Incredibly lost regarding University options (2026 entry)

Hey all,
I'm a tad lost in regards to what Unis and courses to apply for. For context, I've just received my Year 12 mock exam grades, picking up A*A*A* (Economics, Politics, and Sociology). My GCSEs were rather mediocre, receiving 5555666666 (6 in maths & both English). I'd like to pursue Politics & Economics further, but will my 5 in GCSE econ and overall poor GCSEs hamper my applications too much?
Below are the courses/Unis I'm considering:
1) Bath - Politics with Economics - AAA (A*AB)
2) UCL - Politics - AAA
3) Durham - Politics - AAA
4) Lancaster - Economics, Politics, and International Relations - AAB
5) ? - ? - ?
Am I being far too aspirational? If not, is it worth applying to HSPS @ Cambridge (A*AA)? If yes, should I add a really safe course such as Econ & Politics at Brookes (BCC) as my 5th option?

Nothing wrong with an aspirational choice, though Cambridge would doubtless be interested in why you've improved so much.
I don't see why you would need to.go.so.low.as.a.BCC university. Consider applying in phases, something like Cambridge and 1-2 others initially then make your final 2 choices having had some decisions/feedback.

Hey all,

I'm a tad lost in regards to what Unis and courses to apply for. For context, I've just received my Year 12 mock exam grades, picking up A*A*A* (Economics, Politics, and Sociology). My GCSEs were rather mediocre, receiving 5555666666 (6 in maths & both English). I'd like to pursue Politics & Economics further, but will my 5 in GCSE econ and overall poor GCSEs hamper my applications too much?

Below are the courses/Unis I'm considering:

1) Bath - Politics with Economics - AAA (A*AB)
2) UCL - Politics - AAA
3) Durham - Politics - AAA
4) Lancaster - Economics, Politics, and International Relations - AAB
5) ? - ? - ?

Am I being far too aspirational? If not, is it worth applying to HSPS @ Cambridge (A*AA)? If yes, should I add a really safe course such as Econ & Politics at Brookes (BCC) as my 5th option?

If your predictions end up being around that area then these choices seem a bit unambitious IMO. I understand your concern though.
There is no harm in emailing potential choices, (or visiting on open days), and asking them directly how they use GCSE profiles in their selection process, (specially for the course you're interested in - not just a generic admissions answer). Some may be a bit vague, (in which case the advice above about applying in stages is sound), but if they confirm they've only really looking at GCSE Maths & English then you know it's fair game.

Hi there,
You've already had some great advice, so no need for me to repeat it. Firstly, congrats on having improved so much - you must have worked very hard for it!
As has been said, it would be good for you to apply to an aspirational choice and with A*A*A* mocks it sounds like you can afford to aim higher for your insurance such as AAB-ABB. If you continue to get A*s though year 13, you may even be able to, if you wished and were on track, to put Lancaster as your insurance at AAB.
As you're only year 12 you've got plenty of time to think about your fifth choice - why don't you visit some open days for both the ones you've already shortlisted and a few more unis you like the sound of, go to a few course presentations, meet some students both at those days and online through things like Unibuddy and TAP, and see what you think of them as a whole. Its important to pick the right course and university for you which will ensure you lead a fulfilling and enjoyable student life.
I hope this helps, if you have any more questions please post away 🙂
University of Bath

Hey all,
I'm a tad lost in regards to what Unis and courses to apply for. For context, I've just received my Year 12 mock exam grades, picking up A*A*A* (Economics, Politics, and Sociology). My GCSEs were rather mediocre, receiving 5555666666 (6 in maths & both English). I'd like to pursue Politics & Economics further, but will my 5 in GCSE econ and overall poor GCSEs hamper my applications too much?
Below are the courses/Unis I'm considering:
1) Bath - Politics with Economics - AAA (A*AB)
2) UCL - Politics - AAA
3) Durham - Politics - AAA
4) Lancaster - Economics, Politics, and International Relations - AAB
5) ? - ? - ?
Am I being far too aspirational? If not, is it worth applying to HSPS @ Cambridge (A*AA)? If yes, should I add a really safe course such as Econ & Politics at Brookes (BCC) as my 5th option?

Thanks for the reply,

I'll ask Unis directly when I go to open days regarding how they consider GCSE's, good suggestion!

Yes, sounds good. If it is a long trip you might want to get an answer by email/phone beforehand to save a wasted trip.
It’s a bit deflating for everyone to tell them there’s no way they can be considered after making a long journey.

I would say that with your gcse results some unis may doubt your predicted, the only actual qualifications that you have done are GCSEs and predicted can be influenced by quite a few things, which unis know

Hey all,
I'm a tad lost in regards to what Unis and courses to apply for. For context, I've just received my Year 12 mock exam grades, picking up A*A*A* (Economics, Politics, and Sociology). My GCSEs were rather mediocre, receiving 5555666666 (6 in maths & both English). I'd like to pursue Politics & Economics further, but will my 5 in GCSE econ and overall poor GCSEs hamper my applications too much?
Below are the courses/Unis I'm considering:
1) Bath - Politics with Economics - AAA (A*AB)
2) UCL - Politics - AAA
3) Durham - Politics - AAA
4) Lancaster - Economics, Politics, and International Relations - AAB
5) ? - ? - ?
Am I being far too aspirational? If not, is it worth applying to HSPS @ Cambridge (A*AA)? If yes, should I add a really safe course such as Econ & Politics at Brookes (BCC) as my 5th option?

Just wanted to add 2 things. 1) make a note to look at whether any of your unis have clearing spaces this summer (14/15 Aug) as it will give you an idea as to whether they are likely to still take you if you drop a grade come results day.
2) You loose nothing by trying for Oxbridge and I'd argue you gain quite a lot. You'll never go if you fon't apply and in doing so the process really focuses you and your application on to what is important to you and it also gets the whole application thing done and dusted in good time.

Just to add my son applied Cambridge and didn't get an offer but overall it was such a good thing to do. He has Lancaster as an AAA insurance and we know they took clearing places last year for his course so if he just misses there is a good chance they will still take him. He has Durham as firm with A*AA but they didn't do clearing for his course so much less likely to take him if he misses. Also, my son knew he liked Lancaster so we didn't go to the open days (went to others instead) but prioritised the offer holder day.

Hey all,
I'm a tad lost in regards to what Unis and courses to apply for. For context, I've just received my Year 12 mock exam grades, picking up A*A*A* (Economics, Politics, and Sociology). My GCSEs were rather mediocre, receiving 5555666666 (6 in maths & both English). I'd like to pursue Politics & Economics further, but will my 5 in GCSE econ and overall poor GCSEs hamper my applications too much?
Below are the courses/Unis I'm considering:
1) Bath - Politics with Economics - AAA (A*AB)
2) UCL - Politics - AAA
3) Durham - Politics - AAA
4) Lancaster - Economics, Politics, and International Relations - AAB
5) ? - ? - ?
Am I being far too aspirational? If not, is it worth applying to HSPS @ Cambridge (A*AA)? If yes, should I add a really safe course such as Econ & Politics at Brookes (BCC) as my 5th option?