Should I re-take GCSE maths to get into a good uni

Believe it or not, degree in finance is not a ticket to career in finance. Finance institutes also employ graduates from other fields, mechanical engineering is a typical example. The graduates were trained to analyse and think systematically from various perspectives.
A politics degree would make you a strong candidate for finance, particularly with good results.
Taking a gap year would mean you get a BSc Finance in 4 years. Maybe you could think of taking a BA Politics & International Relations + MSc Finance (or MLF), also in 4 years, if money allows.
Good luck.
Good luck.

Unfortunately, I achieved a grade 5, as I didn’t quite take school as seriously at the time and came out with mostly 5s and 6s (with one 7).
Unis are not flexible about specified GCSE grades.
Applying without the right GCSE grades is the quickest way to get an immediate rejection.
Yes, you can resit GCSE Maths next year and apply with this as a pending grades - but if you struggle with Maths are you really going to enjoy a numbers based degree, or a Finance career?
As above, look at subjects like Law, Politics, International Relations, International Development etc, these subjects would lead you into hundreds of different career areas.

I wouldn't quite say I struggle with maths, I take Economics (other 2 subjects are business A level and English literature) and have no issue with the maths in that subject (I know it's laughable compare to A level maths or further maths but still it's a step up) but I think I just really wasn't as focused and dedicated as I am now compare to during GCSE's and as such led me to come out with very average grades. I'm definitely interested in finance and markets and more client facing roles in finance, I guess now i'm just considering the possibility of doing something like Law or Politics and then doing a MSc in finance at a more prestigious university.

Hello,
I'm currently preparing for my A-levels, which I will be sitting in two weeks. Although I haven't received my final grades yet, I've been predicted AAB and feel confident about achieving or even exceeding those grades based on my mock results and the amount of revision I've been doing. I'm planning to take a gap year and then reapply to university for a Finance-related course (such as Finance, Accounting and Finance, or Banking and Finance). I initially applied this year for Politics and International Relations, but I've since realised that Finance is the field I want to pursue However, I’ve noticed that several of the universities I’m interested in such as Manchester, Leeds, and Durham require at least a grade 6 or 7 in GCSE Maths. Unfortunately, I achieved a grade 5, as I didn’t quite take school as seriously at the time and came out with mostly 5s and 6s (with one 7).
Given how important university choice can be for careers in Finance, I’m wondering whether I should consider retaking GCSE Maths after my A-levels to improve my grade. Do universities ever make exceptions if there are mitigating circumstances (e.g. difficult personal circumstances at the time), especially if I achieve strong A-level results (e.g. if do really well and get A*A*A)?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.