Contextual early offers for competitive courses

[LionsandLambs]

I’ve noticed people on different forums posting they have received contextual offers early, for competitive courses that don’t seem to offer any non contextual offers until after the late January application deadline. The students often have lower predictions, not just lower offers.

How does this work, do they have a certain quota to reach?

@LionsandLambs Maybe they have lower predictions because of their circumstances which entitle them to a contextual offer. It does not mean they are not capable of succeeding at university. Some universities have more than one criteria to make a contextual offer on, some want 2 or 3.

Ds had 3 of his eventual 4 offers in before the end of November when he applied. I specifically remember Warwick saying you won't hear from us until after the equal consideration deadline in January unless in exceptional circumstances but he still had an offer from them in November, none of them were contextual. If they really want you, they offer. But most will be shortlisting now but waiting until after the January deadline. Contextual offers help level the playing field. Not everyone is afforded the same opportunities.

For September 2022 entry, there were a total of 610,720 applications in by January 2022 and I believe that includes the 76,940 that were in before the October 2021 deadline. You can see why they wait until after January as the vast majority of applications come in later than October.

Thanks. Sorry if not clear. I’m not questioning the reasoning or validity behind contextual offers, just asking why they’re being made early. These are courses that haven’t appeared to have made a single non contextual offer (except for overseas applicants which I can understand) as yet.

some universities have guaranteed contextual offer schemes. So they know if student meets x profile, they’ll get a contextual offer so it can be sent out straight away.
some have separate teams working on them so they’re on different timelines.
there isn’t a quota and students receiving early contextual admissions does not impact on non contextual offers.

@LionsandLambs sorry, I've been here too long, there are usually quite snide remarks about contextual offers. I think because of this situation as they often come out earlier so some parents are pissed that their child is waiting. Plus the lower grade aspect too.

The end of January sees offers start trickling out. it is a slow process so be prepared. Some unis are notoriously late like Durham. Also lots of students may post but may not be very truthful like the one who claimed they had applied to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same cycle which is impossible. Student Room usually has a running spreadsheet every year for offers, predicted grades and offer grades. It might drive you crazy though.

Great this is helpful thank you

Great thanks for explaining, much appreciated.

@LionsandLambs this board is great for information. If you are concerned about posting specifics of your child's uni or course I recommend a name change for those threads.

As offers come in people tend to post on those university threads ie Manchester or whatever. There are some lovely Mnetters who are in sixth forms who see when offers start coming in for courses/universities for their students so they tend to look and post too. I don't have a child going to uni this time but like to be supportive to those who are going through it and other posters feel the same way too.

Good luck to you, it is a marathon, it can be really shitty but hopefully your child gets the uni they want.

I have always found this puzzling too. I don’t see how making lots of contextual offers in say nov dec can’t have an impact on the NC ones in Feb - there are only so many places for a given course. International ones also come early, but these I think are from a pre-set quota.

Yes, I couldn’t understand why early offering was done either. All I can think is there must be a quota, otherwise the course would surely fill up.