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Higher education

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

Original poster

Is it common to get an unconditional offer before grades are awarded?

17 replies

maggiethecat · 22/02/2021 23:35

I'm not so familiar with the system so am curious about how common unconditionals are based on predicted grades.

Does that mean that candidates can pretty much flunk their subjects?

OP posts:
HagenDaz · 22/02/2021 23:39

My DD had an unconditional offer as did some of her friends. My DD still worked very hard and scored AAA and one didn’t work very hard and for BCC. As long as you pass the A levels then you can still take up the offer. Not sure what would happen if you failed the lot though. Still, “unconditional” means unconditional.

Original poster
maggiethecat · 22/02/2021 23:42

@HagenDaz
Good on your dd! I suppose it's tempting to take foot off the gas but I expect that you'll do yourself a disservice if you do that.

OP posts:
Mydogisagentleman · 23/02/2021 12:08

My DD had a couple of conditional offers AAB for 2 and an unconditional.
She began last year and is studying maths.
According to her, universities are keen to recruit more women today STEM subjects.

soresore · 23/02/2021 12:12

We give unconditional offers out to people who present themselves well and meet all the other criteria. Usually people get close to their predicated.

Movinghouse2015 · 23/02/2021 12:41

I thought uni's were not supposed to be offering unconditional offers this year...

I am aware that Russell group uni's have stopped offering them. However, a number of friends DC who are predicted AAA or similar have been offered CCC, if they make it their firm choice.

Original poster
maggiethecat · 23/02/2021 12:46

@soresore
"We give unconditional offers out to people who present themselves well"

  • is that as judged by their personal statement?
OP posts:
Original poster
maggiethecat · 23/02/2021 12:49

@Movinghouse2015

  • that's interesting, we've heard about a couple so not sure what's going on.
OP posts:
Mindlesspuzzles · 23/02/2021 12:52

My dd has had 1 unconditional offer this year. From a russell group uni, based on having high predicted grades. So not true to say they aren't offering them.

titchy · 23/02/2021 13:01

The practice is discouraged but not banned. What is banned is making an offer unconditional if the applicant firms them, so called 'conditional unconditionals'.

soresore · 23/02/2021 13:14

I'm speaking as a college, not Uni. And we need numbers, so we tend to take most applicants that seem reasonable.

There interview manner and references are really important.

sneakysnoopysniper · 23/02/2021 13:24

This happened to me but many years ago. I was returning to uni as a mature student (with no A levels) but had sent samples of my writing ahead to the interviewers. I had also studied the course and the department and was able to give sound reasons for my choice and present myself very well. They asked me what other offers I was holding and I made it clear that the course I was being interviewed for was my preferred. They asked me to step outside for a few minutes and then called me back to make an unconditional verbal offer which was confirmed via UCAS shortly afterwards.

Later I became an academic at the same uni and found myself interviewing some students (particularly older ones) do present so well in terms of their motivation and personal attributes that you agree at once they will be an asset to the course.

Movinghouse2015 · 23/02/2021 13:49

@titchy so does that mean a young person could put an unconditional offer as their insurance and secure the place if they did not meet the conditions of the firm?

All unconditional offers I have heard are under the condition you make it your firm choice.

The lower offers my friends DC have received are only honoured if they make it their firm choice. If not it reverts to the standard offer for the course.

user1497207191 · 23/02/2021 13:53

so does that mean a young person could put an unconditional offer as their insurance and secure the place if they did not meet the conditions of the firm?

Yes, unless the Uni insists your offer is only unconditional if you make it first choice - i.e. a conditional unconditional. Different unis have different ways. My DS got an unconditional from a RG - no requirement to make it firm/first choice, so it became his "insurance" option. Their offer letter will say whether their unconditional offer has any conditions!

SisterA · 23/02/2021 13:53

I received multiple unconditional uni offers when I was going to uni. I’m in Scotland so my first lot of exams in my 5th year of high school were enough to secure my place at uni and as such my 6th year of results were irrelevant. Truthfully I didn’t try as hard but I had a lot of anxiety so tried to use the year to sort of relax into school and enjoy myself.

titchy · 23/02/2021 14:16

Their offer letter will say whether their unconditional offer has any conditions!

Although it shouldn't as that is what has been banned!

LoonvanBoon · 23/02/2021 14:42

My twins have got one unconditional offer each for this year - same RG university, different courses. It's not either of their top choices so it won't stop them aiming for high grades, which they need for all their other offers. Both are considering it as an insurance choice though.

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