2025 A Level Results Day and Sept Uni Starters - All Welcome

[SlightlyJaded]

I couldn't see board specifically dedicated to results day for our DC who have sat A levels this spring. And I know some of us STILL have questions about Uni starters.

DS has Liverpool as his first choice and Notts Trent as his insurance - both to study History. Anyone who recognises me from previous boards might remember the hell we went through with DD a couple of years ago, so DS has applied quite a lot of caution to his choices - perhaps too much, perhaps not enough. Neither of us have any idea what to expect with his results. He has genuinely fluctuated between a D and an A in some of his mocks....

I still haven't done anything about accommodation which is one of the reasons I am starting this thread.

But mostly, it's for nail biting, relief, tears, support, advice and all the other things needed to get us through the next few weeks.

Welcome :)

I agree with this for mathy students. DD2 wants to study physics at uni, we’re in Australia so different system but she needs an ATAR of 99+ for her preferred course at her preferred uni. Over her top 5 subjects she needs a 96% average, based on last year’s scaling.

She doesn’t have study notes for her two maths papers or chemistry and physics, just does old papers if she’s not sure of a concept.

On subject of Leicester, was on ITV News. They have a lot of people manning the clearing hotline.

Haven’t had any accommodation email yet! Dd also hoping for Anne Lister. Fingers crossed she gets an email soon!

Honestly you do sound bitter. Why would the student with the contextual offer struggle? and why shouldn't they get the place ahead of your DS?

@Limeandsoda2023 she has already given a graceful apology

I think you missed the bit where they explained that this other boy has struggled academically throughout school.

Based on my son's experience (and my friends), it's a sink or swim approach at Birmingham so it is actually fair to wonder how this boy will cope but let's hope he does.

sorry. had not seen that

On a lighter, inane note - this girl must have been confident. Not easy to hide away if she did badly!

sorry, I just read the post as assuming the boy with the contextual offer would not cope which I think is inherently wrong

At my old place we did a data analysis on first year marks for BTec and A level students, and the BTec ones were getting far lower grades. This looked at 3 years of data as that was how long they'd been admitted. However the result wasn't to not admit them, but to slightly raise the entry tariff, and also to put in place targeted support from subject specific learning support officers. It worked well.

@Wizzywoodoodah You have been open about your feelings and the hurt you and your DC are feeling - you didn't come across as bitter to me - please take care of yourself. Parenting can be so tough -almost brutal at times.

Ok you’ve both apologised now so let’s move on.

It is hard sometimes @Wizzywoodoodah I know I keep reading how dd 6th form had 66% get A/b grades she didn't. Gracefull apologies though.
Having read through the emails post wine @SlightlyJaded hopefully you have had some too and son loves NTU .
Dd was another with very spiky profiles in chem , bio, maths and only got her formal dyslexia diagnosis a few months ago suspected a while ago. I'm hoping the foundation year helps her find what works for her and consolidate.
@OvaHere ds is an ljmu graduate and they supported him with a dyslexia diagnosis and applying for dsa. He's now flying high on his first graduate job. It's a fab uni. Dd considered it but for her subject it's very low in the league tables . He will have a ball!
Off to bed now to catch up on sleep as I suspect are alot of us.

oh no poor you but at least he 's happy. Dd also dropped to 3 C's and and a in epq, missed her lancaster offer but was offered foundation which she's now taken. They wouldn't move this am on the bcc in clearing so liverpool may not have either. We alos have issues that were mitigating! So extra year to fund as she didn't want to look at clearing other than liverpool who haven't replied and so it all by email! Nothing much now left as her course is very popular this year! I'm off to drink wine, please join me

Sorry to hear this but glad she got the foundation year.

DD got her place at Lancaster but it was a bit close for comfort. She got ACD but the A is in the subject area that she wants to study so maybe that swung it for her. She was one mark off getting the D to a C so considering getting her papers back to look at.

She's hugely relieved about Spanish - the speaking exam would have got her an E but the other papers pulled it up to a C! She said at the time that it was a bit of a disaster because she got so flustered.

I'm so relieved and it's easy to say in my position but everyone who says it all turns out for the best in the end are usually right. I got CEE over 30 years ago and ended up with a 1st and a PhD so there is hope.

@Sweetpeasaremadeforbees I may just pass on the PhD tale to her. She seems.to be moving forward and has just told.me shes joined the Grizedale freshers group. Luckily the offer email also said she could.keepmher accomodation! That's great for your daughter too.

Glad it's working out. DD chose Furness, she thinks that Grizedale sounded too party central for her!

@Wizzywoodoodah thirty years ago I ended up at Keele through clearing having completely missed my predicted grades along with my firm and insurance offers. I'd never visited Keele so the first time I set foot on campus was the day I arrived to move in (off campus as I'd missed out on accommodation).

My A-level results day was awful. Full of disappointment and frustration that in spite of all my efforts, no one wanted me. Looking back now I know lots of my friends missed their first choices and some ended up with no offer at all but at the time, it felt hopeless.

My three years at Keele introduced me to my DH, to my closest friends and the Godparents of my DC. To snowy days spent sledging down the hills on tea trays 'borrowed' from Keele Hall, to Radio 4, cheesy chips and how to do hill starts. It wasn't always plain sailing but I'm so glad to have ended up at such a gorgeous campus where there felt as though there was something for everyone, and always someone around for company (if wanted) or a change of scene if not.

I hope your DS settles with the idea of Keele before long.

BBB here and her firm choice. Absolutely amazing achievement as she has an EHCP and needs a lot of support plus was absent most of year 13 due to other health issues.

I can't stop smiling.

@petitdonkey @SockFluffInTheBath @icecreamfortea
hi, my DD has been allocated a room in Anne Lister as well. She is thrilled to be going to York, it was her first choice by miles.

@Wizzywoodoodah My DP went to Keele and absolutely loved every second of being there. The fact it is a campus uni might actually benefit your DS in terms of feeling secure and having routine.

@Wizzywoodoodah I just wanted to say that we looked at Leicester and Essex unis and liked them both very much. Essex was going to be my DD’s clearing choice if required. They have lots of courses available at CCC and below which might be worth looking at for your DS if he feels he’d like to explore other options to Keele. I was very impressed by Essex and could see my DD there, it had a lovely caring vibe - definitely another hidden gem.

We visited Essex and got a great vibe from it too, although DD ultimately chose another course.

She chose Aber and loves it, although every time I make the four hour drive with no dual carriageway I think wistfully of Essex and Reading....

That’s it - he got U grades in the other two subjects. Biology was his strongest subject. He wanted to Optometry.

That’s a shame. Have his teachers recalled the scripts to see what went amiss? Is a science Btec l3 an option as an alternative or is there an apprenticeship route?

Good morning. Does anyone know about deferring? DC did their UCAS on advice of teachers with current cycle, was told to tick a box about deferral and all would be well. Got her first choice, but start date is this September.

Not sure if to contact the uni or UCAS or both?

Tagging @FanfictionFan @Halfull as you both mentioned this in the last few pages.

Thanks for any insight. I'm thinking worst case scenario they will just have to reapply, but what a roller coaster of emotions.