Application process when he wants deferred entry

[CluelessClaudia]

Son has just started sixth form.

He's decided he'd like to work for a year between A levels and University to save some money (he has a saturday job and they've already said they'll have him fulltime for a year). So how does he go about applying to University, does he apply at the start of upper sixth then just not take his place up, and ask to start the following year? Or does he not apply until the autumn after he gets his results?

He wants to do a very competitive course by the way that will need probably 3 As (not Oxbridge though).

Thanks in advance.

[UptheChimney]

Ah, an easy one! famous last words

You have these alternatives, as far as I know:

There's an option on the UCAS form to apply for deferred entry. Simply go for 2016-17 entry. However if it's a competitive, IME, he will definitely need to have achieved grades. In departments I've worked in, we rarely "relax" grades for deferred entry because we know we can get just as good a candidate in the following year. Usual caveats apply: could be different elsewhere/other subjects

or

He does A levels, gets the grades, and simply applies in the year that he wants to study ie works for 2015-16, and during that year, applies for entry 206-17, with achieved grades.

[UptheChimney]

Sorry forgot to say: if he applies for deferred entry, he'll g through UCAS as normal, and in Confirmation (August when results come out) if he achieves the offer, he'll have a confirmed, but deferred place. It's quite simple really more famous last words

If he doesn't make the grades required by the offer -- well, that's where it can get a little more complicated for a deferral.

The advantage of applying now & for a deferred place, is the security f having offers, and the motivation that might give. The disadvantage is that if he wants to change once he has a deferred place, then there's a bit of faffing with the university. And if he doesn't make the offer, it could be back to the drawing board.

Those are his decisions to think through ...

[CluelessClaudia]

That's wonderful, thank you so much UptheChimney.

[UptheChimney]

Good luck!