What (if any) unis use ucas points rather than grades?

[Timestabler]

My dd (y12) is predicted 148 ucas points but when I look at courses they then ask for BBB or ABB and her profile is wider than that.

I was therefore wondering if any unis give offers on points or whether they only do grades. I thought some must do as otherwise what’s the purpose of points?

I said they were primarily looking at academic profile. However- additional activities demonstrate transferable skills like time management etc

Has she got a predicted grade for the EPQ? Because some unis will lower by one grade if EPQ is A* or A

That is a line largely spun by schools. There are some very specific cases when all the extra stuff is genuinely useful, but in general academics don't give a flying fig that Henry has grade 8 piano and Gold DoE and volunteered in an Orphanage whilst also working in a community cafe.

but in general academics don't give a flying fig that Henry has grade 8 piano

They certainly would care if Henry wanted to study music at Uni. Some Unis accept Grade 8 ABRSM in your chosen instrument in lieu of an A Level. OP hasn’t specified which course her DC is looking at.

Well, yes, obviously, and that is why I said there were specific circumstances when other things would be genuinely useful (and sometimes necessary). But in general they are not.

The admissions tutor for DD's course at her university said that they don't even read personal statements unless the student is borderline - biomedical scinces at Newcastle.

Having sat through umpteen subject talks for medicine and allied courses at various universities I can categorically state that universities don't care if the prospective student has done D of E either.

Yet DS Warwick offer letter referred to specific sports mentioned in his PS.

And DDs Durham offer referred to her Drama background in her halls allocation.

Looking at her excellent GCSE grades, those Cs are a bit low especially if she is fab enough to get an A star in something ( is it very specialised?). Can she work those up to Bs? Much wider and less complex choice then!

I’m looking with my dd for next year, predicting bbc and epq.

she has been told epq will reduce by a grade and is looking at unis with bbc (same ucas points I think), the epq is nice to have as I said to my dd and useful in a tie break but it’s not really a consideration. My dd wants to study history and hers is related to degree modules.

@JosephineGrundy
For some subjects, they don't look at personal statements - just grades.
However, every personal statement talk I've attended ( which is many dozens at this point) has said to mention outside interests/ job etc. However 80-90% should be academic/ relevant work experience.
What I was saying is that ALTHOUGH the unis which don't use the tariff may be delighted that students do activities which attract UCAS points, for entry they primarily look at grades/ courses. IE the entry requirements.

And I agree about DofE . Also, no one needs to put that they were a prefect

DoE is a great thing to do if you're interested in it and like the way it is structured. Universities, by and large, couldn't care less if you have done it or not so any schools saying that it will be looked on favourably are either out of date or ill-informed.

Same with sport, drama and music to a high level unless you are applying to a directly relevant degree. An admissions tutor at a renowned university told DS quite bluntly that he 'couldn't give a toss what students do in their spare time.' A personal tutee of mine (some years ago) assumed the fact that they played international sport meant that allowances would be made as to when and where she sat her exams. She was mistaken.

Universities, by and large, couldn't care less if you have done it or not so any schools saying that it will be looked on favourably are either out of date or ill-informed.

IMO schools promote D of E to make themselves look good. I agree that it is character forming for young people, but generally universities don't care. I get the impression that admissions tutors feel that most extra curriculars on personal statements are tick box exercises desined to impress to cover up for less than ideal academics.

I may be completely wrong of course.

we are looking for DD and they do at Chester.

As a previous poster has mentioned have a look at which unis may make lower offers based on her EPQ such as Bath and Exeter for example.

Unfortunately with the two "C"s she is probably looking at unis which make BCC level offers with perhaps BBB as her aspirational choices unless there is a reason why she is performing at a C level this year which wont be there in year 13.

Your better strategy might be to persuade the teachers to up the predicted grades - some schools /teachers will allow an element of debate but your DD needs to be able to argue how/why she can pull up at least one of those C’s. With predicted grades of ABC she could do an aspirational application to an ABB Uni, 3 applications to those seeking BBB-or BBC and one backup of BCC