Completing A levels over the course of 3 years

I'm planning to take on three more A levels in my one gap year. For mental health and business reasons during my two years of A level study I have done practically no revision, my grades have been a rollercoaster of U and B's so the school had to take actions and put me off one subject, originally taking chemistry, biology and English literature which is now down to biology and chemistry. However Im determined to go to good university in which you need 3 A-levels and most courses at the unis I want for example Manchester uni only accept 3 A levels in one sitting which is in the same year. If I achieve As/A*s in these two exams and go on into my gap year to do 3 completely new A levels and achieve As would it still be considered as "not in the same sitting" and be less competitive, admissions team would still not consider it as sitting which is in the same year. It I achieve As/A*s in these two exams and go on into my gap year to do 3 completely new A levels and achieve As would it still be considered as "not in the same sitting" and be less competitive, admissions team would still not consider it as having been 5 a levels sat over the course of 3 years in total, because I can't get into my desired uni with just 2 a levels which is why I want to do 3 more in my gap year. Thank you.

Reply 1

natylamine

hello

i am not sure it would make it less competitive and it does depend on the course as well, manchester has some strict requirements regarding that (also do make sure your gcse requirements comply!) some courses do not allow resits or do but only if you get, just for a sake of example, ABB first sitting. my advise would be contacting the admissions team and explain all your circumstances, as you may even be lucky to get a contextual !

Reply 2

McGinger

If you have compelling reasons for taking 3-year A levels, then you wont be disadvantaged by Unis that you apply to.

The reason, and how it impacted your studies, needs to be explained by your school in your UCAS reference. Individual Unis may also need you to complete their own 'Extenuating Circumstances' form - example : Extenuating circumstances | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol

Reply 3

Jenye1

Original post by natylamine

hello

I’m not very comfortable with talking about my situation since it’s more so family problems and I don’t think it’s serious enough for it to be regarded as a compelling reason I’m planning not to tell them about my situation, would sitting 3 new a levels the following year be considered as resitting then? I was thinking if I could prove I could do 3 new a levels and get good grades in one year it would prove I’m capable of achieving but now I’m unsure whether that would just be the same as resitting to make up for the just two a levels and I would be disadvantaged on my application, thank you.

Reply 4

Jenye1

Original post by McGinger

If you have compelling reasons for taking 3-year A levels, then you wont be disadvantaged by Unis that you apply to.
The reason, and how it impacted your studies, needs to be explained by your school in your UCAS reference. Individual Unis may also need you to complete their own 'Extenuating Circumstances' form - example : Extenuating circumstances | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol

I'm not very comfortable with talking about my situation since it's more so family problems and I don't think it's serious enough for it to be regarded as a compelling reason I'm planning not to tell them about my situation, would sitting 3 new a levels the following year be considered as resitting then? I was thinking if I could prove I could do 3 new a levels and get good grades in one year it would prove l'm capable of achieving but now I'm unsure whether that would just be the same as resitting to make up for the just two a levels and I would be disadvantaged on my application, thank you.

Reply 5

McGinger

Are you planning on taking these extra A levels at school>? Have you asked about this?
Just be aware that 1 year A level actually equals 7 month A levels in reality. It would probably be more do-able to resit than start 3 new subjects, What do you intend to do after A levels - any ideas?

Reply 6

Jenye1

Original post by McGinger

Yeah I’m planning to take the extra A levels at a new college since I have moved home. I’ve not asked any of my teachers about it, I was thinking maybe three new A levels would prove I’m capable of achieving high grades and make up for “A levels in one sitting”, maybe this way I won’t be disadvantaged, I know I’m capable of doing so. Family issues, business at home and mental health is something I’m uncomfortable to speak about but because of it I’ve been in a really bad state for a long time, I don’t want to talk about it with uni so I’ll just apply normally. After A levels I really want to go to university, Manchester to be specific since it’s close to home, but is it really realistic even if I achieve 5 grade A’s I know they have strict requirements so I’m still concerned. I’m not quite sure what path I want to go down with, maybe law, maybe teaching I’m still really unsure about my route.

Reply 7

McGinger

extra A levels at a new college
Just be aware that it may not be as simple as this. If you already have Level 3 qualifications, you are often then not eligible for more funded study at the same level. And online study etc is expensive.

Taking a degree with a foundation year at Uni may be an easier option.

Reply 8

Jenye1

Original post by McGinger

extra A levels at a new college
Just be aware that it may not be as simple as this. If you already have Level 3 qualifications, you are often then not eligible for more funded study at the same level. And online study etc is expensive.
Taking a degree with a foundation year at Uni may be an easier option.

If I take a foundation year wouldn’t they still look at 3 A-levels, what do I do with just 2?

Reply 9

McGinger

Original post by Jenye1

If I take a foundation year wouldn’t they still look at 3 A-levels, what do I do with just 2?

There may be Foundation years that would accept 2 A levels as UCAS points - worth looking for. If not, just take one A level in a gap year.

Reply 10

Jenye1

Original post by McGinger

There may be Foundation years that would accept 2 A levels as UCAS points - worth looking for. If not, just take one A level in a gap year.

Thank you so much

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