Searching for University Courses

[BackforGood]

I have a ds in L6th. He's not a typical MN A* type student, his current AS predictions are looking at 4 Cs.
Is there a way of looking at courses, starting with this as a search filter, rather than going through every possible subject combination, opening up the entry requirements, to find they are AAB time after time again.
We've tried looking at UCAS website but can't see this sort of filter. It seems much more logical to us, to start with a list of courses he might be likely to be able to get onto, rather than putting in any one of 3 or 4 subjects (before you get onto combinations) to then find they will only make offers to the A students ?
He's getting a bit despondent, so I said I'd ask the knowlegable ladies of MN. Thanks.

[happyAvocado]

not helping perhaps but I've heard that schools usually discourage students from taking 4 A Levels if they are going to be C's - is there still chance for him to drop one out of 4 and concentrate on 3?

[BackforGood]

Yes, sorry, that's what I meant - he's doing ASs at the moment, and will certainly drop one in the Summer. the predictions I'm reading as being predictions for his ASs, but, realistically, I'm not expecting them to suddenly become A*s for his actual A level results next year

[titchy]

Try sorting by the tariff scores on the league tables. A B and 2 Cs at a level plus a C at AS would be 300 points so mid to low range.

[BlackandGold]

Well, a C at A level is worth 80 points and a D 60 points so he could be looking at 240 points max. Could also pick up a bit extra for the AS level.

I think you need to search on subject though or area. Does he have any idea of what he'd like to do?

Or does he want to study in a particular part of the country?

Sorry not be be of any more help.

[titchy]

Yes you can often use the points from the dropped AS unless the offer specifically excludes it.

[titchy]

Tariff scores on league tables are on all quals, so grade 6 music for example would count in the calculation, though not be included in the offer.

[BackforGood]

Sorry Titchy - I'm not sure what you mean. Where are the league tables? Do they display the tariff scores of people that have accepted places there ? (Sorry if I'm being really thick )

BlackandGold - Thanks - he's already got another, separate 'D' for an AS English they made him do last year, in Yr 11, can you add that into the points total ? Or do they all need to be taken at the same time? Where do I find how many points things are worth ?
Thanks, yes, he wants to do probably RE/RS or some combination including that (Philosophy and Ethics or those lines), simply because that's his favourite A level I think. Re 'where in the Country', I think the answer to that is "away from home"
Thanks for taking the time to reply though, even though it seems I can't filter the searh the way I'd like to!

[fussychica]

Mmm can't think of a way to do this easily - you could look at the Guardian or other league tables which rank universities in order and give average UCAS point entry. In reality this probably means, in general, places out of the top 40 for a CCC student but there will be exceptions depending on course and if applications fall average offers may change.

www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2011/may/17/university-league-table-2012

this should at least give you a starting point as to which might be suitable then start your search from there. Obvs. you might miss a few this way but it should help.

There are some real experts on here so hopefully they'll see your post and comment.

[fussychica]

Oh there is a more uptodate one - sorry.
www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2012/may/21/university-league-table-2013

[fussychica]

Here's the UCAS tariff you need.
www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/

[BackforGood]

Thank you so much

I knew MN would help us

[titchy]

The tariff score bit if the league tables (complete university guide is another league table you might want to google) will include things like an AS done in year 11, and yes some unis will make an offer that includes these points!

I'm just trying to make the point that the tariff score on the tables include everything an entrant has done, so if you see an average tariff score of 700 don't worry, it doesn't mean everyone that went there got 6 A grades, more likely 4 A grades (general studies an critical thinking can iften be the 4th) an A at AS, an odd music exam or two and maybe something else.

[BackforGood]

Thanks. You saying that, reminds me he is also expected to sit General Studies - I'd not taken that into account!
I've got some pointers to start again now, thanks.

[happilyconfused]

General studies tends to be excluded from the majority of courses. Look at Coventry, Kent, Portsmouth, Plymouth, uwe, nott Trent, Leeds met, man met. Depends what he wants to do?

[BackforGood]

Thanks happily
Currently doing RS, Eng Lit, History and Drama, with History the one likely to be dropped.
Loves the discussion / debate side of things. Out of his A levels, he'd choose RS, but would be interested in other, related things.... he loves the 'philosophy and ethics' part of the subject.

[BackforGood]

Oh, sorry, did you mean do for a job / in life ?

He doesn't really have a clue.

[happilyconfused]

Maybe eng lit with drama. Depends what rocks his boat. Also look at Winchester and Chester for alternatives or st Mary's twickenham

Look at bestcourse4me. It helps to have some idea otherwise the choice can be overwhelming for most students. He s not alone in not knowing what he wants to do

[eatyourveg]

You can do it on the push university guide here you just put in your predictions and it filters your options. Its not 100% reliable but useful as a starting point. It is also worth looking at the latest heap guide here as that sorts them out too though it won't include everything. You can find a copy in the careers library at school and they are usually in public libraries too

[BackforGood]

Veg - that site looks really helpful (push - I've not got to the heap guide yet)
Thank you so much

[happyAvocado]

Heap may be available in your local library to have look at

[NewFerry]

Third vote for looking/buying the heap guide.

[BackforGood]

Thanks - I will go on a search.
Once again, thanks for your help, he's been mooching around the internet much more co-operatively today. I like the filters on the push site.

[littlejo67]

Whatuni.com is good. You can filter by the number of tariff points you have and put in a subject area. My son has been using it for inspiration.

[WMDinthekitchen]

Keele does foundation courses which prepare students for degrees. Means an extra year, though.

[BackforGood]

Just come back to this as I've come across quite a useful short (3mins 35s) video, which has got quite a lot of useful links if you can get past the 1970s safety film guide voice,
Hope it helps someone.