What uni course
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Hi I'm wondering if its stupid to even consider applying for the neuroscience and psychology course at Bristol University when the GCSE requirements are not something I got (a 6 in maths, I got a 4. I also took core maths however I'm certain I will not get the required equivalent grade B as a replacement). Has anyone got any experience with how much they care about GCSE grades or this specific course or one that is close like the just Psychology or just neuroscience course? I would love some advice
Reply 1
14
Original post
by phob17Hi I'm wondering if its stupid to even consider applying for the neuroscience and psychology course at Bristol University when the GCSE requirements are not something I got (a 6 in maths, I got a 4. I also took core maths however I'm certain I will not get the required equivalent grade B as a replacement). Has anyone got any experience with how much they care about GCSE grades or this specific course or one that is close like the just Psychology or just neuroscience course? I would love some advice
For most universities and courses, not meeting the GCSE or equivalent requirements would be automatic grounds for rejection. It’s likely that Bristol have set the requirement as a 6 due to the scientific nature of both psychology and neuroscience. However, if you feel comfortable in your other choices and meet the minimum requirements for them, you could always consider taking a risk and applying anyway. It’s worth noting however that, according to UCAS, only 37% of applicants received an offer between 2022 - 2024, suggesting that this is one of their more competitive courses and increasing the likelihood of automatic rejection. Since you’ve taken core maths and I assume are awaiting the results, it may be worth contacting admissions to find out whether that might allow for some leniency, even if you don’t meet the requirements.
Reply 2
20
As above - GCSE requirements are not flexible. Unless you are taking Core Maths or A level Maths that would trump your GCSE grade, this would be an immediate rejection.
Talk to your school - now, before the end of term - about retaking GCSE Maths to get the higher grade. You would list this as another 'pending qualification' alongside your A levels, and any offer would include the GCSE Maths grade as an extra condition.
You also have to think about why they are asking for this higher grade - because they know that you need the higher Maths skills to complete their course and that without this, you will struggle. Look at other courses, at other Unis.
Talk to your school - now, before the end of term - about retaking GCSE Maths to get the higher grade. You would list this as another 'pending qualification' alongside your A levels, and any offer would include the GCSE Maths grade as an extra condition.
You also have to think about why they are asking for this higher grade - because they know that you need the higher Maths skills to complete their course and that without this, you will struggle. Look at other courses, at other Unis.
Reply 3
phob17
OP
12
Thank you for the replies guys, Yeah I'll have to look into it then its ashame GCSEs matter so much after you have already gotten to your alevels but oh well. I guess I'll either have to consider retaking or find a different course ty!
Reply 4
Original post
by phob17Thank you for the replies guys, Yeah I'll have to look into it then its ashame GCSEs matter so much after you have already gotten to your alevels but oh well. I guess I'll either have to consider retaking or find a different course ty!
Hi there,
Looking at other courses is always an option for you, but you can still get to Bristol if this is 100% what you want. It would take an extra year, but if you took a gap year and used it to re-take your maths qualification (either GCSE or core maths depending on your result) and perhaps also considered working part-time to save up some money, then you could boost your grade up such that you meet their requirements and so could make a more competitive application.
It depends on whether you 100% want to go to uni next year, in which case it may be beneficial for you to look at other psychology courses/neuroscience courses (Loughborough for example will consider a C in core maths as a replacement for GCSE maths grade 6). But, if you are open to a gap year to retake maths GCSE/core maths, a higher grade may allow you to apply for a wider range of universities, including Bristol.
At the end of the day, you are the best judge of what path will suit you best - but either way you can 100% get into a psychology course 🙂
I hope this helps. Best of luck!
University of Bath
(edited 9 months ago)
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