I don’t know what to do

I’m in year 13 doing bio, chem and psychology. I applied for pharmacy at aston, keele, leicester, de montfort and wolverhampton. I’ve only got one offer for pharmacy from aston and the others are for pharmaceutical sciences. I’m really confused now because first of all i don’t even know if i want to do pharmacy anymore and i don’t want to go to Aston, so i started think that maybe i’ll just accept one of the offers for pharmaceutical science but i’m not really sure what options i would have after graduating and what i could do with that degree. my dad says i should just firm aston and reject the pharm sci offers cuz they would be a “waste of time.” Idk if he’s right or not but i do know that i don’t want to go to aston. This is really stressing me out and now i’m wondering if i should just take a gap year and apply next year for something completely different.

If anyone could offer any advice i’d be grateful 🙏

Reply 1

Songbird19

I’m slightly flummoxed why you applied to Aston if you hated it so much?
Whatever you study it should be because you are interested in the contents of the course so spend a bit of time reading the universities course pages. Look at how and what they teach. Think about if you would enjoy those. Think about why you don’t like Aston. If you can, I would thoroughly recommend going to an open day or offer holders day to speak to current students about their experiences of the course, the place and what they plan to use their degree for. By all means take a gap year (I think gap years are great for maturing and growing in other areas of life, not just academia) but do it because you have thought about it and have a feasible plan that you believe will make you happier. Don’t do it as a knee jerk reaction because your instinct doesn’t like what you have been offered. Equally don’t let your dad choose your course. He may have your best interest at heart but it’s 3/4 years of studying one subject so you are the one that has to like it! There’s no rush to decide before the ucas deadline so take some time to think.

Reply 2

JLWM97

Speaking from experience, if you're not set on pharmacy, I'd take a year out and think things over. Nothing wrong with being unsure. You've got plenty of time. There's no point in doing something when you're hearts not in it. If you want to be a pharmacist just firm aston and qualify. You could do Pharmaceutical Science then do further training to qualify but that would just be a waste of time when you can just qualify straight away. Even if you do pharmacy, which is a really good degree to have, you can always re-qualify with a masters/further training in an entirely different sector if at the end of the 4 years pharmacy isn't for you - but you'll find quickly find out if pharmacy isn't for you when you start the course and that's a whole different kettle of fish having to drop out/change course. My advice would be to take a gap year and figure things out. Nothing wrong with doing that, I did. Go to loads of open days for every course going at every university 😂. Speak to offer holders/current/past students. Do so work experience. Explore and experience and you'll soon discover the path you need to take. Hope this helps a little. It's not easy making all these big decisions and you're not alone in that. Loads of us have been there.

What's changed your mind about doing pharmacy btw?

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 3

SoasRepMK

Official Rep

Original post by mixed-squire

I’m in year 13 doing bio, chem and psychology. I applied for pharmacy at aston, keele, leicester, de montfort and wolverhampton. I’ve only got one offer for pharmacy from aston and the others are for pharmaceutical sciences. I’m really confused now because first of all i don’t even know if i want to do pharmacy anymore and i don’t want to go to Aston, so i started think that maybe i’ll just accept one of the offers for pharmaceutical science but i’m not really sure what options i would have after graduating and what i could do with that degree. my dad says i should just firm aston and reject the pharm sci offers cuz they would be a “waste of time.” Idk if he’s right or not but i do know that i don’t want to go to aston. This is really stressing me out and now i’m wondering if i should just take a gap year and apply next year for something completely different.
If anyone could offer any advice i’d be grateful 🙏

Hi,

I can somewhat relate to your situation. In Year 13, I had an offer for Pharmacy at UCL but missed out by one grade. I eventually decided to go through Clearing for a completely different degree—my current degree in Arabic and Economics. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Honestly, my heart wasn’t really set on Pharmacy in the first place; I only chose it because I felt it aligned better with my Science A-levels, even though I never truly enjoyed them.
I have friends who are now studying Pharmacy—some really enjoy it, while others hate it. So I wouldn’t rush into any degree if you’re already feeling unsure about it. Can I ask what’s making you have second thoughts?

