The Student Room Group

A levels at 19

I am 17 years old turning 18 in the summers. I moved from Pakistan where I completed my first year of O’Levels in Pak studies and religious studies. I moved to the Uk in 2023 Sep and started college in Nov. I attempted English and maths in May 2024 and unfortunately did not pass my maths and got a 5 in english. So I was later put into a sixth form to do my maths (now foundation) with level 2 HSC. I just got my result and I passed maths with a grade 4. Now I want to start A’levels but I am worried whether I would get into Oxbridge or not. I am really passionate to get into these Universities. I want to pursue law but I am just really confused and frustrated. I wanted to ask if there is any way I could still get into these Universitie to do BA in law? Will my GCSES really impact my application? Do I need to retake my GCSEs? Can I do a levels at 19?
Reply 1
Original post by zahra2007
I am 17 years old turning 18 in the summers. I moved from Pakistan where I completed my first year of O’Levels in Pak studies and religious studies. I moved to the Uk in 2023 Sep and started college in Nov. I attempted English and maths in May 2024 and unfortunately did not pass my maths and got a 5 in english. So I was later put into a sixth form to do my maths (now foundation) with level 2 HSC. I just got my result and I passed maths with a grade 4. Now I want to start A’levels but I am worried whether I would get into Oxbridge or not. I am really passionate to get into these Universities. I want to pursue law but I am just really confused and frustrated. I wanted to ask if there is any way I could still get into these Universitie to do BA in law? Will my GCSES really impact my application? Do I need to retake my GCSEs? Can I do a levels at 19?

Unfortunately a levels at 19 not possible due to gov funding. Oxford and Cambridge of I know don’t accept resits for GCSEs or a levels however lots of other top Russell groups do. In your circumstance you I would suggest studying privately for a levels and GCSEs and take the summer exam privately in an exam centre. Make sure to look for any tutor as they are your reference for UCAS. Any Qs ask away!!
Reply 2
Original post by Logic1
Unfortunately a levels at 19 not possible due to gov funding. Oxford and Cambridge of I know don’t accept resits for GCSEs or a levels however lots of other top Russell groups do. In your circumstance you I would suggest studying privately for a levels and GCSEs and take the summer exam privately in an exam centre. Make sure to look for any tutor as they are your reference for UCAS. Any Qs ask away!!


I am currently doing level 2 HSC and am not prepared for A levels as i have not been studying. I am yet to decide my subjects and then start. Can’t i get into a college and continue?
Reply 3
I know most sixth form want a five 6s gcse including maths science to study a level biology chemistry and maths this is most. I don’t know if your college does that but what I know is that if you miss a year it’s okay. If you miss two years that is a problem as you will be over 19.

my strong suggestion is you resit GCSEs any that your good at because unis need this (do it in the summer)
2025 so apply as a private candidate )don’t do a levels because it is harder especially doing both then enroll with this for another college if your college does not do a levels. I have been in this same situation missing a year not for abroad but repeating yr 12 as I didn’t meet a requirement.
Reply 4
Original post by zahra2007
I am 17 years old turning 18 in the summers. I moved from Pakistan where I completed my first year of O’Levels in Pak studies and religious studies. I moved to the Uk in 2023 Sep and started college in Nov. I attempted English and maths in May 2024 and unfortunately did not pass my maths and got a 5 in english. So I was later put into a sixth form to do my maths (now foundation) with level 2 HSC. I just got my result and I passed maths with a grade 4. Now I want to start A’levels but I am worried whether I would get into Oxbridge or not. I am really passionate to get into these Universities. I want to pursue law but I am just really confused and frustrated. I wanted to ask if there is any way I could still get into these Universitie to do BA in law? Will my GCSES really impact my application? Do I need to retake my GCSEs? Can I do a levels at 19?

