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Will UCL care about all my GCSE grades even if I meet their GCSE requirements?

I was wondering if I would be put at a disadvantage because of my GCSE grades when applying to UCL for an International Management undergraduate course. I achieved some 7s, 6s and 5s at GCSE and met their requirement of a 6 in English and 4 in Maths. I also meet their A level requirements and I would be eligible for a contextual offer of ABB. However I don't do any STEM subjects or economics which I think UCL would have liked. I have some relevant work experience in the industry which I have included in my personal statement. Please could someone let me know if I still have a good chance of being accepted.

Reply 1

Hey, not at all you should be fine especially if you meet their offer and it’s in the past now!! Also those gcse results are great don’t you worry there is a lot of elitism on here but you have done amazing x Also what are your a level subjects?
Original post
by Anonymous
I was wondering if I would be put at a disadvantage because of my GCSE grades when applying to UCL for an International Management undergraduate course. I achieved some 7s, 6s and 5s at GCSE and met their requirement of a 6 in English and 4 in Maths. I also meet their A level requirements and I would be eligible for a contextual offer of ABB. However I don't do any STEM subjects or economics which I think UCL would have liked. I have some relevant work experience in the industry which I have included in my personal statement. Please could someone let me know if I still have a good chance of being accepted.


I think you'd have as good a chance as anyone else. I'm not really aware of GCSEs being particularly scrutinised by UCL, unlike e.g. LSE.

Reply 3

Original post
by Anonymous
Hey, not at all you should be fine especially if you meet their offer and it’s in the past now!! Also those gcse results are great don’t you worry there is a lot of elitism on here but you have done amazing x Also what are your a level subjects?

Hey, thank you so much for the reassurance x I am currently studying psychology, fine art and business. Are you currently studying?

Reply 4

Original post
by Anonymous
Hey, thank you so much for the reassurance x I am currently studying psychology, fine art and business. Are you currently studying?

Are you aware that the entry requirements state that 'a Social Sciences subject is preferred.'?
Original post
by Anonymous
Hey, thank you so much for the reassurance x I am currently studying psychology, fine art and business. Are you currently studying?

I'm a current UCL student (on an unrelated humanities course however).

Reply 6

Original post
by artful_lounger
I'm a current UCL student (on an unrelated humanities course however).

ah okay thank you for your response x

Reply 7

Original post
by McGinger
Are you aware that the entry requirements state that 'a Social Sciences subject is preferred.'?

Yes and Psychology would fall under that. Its just that I'm aware many students with better qualifications have been accepted.
GCSEs?
There's a short answer to that question - no.

Unless it says so on their website, there's no point considering what "I think UCL would have liked". If it's not on their website, they aren't going to start rejecting applicants based on criteria they haven't advertised.

Make the most of that work experience when it comes to your PS.

Reply 9

Original post
by Anonymous
I was wondering if I would be put at a disadvantage because of my GCSE grades when applying to UCL for an International Management undergraduate course. I achieved some 7s, 6s and 5s at GCSE and met their requirement of a 6 in English and 4 in Maths. I also meet their A level requirements and I would be eligible for a contextual offer of ABB. However I don't do any STEM subjects or economics which I think UCL would have liked. I have some relevant work experience in the industry which I have included in my personal statement. Please could someone let me know if I still have a good chance of being accepted.
As has been said above, your GCSEs and subjects are fine and will not be a reason for failing to get an offer. Bear in mind, International Management at UCL is insanely competitive. Last year they had 2774 applicants and issued just 319 offers. This makes it by far the most popular management course at UCL despite only starting last year and is already one of the most selective. So predicted grades+ personal statements will have the most impact on your chances of getting an offer.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/2025_ug_admission_statistics_2#incoming-3186658 stats from last year.

Reply 10

Original post
by Anonymous
Hey, thank you so much for the reassurance x I am currently studying psychology, fine art and business. Are you currently studying?


No worries, I do business psychology and French :smile:

Reply 11

Original post
by 04MR17
GCSEs?
There's a short answer to that question - no.
Unless it says so on their website, there's no point considering what "I think UCL would have liked". If it's not on their website, they aren't going to start rejecting applicants based on criteria they haven't advertised.
Make the most of that work experience when it comes to your PS.

thank you for the response 🙂

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