Anyone heard of a University asking for a second reference?

[forgottenusername]

dd1 has applied via UCAS for degree starting Autumn 2017. She's in her third year of sixth form after a pretty disastrous year 12 due a combination of wrong subject choice, mental health issues, a lack of effort on her part and long term teacher absence.

Anyway, she's got one C at A2 and is predicted BCC in 3 more A2s this summer. This is a grade lower than her first choice University whose typical offer is BBC. Today she has had an email from them asking for a second reference, preferably an academic one from school (although they did say one from work would be ok - she has a very part time job related to the degree choice).

I can understand why they'd want to be cautious baring in mind she's not predicted their normal offer grades. She does have many years of relevant experience for the vocational course she's applied for, but it's the sort of course you wouldn't apply for unless you have experience.

We're just a bit unsure as to what more a second academic reference from school can do? her tutor has already written the UCAS reference after all. Also never having heard of anyone needing a second reference what will it mean in terms of an offer? I guess only time will tell, but if anyone has any experience of this we'd love to hear it :)

[user1471531877]

Bournemouth asked for a second reference for their nursing degree a few years ago - I assume this was for all candidates.
So it does happen - probably just for some vocational degrees.

[user1471531877]

Sorry forgot to add - she used a supervisor from her work experience

[Bobochic]

Yes, it can happen. I have seen cases of this where candidates don't have a standard path through education.

[forgottenusername]

thank you both :) turns out it wasn't either of those...

dd showed the email to the sixth form tutor who manages UCAS applications, who said she was a bit confused the email was definitely asking for an academic reference and the school already sent that as part of the UCAS application. The teacher called the University and it's an admin error - they thought the reference was missing off the UCAS form (how?!?) and are now happy that they have what they need, no second reference needed!

Mystery solved :)

[Leeds2]

Good to hear!