GCSE’s at University

Do students who obtain bad GCSE’s but get good a levels still get into top unis, I’ve noticed many top unis take GCSE’s into account. So I’m curious. At unis like Oxford, lse, kcl, ucl do they still accept bad GCSE’s but good a levels

Reply 1

xyz1234567

Many universities contextualise GCSEs and they will have information about where you stand compared to the cohort in your school. So if you don’t have perfect grades but are still for example in the top 2% at your school, and your school is low performing, they will be able to see that, and to know that most likely this was a school that didn’t have the resources to support get the high flyers getting perfect grades because they were focusing on getting as many as possible people a pass mark.

Oxford specifically considers applications in the round and has a lot of other information to take into account (eg perhaps written work, test scores, interview performance, depending on the subject). So GCSEs are one factor they look ar. Other top unis may also have test scores if you are applying for a subject that uses them across several unis. High marks there may mitigate weaker GCSEs, especially if there are extenuating circumstances for the GCSEs.

But what do you mean by “bad” GCSEs? Some people might mean “got a 6 in one subject and only 3 9s” others may mean “got nothing above a 5”. And it depends what the “bad” GCSEs are in. If you are applying to do physics and you did badly in art GCSE they probably won’t care. If you did badly in maths they probably will.

Reply 2

McGinger

Original post

by Rayyan637

Many courses at 'top' Unis will specify particular GCSE grades in English and/or Maths - if you don't meet these you will get an immediate rejection regardless of your A level predictions, so check carefully.

Usually the most competitive Unis will also look at your overall GCSE profile, and will 'score' your top 8 or 5 GCSE grades as part of their assessment. Each Uni does does this different and this is exactly the sort of question to ask at Uni Open Days. There may also be some guidance with thin 'entry requirements' for that course on the University website. Any 'overall' GCSE score will form a relatively small part of the overall score and your A level predictions, Personal Statement, and any required University 'test' score, will always be far more important.

If you have a reason why your GCSE grades were poor (genuine mitigating circumstances), Unis may be able to take this into account but this isnt guaranteed and many Uni would expect you to have retaken your GCSEs if you were aiming for a top Uni.

Reply 3

Rayyan637

Original post

by McGinger

Many courses at 'top' Unis will specify particular GCSE grades in English and/or Maths - if you don't meet these you will get an immediate rejection regardless of your A level predictions, so check carefully.
Usually the most competitive Unis will also look at your overall GCSE profile, and will 'score' your top 8 or 5 GCSE grades as part of their assessment. Each Uni does does this different and this is exactly the sort of question to ask at Uni Open Days. There may also be some guidance with thin 'entry requirements' for that course on the University website. Any 'overall' GCSE score will form a relatively small part of the overall score and your A level predictions, Personal Statement, and any required University 'test' score, will always be far more important.
If you have a reason why your GCSE grades were poor (genuine mitigating circumstances), Unis may be able to take this into account but this isnt guaranteed and many Uni would expect you to have retaken your GCSEs if you were aiming for a top Uni.

I had a heart attack a week prior to my first exam

Reply 4

McGinger

Original post

by Rayyan637

I had a heart attack a week prior to my first exam

Make sure that your school/colleges mentions this in your UCAS references and explains the impact its had on your studies. Its also worth contacting your 5 eventual UCAS choices and asking if they need a specific form completed - example Extenuating circumstances - The University of Nottingham