Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Higher education

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

Original poster

University Offers for 2022 Start

512 replies

Calmed · 13/11/2021 07:24

I've heard universities are being more cautious this year, with some stating that they are not going to make most offers until the January deadline, when they can see a clearer picture - because of the over-subscription that happened for last year's students.

I thought it might be interesting to see which universities are making offers for which subjects.

We've only heard from York so far, for Computer Science. York University do seem to be making early offers.

Anyone else heard from any universities? Think it would be good to know what is happening out there :)

OP posts:
angieloumc · 01/12/2021 12:08

[quote Decorhate]@PermanentTemporary Is Leeds saying that for all courses or just the one your dc is applying for?[/quote]
Perhaps it is the course Permanent's DC has applied for as my DD has been offered a place on Philosophy.

HGC2 · 01/12/2021 12:11

My DS is submitting is through school I think in a week or so, I feel completely out of the loop which is causing me no end of fear! What is meant by a high or a good offer? I was thinking that there were 3 possible replied - unsuccessful, yes for definite with the grades he currently has (in 6th year in Scotland so has Highers already) or conditional based on his results this year, is that not the case?

ClerkMaxwell · 01/12/2021 12:28

Yes for Scottish students with Highers already then it will be unconditional, conditional or rejection. If he is keen on the conditional then your DS will need to assess how likely he will meet it (or also how likely uni will accept less on results day). There might be more unis than normal giving conditional offers on S6 subjects this year.

Dingleberry8 · 01/12/2021 15:21

DS has an offer from Warwick (Physics) and is still waiting for Bath, St Andrews and Durham. He has an interview at Oxford so won’t find out outcome until January. I’ve heard that St Andrews and Durham won’t get back to people until January (although Durham do sometimes offer international students and contextual offers early). A few of DS’ friends have offers from Bath already but for less popular subjects.

Still trying to get my head around the circumstances that some candidates are given an offer but told it will be made lowers if they “firm” the offer? Is this just for contextual offers or do they do this for candidates that they think are exceptional?

NCTDN · 01/12/2021 22:12

@Seeline has your dd got offers yet?

Ulelia · 01/12/2021 23:15

York definitely, and a few others probably, have outsourced admissions for many courses to an external company and given them the target of replying to offers withing 48 hours. So they're being very fast this year! An admissions officer at York told me that, I work in University recruiting elsewhere.

Still trying to get my head around the circumstances that some candidates are given an offer but told it will be made lowers if they “firm” the offer? Is this just for contextual offers or do they do this for candidates that they think are exceptional?
Sometimes it's for exceptional candidates, more often it's when the university thinks it's not the top choice for many students and is trying to increase the number who firm it, and would increase the grade profile of its student body. Or to have a better gauge of its incoming year group size earlier to iudge how many offers there are, or to try and persuade students to pick them.
Essex in particular, and Coventry and Hull also, do it a lot. Its more common now since the government put pressure on unis to not give as many unconditional offers.

Fruitygal · 02/12/2021 06:27

@Dingleberry8 I know a friend of DDs with a St Andrews offer so there are a few. Exeter has offered my DD but not most of her friends.

Dropped offers for firming unis is a way of trying to fill courses. ( Preying on nervousness of great students around achieving grades in these times)

Think It is unhelpful and probably counter productive - why?

If your child is predicted AAA and puts down a uni who says at the open day we offer AAB offering ABB with an EPQ chances are its there as a potential insurance choice fir the student which is fine. BUT if when the student applies the uni then offers AAB and only offers ABB with EPQ IF offer is firmed (made first choice) then the uni has priced themselves out of the second slot. The student has a uni for first choice already offering AAA and AAB is not a big enough drop for the 2nd choice especially when there are other unis offering ( from their 5) ABB without the caveat of making it 1st choice.

This strategy may work with the AAB student but it’s not a catch all so those with top predicted grades considering uni as 2nd choice are lost. Daft really because often students don’t make predicted grades so being in 2nd position as a uni may fill your course with more students who gain great grades but perhaps one lower than predicted. Nuance is everything.

Seeline · 02/12/2021 07:33

@NCTDN yes she has - UEA, Nottingham, Exeter and Kent. Birmingham wanted an essay before giving an offer. As she already had the 4, and Birmingham was her last choice, she decided she didn't really have the time for an extra essay on top of school work, and let that one go. How is your DD doing?

