Insurance choice for Physics

[Paternosta]

DS is in yr 12 and wants to know what to consider as an insurance choice for Physics for his UCAS form. It's a bit early I know but it would be good if we can visit so will need to know in advance to organise it.
He's already been to visit Durham and Oxford so is definitely putting those down, Warwick, Manchester, Edinburgh or Lancaster as the other choices. But all of those need top grades so he needs an insurance choice in case he gets lower grades than he's predicted.

Has anyone got any ideas?

Leeds, York, Sheffield, Southampton?

Cardiff, Kent, Leicester, Exeter?

Birmingham

Leeds
Southampton
Kings
Queen's Belfast
York
Sheffield
Cardiff
Liverpool
Queen Mary

Birmingham/Exeter good places but likely to be just as competitive as Lancaster so not really an insurance. I wouldn't put Kent or Leicester in the same league for physics as the ones above. If Scotland is an option, Glasgow likely to be competitive, but Strathclyde and Aberdeen would be worth a look.

Lancaster is in your original list and it has a reputation for accepting dropped grades. It would make a very good insurance option.

Thanks for these. Will pass on to DS. We live near Oxford so that would be ideal but I know it's a slim chance!
He would be the first in our family to go off to uni at 18 so we don't really have much experience about these things!
Interesting about Lancaster possibly accepting lower grades. I will definitely tell DS that.

My DD (currently at Cambridge) did a lot of research and applied to Bath as a more accessible option

York take reduced grades

Look up what kids actually got in with last year, as opposed to what they were asked for