What advice should I give?

[Helpitisashitshow]

My son has missed his place at Nottingham by one grade to do Computer Science - AAB instead of AAA. He is devastated! His insurance is Swansea and he has accepted a place there but it is obvious his heart isn’t in it and he is very low. What should I advise? Wait until next year? Would he get anywhere else with those grades? I’m assuming Computer Science is very competitive. I’m at a loss really but I’m concerned he could be making an expensive mistake.

Did he call Nottingham to speak to them? It might be worth doing that, there's nothing to lose. I'm not sure waiting a year is the best idea. He will obviously be disappointed but Swansea gets its fair share of good reports, good NSS and it's by the sea.

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/computer-science

Shows that Nottingham has places in clearing - has he spoken to them?

if not course wise one is 15th and the other 23rd so from an academic perspective there is not much in it.

Was it a city based decision

Does he have grounds for appealing his b grade? You'll probably need to talk to college/school to clarify that. If so, make sure he fills in the form on Nottingham's website telling then that.

Nottingham hasn’t had computer science places in clearing - or if it has I’ve missed them. I haven’t been able to speak to anyone. I will try again Monday. His school have also tried but no luck. All the clearing appears to be being done online. My son just fell in love with Nottingham and felt it was definitely where he wanted to be. We are visiting Swansea again next week - but my gut feeling is it’s not the place for him.

No unfortunately we don’t have grounds to appeal the B 🙁

But its your gut feeling not his - there must have been something he liked about Swansea to put it down.

These things often work out for best take him down to Swansea and show him around

I wouldn't give up hope yet. They do seem to have places for students with three As or AAB if they have CS A level. Definitely check with school on appeal criteria
I understand that they can have their hearts set on a place and there's nothing wrong with that. My DD has accepted a slightly different course at her preferred university and rejected her insurance. Would he prefer a different course in Nottinham or even CS at Nottingham Trent to Swansea?

I’m worried about advising him to wait until next year because goodness knows what this year may bring! I would feel better if he seemed content but he has been hit hard by this and is barely communicating. I have had a look and he might get in with a contextual offer at some universities - but obviously not this year.

What was his CAG for the subject he got the B for? My daughter was predicted AAA for 2 years and the school went in cautiously with AAB which would have got her into Birmingham to study Psychology. She got marked down to BBB. She’s now retaking psychology in the autumn and Biology next summer and reapplying. As luck would have it she’d already deferred and has a job as a TA for the year. I do think in the end there will be a system where they end up with their CAGs. They’ve certainly got to do something.

I'd suggest NTU to him if he has his heart set on Nottingham as a city. It's a good uni, (despite being a former poly ) with good industry links if he opts for a placement year.

Register with school your interest in appeal and fill in the form telling Nottingham that's what you're doing. The criteria hasn't been set and he may well meet it. Or the cap on numbers might lift or they might find a place for him.
Line up a decent back up. As PP said NTU is a great institution and Nottingham is a great town

Maybe try contacting Nottingham via twitter. Ask for details if who to speak to. They are v active on there and so someone should see it. Good luck