Alevel subjects
Im in 12 student currently studying alevels: Economics, Geography and Business, but this was never my intended combination and I realise i made a very bad decision. I always intended to do Maths, Economics and Geography but impulsively changed Maths to Business but now 6 months into year 12 I highly regret my life choices because business in general is not really loved by universities
and especially paired with economics because of the overlap, on top of that no alevel maths seriously constricts what im able to do in the future at university etc.
Im hoping to restart year 12 next year in a new sixth form to do Maths instead of Business but keeping my other 2 subjects, however all sixth forms near me require a 7 in GCSE Maths, but i got a 6 being only 4 marks off a 7 (grade boundaries jumped by 20 marks last year and every other year I wouldve gotten a 7-8) and I do have genuine passion for Maths and if i were to be let onto alevel maths i would put in an insane amount of effort and time.
I’m really unsure what to do because it’s also too late now for me to retake GCSE Maths this summer with the current year 11s and I also am late to applying for September 2026 entries to other sixth forms and have been recieving rejection email upon rejection email saying I do not meet the minimum grade requirement or that Im too late. Only one school seemed more lenient and told me to contact them a day after results day to see if they have spaces after offering their internal students and also those who applied before the deadline.
What is the likelihood of me actually being able to get into the one sixth form that didnt immediately reject me considering that they have many candidates to prioritise for spaces? What should I do?
and especially paired with economics because of the overlap, on top of that no alevel maths seriously constricts what im able to do in the future at university etc.
Im hoping to restart year 12 next year in a new sixth form to do Maths instead of Business but keeping my other 2 subjects, however all sixth forms near me require a 7 in GCSE Maths, but i got a 6 being only 4 marks off a 7 (grade boundaries jumped by 20 marks last year and every other year I wouldve gotten a 7-8) and I do have genuine passion for Maths and if i were to be let onto alevel maths i would put in an insane amount of effort and time.
I’m really unsure what to do because it’s also too late now for me to retake GCSE Maths this summer with the current year 11s and I also am late to applying for September 2026 entries to other sixth forms and have been recieving rejection email upon rejection email saying I do not meet the minimum grade requirement or that Im too late. Only one school seemed more lenient and told me to contact them a day after results day to see if they have spaces after offering their internal students and also those who applied before the deadline.
What is the likelihood of me actually being able to get into the one sixth form that didnt immediately reject me considering that they have many candidates to prioritise for spaces? What should I do?
Reply 1
Original post
by ashhchIm in 12 student currently studying alevels: Economics, Geography and Business, but this was never my intended combination and I realise i made a very bad decision. I always intended to do Maths, Economics and Geography but impulsively changed Maths to Business but now 6 months into year 12 I highly regret my life choices because business in general is not really loved by universities
and especially paired with economics because of the overlap, on top of that no alevel maths seriously constricts what im able to do in the future at university etc.
Im hoping to restart year 12 next year in a new sixth form to do Maths instead of Business but keeping my other 2 subjects, however all sixth forms near me require a 7 in GCSE Maths, but i got a 6 being only 4 marks off a 7 (grade boundaries jumped by 20 marks last year and every other year I wouldve gotten a 7-8) and I do have genuine passion for Maths and if i were to be let onto alevel maths i would put in an insane amount of effort and time.
I’m really unsure what to do because it’s also too late now for me to retake GCSE Maths this summer with the current year 11s and I also am late to applying for September 2026 entries to other sixth forms and have been recieving rejection email upon rejection email saying I do not meet the minimum grade requirement or that Im too late. Only one school seemed more lenient and told me to contact them a day after results day to see if they have spaces after offering their internal students and also those who applied before the deadline.
What is the likelihood of me actually being able to get into the one sixth form that didnt immediately reject me considering that they have many candidates to prioritise for spaces? What should I do?
and especially paired with economics because of the overlap, on top of that no alevel maths seriously constricts what im able to do in the future at university etc.
Im hoping to restart year 12 next year in a new sixth form to do Maths instead of Business but keeping my other 2 subjects, however all sixth forms near me require a 7 in GCSE Maths, but i got a 6 being only 4 marks off a 7 (grade boundaries jumped by 20 marks last year and every other year I wouldve gotten a 7-8) and I do have genuine passion for Maths and if i were to be let onto alevel maths i would put in an insane amount of effort and time.
I’m really unsure what to do because it’s also too late now for me to retake GCSE Maths this summer with the current year 11s and I also am late to applying for September 2026 entries to other sixth forms and have been recieving rejection email upon rejection email saying I do not meet the minimum grade requirement or that Im too late. Only one school seemed more lenient and told me to contact them a day after results day to see if they have spaces after offering their internal students and also those who applied before the deadline.
What is the likelihood of me actually being able to get into the one sixth form that didnt immediately reject me considering that they have many candidates to prioritise for spaces? What should I do?
Good afternoon,
You may want to consider finishing year 13 with these three subjects, then privately reapplying to take your maths A-level. Or you may also get to the end of year 13 and realise that these three subjects could still open up opportunities you would like to pursue. Many universities will take students who do not have the required A levels or grades, especially during clearing. It might be a good idea to personally email the universities and courses you like the look of and ask whether they would be willing to consider your application. This way, you wouldn't have to repeat or push back another year.
Maybe you could look into AS-level maths courses instead of a full two-year A-level.
UCAS has a great webpage on "What is Clearing? " to help you understand clearing, in case this is something you choose to do. It's a great alternative to gaining a space at university, and it won't change your university experience at all.
The University of Reading looks at every application on individual merit, ensuring every student's application is considered; this is the contextual offers scheme. However, this does not mean every student gains an offer to the university.
