Novice question - entry requirements

[petraplumb]

Hi,

DS (Yr12) has seen a course he quite likes the look of at Durham.

Entry requirements are ABB or BBC for a contextual offer according to UCAS.

DS already has BTEC DDM (which according to Durham's website is equivalent to BBC) and is now sitting additional qualifications, and is eligible for a contextual offer.

Is it likely that Durham would make an unconditional offer, or in this very competitive market, is it likely to be dependent on his current studies? He's emailed to ask Durham but they just gave a very non-committal vague answer pointing him to the contextual policy!

Thanks

I think it will depend a lot on what course/area he's applying for and the strength of his experience/motivation/personal statement.
Durham can be a bit snooty about BTECs...

I agree with the poster above (sorry I don't know anything about BTECs). Is your son sitting A levels as well?

My son's off to Durham (my husband and I also went there back in the day) and I've heard various stories from other kids and parents, Generally, it's very competitive like the other unis, and typical offers are A star AA or AAA. Our (private) school had very few Durham offers this year, and fewer offers than Oxford.

I know of one unconditional from Durham this year, contextual because of the postcode (ironically the person went to a private school). On the whole, it seemed to be one or two grades lower for contextual offers (so AAB or ABB). Not sure how this translates into BTEC marks, apologies.

It's worth spending time on the personal statement. My son did an EPQ which, although not reflected with a lower offer, I think was the reason for his offer as it showed interest in his subject on his PS. I'd give it a go but along with a range of other universities so you don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Yes he'll be sitting his A Levels next summer, and is predicted A star A star B so should be ok on that basis anyway, even without the BTEC or the contextual offer. I was just wondering if an unconditional was likely, to lift the pressure on the exams next year.

This may be a stupid question but why didn't he apply this year but to defer? I'm not sure if it is too late for that but surely that would be the safest route.

@sashh not a stupid question; he's applying to other places that disregard the BTEC completely so they will be reliant on this A Levels next year.

We just thought if one of his options was likely to be unconditional it would make life easier!

I suppose he'll just have to apply and see what happens.

The unconditionals are not always a great thing to get actually as they can stop people working hard for high grades and that can then mess up job chances later so I am not a fan of them.

I think he should go by his A levels this coming academic year for his application and hope to get a contextual offer on the basis of those. Not sure about BTECs as they were not done at schools where my children went, just A levels.

If he is eligible for the contextual offer, and Durham accepts his BTEC, then an unconditional is possible.

But as he’s sitting full A Levels as well, I would say it’s probably unlikely and his offer would be based on these quals.

Also depends on the subject hes applying to, the BTEC he did and the A Levels he’s doing?

What course is it with a standard offer of ABB - that sounds low for Durham?

And how come he already has a Level 3 BTEC? What was the logic in doing two full sixth form programmes? (Is the BTEC level 3?)

I would suggest your DS does not set his heart on Durham. If he has already spent 2 years doing a BTEC, then another one or two doing A levels he may not get an offer when in competition with others achieving top A level grades in two years.

@titchy Primary Education (or perhaps education studies) and he achieved the BTEC through hospital school whilst very ill. He's now nearly back on form hence starting again with A Levels.

@Redburnett absolutely, he's looking at some aspirational and some which would certainly just take just the qualifications he already has as insurance - but his circumstances are exceptional as above. He'll be completing mitigating circumstances forms for those that he's applying to.

Can't comment on your question - but that seems a really unusual scenario - to sit one whole lot of Level 3 qualifications in Y12, and another lot in Y13. So effectively doing 2 lots of 2 year courses in 1 year each. Can I ask how it came about that he chose to do this?

Is his btec an extended level 3? It is unusual to achieve that in year 12 and anything else will not match 3 A levels. Durham will have non A level equivalent entry criteria but they are known to be traditional and less flexible than many.

Ah ok - certainly a very unusual set of circumstances - his reference should make this very clear. I hope he's much better now.

I'd say given the circumstances (does he have some primary school work experience btw - the Durham website is clear applicants need some), he'd stand a good chance of getting an unconditional offer based on already completing a Level 3 programme and meeting the contextual requirements.

I assume he has the GCSE requirements as well?

Thanks @titchy, yes, he's done practical experience and yes to the GCSE's. That makes me feel a lot better (although I'm sure I'll still be chewing my nails another six months or so!)

@redskyatnight @LIZS he's effectively going into 4th year of sixth form education, through extenuating circumstances as the first two were through hospital school. It was a full Extended Diploma (although in what he calls a soft subject!) and now he's back and pushing himself academically.

Just to add, "soft subject" is only how he refers to it, everyone else thinks it's reasonable, it wasn't floristry!

Primary education is a fantastic choice for someone who has not done a conventional route through education.

IMHO teachers who didn't do school, GCSEs, A Levels, degree have more life experience and more empathy.

I wish him all the best. Both at uni and as a teacher.