Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Bath or Sussex?

19 replies

Catsback · 21/10/2023 12:44

Daughter thinks she wants to go to Bath or Sussex to study Psychology. Predicted the right A level grades for Bath, and above what they’re asking for Sussex. However, for Bath she’ll need to take a core maths qualification, which we’ll need to fund tutoring for at £50 a week. For Sussex, nothing like that. She’s interested in autism studies, and is thinking of Educational Psychology for a career. Both degrees are 4-year BScs with work placement in year 3, and are BPS registered. What should we look for to help her decide? She could obviously plump for Bath first choice, then Sussex second, but that will mean a lot of outlay for tutoring… Choosing Sussex will mean it’s probably her only choice, as she’s not interested in going anywhere other than either of those two places. Bath is closer to home (within hour by train), and we have family in Brighton… Any help appreciated. She’s autistic, so not sure whether that adds another layer to things…

OP posts:
redrobin75 · 21/10/2023 14:39

My dd had an offer from Bath (received in late April) for Psychology for A*AA but she missed the grades (she got a B in biology) and has gone to her insurance Warwick. Do be aware that your dd will need to achieve the offer to get the place, it's a very competitive course and ranked at the top for psychology. What are her other uni choices?

theduchessofspork · 21/10/2023 14:40

If she is autistic I would check properly on the support for that as that will be absolutely key

Marisquita · 21/10/2023 22:05

I know an autistic young person who is thriving at Bath (not studying psychology). He feels very well supported. He had attended one of their autism-specific summer schools before applying:

https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/summer-schools-for-autistic-students-thinking-of-going-to-university/

Marisquita · 21/10/2023 22:12

How many weeks are you thinking you’d need to fund tutoring for the core maths? From experience with one of my DC it’s really not that hard to study the content at home from the textbook, and there are loads of free YouTube videos. Would she be doing it alongside A Levels, or at a less pressured time?

Piggywaspushed · 22/10/2023 07:04

Why does she 'need' to take a Core Maths qualification for Bath? Is this actually in order to get the reduced offer? I'm confused...

Original poster
Catsback · 22/10/2023 09:41

redrobin75 · 21/10/2023 14:39

My dd had an offer from Bath (received in late April) for Psychology for A*AA but she missed the grades (she got a B in biology) and has gone to her insurance Warwick. Do be aware that your dd will need to achieve the offer to get the place, it's a very competitive course and ranked at the top for psychology. What are her other uni choices?

This is the thing, she is set on either Bath or Sussex at the moment, and she was considering Cardiff, but decided not for some reason… I think she needs other options, too. We are South West and she wants to stay in the south. She also wants a place with lots going on.

@Piggywaspushed - sorry should have been clearer - yes, she’ll be doing Core Maths to get the contextualised offer. She’s chosen the option best suited for Psychology. It also means that the fact that she didn’t get a 7 in Maths GCSE (missed by one mark!), will be negated.

@Marisquita - oh yes, I had forgotten about those. I did actually look at them a while ago. She is a very self-motivated learner, so I think there’s a chance she may not need a tutor as frequently I suppose.

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 22/10/2023 09:44

That's what I thought. Does she not have grades without it? I only ask because Bath is uber competitive entry.

Original poster
Catsback · 22/10/2023 10:10

@Piggywaspushed - yes, she’s likely to be predicted the right grades without it, but wants to study the CM to help her studies - basically she likes stats!

OP posts:
BlueskyBluesea · 22/10/2023 10:23

Is there any way she can do an EPQ? My DC completed one in year 12 and had the grade for it, Bath dropped their standard offer by 1 grade for her because of it.

MarchionessOfMayhem · 22/10/2023 10:29

Does she need Core Maths because she didn't get a 7 or above at GCSE?

Original poster
Catsback · 22/10/2023 10:37

MarchionessOfMayhem · 22/10/2023 10:29

Does she need Core Maths because she didn't get a 7 or above at GCSE?

