Human geography or alternative degree ideas with middling grades

[Dunlurking]

Ds has convinced herself she will get BBB at A level, despite only just starting year 12. She really wants to do a Human Geography degree (doesn't like Physical Geography) but says most of the top 20 universities for this sort of degree will need an A. I think she's got Keele, Loughborough and maybe Reading as possibilities. Now she's saying maybe she should think of Sociology. I'm trying to dissuade her, and come up with other related degrees, or other universities, that she could look at with 3Bs (in Maths, Geography and Environmental Science). Any suggestions or recommendations? It is perfectly possible she could get an A and she is open to one aspirational choice, but no more.

[Stopyourhavering]

My ds is at University of Dundee-studying MA Geography and Environmental science
He studied Geography,Biology and Physics at A level ( and EPQ in Geography along with Welsh Bac)
His A levels were CCE although he's more than capable of better ! ( just missed B's in Biology and Geography,so missed his first choice of Forensic Anthropology! but got in through clearing and as a non Scottish student even gets a non means treated bursary of £2000 in his first year!
He loves the city as it's very easy to get around, great accommodation nice location ( apparently sunniest city in Scotland!) campus based uni and great student union and choice of societies
Course is very interesting and varied and he's already got 100% in a geology module ( he'd never studied this before!)
As it's an Scottish MA course he doesn't specialise until 3rd year so is also doing a first year module In Philosophy ( there is quite a variety of subjects you can study as a first year option)
The University does very well in rankings and student satisfaction- have a look on website and PM men if you need any more info
Eldest dd graduated last year from Dundee and just completed MSc at Edinburgh and is now teaching out in China with a very good graduate package

[Dunlurking]

That's very interesting Stopyourhavering. Thank you very much for that. I'lll talk to dd about it.

[starfleet]

DS (Yr13) is applying for Geography, he also prefers Human to Physical.

Leicester has a purely Human Geography BA course with no Physical modules. We went to the open this weekend and he was impressed with the course as it wasn't one he'd looked at previously.

The standard offer is ABB but on speaking to the admissions tutor she said they would also offer BBB with an EPQ at B and they will take General Studies as one of the A levels. She also mentioned that if the grades aren't quite what your DC's expected ring them and speak to them on results day as if the personal statement is strong and the applicant is really enthusiastic about the subject they could theoretically make a lower offer. Something was mentioned about unconditional offers but apparently these are very rare....

Ds is putting Leicester as one of his choices. We have also looked at Newcastle, Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and Manchester......!

[Dunlurking]

starfleet that is incredibly helpful. Thank you very much for that.

[Dunlurking]

And good luck to your ds!

[starfleet]

It is worth looking though the course details on the Uni websites and then planning which she’d like to look at and definitely going to the open days to speak to the students and teaching staff. DS did spend a fair bit of time comparing before deciding which open days to visit.

Liverpool was a favourite with me - mainly for the course structure. Although the BA and BSc have some of the same modules in the first year the second and third are definitely split i.e, BA is Human and BSc Physical with no crossover. There are options to pick up modules in other subjects, Economics, Sociology etc etc. Newcastle is similar as were Leeds and Nottingham. We weren’t very enthused about Sheffield - couldn’t put my finger on why - it just didn’t jump out. The ones I’ve mentioned offer mainly AAB- ABB grades. Liverpool will offer BBB (I think with a grade A EPQ).

DS has also been advised to pick one that offers points over grades - the careers advisor at school seems to be directing the whole cohort to Hull as an option for this!!

[Dunlurking]

Thanks again starfleet Really really helpful!

[starfleet]

No worries. It’s all a bit of a minefield and there is lots to think about.

[GemmaB78]

Hull's geography department is not a happy place right now. My husband was lecturing there until he started his new role at York St John this month. The difference in him is marked!

[starfleet]

Gemma - is it not worth applying? I don’t think DS was going to but I know the school bod will try and push him as they will direct him towards a Uni with lower grade offers as a back up- he’s trawling though trying to find an alternative to Hull!

[GemmaB78]

I'm probably slightly biased/bitter, but the Uni generally has no money (spent it all on accomodation), is understaffed, and the staff they do have are under enormous pressure to deliver both on the TEF and the REF.

[Pollaidh]

To actually work in international relations she would generally be expected to have some language skills at a decent level.

[Dunlurking]

I'll keep the Hull issues in mind. Sorry about your husband's issues Gemma.
Pollaidh she picks up languages well despite only having a GCSE French. She's mixed race - dh is asian and we visit his parents most years. She could easily work there for a while but has settled on Nepal as the place she wants to do volunteer work for a year after uni.