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Architecture with ABB

Hi,

I’m doing all my uni stuff atm and I’m thinking of applying to:

Nottingham
York
Manchester
Sheffield
Edinburgh

are any of these options possible ? I’m currently predicted an ABB while I study

3D Design (Predicted A (maybe could push it to A*))
Math (Predicted B)
Computer Science (predicted B)

I know that I qualify for a basic flag for Edinburgh which doesn’t lower any of the requirements but gives me priority in competition. I feel as though everything wants AAA and I would ultimately like to go to a well respected university.

Should I drop any of my options before I submit them and what would I then change them too, ive heard Nottingham is mostly portfolio based but if I am below the grade requirement would they even consider me ?
Original post
by Harry_ x
Hi,

I’m doing all my uni stuff atm and I’m thinking of applying to:

Nottingham
York
Manchester
Sheffield
Edinburgh

are any of these options possible ? I’m currently predicted an ABB while I study

3D Design (Predicted A (maybe could push it to A*))
Math (Predicted B)
Computer Science (predicted B)

I know that I qualify for a basic flag for Edinburgh which doesn’t lower any of the requirements but gives me priority in competition. I feel as though everything wants AAA and I would ultimately like to go to a well respected university.

Should I drop any of my options before I submit them and what would I then change them too, ive heard Nottingham is mostly portfolio based but if I am below the grade requirement would they even consider me ?

Four of the courses you are considering are competitive and require a portfolio as part of the application process (Edi might ask for a portfolio as you are not taking A level art). If you are not eligible for contextual offers at most of these unis, then you are taking too much of a risk applying to all of these. You need to check the contextual criteria for each uni as they do differ.

The usual advice is one risky/aspirational choice, three choices at your predicted grades and one safe choice a grade or two below your predicted. Consider Northumbria, Liverpool John Moores, Coventry, Sheffield Hallam, Oxford Brookes, etc.

Just to make you aware - the course at York is new (this is the first year it has been running) and it is not yet validated by RIBA.

Reply 2

Original post
by normaw
Four of the courses you are considering are competitive and require a portfolio as part of the application process (Edi might ask for a portfolio as you are not taking A level art). If you are not eligible for contextual offers at most of these unis, then you are taking too much of a risk applying to all of these. You need to check the contextual criteria for each uni as they do differ.
The usual advice is one risky/aspirational choice, three choices at your predicted grades and one safe choice a grade or two below your predicted. Consider Northumbria, Liverpool John Moores, Coventry, Sheffield Hallam, Oxford Brookes, etc.
Just to make you aware - the course at York is new (this is the first year it has been running) and it is not yet validated by RIBA.
Yes I’ve seen York hasn’t been certified yet, but I am also aware they have a very strong chance of becoming certified,

I’ve seen people with high predicted grades (A*AA) get offers from Edinburgh that are ABB for architecture, would I have any chance of receiving these offers that match my predicted grades without the high predicteds to start with ?
Original post
by Harry_ x
Yes I’ve seen York hasn’t been certified yet, but I am also aware they have a very strong chance of becoming certified,

I’ve seen people with high predicted grades (A*AA) get offers from Edinburgh that are ABB for architecture, would I have any chance of receiving these offers that match my predicted grades without the high predicteds to start with ?


Unis can give out aspirational offers to applicants with lower predicted grades, but it is still likely to be for the standard offer. The standard offer for Edinburgh is A*A*A to AAA. ABB is only given to those who qualify for a contextual offer. Before you apply, call Edinburgh and confirm if you are eligible for their widening access programme.

Remember that if you apply to your original list and receive the standard offers, you will need to achieve those grades in summer to secure your place. Unless you think that your predicted grades are unfair and you are confident that you are going to change those Bs to As in the exams, then you need to add some more realistic choices.

Reply 4

Original post
by Harry_ x
Hi,
I’m doing all my uni stuff atm and I’m thinking of applying to:
Nottingham
York
Manchester
Sheffield
Edinburgh
are any of these options possible ? I’m currently predicted an ABB while I study
3D Design (Predicted A (maybe could push it to A*))
Math (Predicted B)
Computer Science (predicted B)
I know that I qualify for a basic flag for Edinburgh which doesn’t lower any of the requirements but gives me priority in competition. I feel as though everything wants AAA and I would ultimately like to go to a well respected university.
Should I drop any of my options before I submit them and what would I then change them too, ive heard Nottingham is mostly portfolio based but if I am below the grade requirement would they even consider me ?

Hi there Harry_x - Awesome to hear you are interested in studying Architecture!

At Nottingham we do ask for AAA, but it's worth knowing that for Engineering programmes (Which Architecture falls under!) no longer consider predicted grades! We would definitely still consider your application with ABB predicted.

The reason for this policy is that historically predicted grades have been found to not always be the most reliable indicator. If you think you can achieve the AAA required grades we want you to feel you can apply to us 😁 Aspirational choices are something we really want to encourage, so if you think you are a good fit for Nottingham's course we would love to see an application from you.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

#UoN Staff Rep - Dan

It all comes down to your achieved grades first and foremost, as well as your portfolio.
Original post
by Harry_ x
Hi,
I’m doing all my uni stuff atm and I’m thinking of applying to:
Nottingham
York
Manchester
Sheffield
Edinburgh
are any of these options possible ? I’m currently predicted an ABB while I study
3D Design (Predicted A (maybe could push it to A*))
Math (Predicted B)
Computer Science (predicted B)
I know that I qualify for a basic flag for Edinburgh which doesn’t lower any of the requirements but gives me priority in competition. I feel as though everything wants AAA and I would ultimately like to go to a well respected university.
Should I drop any of my options before I submit them and what would I then change them too, ive heard Nottingham is mostly portfolio based but if I am below the grade requirement would they even consider me ?

Hi @Harry_ x

It's great to hear that you're thinking of applying to York 🎉

The typical A level entry requirements for our BA Architecture course are AAB, which you are fairly close to achieving. It's always good to have at least one aspirational choice on your UCAS application as well, as you may do better than you expect in your real A level exams.

Have you checked to see whether you're eligible for a Contextual Offer from us as well? If you are eligible, this could lower your entry requirements by up to two grades below our standard offer (ie, BBB for BA Architecture). I'd also recommend getting in touch with the York School of Architecture team ([email protected]) to discuss your options 😊

I hope this helps!
Hannah 😀

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