Applying to different course codes at same uni on UCAS application?

[Sonnex]

Is this a good idea, or not?

Circumstances are :

1. similar courses with either same or slightly different published entry requirements in same faculty - eg Business Management and Business and Marketing.
   
   
2. the same course but different course code because one has a one year placement with one higher A level requirement so eg Business 3 year course with ABB and Business 4 year with placement year with AAB.
   
   For this example particularly, if it's a real favourite, would there be any benefit in applying to both the 3 and the 4 year course (because they really would like a placement year if possible). Would they be assessed separately/twice? Or is it a wasted slot?

[Twizbe]

I seem to remember from my ucas days them advising against doing this. It can look like you don't really know the course / what you want.

Look at the modules as some similar courses will have many of the same module options just different core modules.

[Sonnex]

Yeah for case 1 that makes a lot of sense. What about case 2 when it's exactly the same course and exactly the same modules but with/without placement year?

[Twizbe]

Again just apply for one. You either want a placement year or you don't.

[Walrus6]

University admissions professional here.

There’s nothing wrong with (1) but you may find it’d a wasted slot as it could be that students are all taught together in the first year and then specialize later, or that there’s a significant choice of modules, either of which would allow the chance to be admitted to one course but change to the other later. Discuss the other the Uni.

For (2) it depends on whether one course is more competitive than the other. It’s not uncommon for the placement option to be more competitive which in theory means applying for both gives two chances. But ask them if they make ‘alternative offers’ for the non-placement option of an applicant isn't strong enough for the placement option.

In short, discuss with the university as while neither or these represent a problem, both could be a wasted choice.

[Dannexe]

Ds is but staggered. So he’ll apply for choice 1 and if rejected will apply for choice 2 (although this assumes they come back fairly quickly with a decision on choice 2)

[TheBoxOfWhat]

@Dannexe will they apply for option 2 before the January deadline if they have not heard back about option 1? A lot of offers/rejections come out after the January deadline due to the equal consideration process. Has your son spoken to the university admissions department about his course choices?

Statistically 76,940 students applications were in for the October 2021 deadline and a total of 616,360 were in by the January deadline, hence the equal consideration. Schools often prioritise those with the October deadline so everyone else is dealt with after this point no matter how keen they are to get their application in. Ds had emails from universities saying thank you for your application but that you probably won't hear from us until after the January deadline.

Best advice is always speak to the university and get their take on it.

[CasaDelSoot]

My DC1 did option 1. Applied for 2 courses in same faculty with lot of overlap and wrote personal statement to cover both. She just hadn't decided in November which she preferred.
But after going to offer holders day in March then dropped one of the options as had clearer idea of what she wanted by then.

[MarchingFrogs]

Some universities specifically say how they treat such applications - I haven't looked recently, but LSE, for example, used to be clear that they would only make a maximum of one offer. Others, as a pp said, will say that if you any for the 'higher' course, don't get that but are considered suitable for the 'lower' one it will be offered, so no need to apply for both.

[TizerorFizz]

This issue will arise more as students want one university because they wish to live at home. So applying for 3-4 courses at one university will become the norm. If you email the uni you should get a steer.

[Thewolvesarerunningagain]

Also uni admissions experience here. As Walrus said upthread, your son needs to talk to the uni and school concerned. They will give you good advice as it's in no-ones interest to have unhappy students. Honestly we are usually a friendly bunch, so don't be worried to ask questions. But please, encourage your son to ask for himself. He's an adult now and it looks a lot better if the approach comes from him

[TwoBlueFish]

My son did exactly this. He applied for international business management AAB needed and business management ABB needed. Only difference really is that the 2nd year is abroad for the international course. Then got a contextual offer of ABB for international and BBB for business management but only if 1st choice. He was advised by the Uni to put the business management down as his 1st choice (so BBB needed) then if his results exceeded they would move him to the international course. He then put a completely different Uni as his 2nd choice.

[Swissmummy15]

Granted my feedback on this goes back to 2008 so of course the feedback from Uni professionals on the application itself is surely the best! All I can say is a placement year abroad is the best thing I ever did! So whatever the way- I would 100% recommended this! Back in 2008 (yes amid the financial crisis it was pretty hard to find yourself a placement) but so many of my peers switched back and forward between placement and not! And it always seemed to be possible to add a year of study abroad if you wanted to! Just want to give you the confidence…whatever track your son goes down….there are normally always options!

[Notagardener]

DC did some staggering of application as couldn't decide on 5th choice. She did get an offer from one before Jan deadline so then applied for sec course at LSE (or maybe both at the same time, can't remember)

[poetryandwine]

Former admissions tutor here strongly echoing @Walrus6 and @Thewolvesarerunningagain. Admissions people want to help, and different units of admission will have different ways of handling this situation (as the examples upthread illustrate). I also agree strongly with Thewolves that it is vastly preferable for your DS to make this query for himself. If he is nervous about chatting on the phone, email is fine. In fact, email has the advantage that he can write out a clear, concise, very polite query (he might want someone to look at it before he sends it) showing him in the best light.

It may take a few days for someone to get back to him, because unis are understaffed and everyone is so busy. This should not be a source of concern.

[TizerorFizz]

@poetryandwine
I am wondering if universities should publish their policies on this. It is surely going to be a growing issue where parents snd students see living at home as the best option financially so only apply to the one university, but several courses are appealing.

Although we are not within commuting distance of a university, had that been something we needed to consider, both my DDs could have applied for a variety of courses at one single university. In fact one did apply for three different courses spread around five universities. All had the same PS. This happened because two courses were unique to two universities. Three other choices were the same course but two never responded by the end of April. No idea why not. Two choices were at UAL.and they have all sorts of variations on the same theme!

Therefore I think a faculty or university wide policy on multiple choices might be useful for the future, especially with the economic stunt clouds gathering.

[Dancingdreamer]

Some universities will allow you to transfer onto a placement degree after you join if you get good grades in your first year. Alternatively look at getting the experience through an internship?

[poetryandwine]

@TizerorFizz I think your idea is excellent. (That universities should publish these policies.) I wonder if it can be made to happen?

[TizerorFizz]

I would think a university with lots of local students would see this as useful. I’m not sure if those stats are published but surely each uni would know. It just makes sense to
me in a changing world.