A-level results, late ADHD/autism diagnosis and reapplying to UCL – looking for advice

[Milliondreamz98]

I’m hoping some parents here might be able to share advice, as I’m feeling quite lost about what to do next.

My child missed her UCL offer after not achieving the required A-level grades. Her predicted grades were AAA, so this has been a huge shock.
There is a long background to this.
Before GCSEs, my child developed severe depression and started counselling. Despite this, she achieved strong GCSE results. We were advised to seek ADHD and autism assessments, but the waiting list was around two years.
During Years 12 and 13, the depression improved, but school became very difficult. She struggled with attendance, motivation, and what looked like school refusal and exhaustion. Despite this, they still received AAA predictions and an offer from UCL.
In Year 13, things worsened. Concentration and study became very difficult, and performance declined sharply, with very low mock results.
After nearly two years, She was finally diagnosed with autism and ADHD, which likely affected their learning, focus, and behaviour. However, this came just as exam leave began, so there was no time for school support or adjustments.
There was also a serious issue with a private maths tutor, where boundaries were crossed from his side and we had to stop lessons about three months before exams, causing further disruption.
In the end, she achieved an A in English and a D in Maths, which was very upsetting given her earlier GCSE success in maths.
She still want to go to UCL. She is now on ADHD medication and is determined to try again. As a parent, I feel she faced many challenges without proper understanding or support during A-levels.
We are considering reapplying to UCL, but I’m unsure how realistic this is with her current grades. I also wonder whether her late diagnosis and lack of support could be explained in a future application.
I’m also confused about the reapplication process. Since she has left school, how do we get a reference or predicted grades for UCAS? Their grammar school says they do not support former students. Is this normal?
I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has successfully reapplied to UCL or a similar university after lower-than-expected A-level results, especially where ADHD or autism was diagnosed late.
Any advice on reapplying and possible options would be very helpful. Thank you.

I do. Definitely.

So you did psychology at uni? I did.

Or perhaps you teach at uni?

What did the uni stipulate your DD needed in maths as a minimum to do the course @Milliondreamz98 ?

Without giving away personal details & a full CV I can’t substantiate this. However, this is an area I know about - I wouldn’t comment otherwise. I would suggest that the OP and her DD look at entrance requirements, research groupings and core and option modules for a range of psychology degrees.

My daughter was already 18 at the time, and she didn’t want me to take things any further. So I respected her wishes, quietly stopped the lessons and warned the tutor not to approach or contact her again. I decided to leave it there rather than involve the police.

A-level
many years ago

I can tell you that now at too unis - psychology is very heavy on maths

Is he a teacher at a school??

what was the minimum grade in maths the uni required?

I’m not going to post my CV. I am an anonymous person on the internet - totally understand people don’t know my credentials. However, A level maths is not a requirement for most UK psych degrees. I don’t want prospective students to be put off thinking it is. You do need high a level grades though as it is very popular.

Like I said would suggest prospective students research requirements and modules themselves.

I would encourage your child to explore the options available with the grades she has?
I also did far less well than expected at A level (it’s hard!). The course I ended up
taking served me far better than the one I’d originally wanted to do - it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Things sometimes happen for a reason, especially when it comes to exam results. No point going to UCL and struggling - their courses are designed for the people who can achieve the required grades first time around.

I haven’t posted my CV & won’t be. Your assumptions about me are incorrect. Let’s not derail the thread.

ucl disagree

*Subject Focus: The A and A grades must come from two of these approved science/maths subjects: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Psychology**

Those requirements don’t have to include maths. It is two from five subjects. Maths is a useful A level, but it isn’t required.

BPS degrees have a common core. They have different emphases. Qual methods must be taught alongside Quants. Many psych students do a Qual dissertation.
I wasn’t trying to be argumentative - I just know you can be successful at an undergraduate level without a level maths.

Chemistry and physics are INCREDIBLY maths focussed at A level

It is odd… you post constantly on threads handing out advice but always refuse to give any indication as to your background

UCL is in top 5 universities in the uk

I post on threads about psychology degrees, because it is an area I know something about and feel I have something useful to add. My A levels are very, very old are bio, psych, chem & general studies (shows how old I am 🙂). My knowledge about psych degrees isn’t based on these A levels, but I’m not going to post career details. I’m sorry you think I’m being difficult not giving specifics, but I value being anonymous.

Anyway, was just trying to be helpful. Genuinely sorry if it looks like I’m being argumentative. Not my intention at all. I’m more than happy for people to be sceptical or ignore advice. My line is always to follow MN advice up with your own research.

Was there a third A level? Agree Maths is often a prerequisite for Psychology especially where it is accredited and UCL is one such. There may be other unis which either have intensive Maths and Stats modules compulsory in first year to catch up or are not fully accredited programmes. She won’t get another set of predicted grades from school but they should offer a reference.

No you post on all matters ed related
and one would think that if you’re posting loads about a particular subject, to clarify your experience would be relevant 🤷‍♀️

I studied psychology at a very prestigious uni.
i am telling you… it was incredibly maths focussed
I achieve an a at level

Sorry @Milliondreamz98 - I didn’t mean to cause a derail. Was genuinely just trying to be helpful.

i am sorry I’m not going to be saying more about my CV. I value being anonymous.I am happy for you and others to post alternative opinions to me. I am secure that I was posting in good faith and based on my own experience. If people disagree or want to ignore that is fine. I think having different viewpoints is okay. This is an anonymous forum, whatever we say it isn’t verifiable.
I am genuinely sorry I seem to have caused controversy. I imagine me not saying more about my experience is annoying. If I did provide full details, I’m pretty sure I’d be identifiable. I’m sorry if what I have said has upset you or others - it was not my intention. Maybe my earlier reply was a bit terse - it is because I do have wider recent experience that is relevant. I shouldn’t have been short. Sorry. Sometimes tone can be misinterpreted when you are writing not speaking.
Im going to stop posting on this thread now because I don’t think this back & forth is in anyway helpful to the OP.

I guess getting into entertainment this year will be difficult anyway, since the clearing period is pretty much over. So I’ll encourage them to use this one year to explore a wider range of options.

It was psychology and she got b. Its still insufficient but it was only 3 marks away so she would do better next year hopefully 🤞

Thanks for replying posts. Regardless of your current status, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I know you were trying to encourage me, and I’m grateful for that.

That sounds incredibly difficult for both of you. With the late ADHD and autism diagnoses, it may be worth speaking directly with UCL admissions about how mitigating circumstances could be considered in a future application. I hope you’re able to find a route that gives her a fair chance to try again.

Thank you for youd advice. I do understand that Maths and Biology are important for Psychology. However, my daughter is very keen to study Psychology because of her own struggles and the experience she’s had of receiving support, which has made her genuinely interested in the subject.
I know she didn’t get a very bad result in her A-level exams this time, but from what I’ve seen of her over the years, I don’t think she lacks an aptitude for Maths. That’s why I wanted to give her a chance to challenge herself and see how she gets on.
That said, I understand that her current grades are the most important factor, so I’ll take your concerns seriously and keep them in mind when considering her options. Thank you.