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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think DD should redo her Science GCSE? (Got a C)

57 replies

SteamingFozz · 30/08/2017 23:48

DD did her GCSEs back in 2013!

I know you're all going to tell me to stay out of it because of her age (20) but I'm not pressuring her or anything, it's more of just providing her with that facts.

She has an access course in science where she did well and applied for some of the better unis but didn't get her favourite (Sussex) as was told she needed to have 2 Bs in 2 Sciences or the dual science. She had 2 Cs in the dual science award, so got into a not so good uni, although it isn't bad. It's not that great.

She is doing Biological Sciences so I assume that's rather a competitive job market??? She must be better off getting her degree from the best uni she can!?

AIBU to think she shouldn't go this year and should retake her science GCSE???

OP posts:
bluekite · 30/08/2017 23:57

So she's got into uni for a science degree?

Yes YABU. For a start a GSCE in science means nothing at that point. What did she get at A-level or college? She has her access course which is what is supposed to allow her to access a science degree.

What do you mean by a not-so-good uni?

Retaking a science GSCE - meant for 15 year old kids - is not the right path for your 20 year old child. She has got a place at a university in the course that she is interested in. If you were talking A-levels I might agree but GCSEs? No. She is doing fine, and she is an adult. Let her make her own decisions.

ps - I did well in my GSCEs, terribly in my A-levels, did resits, and attended Nottingham Trent. Probably "not a good uni" in your eyes. I'm doing fine, thank you!

grumpysquash3 · 31/08/2017 00:05

Biological Sciences is definitely a competitive job market, but it depends what you want to do.
If your DD wants to be a Professor, that probably isn't going to happen. If she wants a career in research or biotech, probably not all that likely as many candidates have straight As and a degree from a RG Uni, sometimes a Masters or PhD.
But if she wants a science related job , that can absolutely happen, there are lots of science jobs. If the course has accepted her with two Cs and an access course, then it's fine. Really no need to re-sit GCSEs.

Has she got science A levels?

PeaFaceMcgee · 31/08/2017 00:09

YABU. It's her choice. Be supportive and wish her well.

Original poster
SteamingFozz · 31/08/2017 00:09

An access course is equivalent to A-Levels (she got 45 distinction credits which is equivalent to AAA and I'm very proud of her) but the top unis (although accept her grade in her access course as a level 3) require BB at GCSE.

She has A-Levels in Maths, Sociology and Geography. However, when she turned 19 did the science Access course because she couldn't get into a science related degree with her subjects at a level.

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 31/08/2017 00:11

Where and how would she retake GCSE Science? I don't know of any school or college which would take on a 20 year old for one GCSE other than Maths or English. That ship has sailed.

PeaFaceMcgee · 31/08/2017 00:12

Is she set to leave your home for uni?

Original poster
SteamingFozz · 31/08/2017 00:12

Our local adult learning college does science GCSEs.

OP posts:
Columbine1 · 31/08/2017 00:14

YABU

If the GCSE grade matters to a uni then it also matters that they got them in one sitting so it wouldn't make a difference to get a higher grade now.

Many unis have an arrangement to accept students from feeder access courses so I guess Sussex didn't

No job is necessarily closed off to her & she could still do PG at a Russell Group uni - many of my students do.

bluekite · 31/08/2017 00:25

Once she gets a degree in her chosen science, no employer will give two shits about her GSCEs.

Seems like all that matters to you is that she goes to a "good" university. Either she goes to the one she has been offered, goes through clearing, or does A-levels next year. By your account her course gives her AAA at a-level. What more do you want from her?

You want her to get into "the top unis"? She won't. Is that what you want to hear? She's not a Cambridge student no matter what she gets at GSCE. There are dozens of very good universities that are very happy to take her.

I ask again: what uni has offered her a place? Sounds like she should take it.

Original poster
SteamingFozz · 31/08/2017 00:32

But surely the places she applies for jobs will look at where the degree came from? The place she wants to accept is University of East Anglia.

OP posts:
Boulshired · 31/08/2017 00:36

They may look at the uni but those who do will also look at the route she took to get there. If she goes your way it's another year gone. A good degree, work ethic she will be alright.

BlondeB83 · 31/08/2017 00:38

I'm surprised the university were bothered about her GCSEs.

bookwormnerd · 31/08/2017 00:57

UEA is a very well respected university (one of the places I looked at though went else where) everyone I know who has gone there has done really well and loved time there. I was looking for different subject but I know people who did sciences there who have gone on to get very good jobs. It ranks highly so not sure where you have idea not good university. She can decide if she wants to retake. Its nothing to do with you, I would not push, my dad was pushy with me and I never felt good enough when it came to my choices despite loving my university and being taught by some great people who had done a lot to effect real change for the better in the world, it did upset me he didn't trust me to make right choices and choose own path. I can honestly say when going for jobs not one employer took any notice of where I got my degree and neither has my husband. I to am surprised uni were bothered by GCSE.

