Deferring university start advice

[mustrest]

Although there is a chance my Y13 DD will do ok in A levels, there is also a high chance they will not. Their MH has not been good at times through y12 and Y13 and they are now getting the right support. They are holding two conditional offers. We do need to think about contingencies and I am trying to.understand how it works.

They probably would benefit from a gap year, but we have only just started thinking about this so the UCAS application they have submitted and finalised is for autumn 2023. If they don't get the grades and also wish to defer to next year - how does this work? I assume this year's clearing won't offer them anything. Would really appreciate your thoughts and experience of this situation.

It’s a long time ago now but I was in a similar boat. I was slightly short on my grades - needed BBB and got BBC. I rang on results day and said I’d still like to do the course but a year later and could they be flexible. They were happy to offer me a place for the following year.

Hopefully someone will have more up to date advice but I doubt it will have changed much.

It will depend on the university, course and how far off their grades you expect them to be. I think you have the following scenarios.

1. You contact the uni, ask for offer to be deferred, they say yes, student meets offer, starts in sept 2024
2. you contact the uni, ask for offer to be deferred, they say no. The student then has to start in sept 2024, or reject their offer and reapply for sept
3. you contact the uni, ask for offer to be deferred, they say yes and student doesn’t meet the terms of the offer. They then need to either resit, or withdraw their application and reapply for courses which will accept their grades in hand.

You can’t usually get deferred places through clearing. It’s worth chatting through 2 and 3 with your DC to make a plan ahead of speaking to unis so nothings a shock and there’s always a plan B

Sorry 2 should say

you contact the uni, ask for offer to be deferred, they say no. The student then has to start in sept 2023, or reject their offer and reapply for sept 2024

Thankyou for taking the time to respond. Really helpful advice and I feel a bit clearer so we can discuss and work out the next steps

Withdraw and reapply for 2024. You get unconditional offers and can apply for accommodation as soon as it opens (although not all unis allocate on first come, first served). For the new ps mention some plans which support the degree subject if possible.