retaking or foundation yr
i have an offer at aston for cybersecurity with a foundation yr (my grades were bad) i think i want to retake to get a better course and university since retaking is same time as a foundation year i want to hear from people have done a foundation yr or retoook to decide which is better
Original post
by Dolu07i have an offer at aston for cybersecurity with a foundation yr (my grades were bad) i think i want to retake to get a better course and university since retaking is same time as a foundation year i want to hear from people have done a foundation yr or retoook to decide which is better
Do you know why you didn't do as well as you hoped? If it is something specific to the way A-levels are structured it probably isn't worth retaking them and I guess also it depends how desperately you want to go to university.
Reply 2
Original post
by Dolu07i have an offer at aston for cybersecurity with a foundation yr (my grades were bad) i think i want to retake to get a better course and university since retaking is same time as a foundation year i want to hear from people have done a foundation yr or retoook to decide which is better
Hi @Dolu07
I personally did a foundation year - but in a different subject to yourself.
Some advantages for me are that you can still get started with your time at university, so you can still get involved in wider university life, get used to the campus and overall find your feet so you're ready for your first year, even if your results didn't go quite as planned.
Some students also find it can help build your confidence within your subject area as you have the additional year to learn more about your subject and prepare to start your main degree.
Neither decision is a bad choice, it's more to do with your personal preference and if you feel you're ready to start something new or if you feel you need a bit more time before you get started at uni.
Hope this helps and all the best. 🙂
Emily
Student Rep at BCU
Reply 3
Hi @Dolu07
Foundation year = straight into uni life but tied to one uni and costs an extra year from student finance 😵
Retake = more university and course options (in case you change your mind later), but no-guaranteed place until you reapply in the next cycle
If you're happy with your choice then foundation is fine, but if you want more flexibility then retake may be better.
I wish you all the best 🤗
-Sarah(Kingston Rep)
Foundation year = straight into uni life but tied to one uni and costs an extra year from student finance 😵
Retake = more university and course options (in case you change your mind later), but no-guaranteed place until you reapply in the next cycle
If you're happy with your choice then foundation is fine, but if you want more flexibility then retake may be better.
I wish you all the best 🤗
-Sarah(Kingston Rep)
Reply 4
Dolu07
OP
2
Original post
by flowersinmyhairDo you know why you didn't do as well as you hoped? If it is something specific to the way A-levels are structured it probably isn't worth retaking them and I guess also it depends how desperately you want to go to university.
im not extremeley desperate to go university i was considering a gap yr during yr13 in fact so it isnt rlly a big deal to me to miss out 1 yr of uni but i didnt do as well due to my laziness as i only properly started my revision march and i knew this was my biggest mistake
Original post
by Dolu07im not extremeley desperate to go university i was considering a gap yr during yr13 in fact so it isnt rlly a big deal to me to miss out 1 yr of uni but i didnt do as well due to my laziness as i only properly started my revision march and i knew this was my biggest mistake
How would you make sure that it wouldn't happen again if you resat it?
University is assessed quite differently to A-levels so if you struggled with the way A-levels are assessed, a foundation year may be better for you but if you feel that you are able to do better at A-levels than this time it may be better to do A-levles
Reply 6
Hey @Dolu07 👋
I'm sorry to hear that your grades didnt meet your expectations - you should still be very proud of yourself for getting through your A-levels... they're tough!
I've just seen your previous message indicating that you didn't start revision until late on in the year and that you feel this impacted your grade. If you think you could commit to spending more time revising if you were to re-take and genuinely feel that you could do better - I would personally steer more towards this option than a foundation year.
Having said that, foundation years are highly advantageous too - they will introduce you to the topics you will be studying during university as well as teach you some academic skills which will prove beneficial during your degree.
My biggest piece of advice would be to not rush into anything! Take your time and weigh up all of the pros and cons. Maybe also check out what the foundation year would specifically entail there and see if its something you think would be beneficial!
Best of luck in whatever choice you make!
Lauren
WrexhamUniReps
I'm sorry to hear that your grades didnt meet your expectations - you should still be very proud of yourself for getting through your A-levels... they're tough!
I've just seen your previous message indicating that you didn't start revision until late on in the year and that you feel this impacted your grade. If you think you could commit to spending more time revising if you were to re-take and genuinely feel that you could do better - I would personally steer more towards this option than a foundation year.
Having said that, foundation years are highly advantageous too - they will introduce you to the topics you will be studying during university as well as teach you some academic skills which will prove beneficial during your degree.
My biggest piece of advice would be to not rush into anything! Take your time and weigh up all of the pros and cons. Maybe also check out what the foundation year would specifically entail there and see if its something you think would be beneficial!
Best of luck in whatever choice you make!
Lauren
WrexhamUniReps
Reply 7
Dolu07
OP
2
Original post
by flowersinmyhairHow would you make sure that it wouldn't happen again if you resat it?
University is assessed quite differently to A-levels so if you struggled with the way A-levels are assessed, a foundation year may be better for you but if you feel that you are able to do better at A-levels than this time it may be better to do A-levles
University is assessed quite differently to A-levels so if you struggled with the way A-levels are assessed, a foundation year may be better for you but if you feel that you are able to do better at A-levels than this time it may be better to do A-levles
if i were to resit i would set up a harsh studying timetable and actually put in the effort to revise daily and consistently
Original post
by Dolu07if i were to resit i would set up a harsh studying timetable and actually put in the effort to revise daily and consistently
Would you burn yourself out doing that? You need to make sure you do things to enjoy yourself and recharge your batteries
Reply 9
Dolu07
OP
2
Original post
by flowersinmyhairWould you burn yourself out doing that? You need to make sure you do things to enjoy yourself and recharge your batteries
I feel like I wouldn’t work so hard i burn out i just need consistency and preparation
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- confused on what to do academically (dentistry, btecs, retaking yr 12 ect)
- foundation year or retaking a levels
- Help please
- resit a levels while at university, operation gyg
- Getting into Dentistry Resits ??
- Is it possible to go to uni for law in 2026 with these predicted grades DCC ?
- Retaking only one a level
- Am i cooked for med 2026 entry
- University admission
- Please help!!!!
- What happens after you get bad predicted grades in UCAS exam?
- Is the University of Buckingham Medical Sciences (Pre-Med) CertHE utility
- Year 13 med applicant
- Picked the wrong A-levels now i regret it and dont know if i can get in university
- Help please
- Should I retake A- Levels or do a foundation
- Retaking A-levels after years
- A levels RETAKES
- Can I do a foundation year and resit A levels at the same time ?
- How much will my uni ranking affect job opportunities
Latest
Trending
Last reply 2 months ago
How much do predicted grades matter for top universities?Last reply 3 months ago
The Ultimate Clearing Directory 2025 – lists and links for all unisLast reply 3 months ago
UCAS Applications + Uni Applicant Thread Directory for 2025 **Official Thread**Last reply 3 months ago
What happens on Results Day and Clearing - ** please read this first **Last reply 4 months ago
Are you, or did you consider, applying to a Scottish University?Last reply 4 months ago
Are you currently making your university choices for 2026? What help do you need?Last reply 4 months ago
Applying to geography at uni without having studied geography A-level?Last reply 4 months ago
What happens on Results Day and Clearing - please read this firstLast reply 4 months ago
Year 13s: how are you feeling about getting the grades you need for uni?Last reply 4 months ago
Common Misconceptions about University ClearingLast reply 5 months ago
does it really make a difference if i go to a non russell group uni??Articles for you
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