There is an ambassador scheme at the University of Reading where prospective students can message current students; more information is available here. They will be able to provide you with an insider's perspective on the degree and answer any questions you may have about the course.
All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology
Reply 2
Have you spoken to your parents, teachers or careers advisors at your current college? If the only reason you want to repeat yr 12 is because you're worried about applying to uni without maths A-Level, they might advise you against it. Unless you're applying for a maths degree I imagine you would still be fine for uni applications so long as your grades are strong. I was in a similar situation to you, I was unable to attend my first choice of sixth form and ended up having to take a BTEC Extended Diploma (worth 3 a levels) as well as doing a history A-Level privately - I was terrified that I'd get no offers from unis because I was doing a BTEC, but I got offers from every uni I applied to! Obviously, if you want to repeat yr 12 then that's your choice (my friend did that and says she's very glad she did) but its definitely possible to get into good unis with a business A-Level.
In terms of whether you will get into that sixth form, it really depends on how popular they are. It may be worth ringing around other sixth forms and colleges on/after results day as well to see if they have spare places?
My suggestion for what you should do is speak to a careers advisor or someone in the pastoral/support department at your college, as well as your parents and any teachers who know you well/who you trust to give you good advice. They're the best people to help you with this
In terms of whether you will get into that sixth form, it really depends on how popular they are. It may be worth ringing around other sixth forms and colleges on/after results day as well to see if they have spare places?
My suggestion for what you should do is speak to a careers advisor or someone in the pastoral/support department at your college, as well as your parents and any teachers who know you well/who you trust to give you good advice. They're the best people to help you with this
Reply 3
Hi ash,
Firstly, what do you want to do at uni?
Currently, your best option is to follow up with the sixth form that told you to contact them after results day. If they have spare places after their own students enrol, they may be willing to consider you, particularly if you explain that you were very close to a 7 and are committed to putting in the work.
It is also worth asking whether they would consider you if you resit GCSE Maths alongside starting A level Maths, or if they would allow you to take a Maths entrance test instead. Some schools make exceptions in cases like this.
If that does not work out, another practical option is to stay where you are and complete Economics, Geography and Business with strong grades, then keep options open at university. Many courses still accept that combination, depending on what you want to study.
Good luck,
Ulaw,
Alfred.
Firstly, what do you want to do at uni?
Currently, your best option is to follow up with the sixth form that told you to contact them after results day. If they have spare places after their own students enrol, they may be willing to consider you, particularly if you explain that you were very close to a 7 and are committed to putting in the work.
It is also worth asking whether they would consider you if you resit GCSE Maths alongside starting A level Maths, or if they would allow you to take a Maths entrance test instead. Some schools make exceptions in cases like this.
If that does not work out, another practical option is to stay where you are and complete Economics, Geography and Business with strong grades, then keep options open at university. Many courses still accept that combination, depending on what you want to study.
Good luck,
Ulaw,
Alfred.
Reply 4
Original post
by ashhchIm in 12 student currently studying alevels: Economics, Geography and Business, but this was never my intended combination and I realise i made a very bad decision. I always intended to do Maths, Economics and Geography but impulsively changed Maths to Business but now 6 months into year 12 I highly regret my life choices because business in general is not really loved by universities
and especially paired with economics because of the overlap, on top of that no alevel maths seriously constricts what im able to do in the future at university etc.
Im hoping to restart year 12 next year in a new sixth form to do Maths instead of Business but keeping my other 2 subjects, however all sixth forms near me require a 7 in GCSE Maths, but i got a 6 being only 4 marks off a 7 (grade boundaries jumped by 20 marks last year and every other year I wouldve gotten a 7-8) and I do have genuine passion for Maths and if i were to be let onto alevel maths i would put in an insane amount of effort and time.
I’m really unsure what to do because it’s also too late now for me to retake GCSE Maths this summer with the current year 11s and I also am late to applying for September 2026 entries to other sixth forms and have been recieving rejection email upon rejection email saying I do not meet the minimum grade requirement or that Im too late. Only one school seemed more lenient and told me to contact them a day after results day to see if they have spaces after offering their internal students and also those who applied before the deadline.
What is the likelihood of me actually being able to get into the one sixth form that didnt immediately reject me considering that they have many candidates to prioritise for spaces? What should I do?
and especially paired with economics because of the overlap, on top of that no alevel maths seriously constricts what im able to do in the future at university etc.
Im hoping to restart year 12 next year in a new sixth form to do Maths instead of Business but keeping my other 2 subjects, however all sixth forms near me require a 7 in GCSE Maths, but i got a 6 being only 4 marks off a 7 (grade boundaries jumped by 20 marks last year and every other year I wouldve gotten a 7-8) and I do have genuine passion for Maths and if i were to be let onto alevel maths i would put in an insane amount of effort and time.
I’m really unsure what to do because it’s also too late now for me to retake GCSE Maths this summer with the current year 11s and I also am late to applying for September 2026 entries to other sixth forms and have been recieving rejection email upon rejection email saying I do not meet the minimum grade requirement or that Im too late. Only one school seemed more lenient and told me to contact them a day after results day to see if they have spaces after offering their internal students and also those who applied before the deadline.
What is the likelihood of me actually being able to get into the one sixth form that didnt immediately reject me considering that they have many candidates to prioritise for spaces? What should I do?
Have you discussed this with your current school? They may allow you to re-take year 12 or maybe complete AS level or level 3 core maths in year 13. Do you need a level maths for the specific uni and course you want to do after sixth form? If not then its probably not worth moving really. You could take a gap year and self-study a level maths during that if needed, or consider doing a foundation year before your degree.
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