Aerospace predicted grades

My son was repeatedly put on hold with Bristol for aerospace and he had an already achieved A* in maths completed in one year, plus predicted A*’s in FM, physics and economics. They eventually told him they couldn’t offer him a place as competition too high. They took GCSE grades into account and he had 6 nines, 3 eights and a seven, all achieved at a mid-performing state school in the North. At Bristol they said they didn’t look at personal statements for this course and just ranked everybody on grades. I can only think a lot of applicants had higher GCSE results. Anyway, he got other offers and is very happy with where he’s gone (Sheffield) so all worked out well. He didn’t want to apply to Imperial as didn’t want to live in London, so can’t comment on how competitive they are with grades. Best to apply to a wide range of places, some aspirational, others realistic. Good luck!

Yeah that’s the same thing I heard from a lot of other Bristol applicants as well. If you don’t mind me asking, did your son experience this same thing with any other unis he applied to or just Bristol just so I can focus my choices on more realistic options that won’t be as picky with grades let alone GCSE grades. The course must be outrageously competitive, that they’re seriously turning away an all A* applicant with majority 9s at GCSE, without even considering their personal statement.

Hi, yes, he got offers from all the others he applied to. You have really brilliant grade predictions still, so you’ll definitely get plenty of offers. And if you’re set on Bristol, apply to them anyway as you honestly never know, just have a good couple of backups that you’re happy with too. Plenty of top rated aerospace courses out there, particularly Sheffield and Southampton. And consider other things as well as the course, such as the city and accommodation. So just have a good selection amongst your five and you’ll be fine. Good luck!