjects. I’m now considering dropping Chemistry to focus on achieving my best grades in the remaining subjects.
Here’s my situation:
• Maths: It’s more related for Architecture, but my predicted grade is a B. I always did better in Math and know how to revise.
• Chemistry: I’ve worked really hard in Chemistry, which my teacher has acknowledged, but I’ve always struggled to achieve top grades (e.g., a C in Year 12).
I feel like being hospitalised is a valid reason to explain to universities if I drop a subject.
However, I’m unsure:
1. Is being hospitalised a strong enough reason to drop a subject, and should I inform universities about it?
2. Should I drop Chemistry or Maths?
3. When is the best time to drop a subject—before or after mocks?
4. Would dropping a subject give a lower chance for me to get into uni?
Any advice or experiences would really help. Thank you!
I’m in Year 13 and taking four A-Levels:
• Art: A*
• Japanese: A*
• Chemistry: A
• Maths: B
I’ve applied to the following universities for Architecture:
• UCL
• Nottingham
• Westminster
• Edinburgh (received an offer!)
• York
I recently got an offer from Edinburgh University for ABB, even though their standard requirement is A*AA. I feel this shows universities consider me a strong candidate.
However, I’ve been hospitalised for nearly a month, which has made it difficult to keep up with all my subjects. I’m now considering dropping Chemistry to focus on achieving my best grades in the remaining subjects.
Here’s my situation:
• Maths: It’s more related for Architecture, but my predicted grade is a B. I always did better in Math and know how to revise.
• Chemistry: I’ve worked really hard in Chemistry, which my teacher has acknowledged, but I’ve always struggled to achieve top grades (e.g., a C in Year 12).
I feel like being hospitalised is a valid reason to explain to universities if I drop a subject.
However, I’m unsure:
1. Is being hospitalised a strong enough reason to drop a subject, and should I inform universities about it?
2. Should I drop Chemistry or Maths?
3. When is the best time to drop a subject—before or after mocks?
4. Would dropping a subject give a lower chance for me to get into uni?
Any advice or experiences would really help. Thank you!
Hey @nina._.nina ,
As mentioned above, I'd definitely recommend getting in contact with each university to confirm that dropping the subject wouldn't cause any issues.
Being hospitalised is definitely a strong enough reason to drop an A-Level; in terms of which one to drop, I'd personally opt for Chemistry. It's less relevant to the degree you plan to study than Mathematics (some undergraduate architecture courses in the UK require or strongly recommend Mathematics A-Level), and if you've always struggled to achieve top grades in Chemistry in the past, dropping it may alleviate some of the pressure to meet your offers closer to exam time. However, it's also understandable that you might want to choose the subject with the higher predicted grade.
UK universities only require three A-Levels, so dropping your fourth shouldn't lower your chances of getting into uni. 🙂
Hopefully this was helpful and best of luck with your A-Levels!
Eve (Kingston Rep).
Reply 6
nina._.nina
OP
8
Original post
by McGingerWhat is the offer. If Chemistry is not actually specified then it should be fine, but you do need to check with each Uni you have applied that they are okay with this before you do it. You then need to email each Uni to tell them you have actually dropped Chem, and to tell UCAS using this online form : Request to amend qualifications listed on your application | | UCAS
Thank you for your advice! I’ll contact the universities to check if dropping Chemistry will affect my offers. My offer is ABB with any subject. So hopefully it will be fine.
Reply 7
nina._.nina
OP
8
Original post
by stanc427you should be okay, ive heard many people drop subjects after getting offers as the universities clearly think youre good enough anyway
also as for the low edinburgh offer, the lower entry requirements mean you're eligible for a contextual offer, and that may be the same for the other places youve applied for. that would also explain why edinburgh got back to you so soon
also as for the low edinburgh offer, the lower entry requirements mean you're eligible for a contextual offer, and that may be the same for the other places youve applied for. that would also explain why edinburgh got back to you so soon
Thank you for your insight! Idk why I have reduced offer tbh. I didn’t write anything about contextual eligibility in my UCAS application. and my school is quite academic, so it’s a bit surprising.
Reply 8
10
Original post
by nina._.nina Thank you for your insight! Idk why I have reduced offer tbh. I didn’t write anything about contextual eligibility in my UCAS application. and my school is quite academic, so it’s a bit surprising.
contextual offers will more often than not depend on postcode, or occasionally if you have limited support from parents or anything that would disadvantage your education. universities will know based on the required info you give them whether you are eligible, so theres no further application process in order to recieve them
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