Marjan Karim
SOAS Student Rep

Reply 4

Sarah H.

Original post by mixed-squire

I’m in year 13 doing bio, chem and psychology. I applied for pharmacy at aston, keele, leicester, de montfort and wolverhampton. I’ve only got one offer for pharmacy from aston and the others are for pharmaceutical sciences. I’m really confused now because first of all i don’t even know if i want to do pharmacy anymore and i don’t want to go to Aston, so i started think that maybe i’ll just accept one of the offers for pharmaceutical science but i’m not really sure what options i would have after graduating and what i could do with that degree. my dad says i should just firm aston and reject the pharm sci offers cuz they would be a “waste of time.” Idk if he’s right or not but i do know that i don’t want to go to aston. This is really stressing me out and now i’m wondering if i should just take a gap year and apply next year for something completely different.
If anyone could offer any advice i’d be grateful 🙏

Take a year out and think carefully what you do want to study and where. Clearly you are nowhere near sure.
Under no circumstances embark on a university course unless you are 100% certain it is what you want. And never, never take on a university course because you can’t think of anything else. Look at non university career options.
It is a huge commitment financially and time wise. A bad decision now can have lifelong repercussions.
Think of a “year out” to consider what exactly you want as an investment in your future life. Don’t rush. .
Good luck.

Reply 5

X_rm

Original post by mixed-squire

I’m in year 13 doing bio, chem and psychology. I applied for pharmacy at aston, keele, leicester, de montfort and wolverhampton. I’ve only got one offer for pharmacy from aston and the others are for pharmaceutical sciences. I’m really confused now because first of all i don’t even know if i want to do pharmacy anymore and i don’t want to go to Aston, so i started think that maybe i’ll just accept one of the offers for pharmaceutical science but i’m not really sure what options i would have after graduating and what i could do with that degree. my dad says i should just firm aston and reject the pharm sci offers cuz they would be a “waste of time.” Idk if he’s right or not but i do know that i don’t want to go to aston. This is really stressing me out and now i’m wondering if i should just take a gap year and apply next year for something completely different.
If anyone could offer any advice i’d be grateful 🙏

Hi I’m so sorry this is not related to your question but I’m really stressed! Did Aston ask any questions like why pharmacy? Like any of the general questions

Reply 6

mixed-squire

Original post by X_rm

Hi I’m so sorry this is not related to your question but I’m really stressed! Did Aston ask any questions like why pharmacy? Like any of the general questions

They basically just asked me about the scenarios and whether I agreed or disagreed and they also asked about what people who had the opposite opinion might say. I hope that helps!!

Reply 7

X_rm

Original post by mixed-squire

They basically just asked me about the scenarios and whether I agreed or disagreed and they also asked about what people who had the opposite opinion might say. I hope that helps!!

It really does thank you sm!! Wish u the best!! I was just scared they were gonna ask like the general questions 😅😅

Reply 8

De Montfort University

Official Rep

Original post by mixed-squire

I’m in year 13 doing bio, chem and psychology. I applied for pharmacy at aston, keele, leicester, de montfort and wolverhampton. I’ve only got one offer for pharmacy from aston and the others are for pharmaceutical sciences. I’m really confused now because first of all i don’t even know if i want to do pharmacy anymore and i don’t want to go to Aston, so i started think that maybe i’ll just accept one of the offers for pharmaceutical science but i’m not really sure what options i would have after graduating and what i could do with that degree. my dad says i should just firm aston and reject the pharm sci offers cuz they would be a “waste of time.” Idk if he’s right or not but i do know that i don’t want to go to aston. This is really stressing me out and now i’m wondering if i should just take a gap year and apply next year for something completely different.
If anyone could offer any advice i’d be grateful 🙏

Hey there 😃

It sounds like you're at a crossroads, and that’s completely okay 🤗

Not wanting to go to a particular university is totally valid, and if you’re sure about your decision, don’t force it! Sometimes, your gut feeling knows best. The important question to ask yourself is: if not pharmacy, then what? 💡 Reflect on why you're unsure about pharmacy and whether another field excites you more. Exploring different options now can help you find a path that truly aligns with your interests and career aspirations.

