Newcastle entry requirements

It has been my dream for a couple of years to go to Newcastle university, so I was really disappointed when I only got a 5,4 in my English GCSE as this doesn’t meet the requirements for any of the courses. I was wondering if I managed to get grades in my A-Levels beyond the entry requirements would it be worth applying anyway?

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by spotted-pecan

What you say, "5,4 in my English GCSE", is one of those grades for GCSE English Language and the other for GCSE English Literature? If so, which is which? (Universities typically don't care about your GCSE English Literature grade.)

Or does some exam board offer English as "combined" GCSE covering both language and literature? If so, which exam board is this? (I'd like to read more about it.)

Finally, what course (or courses) were you hoping to study at Newcastle?

Reply 2

spotted-pecan

I received a 5 in English Language and a 4 in English Literature, I was predicted a 7 in literature and a 6 in Language but kind of broke down in the middle of my exams.
I am currently considering Business Management or Urban Planning, but I’m not 100% sure yet.

Reply 3

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by spotted-pecan

OK. For Business Management BA (Hons) they say:

"GCSE Mathematics and English Language or Literature (minimum grade B or 6) required if not taken at A or AS Level."
and
"Achievement of a minimum of five GCSE grades A*-C or 8-4, or equivalent, is normally required. These must include Mathematics and English Language or Literature (minimum grade B or 6), or equivalent."

So unless you happen to be taking English at A level (are you?), you're unlikely to secure an offer for this course. (Universities tend to be inflexible when it comes to GCSE requirements.)

However, for Urban Planning BA (Hons) they say nothing of the kind. There are no stated GCSE requirements on that page. So your GCSE grades should not be an issue.

How did you reach the conclusion that your GCSE English grade "doesn’t meet the requirements for any of the courses"?

Reply 4

spotted-pecan

Original post

by DataVenia

OK. For Business Management BA (Hons) they say:
"GCSE Mathematics and English Language or Literature (minimum grade B or 6) required if not taken at A or AS Level."
and
"Achievement of a minimum of five GCSE grades A*-C or 8-4, or equivalent, is normally required. These must include Mathematics and English Language or Literature (minimum grade B or 6), or equivalent."
So unless you happen to be taking English at A level (are you?), you're unlikely to secure an offer for this course. (Universities tend to be inflexible when it comes to GCSE requirements.)
However, for Urban Planning BA (Hons) they say nothing of the kind. There are no stated GCSE requirements on that page. So your GCSE grades should not be an issue.
How did you reach the conclusion that your GCSE English grade "doesn’t meet the requirements for any of the courses"?

The general requirements I read said a 6 in english and math is required.
I was unsure to whether these applied to all the courses.

Reply 5

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by spotted-pecan

The general requirements I read said a 6 in english and math is required.
I was unsure to whether these applied to all the courses.

The web pages for some courses (like Business Management) have a comment which says "Please see the 'Additional information on GCSEs' section in the drop down below", which provides seemingly "standard" GCSE entry requirements. However, the web pages for other courses (like Urban Planning) do not. My interpretation is therefore that these are not requirements which apply to all courses, but only to some courses.

Reply 6

LittleFire10

My bf applied to Newcastle with A Level predicted grades well above what they were asking for, but one of his GCSEs was one lower than what they wanted and he got rejected. He got offers from more “prestigious” unis that had less high GCSE requirements so it seems like it was the GCSE grade that caused him to get rejected. So from my experience Newcastle are quite strict about GCSEs.