DS failed first year at UCL – any success stories getting into another uni?

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Ds didn’t pass his first year at UCL. If he takes a year out, what are his chances of getting into another top university such as Warwick, Exeter or Bath?

He got two As and one A* at A level but found it really isolating and difficult to focus in London. He’s planning to take some time out, reflect, and show that he’s learned from the experience and will take a different approach next time.

He’s worried that not being invited back will stop him getting into a good university. Does this actually matter, and has anyone had experience with this?

What subject?

I would think he’s best off attending the nearest uni to home. You can then support him with practicalities whilst he does the work.

Pretty good. He needs to put together a decent story but largely it comes down to the grades, which he has.

Yes what subject?
Warwick wouldn’t take him for something like Maths

I have heard of people retaking their first or second year at various universities.

I don’t know anyone who has failed their first year and that was the end of it – what was the reason? Did he fail to submit assignments, or did he submit them and they were not good enough? Drastically fail the exams?

Yes what subject? He is clearly bright so should be able, other things being equal, to complete a degree at a good uni such as you suggest.

Maths was my first thought too given the unis you name. I’m not sure they would be keen on maths after a failed year then a year out tbh.

International politics

Yes, failed to submit assignments. Also had to retake a few exam exams and although he did really well in them, they only counted as a pass as they were retakes.

UCL is a tough university with very high expectations. My two DCs both did the same subject at uni, one at UCL and the other at another RG uni, and the difference between them is very apparant. He should be fine with those grades, especially if he explains he had mental health issues.

I went to one of his other choice universities and my sister went to another of them.

In our day they were strict in some subjects - if you properly failed a year they would throw you out sadly. But I think it may be a little different if he could argue that him failing was down to the location or something. Bath and Exeter are very different to UCL. Much more chilled, quieter, small cities. I live near london now and although I love it, it is not chilled, small or quiet

@QuantumLeek thanks is that because you’ve experienced this? He thinks it doesn’t just come down to his grades because of the failure to complete the first year

Yes, ds did this a couple of years ago. Reapplied and said that he’d done a year at previous uni but that he wanted to start again for personal reasons. It was fine, didn’t seem to make any difference. One thing to check is how it affects his funding though.

This will count as the 'gift year' used up. The formula is 'length of current (that is, the new course, if he goes somwhere else), plus one year, minus years of previous study'. The 'previous study' bit includes years wholly financed other than via a loan, and years officially started but abandoned. If leaving was due to compelling personal circumstances, the access to funding shoukd be reinstated - but it has to be evidenced (self-reported 'feeling isolated' is unlikely to be accepted).