Trying to understand clearing - grades seem so low for Exeter

[Revengeofthepangolins]

DS2 is year 12 so am browsing clearing to try to get some context for next year and to help him chose his UCAS 5.

Exeter asks for AAA for both English and Liberal Arts, but seems to have them in clearing now for ABC and BBC respectively (even lower for internationals). That seems a really surprisingly lower tarrif. Is that normal? And does it suggest that if their offer holders achieve these grades, Exeter will still accept them?

@EpidermalLayer I think there’s truth in what you say. It’s skills that people see in other degrees that perhaps they don’t see in English. I do think a lot of these degree holders are chasing the same type of work so they need more than the degree. That’s up to the individual of course and degree isn’t everything. However I do believe English degree students do need to build a cv with some work or volunteering on it because they might have to prove themselves just a bit more.

Yes, indeed. Exeter is doing very well on all these fronts.

To be fair it is a thread about Exeter, so it seems reasonable for people to come along and comment on Exeter particularly. It's a lovely university with some great courses.

MFL is in clearing as well.

I’ve employed scores of graduates over the years into one of the world’s leading advertising/marketing/media companies.

I hardly ever give grad jobs to those with business/marketing/media degrees. Most of them go to humanities grads with degrees from RG universities. We need people who can think analytically and creatively, as well as write brilliantly and create compelling arguments. History, philosophy, English etc. grads just seem to be much better at this.

BScs don’t often fare too well either - they tend to be light on the creative thinking side.

What “type of work” are they chasing out of interest?

Gosh! Anything not scientific or where there’s a need for a specific degree. Off the top of my head: marketing, HR, law, retail, accountancy, any general grad management scheme, NHS or civil service, local authority posts, sales, buying, publishing, journalism, tv work, advertising: the list is very long. I’m sure there’s 100s more.

I think you're misunderstanding that post?

Different universities have different policies. I am describing a situation I've had to support students through historically. There was one year (possibly the first year where students could self release into clearing?) when a lot of unis went down this route. I think it's less common now, but also things can change each year.

It's a situation parents should be aware of in case it happens to their child- but it most likely won't.

It's really important to remember there's no one blanket way unis have to behave towards near miss applicants on results day.

@Postapocalypticcowgirl How? Seems clear to me. They like students who have committed to them and already interviewed. I absolutely understand all unis are different but that hardly helps Dc does it? Maybe there should be a protocol on each uni web site for guidance? Eg we look at applicants in this order, etc . Could even be helpful!

That's really interesting @GodessOfThunder and confirms what I'e seen of my undergrads over the 30 years I've been teaching them.

On another thread tizeror was putting herself forward as an expert on vet practices because her gardeners daughter is a vet. So maybe he has another daughter

A friends DC went to Exeter last year, he was predicted ABB and firmed Exeter on that grade but got CDE and was still accepted without any issues. I did find that a bit odd as my own DS's uni only accepted the exact grades or very similar to what was published previously.

@Linneasweet Those grades are very low for Exeter. I’m amazed they got in. Wax it Falmouth?

However unis need bums on seats. They need the money!

Seems Exeter was ahead of the curve when they first published their reduced clearing grades. There was some change between those first clearing grades and results day clearing - some Streatham campus courses had been removed (and so filled before results day either via early clearing or by those that had firmed and insured). I know of DC who had Exeter as their firm but got rejected as they got a C in one subject. So I suspect the individual anecdotes are very course and campus specific. Exeter is a lovely Uni and good luck to any DC going there.