5 in english and fail maths + resit grade 4. yes, gcses will very much impact your application for oxbridge because they care about gcses pretty much more than any other university. the harsh reality is that there is no way u are getting into oxbridge with these gcses. also universities will know about your resits. a competitive oxbridge applicant usually has at least 8 subjects grade8/9 and a less competitive probably has at least 5 grade 8/9s.
Reply 5
Original post by Aijahdj
5 in english and fail maths + resit grade 4. yes, gcses will very much impact your application for oxbridge because they care about gcses pretty much more than any other university. the harsh reality is that there is no way u are getting into oxbridge with these gcses. also universities will know about your resits. a competitive oxbridge applicant usually has at least 8 subjects grade8/9 and a less competitive probably has at least 5 grade 8/9s.


i had some what hope in the beginning as i read through the application requirements that they do review your GCSEs but its just a small part of your application. And i thought maybe getting really good grades in A levels would help me secure at least an interview as they might consider my transition from gcse to a levels. And i got an A in religious studies and B in history, which i really enjoy studying so i was hoping to continue similar subjects including english for a levels. But thank you for the reality check! I didn’t think anyone would reply back. :smile:
Reply 6
Original post by Logic1
I know most sixth form want a five 6s gcse including maths science to study a level biology chemistry and maths this is most. I don’t know if your college does that but what I know is that if you miss a year it’s okay. If you miss two years that is a problem as you will be over 19.
my strong suggestion is you resit GCSEs any that your good at because unis need this (do it in the summer)
2025 so apply as a private candidate )don’t do a levels because it is harder especially doing both then enroll with this for another college if your college does not do a levels. I have been in this same situation missing a year not for abroad but repeating yr 12 as I didn’t meet a requirement.


As im looking forward to do Law in the future, should I resit for English language and Lit? I could not do literature as I moved countries.
Reply 7
Original post by zahra2007
As im looking forward to do Law in the future, should I resit for English language and Lit? I could not do literature as I moved countries.

The thing with law in the uk is that some unis need the LNAT an entrance exam. These are usually russel groups. Because of this you don’t need a strong set of GCSEs and a levels like Bristol. However I strongly suggest you to resit your GCSEs englaih and maths and more if you can to get a 6 BUT RESIT ENG AND MATHS TO GET A 6.Yes some wants passes but they apply to people who were born in English speaking countries however in your case if your citizenship is not from an English country they need a 6 at least.

If I were you. Since I don’t have lots of good gcses and a levels. I would prioritising revising for a levels and do the compulsory GCSEs like a 6. Then revise for the LNAT because unis that don’t do this entrance exam want there a levels and GCSEs to substantially met!!
Reply 8
Original post by Logic1
The thing with law in the uk is that some unis need the LNAT an entrance exam. These are usually russel groups. Because of this you don’t need a strong set of GCSEs and a levels like Bristol. However I strongly suggest you to resit your GCSEs englaih and maths and more if you can to get a 6 BUT RESIT ENG AND MATHS TO GET A 6.Yes some wants passes but they apply to people who were born in English speaking countries however in your case if your citizenship is not from an English country they need a 6 at least.
If I were you. Since I don’t have lots of good gcses and a levels. I would prioritising revising for a levels and do the compulsory GCSEs like a 6. Then revise for the LNAT because unis that don’t do this entrance exam want there a levels and GCSEs to substantially met!!


You are really really helpful!! Thank you so much. So I should sit for english and maths? And also prepare for A’levels. Is it possible to do A’levels in an year? Like can i give my exams by next year? if possible
Reply 9
Original post by zahra2007
You are really really helpful!! Thank you so much. So I should sit for english and maths? And also prepare for A’levels. Is it possible to do A’levels in an year? Like can i give my exams by next year? if possible
So resit gcse this summer at to get a 6 math and eng only. Then I would suggest you maybe do RE gcse and maybe your language gcse if there is one and could be more I’m suggesting easy ones now book this in a private exam centre near you if your college don’t do this. I did my gcse English this summer in my college for 60 pounds as I got a 5 so needed a 6 whilst studying a levels in college.

Personally I don’t think you can study a levels in a year and take that exam no way!! That is too difficult and I don’t want you to fail and waste money. I think. You should apply to college next year but bear this in mind. You can’t apply to college when you’re 19 and over. So apply when your Turing 19 but ask any college if you could do this in your area. For me self studying especially a levels is hard cause I am a well procrastinator.

So use this time for GCSES. Make sure to get 9s not 6s I regret getting 5 6 and 7 in my GCSEs and now if I retake them it’s too late as some unis don’t consider resit .

However study first year a level which is AS LEVEL this year then focus next year when your done GCSEs on A2 level.

Quick Reply