If you find yourself drawn to pharmaceutical sciences, remember it offers diverse career opportunities in research, industry, regulation, and healthcare. If that excites you more than a pharmacy degree, it’s worth exploring further! 🚀

But if you’re leaning toward pharmacy and still want to pursue it, don’t worry 💙 There’s still a chance. You can explore options like applying through clearing to secure a spot elsewhere. The key is to take the time to think it through so you can make the best decision for your future.

I hope it will be helpful 💪 Feel free to reach out if you have any questions 😉 You can also chat with me or other students directly through The Ambassador Platform.

Take care,

Julia
Psychology student
De Montfort University

Reply 9

De Montfort University

Official Rep

Original post by mixed-squire

I’m in year 13 doing bio, chem and psychology. I applied for pharmacy at aston, keele, leicester, de montfort and wolverhampton. I’ve only got one offer for pharmacy from aston and the others are for pharmaceutical sciences. I’m really confused now because first of all i don’t even know if i want to do pharmacy anymore and i don’t want to go to Aston, so i started think that maybe i’ll just accept one of the offers for pharmaceutical science but i’m not really sure what options i would have after graduating and what i could do with that degree. my dad says i should just firm aston and reject the pharm sci offers cuz they would be a “waste of time.” Idk if he’s right or not but i do know that i don’t want to go to aston. This is really stressing me out and now i’m wondering if i should just take a gap year and apply next year for something completely different.
If anyone could offer any advice i’d be grateful 🙏

Thanks for your message and congratulations on your offer.

I'm assuming that you want to be a Pharmacist? It would be worth emailing [email protected], including your name and UCAS/student ID, to request detailed feedback on your application. This will help us to offer you bespoke advice.

You'll find lots of useful information about Pharmaceutical Science BSc (Hons), on our website. There's further information about the course, including the kinds of careers our graduates go into. I would also advise visiting us for an Open Day, this will give you the opportunity to speak to current staff and students, explore the campus and see the excellent facilities available to our students. If you're not able to attend an open day, it would be great if you could visit us for a Campus Tour. If you want to be a Pharmacist this course won't be the right option for you.

If you want to be a Pharmacist it might be worth speaking to the Careers Advisor at your school or college. Alternatively the National Careers Service, can offer you further advice.

There's also the possibility of looking at different course options, when you get your exam results in the summer during Clearing. Currently if you decline the offer from Aston and you're not holding any offers you may want to consider UCAS Extra?

I hope this helps, please do email us so we can give you more bespoke advice.

Reply 10

WriterPro1

Original post by mixed-squire

I’m in year 13 doing bio, chem and psychology. I applied for pharmacy at aston, keele, leicester, de montfort and wolverhampton. I’ve only got one offer for pharmacy from aston and the others are for pharmaceutical sciences. I’m really confused now because first of all i don’t even know if i want to do pharmacy anymore and i don’t want to go to Aston, so i started think that maybe i’ll just accept one of the offers for pharmaceutical science but i’m not really sure what options i would have after graduating and what i could do with that degree. my dad says i should just firm aston and reject the pharm sci offers cuz they would be a “waste of time.” Idk if he’s right or not but i do know that i don’t want to go to aston. This is really stressing me out and now i’m wondering if i should just take a gap year and apply next year for something completely different.
If anyone could offer any advice i’d be grateful 🙏

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed—this is a big decision. If you’re unsure about pharmacy, research the career paths for pharmaceutical science, which focuses on drug development and research but doesn’t qualify you as a pharmacist. If neither excites you, a gap year could help you explore interests, gain experience, and reapply for something you’re passionate about. While your dad means well, this is your future—don’t settle for a choice that doesn’t feel right. Take your time and trust yourself!