Fruitcorner123 · 31/08/2017 04:14

Are you sure they will accept a GcSe resit score when she has already done the access course? Its like me resitting ny alevel after completing my degree, of course I would improve my grade.

Im no expert but are UEA and sussex that different?

Ime a first from any uni is gonna be her best chance of getting a job in a competitive field so thats what I would advise her to focus on.

Pistachiois50pmore · 31/08/2017 04:37

YABVU. UEA is ranked 12th in the country, which is actually above Sussex. Sussex is ranked slightly higher for science but they are very much comparable and "good". Both universities will have people who went on to do their postgrad at Oxbridge and top 5 unis. I'm surprised Sussex cared about gcse grades too, but on the plus side that's literally the last time in your daughters life anyone will mention them.

orangeowls · 31/08/2017 04:37

I'm a teacher, the science GCSEs have just got significantly harder. They have taken away all the coursework element (which was 25% of the grade and easy to do well on), they have brought down a lot of A Level content into GCSE and they have taken away a lot of the data sheet information. So for example they now have to learn approximately 20 equations for physics, whereas before they would be given them. It will be much harder for her to get Bs now. I wouldn't bother if she has already got into a course.

QueenOfVipers · 31/08/2017 05:12

It doesn't really matter where she got her degree, it depends on the degree and the study itself (eg if she fails a year and has to resit that might make employers look less favourably on her) but that's true whether it's a shit uni in Wales or Cambridge uni.

Do you really think, aside from the handful of (in your mind) "good universities" in the country, that no one ever does well? Gains employment? That of all professions that require a degree (never mind people doing it for the sake of it which is up to them) they all went to the same handful of universities?
Good grief OP,
she's doing fine!

Sarahsue1 · 31/08/2017 05:25

Uae is a good uni. She isn't going to oxford or cambridge and outside of that is in one of the 'good ones'. I personally wouldn't rate sussex over uea. The idea of a 20 year old who has already done a levels resitting a gcse exam is completely absurd - it makes no sense - she isn't at gcse level anymore because she has completed the next 'level' if you like already so it's redundant. Like a Masters student retaking the first year of their undergrad to get a phd place. Just no. Let her continue her education in peace! And tell her well done for doing well!!!

Sarahsue1 · 31/08/2017 05:30

UEA not uae ... i also got a c in science gcse. Maybe that's been my downfall ever since 🤣

liminality · 31/08/2017 05:32

I think it is important to understand also, that 'good' universities are rated on their research, not neccesarily on how they treat their undergrads. I attended the 'best' uni in my area, and from what I have heard from other students at other unis, its not that much different in ters of course structure, support etc for undergrads. The best unis are usually identified by their masters, PHD and research programs.
I wouldn't be too worried about the uni rating.
If she applies herself, and it sounds like she does, she will shoot past the mass of freshers that just want to get boozed up and waste their time. She'll stand out, and that will get her where she wants to go.

diamond49 · 31/08/2017 05:53

Neither are Russell group are they? I doubt anyone will care much between them tbh. I would ha e thought either would be glad of anyone they could get

Fruitcorner123 · 31/08/2017 08:34

diamond49 bit of an outdated view

Bubwiser · 31/08/2017 08:47

Would she be interested in further studies after completing her degree? If so, she can do her undergraduate degree at UEA and then pursue a master's at a "better-ranked" university?

If she's already 20, then by the time she resits her GCSE and starts at preferred choice of uni, she will be 21 and a mature student. She'll be 24 or 25 by the time she graduates and will have lost a year of valuable working experience.

Fluffyears · 31/08/2017 08:57

I have neverlooked at someone's cv and thought 'well that's not avoid uni!' Note unterested in grade, relevant study and experience.

DancingLedge · 31/08/2017 08:59

UEA is good for bio sciences, and has an adjoining science research park, so some staff have jobs there and lecture. So bit more connected to science stuff outside Unis than some are?

Kudos for 45 distinctions: that's a huge result, and may well stand her in a better position to get on with degree level study than A levels would.
UEA is known to be flexible on entry requirements - not low, just flexible. It's a shame some Unis insist on eg GCSE requirements that are clearly irrelevant if you've excelled above .
that level.

If she had a place at a really low ranking UNI I would think it a waste - but delay a year , when she's going to UEA - no, that's not reasonable.