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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

What does this offer mean?

15 replies

Roisin · 07/10/2014 19:35

ds1 took A Level maths in yr12 and got an A. (He is re-sitting one module, in the hope of getting an A*)

He has just received his first offer already of AAB, specifying incl Chemisty and Biology.

Is it reasonable to assume that the offer includes the A level Maths - ie he needs AB in Biology and Chemistry? Or is the assumption that it doesn't include his Maths and he needs to get an A or B in his 4th subject - Further Maths as well?

Hopefully he should get the grades anyway, if he works, as he is predicted significantly higher. But i just want to be very clear what the offer means.

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 07/10/2014 19:39

I think it means that he needs to get at least those grades across the three, and the three must be Chemistry, Biology, and any other.

Usually students take 3 subjects in the second year of A levels but some take four. So if he took four and got AABC then he'd be fine because he'd have the relevant three grades, unless the C was in Bio or Chem.

I don't see why it wouldn't include maths? Why do you think it might not include maths?

ditavonteesed · 07/10/2014 19:39

I would assume it includes the maths, but double check with the uniif any doubt.

Original poster

Roisin · 07/10/2014 20:46

Thank you.

I know Cambridge sometimes give offers based on the 3 subjects taken in yr13, ignoring any that were taken early. Hence the query.

OP posts:

AtiaoftheJulii · 08/10/2014 11:13

I would assume AAB in y13, but probably best to check if there's no further clarification!

UptheChimney · 08/10/2014 12:36

Offers will specify what they want, in varying amounts of detail, from a tariff points number, to a minimum set of grades, to specific minimum grades in specific subjects.

So if the offer is AAB, which must include Chemistry and Biology, with no further detail, then it's fairly safe to assume that the offer is in any combination of subjects/grades within the offer.

If a department wants a specific minimum grade for a specific subject, that will be in the offer.

dapoxen · 08/10/2014 13:32

I would definitely recommended checking (the question several posters have answered is not the question you're asking...).

Where I work we make offers which take into account grades already obtained. So if the standard offer was AAB including Chemistry and Biology and an applicant already had an A in maths the offer would be AB (either way around) in Chemistry and Biology. However (as far as I know) this may vary from university to university and department to department.

AllMimsyWereTheBorogoves · 08/10/2014 13:44

He should ask Admissions. Never wise to assume. They will be used to questions!

Congratulations to him on his first offer!

UptheChimney · 08/10/2014 14:17

OP what degree is your DS applying for? I assumed it was Maths, but it's odd that they specify Biology and Chemistry and not Maths, if it's an application to read Maths. And is one of his choices Cambridge?

But really, you can't ask strangers on the internet these things & be certain of their answers. Contact the central Admissions office of the university (rather than the Department) which has made him the offer.

dapoxen · 08/10/2014 14:41

UptheChimney the OP says that her DS already has A-level maths, and this may be why it's not included in the offer. Or whichever university it is might not require it for the subject he wants to study. Which I'm guessing (given the specified subjects) is biochemisty, biomedical sciences or something related.

Decorhate · 08/10/2014 17:28

Consults spreadsheet Roisin's son is applying for Biochemistry

Original poster

Roisin · 08/10/2014 21:10

Thanks all. I will encourage him to enquire for clarification.
(Yes, he's applying for a 4yr combined masters in Biochemistry.)

OP posts:

MadameJosephine · 10/10/2014 21:18

I would think it included the maths already taken but, like others have said, would definitely double check with admissions.
Well done to your son on getting his first offer, out of interest when did he put in his application? DS has just submitted his and im on tenterhooks already!

Original poster

Roisin · 11/10/2014 16:30

MadameJosephine, ds1's application was finalised/sent from school with the predictions, reference attached on Mon 29 Sep. He's had 3 acknowledgements and 1 offer so far.

It just depends on each university and department as to how they handle applications.

OP posts:

MrsHathaway · 11/10/2014 17:10

I had a similar offer, and rang to clarify. By the time of the offer I already had the equivalent of one A Level in maths modules, and they wanted As in two other named subjects.

Hope he gets what he needs.

MadameJosephine · 11/10/2014 18:53

So it's only been a couple of weeks, that's pretty good. I'm hoping DS might get one through quickly and then that takes the pressure off a little bit. He's worried he might not get any but I think that's unfounded as his predicted grades are high and I was really impressed with his personal statement. Good luck to everybody else's DC

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