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Applying to Oxford for Maths/Philosophy Without a Predicted Grade for Further Maths?

Hi!!!

I’m homeschooled and applying for Maths & Philosophy at Oxford. I’m doing A-Levels in Maths (predicted A*), Economics, Psychology, and Business. I’m self-studying Further Maths because I genuinely couldn’t afford a formal course, though I was eligible.

I’ll be sitting the full Further Maths A-Level as a private candidate, but I don’t have a predicted grade for it. I’m also taking the MAT and have done a lot of online maths courses and enrichment. I couldn’t take part in Olympiads as access here is through local schools only.

Will Oxford still consider my application seriously despite not having a Further Maths prediction?

I genuinely love maths and want to give it my best shot. Thanks!

Reply 1

Original post
by impartial-gladia
Hi!!!
I’m homeschooled and applying for Maths & Philosophy at Oxford. I’m doing A-Levels in Maths (predicted A*), Economics, Psychology, and Business. I’m self-studying Further Maths because I genuinely couldn’t afford a formal course, though I was eligible.
I’ll be sitting the full Further Maths A-Level as a private candidate, but I don’t have a predicted grade for it. I’m also taking the MAT and have done a lot of online maths courses and enrichment. I couldn’t take part in Olympiads as access here is through local schools only.
Will Oxford still consider my application seriously despite not having a Further Maths prediction?
I genuinely love maths and want to give it my best shot. Thanks!

Wont taking 5 A Levels be a lot of stress?
You only need 3 A Levels.
Looking at https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/course-listing/mathematics-and-philosophy
It says ‘Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved.’ So they will take into account you have been homeschooled.
Why not do A Level maths, A Level Further maths and choosing one of (economics, business, psychology).

(Taken from entry requirement section)
A*A*A with the A*s in Mathematics and Further Mathematics (if available).

For those whom Further Mathematics is not available: either A*AAa with A* in Mathematics and a in AS-level Further Mathematics or A*AA with A* in Mathematics.

Reply 2

Original post
by BankaiGintoki
Wont taking 5 A Levels be a lot of stress?
You only need 3 A Levels.
Looking at https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/course-listing/mathematics-and-philosophy
It says ‘Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved.’ So they will take into account you have been homeschooled.
Why not do A Level maths, A Level Further maths and choosing one of (economics, business, psychology).


Unfortunately I’m more or less done with my course. I had been enrolled in school but had to drop out due to issues,and these were they a levels I had done there. (Further maths wasn’t offered there either)
Honestly taking 5 a levels is rather manageable for me as I can handle the load pretty well. Really wish i could’ve afforded FM though. As I had to complete my math course to be eligible to take further maths,I am not allowed to do both simultaneously. By the time I was eligible it was too late.

Reply 3

Original post
by impartial-gladia
Unfortunately I’m more or less done with my course. I had been enrolled in school but had to drop out due to issues,and these were they a levels I had done there. (Further maths wasn’t offered there either)
Honestly taking 5 a levels is rather manageable for me as I can handle the load pretty well. Really wish i could’ve afforded FM though. As I had to complete my math course to be eligible to take further maths,I am not allowed to do both simultaneously. By the time I was eligible it was too late.
So you are going to sit the exams next summer?

Reply 4

Original post
by BankaiGintoki
So you are going to sit the exams next summer?


This Oct/nov series!

Reply 5

Original post
by impartial-gladia
This Oct/nov series!

From https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7468536
‘There is now no November sitting for UK A levels - there was during Covid to facilitate catch-up etc but its now back to May/June exams only.’

November exams exist for gcse. But not A Level now.
(edited 5 months ago)

Reply 6

Original post
by BankaiGintoki
From https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7468536
‘There is now no November sitting for UK A levels - there was during Covid to facilitate catch-up etc but its now back to May/June exams only.’
November exams exist for gcse. But not A Level now.


Oh forgot to mention lol,I take CIE a levels international!

Reply 7

Original post
by impartial-gladia
Oh forgot to mention lol,I take CIE a levels international!

I see. Thanks. No worries then.

Reply 8

Having 2 exam periods in the same year is nice.

Reply 9

Original post
by BankaiGintoki
Having 2 exam periods in the same year is nice.


Yup yup!

Reply 10

Original post
by impartial-gladia
Hi!!!
I’m homeschooled and applying for Maths & Philosophy at Oxford. I’m doing A-Levels in Maths (predicted A*), Economics, Psychology, and Business. I’m self-studying Further Maths because I genuinely couldn’t afford a formal course, though I was eligible.
I’ll be sitting the full Further Maths A-Level as a private candidate, but I don’t have a predicted grade for it. I’m also taking the MAT and have done a lot of online maths courses and enrichment. I couldn’t take part in Olympiads as access here is through local schools only.
Will Oxford still consider my application seriously despite not having a Further Maths prediction?
I genuinely love maths and want to give it my best shot. Thanks!

Explain the circumstances in your statement, or ask your referee to mention them. Your application is likely to be treated as seriously as anyone's. The university and the colleges devote a lot of time and resources to the admissions process.

Reply 11

Original post
by Stiffy Byng
Explain the circumstances in your statement, or ask your referee to mention them. Your application is likely to be treated as seriously as anyone's. The university and the colleges devote a lot of time and resources to the admissions process.


Very reassuring! Thank you so much!☺️ I’ll make sure to!

Reply 12

Original post
by impartial-gladia
Yup yup!
Your exam timings are good. The Oxford deadline is the 15th 2025 to apply.
You can sit the exams in November 2025.
You can resit them in May/June 2026 as well.
The course would start Sep/Oct time 2026.

Reply 13

Original post
by BankaiGintoki
Your exam timings are good. The Oxford deadline is the 15th 2025 to apply.
You can sit the exams in November 2025.
You can resit them in May/June 2026 as well.
The course would start Sep/Oct time 2026.


Yeah!🫡🫡🫡 Thank you!

Reply 14

How do you plan to afford Oxford as an international who can not afford a private A level?

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