The Student Room Group

Are my GCSE grades going to limit applications to good unis`

I sat GCSES last year, will these results affect my applications to good/top unis and how much so?
I don't know what i want to study, potentially economics but as a general, will these be limiting?

English lit. 6
English lang 5 with distinction
geography 6
french 4
chemistry 7
maths 7
biology 7
physics 7
rs 6
history 5

Reply 1

Original post
by Mati074
I sat GCSES last year, will these results affect my applications to good/top unis and how much so?
I don't know what i want to study, potentially economics but as a general, will these be limiting?
English lit. 6
English lang 5 with distinction
geography 6
french 4
chemistry 7
maths 7
biology 7
physics 7
rs 6
history 5

Oxbridge likely won’t be possible, otherwise I think most Unis generally don’t mind too much about GCSEs and usually want you to have passing grades in English and Maths. Do you have any particular Unis in mind?

Reply 2

For example some Unis below…

Manchester - ‘Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Grade B or 6 in GCSE/iGCSE Mathematics’ so you’re ok 👍

Bristol - ‘No specific subjects required.’ ‘GCSE English Language grade C or 4’

Bath - ‘GCSE English Language or Literature grade 4 or C (or equivalent from English language category B)’

So if anything you may need to be careful if they want English Language as a 6 (some do but most won’t), and if anything Unis on their course pages say that they’ll use your GCSEs heavily or anything like that. If you go down the direction of Medicine/Dentistry/Ver then they may limit your choices.

Reply 3

I am not too experienced, but I am aware that some sixth forms need a minimum grade for you to be able to do the subject at A-level. In mine there are many conditions to limit the number of people entering. So check with the sixth form to aim to go as they focus solely on GCSEs.

Reply 4

Original post
by Mati074
I sat GCSES last year, will these results affect my applications to good/top unis and how much so?
I don't know what i want to study, potentially economics but as a general, will these be limiting?
English lit. 6
English lang 5 with distinction
geography 6
french 4
chemistry 7
maths 7
biology 7
physics 7
rs 6
history 5

You might find that some courses require a 6 in English language, and others want a generally higher profile. Have a look at the entry requirements for courses at universities you're interested in.

Reply 5

Original post
by Russell Antony
I am not too experienced, but I am aware that some sixth forms need a minimum grade for you to be able to do the subject at A-level. In mine there are many conditions to limit the number of people entering. So check with the sixth form to aim to go as they focus solely on GCSEs.

I'm all good with my sixth form and are in the a levels i wanted Maths, chemistry, economics

Reply 6

Original post
by study23!
Oxbridge likely won’t be possible, otherwise I think most Unis generally don’t mind too much about GCSEs and usually want you to have passing grades in English and Maths. Do you have any particular Unis in mind?

Not really, just want to know that i have the option for top tier unis even if it's aside from oxbridge

Reply 7

Original post
by study23!
For example some Unis below…
Manchester - ‘Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Grade B or 6 in GCSE/iGCSE Mathematics’ so you’re ok 👍
Bristol - ‘No specific subjects required.’ ‘GCSE English Language grade C or 4’
Bath - ‘GCSE English Language or Literature grade 4 or C (or equivalent from English language category B)’
So if anything you may need to be careful if they want English Language as a 6 (some do but most won’t), and if anything Unis on their course pages say that they’ll use your GCSEs heavily or anything like that. If you go down the direction of Medicine/Dentistry/Ver then they may limit your choices.

Cool thanks, those are some of the unis that have interested me and i don't want to go down a medical route so i should be reasonably alright, thanks

Reply 8

Original post
by Mati074
Not really, just want to know that i have the option for top tier unis even if it's aside from oxbridge

If you looking for top tier universities for economics, LSE want a better GCSE profile and Warwick require a 6 in GCSE English.

Reply 9

Original post
by Mati074
I sat GCSES last year, will these results affect my applications to good/top unis and how much so?
I don't know what i want to study, potentially economics but as a general, will these be limiting?
English lit. 6
English lang 5 with distinction
geography 6
french 4
chemistry 7
maths 7
biology 7
physics 7
rs 6
history 5

It depends on the uni, but, they'll only consider your highest grades. Remember, your grades aren't going to determine your future. From what I've seen, universities usually expect to see grade 5 and above for Maths and English.

Quick Reply

How The Student Room is moderated

To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.