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Contextual offers for university

I really need some help understanding this, now I am eligible for contextual offers of up to 2 grades. I am currently in year 12, meaning I have to apply to uni next year, in about 4/5 months. I am wondering what I should do e.g if I am predicted BBB, should I apply to schools in the range of BBB-AAB, or should I apply BBC-ABB or what do you think?

Reply 1

Original post
by stressedrabbit
I really need some help understanding this, now I am eligible for contextual offers of up to 2 grades. I am currently in year 12, meaning I have to apply to uni next year, in about 4/5 months. I am wondering what I should do e.g if I am predicted BBB, should I apply to schools in the range of BBB-AAB, or should I apply BBC-ABB or what do you think?


I was also wondering the same thing, because I haven’t been told that I’d be eligible for contextual but I’m pretty sure I am. I’m pretty sure we have to apply to uni’s that say their contextual offers and whether or not we would match those

Reply 2

Original post
by saraalegria
I was also wondering the same thing, because I haven’t been told that I’d be eligible for contextual but I’m pretty sure I am. I’m pretty sure we have to apply to uni’s that say their contextual offers and whether or not we would match those


Okay that would be good, I reached out to some university advisers and I’m waiting on their reply! Hopefully more people reply to the post as it’s making me nervous, what do you want to apply for and where? 🫶

Reply 3

Original post
by stressedrabbit
Okay that would be good, I reached out to some university advisers and I’m waiting on their reply! Hopefully more people reply to the post as it’s making me nervous, what do you want to apply for and where? 🫶


I was going to apply for history and international relations, but I’ve recently also been looking at law courses! I’m looking to stay in London, so I’ve been looking at Brunel, Royal Holloway, Kings College, UCL, Queen Mary and SOAS! What about you? 🫶🫶🫶

Reply 4

The eligibility criteria for a lower grade Contextual offer is different for each Uni. You need to check very carefully on each Uni website that you meet their criteria, and what the grade reduction would be.

IF you are eligible, then you would only need to meet the Contextual grade requirements for consideration for an offer - be aware that an offer is not guaranteed, and you do still need to meet any essential requirements such as A level subjects, GCSE grades etc.

Some Unis still give course entry requirements as a grade 'range' (ie. ABB/BBB) - check the criteria/conditions for the lower grades - is it for Contextual applicants, or where you are taking a specific combination of A level subjects etc. If in any doubt, phone or email that Unis and ask - do not guess or 'assume'.

The usual advice for your 5 UCAS choices is :
1 choice just above your predicted grades - one grade and not in a vital subject.
3 choices at your predicted grades - these are you most likely offers.
1 choice well below your predicted grades as your safety / Insurance choice.

Reply 5

Original post
by saraalegria
I was going to apply for history and international relations, but I’ve recently also been looking at law courses! I’m looking to stay in London, so I’ve been looking at Brunel, Royal Holloway, Kings College, UCL, Queen Mary and SOAS! What about you? 🫶🫶🫶


Wow awesome! I want to do an economics+ir course, so half similar, although I think history+ir is super cool, I’m doing history right now and it’s my favourite alevel! I also want to do law but I’m thinking of doing a law conversion after uni! I’m not entirely sure where I want to apply yet but some of the unis I’m considering are unis such as Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield or Reading!

Reply 6

Original post
by stressedrabbit
Wow awesome! I want to do an economics+ir course, so half similar, although I think history+ir is super cool, I’m doing history right now and it’s my favourite alevel! I also want to do law but I’m thinking of doing a law conversion after uni! I’m not entirely sure where I want to apply yet but some of the unis I’m considering are unis such as Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield or Reading!


Wow that’s amazing! What other alevels do you do? I do history, sociology and English literature!!

Reply 7

Original post
by saraalegria
Wow that’s amazing! What other alevels do you do? I do history, sociology and English literature!!

Oooh awesome, i do history, french and maths +Epq (if that counts lol)

Reply 8

Original post
by saraalegria
I was going to apply for history and international relations, but I’ve recently also been looking at law courses! I’m looking to stay in London, so I’ve been looking at Brunel, Royal Holloway, Kings College, UCL, Queen Mary and SOAS! What about you? 🫶🫶🫶

Im trying as best as i can to avoid London, I think itll be too expensive for me, and i live near Cambridge right now, so im less than an hour away by train from London, have you booked any open days?

Reply 9

Original post
by stressedrabbit
Im trying as best as i can to avoid London, I think itll be too expensive for me, and i live near Cambridge right now, so im less than an hour away by train from London, have you booked any open days?


Yeah I’ve booked quite a few. I went to the Brunel open day in March and that was great. I’ve got the Royal Holloway and Queen Mary open days coming up in 2 weeks! How about you, have you booked any open days?
Original post
by saraalegria
I was going to apply for history and international relations, but I’ve recently also been looking at law courses! I’m looking to stay in London, so I’ve been looking at Brunel, Royal Holloway, Kings College, UCL, Queen Mary and SOAS! What about you? 🫶🫶🫶

Hey! It’s great to see Royal Holloway on your list 😊

If you're thinking about doing History and International Relations or Law, RHUL has solid options for both:

The History and IR department is really supportive and has some interesting modules - especially if you're into global politics or post-colonial studies. And for Law, the course is fairly new but growing quickly, with lots of focus on employability and practical experience like mooting and legal clinics.

We're just outside of London (in Egham), but it's really easy to get into the city - around 40 mins by train. The campus itself is absolutely beautiful (seriously, Founder’s Building is like a castle!!!)

If you want to hear directly from current students, you can actually chat with them online here:👉 https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/chat/

Feel free to pop any questions below - we’re here to help!

Best wishes,
Royal Holloway, University of London Rep

Reply 11

Original post
by Royal Holloway, University of London
Hey! It’s great to see Royal Holloway on your list 😊
If you're thinking about doing History and International Relations or Law, RHUL has solid options for both:
The History and IR department is really supportive and has some interesting modules - especially if you're into global politics or post-colonial studies. And for Law, the course is fairly new but growing quickly, with lots of focus on employability and practical experience like mooting and legal clinics.
We're just outside of London (in Egham), but it's really easy to get into the city - around 40 mins by train. The campus itself is absolutely beautiful (seriously, Founder’s Building is like a castle!!!)
If you want to hear directly from current students, you can actually chat with them online here:👉 https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/chat/
Feel free to pop any questions below - we’re here to help!
Best wishes,
Royal Holloway, University of London Rep


Hi, thank you so much for replying! I will be visiting Royal Holloway for the Undergraduate open day in 2 weeks, and I’m very excited. I just wanted to ask - how would I know if I am eligible for a contextual offer? I know that this differs from university to university, but my circumstances are quite different and I’m a bit confused. Would I have to call your admissions team to check? Thanks so much!!!

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