Yes that’s right.

OP posts:
Original poster
Catsback · 22/10/2023 10:38

BlueskyBluesea · 22/10/2023 10:23

Is there any way she can do an EPQ? My DC completed one in year 12 and had the grade for it, Bath dropped their standard offer by 1 grade for her because of it.

She doesn’t want to do an EPQ

OP posts:
redrobin75 · 22/10/2023 10:59

@Catsback , my dd had Cardiff, York and Exeter in the list and got offers from all and firmed Bath but went to her insurance Warwick due to A level results.
I would consider Exeter and also review Cardiff again. The Bath psychology (placement) course is so competitive, I tracked the offers on TSR last year and most applying are predicted 4 x Astar and will have all 8 & 9's at gcse. My daughter got her Bath offer so late because her predicted A levels were Astar, A A and gcses 9/8's - ie she was near the bottom of the pile of applicants to get an offer.
The Exeter course was good and last year Exeter as a uni took lots of applicants who dropped a grade on results day.

marmite2023 · 22/10/2023 11:03

Sussex has excellent student support services and their disability services are great. There’s an autism network and also spaces on campus for students with autism to work quietly or to socialise with other students with disabilities. It’s a very contained and easily navigable campus. Also a good place for quirky, more individual students generally. I know a girl who runs a DnD campaign every week, for eg. There’s plenty to do other than party.

Original poster
Catsback · 22/10/2023 11:04

redrobin75 · 22/10/2023 10:59

@Catsback , my dd had Cardiff, York and Exeter in the list and got offers from all and firmed Bath but went to her insurance Warwick due to A level results.
I would consider Exeter and also review Cardiff again. The Bath psychology (placement) course is so competitive, I tracked the offers on TSR last year and most applying are predicted 4 x Astar and will have all 8 & 9's at gcse. My daughter got her Bath offer so late because her predicted A levels were Astar, A A and gcses 9/8's - ie she was near the bottom of the pile of applicants to get an offer.
The Exeter course was good and last year Exeter as a uni took lots of applicants who dropped a grade on results day.

Oh really, that is interesting to hear. Wow, it really is much more competitive than I realised… and I know it’s very competitive :D She won’t consider Exeter. Thanks for the info. I’ve suggested she reconsider Cardiff, and I’ve also sent her info for KCL which offers a very good course too.

OP posts:
NotDonna · 22/10/2023 13:24

Hi @Catsback my DD did core maths in yr12 alongside her other A levels but it was taught. She found it easy and is NO mathematician. If your DD enjoys stats she can probs teach herself with no tutoring or at least very little. However that’s an incredible amount of pressure for a HIGHLY competitive place. Is she applying to five? It’s best she does, rather than just two. Please be aware that Bath really consider applications with 2 tutors reading their PS’s.
I’ve a friend who’s DD is reading neuroscience & psychology at Sussex. She has a few MH and medical issues and they’ve been brilliant. She’s also loving the course. Her grades were also much higher (AstarAstarA) than required for Sussex but that’s where she really wanted to go. She’s finding the workload straightforward, but fascinating. For her it’s very stress free which is a huge bonus.

0rchard · 22/10/2023 13:30

Sussex is very supportive. I know two autistic girls who have flourished there

Original poster
Catsback · 22/12/2023 07:16

She decided not to go for Bath. @NotDonna @0rchard - she has just had her offer from Sussex and she’s delighted - I can see her fitting right in there, and there’s less pressure it seems. I’m genuinely excited for her. She’s made other applications to London colleges, as she wants to be where the action is 😊. Thank you for your advice.

OP posts:
Equimum · 22/12/2023 08:36

I've just seen your update, but was coming in to comment that Sussex is great for students with autism. Student support is amazing and the campus environment often really helps. The university is a as diverse as the city, and there is definitely lots going on. Good luck to your daughter.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page