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Applying to Economics in a gap year

Hi everyone, hope everyone is doing well. My situation is quite tricky, basically I am currently in Year 13 and I have a chronic medical condition (diagnosed by the NHS) which estimated by doctors, will be stop by around feb/march 2026. Due to this condition, my plans of applying to university this year have been halted as this illness prevents me from going to school for 3-4 days a week (basically i am ill on these days and i am bedridden on these days). Also, because of the frequent hospital visits and A&E visits I no longer want to be a doctor (it has basically put me off). So basically, my question is, could I apply to economics at Cambridge, Warwick, LSE etc. next year (after my A-Levels) with an A* in the following subjects Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry, I will also do Economics in my gap year and will have A* predicted in that as well. Also, I will be applying with exceptional extenuating circumstances. Would this be possible? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Original post
by Anonymous
Hi everyone, hope everyone is doing well. My situation is quite tricky, basically I am currently in Year 13 and I have a chronic medical condition (diagnosed by the NHS) which estimated by doctors, will be stop by around feb/march 2026. Due to this condition, my plans of applying to university this year have been halted as this illness prevents me from going to school for 3-4 days a week (basically i am ill on these days and i am bedridden on these days). Also, because of the frequent hospital visits and A&E visits I no longer want to be a doctor (it has basically put me off). So basically, my question is, could I apply to economics at Cambridge, Warwick, LSE etc. next year (after my A-Levels) with an A* in the following subjects Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry, I will also do Economics in my gap year and will have A* predicted in that as well. Also, I will be applying with exceptional extenuating circumstances. Would this be possible? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

There's nothing unusual or unexpected in that application. Fundamentally you think you will be offering A*A*A* in Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry for Economics. That's a very standard strong profile.

Reply 2

I think it's more than possible you'll get in with grades like that. There are also mitigating circumstances they can take into consideration on your application if you have a chronic illness. You have amazing grades so I wouldn't worry too much but If you want some more reassurance, theres no harm in emailing their admissions team and asking your questions. Really well done on getting such grades despite having such a hard year.

Vee (kingston rep)

Reply 3

Original post
by threeportdrift
There's nothing unusual or unexpected in that application. Fundamentally you think you will be offering A*A*A* in Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry for Economics. That's a very standard strong profile.
Even though I haven't done Economics with my other A-Levels (but I will be doing A-Level Economics in my gap year)?
Original post
by Anonymous
Even though I haven't done Economics with my other A-Levels (but I will be doing A-Level Economics in my gap year)?


The website gives the stats, there are clearly some who get in without Economics, Maths and Further Maths are the subjects Colleges seem to be requiring.

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