Am i still able to enter top unis? I am willing to do any thing
3*3
Maths7—> (the reason that i messed up is that i was at set 1 but then the school transferred me to set 3 due to English difficulties and i didn’t get teached properly for some of the topics)
Science7/6
Eng4—>gonna retake
1*6
2*5
So please understand i am not a bad student i dont want to speak highly of myself but in my country i used to study at a special school where all the country took examinations for it, and i know i am capable of doing great.
I am doing maths, furthermaths, physics, music
And i am currently at year 12, so i am here to ask if i still have any chance to get into top uni’s and if yes what other than getting a*s can i do?
By top unis i mean cambridge, oxford, ucl and…
I still don't know what i want to study but it is going to be maths related
Reply 1
After reading through the threads on this app, i am completely, completely convinced that i will not be able to enter a top uni, and i am really stressed about it.
Reply 2
After reading through the threads on this app, i am completely, completely convinced that i will not be able to enter a top uni, and i am really stressed about it.
Please don’t be stressed!
-Universities often take contextual information into account when considering applications!
-Also I find that many people can exaggerate on this platform so don’t believe everything you see or let it dishearten you!
-If you want to go into something to do with maths in a top maths uni, research the top maths universities in the uk research unis like Warwick, Bath, ICL LSE etc as they are brilliant unis for maths!
Reply 3
-Universities often take contextual information into account when considering applications!
-Also I find that many people can exaggerate on this platform so don’t believe everything you see or let it dishearten you!
-If you want to go into something to do with maths in a top maths uni, research the top maths universities in the uk research unis like Warwick, Bath, ICL LSE etc as they are brilliant unis for maths!
Thanks for the comment.
By maths i dont mean exactly maths,
Maybe some kind on engineering or economics.
Im interested in investment banking and project managing in general.
Is it impossible to get into oxford and cambridge?
(I know im being childish about it but if there is any chance i would like to know)
By maths i dont mean exactly maths,
Maybe some kind on engineering or economics.
Im interested in investment banking and project managing in general.
Is it impossible to get into oxford and cambridge?
(I know im being childish about it but if there is any chance i would like to know)
Not impossible. Try and get the best A-Level grades that you can. If necessary, you can always apply after you've gotten your A-Levels and have a much more competitive application.
Reply 5
Thank you for your help, i appreciate your advice.
Reply 6
By maths i dont mean exactly maths,
Maybe some kind on engineering or economics.
Im interested in investment banking and project managing in general.
Is it impossible to get into oxford and cambridge?
(I know im being childish about it but if there is any chance i would like to know)
You’re not being childish at all don’t worry!
Engineering at Cambridge Requires at GCSE a 7 in Maths and 7 in Physics (I imagine this will be fine for double award! And the entry requirements for A-Levels are A* A* A with the A*s preferably in Maths and Physics A-level (which you take)! They also strongly advise you take Further Maths to a minimum AS level but preferably for the full A-Level (which I see you study)!
Other than that try get some work experience, aim as high as possible in the mocks, do extra maths work (Isaac Physics is a really good free website with question banks)! And explore what you wanna do in the future!!
Reply 7
Engineering at Cambridge Requires at GCSE a 7 in Maths and 7 in Physics (I imagine this will be fine for double award! And the entry requirements for A-Levels are A* A* A with the A*s preferably in Maths and Physics A-level (which you take)! They also strongly advise you take Further Maths to a minimum AS level but preferably for the full A-Level (which I see you study)!
Other than that try get some work experience, aim as high as possible in the mocks, do extra maths work (Isaac Physics is a really good free website with question banks)! And explore what you wanna do in the future!!
Btw 7 is considered an A* on their website so congratulations!! They also take context into account with GCSEs
Reply 8
Engineering at Cambridge Requires at GCSE a 7 in Maths and 7 in Physics (I imagine this will be fine for double award! And the entry requirements for A-Levels are A* A* A with the A*s preferably in Maths and Physics A-level (which you take)! They also strongly advise you take Further Maths to a minimum AS level but preferably for the full A-Level (which I see you study)!
Other than that try get some work experience, aim as high as possible in the mocks, do extra maths work (Isaac Physics is a really good free website with question banks)! And explore what you wanna do in the future!!
Thank you very much for the help, i really appreciate your advices.
Reply 9
wow I don't know 7 is an A* is Cambridge. btw is it the same case with oxford?
Reply 10
I’m not sure if it’s all of Cambridge but it says so specifically on the engineering website they want an A*/7
Reply 11
They mean 7 in IB Maths - not 7 in GCSE. I think are you misunderstanding.
I'm pretty sure they mean A* in A Level Maths, which is equivalent to 7 in IB system (A Level equivalent). A 7 at GCSE is NOT an A* equivalent (they don't even have graded GCSEs anymore). Also, a 7 in GCSE Maths/Physics is very low if you're aiming for Oxbridge, so they definitely weren't talking about that. @solitary-dispute
Maybe I'm wrong - can you please show me the link where it says they accept 7 in GCSEs and it's equivalent to A*?
Reply 12
3*3
Maths7—> (the reason that i messed up is that i was at set 1 but then the school transferred me to set 3 due to English difficulties and i didn’t get teached properly for some of the topics)
Science7/6
Eng4—>gonna retake
1*6
2*5
So please understand i am not a bad student i dont want to speak highly of myself but in my country i used to study at a special school where all the country took examinations for it, and i know i am capable of doing great.
I am doing maths, furthermaths, physics, music
And i am currently at year 12, so i am here to ask if i still have any chance to get into top uni’s and if yes what other than getting a*s can i do?
By top unis i mean cambridge, oxford, ucl and…
I still don't know what i want to study but it is going to be maths related
Hi there!
