Uni applications and offers- a yr11 parent trying to make sense of it

[User27aw]

My ds is yr 11 and applying to 6th forms at the moment. He has got a clear plan that he wants to do maths, physics and computer science A levels and then a computer science degree.
Not sure what A level grades he would get but if for example he was predicted ABB should he only apply to Unis with a typical offer of ABB ? And apply to at least one Uni with lower typical offers in case he didnt achieve the ABB?
Or should he apply to ABB typical offer courses and some aspirational unis and if he doesnt achieve the ABB then get a place elsewhere in clearing?

If he had an offer for ABB and his Alevel results are 1 grade lower might he still get a place?
Is there a website that tells you what A levels grades students actually have who get onto the course?
Thanks

Yes, unifrog does this if your DS's school is signed up. And also this:

www.theuniguide.co.uk/

Different DC use different strategies. Although he can apply to 5 he has to shortlist these to 2. One firm and one insurance. Using your example some DC will have the firm as aspirational (AAB) and insurance as predicted (ABB) and go into clearing if they end up BBB on results day (if insurance don’t reduce offer). Others may not feel so confident & firm their predicted ABB and insure at BBB. If they then get AAB they can go through ‘adjustment’ and apply to a course which requires higher grades. It depends on the course and if it’s often in clearing and/or there’s likely to be places in adjustment. I’m not entirely sure how the latter works tbh.

For Adjustment, you have to have met and exceeded the conditions of your conditional firm offer. You have a short period in which to 'trade up'. In the meantime, you keep the place you already have - now your unconditional firm - until you decide to change. (To use Clearing, on the other hand, you have to be holding no offers at all to be considered for alternative places).

It's all explained on the UCAS website.