Has anyone's DC managed to 'upgrade' their uni in year two?

[WoodforTrees]

DS didn't get the grades he wanted or expected. It was all a bit of a shock. He did reasonably well in his mocks (ABB) was predicted AAA and consistently turns in strong work. Did well at GCSEs as well - a couple of 7s then 8s and 9s. just for context.

I know that this year quite a lot of students dropped grades, but DS dropped more than 'a grade'. Ended up with CCC - was absolutely gutted and none of us could quite believe it.

Long story short - he took a place to do his preferred course though clearing (missed out on his insurance as well) but he already hates it there. He says it's just 'not him' and if he'd had the chance to view it before he had to commit, he would have known it wasn't for him. It was all a bit 'desperate times' as clearing tends to be and he took a chance. He has also said that the people on his course don't seem like they care much for the subject or really want to be there either and that he is finding it hard to get enthused when it just feels like he is with a bunch of misfits who didn't end up where they hoped to be.

Anyway.... he tells me that a friend of his (who I do know) didn't get his first choice or insurance last year and ended up somewhere else (Leeds Becket fwiw) on a different course (History) and that three people from his course have this year transferred to a RG uni on the basis of having a strong first year at LB.

Is that really a thing? DS is now pinning all his hopes on being able to do something similar. Has anyone any experience of 'upgrading' and if so, how did you go about it please?

Thank you all. This is all really useful.

I think we will speak to a few Unis and see what they say. Does anyone know who to approach? Head of Department for the subject?

To. the poster who asked: His results were so unexpected that it's hard to pinpoint what exactly went wrong. There was a lot going on at home but he thought he was coping. I don't know.

What's his relationship like with his old school or sixth form? If they'd be prepared to write a reference to say his results were totally unexpected as actually he's an 'A' student, that could really help. I'd suss that quickly first then your DS can call around confident that he can tell potential course leaders that his teachers are prepared to back him, etc. It's worth a try!

That's a really good idea. Somewhere to start. Thank you.

It’s possible but not guaranteed and as PP have said he would probably need to start again in Y1. If he’s going to do it I would attempt it at the same time as looking for a course/uni which would accept him with his current grades (look at foundation years as well) and which he’d be happy at, as an insurance so to speak.

My ds missed out on his first choice Liverpool last year by one grade. Went to Aston and has hated it. Now starting the same course again at Lancaster. Could still not get into his first choice of Liverpool this year.