Will my GCSEs hold me back for oxbridge?

hiiiii guys
I’m an international student and I’m a bit worried about my GCSE grades. My results (from O-Levels, but I’ll just write them as GCSE equivalents) were: 6,6,5,6,4,5,4

Not the strongest, and there were some extenuating circumstances at the time :frown:

(((

Right now though, I’m predicted A*A*A*AA, and I want to apply for Maths at top unis . I’ve also been working hard on my personal statement and preparing for entrance exams.

Will these weaker GCSEs hold me back when applying? Should I mention the extenuating circumstances in my UCAS application (and if so, how)?

Would really appreciate any advice from people who applied with weaker GCSEs, especially internationals. Thanks!

Reply 1

Muttley79

Original post

by impartial-gladia

hiiiii guys
I’m an international student and I’m a bit worried about my GCSE grades. My results (from O-Levels, but I’ll just write them as GCSE equivalents) were: 6,6,5,6,4,5,4
Not the strongest, and there were some extenuating circumstances at the time :frown:

(((
Right now though, I’m predicted A*A*A*AA, and I want to apply for Maths at top unis . I’ve also been working hard on my personal statement and preparing for entrance exams.
Will these weaker GCSEs hold me back when applying? Should I mention the extenuating circumstances in my UCAS application (and if so, how)?
Would really appreciate any advice from people who applied with weaker GCSEs, especially internationals. Thanks!

Your referee, not you, should mention the extenuating circumstances and why only 7 as well.

Which A levels are you taking and state predictions for each.

Reply 2

impartial-gladia

Original post

by Muttley79

Your referee, not you, should mention the extenuating circumstances and why only 7 as well.
Which A levels are you taking and state predictions for each.

A* further maths,A* maths,A* econs,A business,A psych!

Reply 3

Muttley79

Original post

by impartial-gladia

A* further maths,A* maths,A* econs,A business,A psych!

Why 5 btw - you would be better spending time on super curriculars.

BS and econ are not good to take together and we don't allow it - some unis don't count as two as a lot of overlap - I would drop one.

Did you do more than 7 GCSEs or are these all you have including lower grades?

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

Original post

by impartial-gladia

hiiiii guys
I’m an international student and I’m a bit worried about my GCSE grades. My results (from O-Levels, but I’ll just write them as GCSE equivalents) were: 6,6,5,6,4,5,4
Not the strongest, and there were some extenuating circumstances at the time :frown:

(((
Right now though, I’m predicted A*A*A*AA, and I want to apply for Maths at top unis . I’ve also been working hard on my personal statement and preparing for entrance exams.
Will these weaker GCSEs hold me back when applying? Should I mention the extenuating circumstances in my UCAS application (and if so, how)?
Would really appreciate any advice from people who applied with weaker GCSEs, especially internationals. Thanks!

I don’t think you’ll get into oxbridge if I’m honest - whilst taking 5 A levels with those grades is definitely impressive, most applicants take 3-4 (which is all you really need) and have higher gcse grades. Unless you are very clear about extenuating circumstances etc the universities may question how you achieved 6/5/4s at gcse but are now predicted multiple A*s/As at A level. I’d suggest dropping one of your a levels and using that time to resit a few GCSEs - if you are capable of taking maths a level and getting an A* for example, you should be able to get a 9/8 at gcse. However, perhaps if you had an amazing ps/ work experience/ are applying to a less popular course that could make up for your gcse grades and you could get a place. Honestly I’m not entirely sure, but remember there are other amazing universities outside of oxbridge which you can apply to as well :smile: