Applying to University when you're not a 'standard' applicant

[ViaGellia]

Hi. My DS got excellent GCSE results then all but dropped out of 6th form due to mental health issues. His attendance was literally about 10% in Year 13. He still got two C's at A level in academic subjects plus a C in AS level Maths which was amazing tbh under the circumstances.

He's now been working for over 2 years in a job he fell into and has been excellent at but definitely isn't what he wants to do long term. His MH is much improved and now he's thinking of applying to university for entry next year.

The trouble is, with his A /AS level grades all universities want him to do a foundation year which is putting him off.

Is there a chance that given his GCSE results (all but one at 9, A* and A), the reason for his underachievement at A level and all the skills and maturity he's developed by working, a university would accept him straight onto a degree without the need to do a foundation year?

If so, how should he go about applying? The UCAS process seems to be set up for the standard 18 year old with three A levels - or is that not the case?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Has he contacted unis directly to ask them about his position?
If the answer is still foundation year then he could opt for an access course which will be ultimately free.

Agree with the advice above to contact a couple of uni departments directly for the subject he is interested in. Ultimately though a foundation year could be good for him as it will give him the academic foundations to succeed on the undergraduate course - especially if he had been out of studying for a while.
His maturity and great attitude will definitely help him to succeed too!

The alternative might be a degree apprenticeship, if the subject lends itself. His work experience may count in his favour with a potential employer.

Tbh some unis with low entry requirements would accept him, especially if he applies through clearing

But I don’t understand why a foundation year is putting him off, he probably does need that extra support all things considered

Also sorry but good gcse grades are irrelevant here unfortunately, they’re not a replacement for the a level he’s lacking

Could he retake this a levels privately this year in time for September entry? He needs another a level

Unfortunately it is the lack of the third A level that is making the difference. As another poster said if you can find a uni with lower entry requirements they may accept him on UCAS points. Admissions officers are generally a friendly bunch so he should call and have a chat.

After this time he may actually find a foundation year may well be a good way for him to get back into the swing of things.

Consider 2 year foundation degrees too. Then can decide whether to gain honours degree or look for employment.

As others have said, lower ranking universities may offer a place based on points, but I suspect he/you are aiming for universities that he would have applied for had he not struggled during A levels and had achieved the higher grades he probably would have expected. Unfortunately they won't look at his GCSE results and consider his circumstances, then base an offer on that.
Firstly, lots of kids do well at GCSE, then struggle with the step up to A level, so there's no guarantee he would have met their usual offer, even if he had not had the problems he had and secondly, they will have plenty of applicants who can meet their offer, so they don't need him. Also he cannot show them that he is capable of studying at the level they expect.
As others have said, a foundation year or Access course would be the best preparation for degree level study.

What is his aversion to foundation year?

The trouble is, with his A /AS level grades all universities want him to do a foundation year which is putting him off.

Another why would this put him off? A foundation year sounds like a brilliant way of easing him into higher educatin. If he went straight into the first year he would be expected to hit the ground running and this may affect he mental health. IMO a foundation year is a brilliant idea.

@ViaGellia

Hi. My DS got excellent GCSE results then all but dropped out of 6th form due to mental health issues. His attendance was literally about 10% in Year 13. He still got two C's at A level in academic subjects plus a C in AS level Maths which was amazing tbh under the circumstances.

He's now been working for over 2 years in a job he fell into and has been excellent at but definitely isn't what he wants to do long term. His MH is much improved and now he's thinking of applying to university for entry next year.

The trouble is, with his A /AS level grades all universities want him to do a foundation year which is putting him off.

Is there a chance that given his GCSE results (all but one at 9, A* and A), the reason for his underachievement at A level and all the skills and maturity he's developed by working, a university would accept him straight onto a degree without the need to do a foundation year?

If so, how should he go about applying? The UCAS process seems to be set up for the standard 18 year old with three A levels - or is that not the case?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

As others have said talk to the universities directly about his particular situation (or email their admissions or widening access teams). Universities are extraordinarily helpful, but may well still suggest a foundation course. Nothing wrong with foundations courses a student I supported onto one years ago, I next saw as junior doctor in a specialist hospital.

As to how he should go about applying, he will need a reference from his sixth form, so get in touch with them. Context will be key in the reference. It might be that the sixth form only provide the reference, rather than him applying through them.

Do consider degree apprenticeships, open university, or U92 as well?

In the end it may not be for him, but do encourage him to at least seriously consider the foundation year. My Dd19 had a rough time at 6th form after being a high achiever at GCSEs (family bereavement, undiagnosed medical issues, all lead to some moderate-severe mental health issues) and came away with 2 C’s and a btec.

She applied to uni through clearing and was told for the course she wanted she’d have to do a foundation year. I was sceptical at first (it is another year of fees after all) but it’s benefitted her so much. It shows the uni that you have a solid base of knowledge that will be needed for the course and because there’s an amount of overlap between the foundation course and Alevel it’s less stressful than immediately going onto a degree course. It’s also allowed her to build relationships with tutors and lecturers who are aware of the issues she has.

She’s now in first year and has found that the foundation year students are generally getting higher marks in coursework because they already have the understanding of how university assessments and referencing are done.

As I said it still might not be for him and may be more worthwhile looking into doing an access to higher education course or a degree apprenticeship

Another one saying he should contact University admissions departments. They will have procedures for dealing with non standard applicants. However they will probably want to see more recent evidence of his ability to handle A level type work, with Under Graduate potential.

One example (chosen solely because I was aware of it) is LSE. There will be others.

www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/Prospective-Students/How-to-Apply/UGAA

@Rummikub

Consider 2 year foundation degrees too. Then can decide whether to gain honours degree or look for employment.

Thanks everyone.

This is the option that he's currently pursuing.

The reason for being against a Foundation year was the additional time to get a qualification and of course the additional year of fees and costs.

We've found a Foundation degree course in the subject he's interested in at an attractive city university only an hour by train from home and he's got enough UCAS points.

We're going to an open day next month!

It all looks ideal but we will see. At the very least it's got him out of the mindset that he's stuck with the only option of doing 4 years and/or asking for special consideration.

I never expected to be in such a positive position now when I posted

The reason for being against a Foundation year was the additional time to get a qualification and of course the additional year of fees and costs.

I think the benefits will probably outweigh the costs TBH.

@ViaGellia

That’s great news! I’m very pleased for you both.

It’s a good option as he can have the flexibility of gaining the honours degree or straight into employment.