Final Year Arabic and Economics student here
You absolutely still have a chance at top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and others, especially considering your circumstances. Many universities, including Oxbridge and other Russell Group institutions, take contextual factors into account when assessing applications. Since you moved to the UK in Year 10 and faced challenges with English, universities may lower grade requirements or view your application with more flexibility.
What You Can Do to Strengthen Your Application:
1.
Aim for A*s in Maths, Further Maths & Physics – Since you’re considering a maths-related degree, top universities often have minimum grade requirements (e.g., Cambridge typically wants AAA with A*s in Maths and Further Maths). However, contextual offers can sometimes be lower if you meet their criteria.
2.
Super-curricular Activities (Very Important!) – Universities want to see genuine engagement beyond your school studies. Consider:
UKMT Maths Challenges (Intermediate/Senior, and maybe the Olympiad rounds)
STEP/MAT/TMUA preparation (many top universities require these)
Online courses (e.g., MIT OpenCourseWare, Isaac Physics, Brilliant.org, or Imperial’s online maths resources)
Reading beyond the syllabus (books like How to Think Like a Mathematician by Kevin Houston or The Art of Statistics by David Spiegelhalter)
3.
Maths-related projects or competitions (e.g., the British Maths Olympiad, university essay competitions like the Cambridge Trinity Maths Essay Prize)
4.
Summer Schools (Can Reduce Entry Requirements!) – Many top universities offer summer schools that, if you attend and perform well, could lead to lowered grade offers. Examples include:
Sutton Trust Summer Schools (free, highly respected, can lead to reduced offers)
UNIQ (Oxford)
Cambridge STEP Summer School
Imperial STEM Summer School
UCL Target Oxbridge or Maths Enrichment Programmes
Work on Your Personal Statement – If you’re unsure about your degree choice but know it will be maths-related, start exploring applied maths vs. pure maths vs. mathematical sciences (like data science, statistics, or economics). This will help shape your statement.
5.
Engage with University Admissions Teams – Attend open days and webinars, and don’t hesitate to email admissions tutors about contextual support. Some universities have access schemes that offer mentoring, early application feedback, or even lower offers.
Marjan Karim
SOAS Student Rep
Reply 13
Final Year Arabic and Economics student here
You absolutely still have a chance at top universities like Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and others, especially considering your circumstances. Many universities, including Oxbridge and other Russell Group institutions, take contextual factors into account when assessing applications. Since you moved to the UK in Year 10 and faced challenges with English, universities may lower grade requirements or view your application with more flexibility.
What You Can Do to Strengthen Your Application:
1.
Aim for A*s in Maths, Further Maths & Physics – Since you’re considering a maths-related degree, top universities often have minimum grade requirements (e.g., Cambridge typically wants AAA with A*s in Maths and Further Maths). However, contextual offers can sometimes be lower if you meet their criteria.
2.
Super-curricular Activities (Very Important!) – Universities want to see genuine engagement beyond your school studies. Consider:
3.
UKMT Maths Challenges (Intermediate/Senior, and maybe the Olympiad rounds)
4.
STEP/MAT/TMUA preparation (many top universities require these)
5.
Online courses (e.g., MIT OpenCourseWare, Isaac Physics, Brilliant.org, or Imperial’s online maths resources)
6.
Reading beyond the syllabus (books like How to Think Like a Mathematician by Kevin Houston or The Art of Statistics by David Spiegelhalter)
7.
Maths-related projects or competitions (e.g., the British Maths Olympiad, university essay competitions like the Cambridge Trinity Maths Essay Prize)
8.
Summer Schools (Can Reduce Entry Requirements!) – Many top universities offer summer schools that, if you attend and perform well, could lead to lowered grade offers. Examples include:
9.
Sutton Trust Summer Schools (free, highly respected, can lead to reduced offers)
10.
UNIQ (Oxford)
11.
Cambridge STEP Summer School
12.
Imperial STEM Summer School
13.
UCL Target Oxbridge or Maths Enrichment Programmes
14.
Work on Your Personal Statement – If you’re unsure about your degree choice but know it will be maths-related, start exploring applied maths vs. pure maths vs. mathematical sciences (like data science, statistics, or economics). This will help shape your statement.
15.
Engage with University Admissions Teams – Attend open days and webinars, and don’t hesitate to email admissions tutors about contextual support. Some universities have access schemes that offer mentoring, early application feedback, or even lower offers.
Marjan Karim
SOAS Student Rep
Thank you very much,
It give me so much hope, i didn’t know about contextual offers, i truly appreciate you time
Reply 14
3*3
Maths7—> (the reason that i messed up is that i was at set 1 but then the school transferred me to set 3 due to English difficulties and i didn’t get teached properly for some of the topics)
Science7/6
Eng4—>gonna retake
1*6
2*5
So please understand i am not a bad student i dont want to speak highly of myself but in my country i used to study at a special school where all the country took examinations for it, and i know i am capable of doing great.
I am doing maths, furthermaths, physics, music
And i am currently at year 12, so i am here to ask if i still have any chance to get into top uni’s and if yes what other than getting a*s can i do?
By top unis i mean cambridge, oxford, ucl and…
I still don't know what i want to study but it is going to be maths related
Don;' worry about any rules, statistics, averages etc about GCSEs, you clearly have exceptional circumstances. Remember, all the top universities accept students from overseas who don't have GCSEs and A levels at all. They are used to dealing with all sorts of situations, health, immigration, accidents on exam day etc etc.
You should focus on your A levels, your language skills and super-curricular activities (if you can, these aren't vital).
But also bear in mind, the UK has a lot of 'top' unis, where you can get a good degree and from which you can establish a good career. You only need to get into one of about 20 and you are flying.
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