Should we do independent UCAS application after results 2024?

[MrsBish]

Hi,
I hope you experienced people can help.
My DS17 is currently studying Maths, Physics and Computer Science A Levels at 6th form college.
Unfortunately he didn't knuckle down at the beginning of year 12, so has slipped behind quite significantly, which is now deflected in his current provisional predicted grades of U/E, U/E and E.

We have had many conversations with him and the college over the past 6months about his grades. College have suggested he changes course or moves to a different college.

He has always said that he enjoys Maths and Physics (Computer Science less so) and wants to continue with them where he is. We, as his parents, are whole heartedly supporting him and he is now working with a Maths tutor and we have purchased the Physics Uplearn system for him.

We are hopeful of better predicted grades in September/October but I'm not sure how realistic this is so soon.

My question is regarding uni applications. He is determined to go to uni to possibly do some sort of engineering. The college needs all UCAS forms completed by November. He has already said that he will take a year out after uni to work.

Is there any point in him applying for Uni at this stage with the low predicted grades? The pressure of trying to decide which uni and course at the moment is adding some stress to the situation. We've had a look online and visited one uni so far, I don't feel he has the free time at the moment to be travelling at the weekend to visit unis. He is very undecided about which exact course to take too. Much more time needs to be spent on research.

Would it be best to do an independent application for 2025 intake once he has his grades in hand next year? We will have had more time to do research and visits by then too. Is there anything we need to be aware of with doing an independent application versus in via the college this year. I am quite anxious about 'removing' him from the college ucas process this autumn.

I will obviously speak to the college about this in September, I was just interested to hear about other people's experiences.

Sorry, he'll take a year out after alevels to work, not uni.

His ucas application doesn't have to be submitted until Jan 2024 which gives him quite a few months to get his grades up. Speak to the college about extending their (internal) deadline as far as possible.

If he's currently at U/E and is wanting C/D grades then he can catch up. If he's wanting A/B honestly pushing him to catch up 2 years in 1 is a tall tall order. He'd be better at looking at restarting Year 12 this September and doing his 2 years, bypassing applying for this year completely.

If he can up to C/D graces he could look at potentially applying for foundation courses.

Am I right in thinking he may only now do 2 A levels? Might he be better off looking at L3 Apprenticeships?

Maybe an apprenticeship would suit him better, either now or instead of uni. Unless he resits the year I doubt he can pull those grades up far. Some unis/courses will not look well on a gap year for a stem subject.

My daughter applied the year after having taken her A levels, and applied through her Sixth form, just as if she'd applied in year 13.

My daughter didn't get any offers from her y13 application. She had a gap year and reapplied during the gap year. The school supported her application. She's off to study veterinary science next month.

If your son definitely wants to have a gap year, he doesn't have to apply now although he can and then can defer his place til next year.

If you think he is likely to do better in exams than predicted then I think you would be better waiting and applying with grades in hand. He might struggle to get any offers if the college will only predict D or E grades which might not help his motivation. A degree with a foundation year would be a good option as someone has already mentioned. Nottingham Trent for example have aerospace engineering with a foundation year which requires 72 UCAS points (CCC). If he changed his mind about having a year off then he could get his grades and then see what was in clearing. If this year is anything to go by, universities often lower their grade requirements further in clearing. One final option might be to just write this year off and maybe look at a BTEC engineering course. For students who struggle with exams, BTEC can be an excellent route into higher education. My son wasn't even allowed to take A levels at his sixth form as his GCSEs were all grade 4/5. It was BTEC or nothing. As it turns out it was the best decision ever as he got top grades in his BTEC which secured him a place on a degree which required ABB at a level. He graduated with a 2:1! Looking at the stress of this year I really think more students should consider BTEC if I'm honest.

Won't his college help him with his application even if he's left? My daughter is doing an Art Foundation course this year (who will help her with UCAS) but the school has told everyone taking a gap year that they will of course help them when the time comes.

Many thanks for the advice. I think we will apply with grades in hand next year.