should i mention my lower grades on my personal statement?

looking to apply for an ABB languages course and don’t have predictions yet but i think they will be either A*A* C or A* A C (french, music and art respectively) and wondering whether it would be a good idea to mention the fact i am slightly below the requirements albeit in a subject that is non-revision based and very difficult to get good grades in? also my gcse english language was a 5 and the requirement was 6 should this be a huge problem?

Hey!
Unis often take a holistic view of your application, especially for subjects like languages where passion, motivation, engagement etc can really shine through in your personal statement. If you’re slightly below the typical offer (especially in a subject like Art, which is coursework-heavy and marked quite subjectively), it’s okay to mention it briefly and frame it more positively.
As for the GCSE English Language, it really depends on the uni, some are strict about it, while others are flexible, especially if the rest of your application is strong. If you're applying through UCAS, the best thing to do is reach out to the admissions team for that course and ask whether they’d consider your application with a 5? It shows initiative and can save you from worrying!
Hope this helps and best of luck with your application 😊
Gemma
Official LJMU Student Rep