NCTDN · 02/12/2021 07:48

@Seeline she has but none of the ones your dd has though. Heard from Warwick, Loughborough, Manchester and waiting on Durham and Bristol.
An extra essay doesn't sound like much fun!

Dingleberry8 · 02/12/2021 14:23

@Fruitygal thanks for the explanation…yes I can see how that might muddy the waters a bit….

In addition to this ploy, I really do think the timing of the offer can have a big impact on how warmly it’s received….offer too quickly and it sort of devalues it a bit but offer too late and by the time you receive it you feel a bit pissed off. DS has warmed to Warwick as it’s his first offer and they haven’t made that many offers yet so he feels a bit special - which is quite funny as it’s originally it was his 5th choice.

Fruitygal · 02/12/2021 14:30

@Dingleberry8 I think you are right about when they offer and also how they offer - York sent a lovely golden ticket 🎫 with an envelope saying you’re exceptional! That went down well as DD loves getting post and it made her feel special. ( she knows everyone got one but it was a nice touch). Wait until the offer days with our DSs my DH grades the unis based on the buffet/ refreshments they put on for the parents 😂😂

NCTDN · 02/12/2021 15:13

Does everywhere do offer days? When are they?

NCTDN · 02/12/2021 15:14

@Dingleberry8 dd got a personal email from Warwick a couple of weeks after her offer which was a lovely touch.

Seeline · 02/12/2021 16:26

DD had an invite to an offer holder's day at Nottingham. She was very chuffed as they asked for any dietary requirements - she's GF, and is expecting great food!

Koshnique · 02/12/2021 16:51

Any offers out from Durham or UCL yet?

Musmerian · 02/12/2021 16:57

My son, who’s unite canny, did an early application even though he didn’t apply for Oxbridge or medicine. He wanted to get it out of the way before coursework and also to see if he got lower offers( happens if they think they can woo a high flyer!). He had offers from Birmingham, Nottingham and Manchester very quickly. Edinburgh is the only one with no offer.

BlueMarigold · 02/12/2021 19:20

Apologies I have been following this thread for a while but I have nothing to contribute yet as DD’s application is stuck with the school.

@Musmerian that’s a brilliant idea! Did he lower offers than expected?

NewCollegeMintJuleep · 02/12/2021 19:41

Durham ABB if firmed, AAA otherwise, standard offer AAA.
Warwick AAA matching their standard offer for PPE.
York ABB, standard offer AAA.
Waiting for Scotland to decide if they want anyone from RUK.

Fruitygal · 02/12/2021 20:01

@NewCollegeMintJuleep what is the course your child has applied for - 1st non international student with a Durham offer I’ve seen. Can we ask your DCs predicted grades?

Fruitygal · 02/12/2021 20:02

@NewCollegeMintJuleep are they all PPE or different courses ?

welliesarefuntowear · 02/12/2021 20:05

My son has had offers at Reading, Aberystwyth and Sheffield Hallam for Geography. I'm so excited for him.

NewCollegeMintJuleep · 02/12/2021 20:14

They came through quickly and made up for the disappointment of not getting an interview at their first choice last week. All PPE. 2 x A* A with a EPQ, along with a rubbish POLAR4 postcode.

NCTDN · 02/12/2021 20:59

@NewCollegeMintJuleep that's an amazing offer from Durham! I'd be biting their hand off Grin

NewCollegeMintJuleep · 02/12/2021 21:20

I'm not convinced. Durham behaved appallingly last year, changing college allocations, keeping offer holders on hold and offering some students places on courses they hadn't even applied for. It's hate my DC to set their heart on a particular college then get stitched up at the last minute.

The course at Warwick isn't Oxbridge-lite, as they incorporate all 3 disciplines into the different modules. I think that will probably be their first choice, unless the Scottish side of our family swings it their way.

Musmerian · 02/12/2021 22:11

@BlueMarigold - he’s desperate to go to Birmingham and got a slightly lower offer but not crazy low. Still well within his capabilities. I was pretty impressed he actually got his act together to do it. Both DH and I are teachers but we try to be quite hands off.