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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Advice on offer

25 replies

Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 08:26

DS is applying to university and has had some offers online.

It's a computing course.

For Cardiff they have said 'ABB to include Core Maths'

However Core maths is not an A level, think it is AS?

DS might contact them to clarify, he only got a C at GCSE
so maybe they are looking at this maths.

On the plus side he is doing well at Core maths, and is predicted an A.

OP posts:
Tree543 · 22/02/2023 09:26

I think it means ABB plus core maths but you are right it isn't clear, so I would contact them.

My ds is also applying for Computer Science at the moment, I'm more stressed than him waiting for the offers.

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 09:29

OK thanks. I did say to him can he check what it means, it's not very clear.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 15:19

I rang them and the admissions say they think it means core maths can be in the ABB but they aren't sure.

DS will ring them back with his student number so they can check.

OP posts:
NotDonna · 22/02/2023 16:27

What’s their standard offer?
My DD has core maths (did it in yr12) and York gave her ‘ABB plus core maths’ as her offer, meaning ABB in her A levels plus the core maths she already has. They’ve basically dropped a grade as their standard offer is AAB. Could this be the same for your DS? It definitely won’t be instead of an A level. He’ll still need the 3 at ABB. If he’s not yet taken Core maths then he should have received 2 offers from them - one as their standard offer (probably AAB) and the other alternative offer including the core maths (at ABB) but I’m suprised they’ve not said what grade is required at Core Maths. It’s sometimes an A or a B.

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 16:27

BBB I think. DS is going to ring them

OP posts:
NotDonna · 22/02/2023 16:52

Yeah he needs to ring them. That makes even less sense. Hopefully they give him good news and it’s all achievable. 🤞🏼

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 16:56

He rang them and they said the ABB includes Core maths, so it means it counts as one of the grades. DS specifically asked and mentioned that core maths is an AS level and they said that was OK.

So that's good news

OP posts:
WarningToTheCurious · 22/02/2023 17:02

ABB is the standard offer and BBB the contextual offer at Cardiff I think?

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 17:03

Interesting. They seem to have done something slightly different for DS?

It is a computing related course. Hope the info is right.

OP posts:
NotDonna · 22/02/2023 17:09

Wow! That’s great news. Is this university of Cardiff or Cardiff Met?

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 17:09

Cardiff university

OP posts:
WarningToTheCurious · 22/02/2023 17:09

WarningToTheCurious · 22/02/2023 17:02

ABB is the standard offer and BBB the contextual offer at Cardiff I think?

That’s for the Comp Sci BSc, and the info for the Applied Software Engineering course looks the same. An A grade in an EPQ also qualifies you for the lower offer.

Your DS could always ask them to clarify in a follow up email?

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 17:10

He isn't doing a EPQ. Doing Core maths instead.

It's for Cybersecurity with a year in industry

OP posts:
NotDonna · 22/02/2023 17:12

I’d get him to follow up with an email so that he has something very very clear in writing. Be very explicit about it being two A levels plus core maths at ABB.

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 17:13

I don't think there was an email address for admissions, just a phone number

He could check though

Also applied to Reading who offered ABB or BBB to firm, no mention of core maths

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 17:13

NotDonna · 22/02/2023 17:12

I’d get him to follow up with an email so that he has something very very clear in writing. Be very explicit about it being two A levels plus core maths at ABB.

Good plan. If going to put it down as a first choice best be clear on this. Thanks

OP posts:
NotDonna · 22/02/2023 17:14

I should have said…
Be very explicit about it being two A levels plus AS core maths at ABB.

NotDonna · 22/02/2023 17:24

Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 17:13

I don't think there was an email address for admissions, just a phone number

He could check though

Also applied to Reading who offered ABB or BBB to firm, no mention of core maths

Yh lots of universities aren’t interested in Core Maths. Reading must be one. Loughborough didn’t count it for DD either - she just got their standard offer. Sheffield drop from AAB to ABB if they get an A in core maths. Similar at York and Bath; dropping a grade in one of the A levels if also have core maths. For her course anyway. These are all 3 A levels plus AS Core Maths though and not instead of one of the A levels. Given Cardiff are doing something a bit unusual here I’d want it in writing.
My other thought for your DS was that it’s computing so mathsy and they maybe concerned regarding his maths GCSE grade so want core maths A/B/C as well as his other A levels. But doesn’t seem that way.

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 17:27

I did speak to someone else on here about Computing at Cardiff and they said it wasn't as mathsy as some of the universities.

DS is not doing A level Maths and it is not required for the course. he is doing Computing A level however.

He did get a C at GCSE Maths but is predicted an A at Core maths

It is interesting they have mentioned the Core Maths. He is going to message them via UCAS to check it all out.

OP posts:
WarningToTheCurious · 22/02/2023 17:29

The online Prospectus says that Maths at grade 6 / B at GCSE is required for Comp Sci degrees.

P63: www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/2514915/UGProspectus2023-English.pdf

I’d definitely check that they are including the Core Maths within the A level offer as it isn’t an A level and DS hasn’t met the GCSE maths requirement.

There’s an email address provided in the Prospectus: [email protected]

Admissions tutor is Dr Louise Knight.

WednesdaysPlaits · 22/02/2023 17:32

Core maths isn’t an AS though. It’s AS equivalent so I wouldn’t mention the phrase “AS” in your email

WarningToTheCurious · 22/02/2023 17:36

Core Maths is a level 3 qualification - as are AS and A levels - but the UCAS tariff is equivalent to an AS level and not an A level.

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 17:59

OK I'm not sure what he said, he wanted to do it himself - I think it gave a number of points as well? It's all a bit new to me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 22/02/2023 18:02

WarningToTheCurious · 22/02/2023 17:29

The online Prospectus says that Maths at grade 6 / B at GCSE is required for Comp Sci degrees.

P63: www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/2514915/UGProspectus2023-English.pdf

I’d definitely check that they are including the Core Maths within the A level offer as it isn’t an A level and DS hasn’t met the GCSE maths requirement.

There’s an email address provided in the Prospectus: [email protected]

Admissions tutor is Dr Louise Knight.

Thanks, I read somewhere that Core maths can be the same as a B at GCSE so maybe this is something that will be taken into account.

OP posts:
NotDonna · 22/02/2023 18:20

Thanks, I read somewhere that Core maths can be the same as a B at GCSE so maybe this is something that will be taken into account.
this seems most likely op and they’ve just not understood each other on the phone call. If his maths GCSE is less than the requirement then a good grade at core maths will now meet that requirement alongside his other 3 a levels.

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