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Russel group vs normal uni job prospects

I’m looking go stay local and apply to uni for accounting and finance (well i’ve already applied). To both aston and Birmingham. I got BBC (Business Law Maths) in Alevel and need BBB for aston which my school thinks will be fine without resits. But Birmingham is AAA. I know it’s very unlikely but what are the chances of getting in if i resat maths and got something like ABB instead. Or is there even a point in resitting to try get into Uni of Birmingham will it really improve my future prospects that much? It would cost around £400 to resit Maths which would be worth it if I knew i was gonna get an A but not sure. I do really like the campus of birmingham and that it’s a Russell group but i’m not really stuck on anything. They both do placement years so not too much diff wit the courses. Anyways open to any advice thanks!
Original post
by Kelly0121
I’m looking go stay local and apply to uni for accounting and finance (well i’ve already applied). To both aston and Birmingham. I got BBC (Business Law Maths) in Alevel and need BBB for aston which my school thinks will be fine without resits. But Birmingham is AAA. I know it’s very unlikely but what are the chances of getting in if i resat maths and got something like ABB instead. Or is there even a point in resitting to try get into Uni of Birmingham will it really improve my future prospects that much? It would cost around £400 to resit Maths which would be worth it if I knew i was gonna get an A but not sure. I do really like the campus of birmingham and that it’s a Russell group but i’m not really stuck on anything. They both do placement years so not too much diff wit the courses. Anyways open to any advice thanks!


Are you eligible for contextual offer schemes at Birmingham?

If not then I don't think Birmingham is an option unless you resit all your A-levels and even then, the resits may be an issue.

I don't imagine the employment prospects would be materially different for accountancy.

Reply 2

Original post
by Kelly0121
I’m looking go stay local and apply to uni for accounting and finance (well i’ve already applied). To both aston and Birmingham. I got BBC (Business Law Maths) in Alevel and need BBB for aston which my school thinks will be fine without resits. But Birmingham is AAA. I know it’s very unlikely but what are the chances of getting in if i resat maths and got something like ABB instead. Or is there even a point in resitting to try get into Uni of Birmingham will it really improve my future prospects that much? It would cost around £400 to resit Maths which would be worth it if I knew i was gonna get an A but not sure. I do really like the campus of birmingham and that it’s a Russell group but i’m not really stuck on anything. They both do placement years so not too much diff wit the courses. Anyways open to any advice thanks!

You won't get into Birmingham with ABB unless you are eligible for contextual offers. Placement years are not guranteed, you will have to find one on your own - Aston has a compulsary placement year so you will be on a 4 year course no matter what, whilst with Birmingham you can progress without taking a year out if you can't secure one.

Reply 3

Original post
by artful_lounger
Are you eligible for contextual offer schemes at Birmingham?
If not then I don't think Birmingham is an option unless you resit all your A-levels and even then, the resits may be an issue.
I don't imagine the employment prospects would be materially different for accountancy.

Yes you are right, the end goal is Big 4 for aspiring accountants. They don't discriminate based on which university you have attended in the past. It comes down to your GCSE and A level grades to pass the sift. Only KPMG are strict with their UCAS points - 120.

Reply 4

Original post
by mysticalpony11
Yes you are right, the end goal is Big 4 for aspiring accountants. They don't discriminate based on which university you have attended in the past. It comes down to your GCSE and A level grades to pass the sift. Only KPMG are strict with their UCAS points - 120.


ok tyy so do u think it would be good to resit anyways (not for uni prospects but afterwards)

Reply 5

Original post
by Kelly0121
ok tyy so do u think it would be good to resit anyways (not for uni prospects but afterwards)
Not really, you’ll be able to apply to most graduate schemes that put you through the ACA or ACCA. Usually the cut off is around BBC, so you’re fine :smile:

Reply 6

Original post
by Kelly0121
I’m looking go stay local and apply to uni for accounting and finance (well i’ve already applied). To both aston and Birmingham. I got BBC (Business Law Maths) in Alevel and need BBB for aston which my school thinks will be fine without resits. But Birmingham is AAA. I know it’s very unlikely but what are the chances of getting in if i resat maths and got something like ABB instead. Or is there even a point in resitting to try get into Uni of Birmingham will it really improve my future prospects that much? It would cost around £400 to resit Maths which would be worth it if I knew i was gonna get an A but not sure. I do really like the campus of birmingham and that it’s a Russell group but i’m not really stuck on anything. They both do placement years so not too much diff wit the courses. Anyways open to any advice thanks!

Hi @Kelly0121 , Dr Mayowa Akinbote here (Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at University of Staffordshire)

It sounds as though you have considered your options very carefully, which is excellent to see. In accounting and finance, employers tend to place greater emphasis on professional exemptions, placement experience and individual performance rather than solely on the institution name.

Alongside Aston and Birmingham, you could consider the University of Staffordshire with BBC entry requirements. If results do not go exactly as planned, students can begin at the Foundation level and progress through to the full degree without the need for resits. The BSc Accounting and Finance programme is strongly career-focused. It offers up to 9 ACCA and 8 CIMA exemptions, has well-established employability and placement support, and is known for its supportive teaching environment.

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