Applying for two courses at one university

[LuciusMalfoysBestSneer]

My DC wants to apply to two courses (very similar, same faculty etc) at the same uni. I've googled and this seems to be ok (apart from St Andrews apparently).
Have any of your DC done this successfully, please? I'm thinking DC should call the admissions dept just to check...?

Totally fine and very common. She doesn’t need to call and check.

Yes, we get a fair few that do this. It's no problem where I work. Better imo that they're similar courses. I might be a bit more questioning if applicant applied for graphic design or marine biology than graphic design or photography.

Edinburgh uni ask you to discuss with them first and state preference.

It’s fine. As a lecturer who screens applications I can’t see/don’t look to see where else they’ve applied even within the university. Main thing to consider is the personal statement for two different courses but if they’re similar that’s fine.

Some unis automatically consider you for very similar courses so you might end up wasting an option - worth checking.

Oh what a relief - thank you!
The courses are Politics and International Relations; and International Relations.

In my department where we offer 3 or 4 similiar degrees they have a common first year and students often switch between them at the end of the first year. It wouldn't be the case that if a student didn't get in one they would get in the other as our UG intake limit is a total number across all the courses, not divided up between them.

So she might be wasting an option to use 2 choices for such similar degrees.

It's partly because there are two particular unis that DC fell in love with - both offer those degrees. DC wants the best chance of getting an offer for either course at either uni, if that makes sense.

I'd need to check this and I can't right now. But if Saint Andrew's is like other Scottish universities, then you don't necessarily choose your honours course until after first year anyway , which may be why they discourage applying for two such similar things.

Do the courses have different grade requirements?

No, exactly the same.

DC applying to unis in England.

If the uni publishes admission stats you can see which of the courses were more competitive but not sure whether adding a 2nd joint subject that is less competitive improves your chances.

The older Scottish unis do allow flexibility but sometimes places on 1st year courses are restricted to those admitted to the degree (others do a lesser equivalent) and switching after 1st year is competitive. It's a bit risky to apply in the hope you can switch for some subjects. Although less risky if subjects are in same faculty.

Thank you so much for all replies.

Dc2 applied to 2 courses at lse but they do say on their website they will only offer 1. She had already an offer elsewhere so decided to "risk it" .

I'd get her to contact the Uni and ask. One of my kids had to contact several universities about his course choices and they were all extremely helpful.

I can't see the harm in asking about it 🤷🏻‍♀️

My son did. He fell in love with Ali colon and needed an insurance choice as all the MChems he is looking at would give him very little grade leeway. He now has an offer for their MChem, which he will firm and their BSc in Chemistry as his insurance in case it all goes a bit wrong.

Great he has those offers!
What's Ali colon? I'm guessing it's autocorrect 😁

my niece applied for 4 courses at the same university and was offered all 4

Wow! Which uni, if you don't mind saying?

My son has applied for 2 completely different courses at the same uni and has had offers for both. We had to email them a second personal statement so that he could talk about both courses separately.

Congrats to your son!
I'm glad I started this thread.

Late to this thread, but worth noting that different Universities will have different approaches, and it is important to read their guidance carefully.

For example, LSE:
"Your personal statement should be relevant to your chosen programme, therefore we encourage students to research our degrees carefully before applying.
You are welcome to apply to more than one programme at LSE; however you should ensure that they are fairly similar to ensure that you are able to write a relevant and well-focused personal statement. We advise students applying to more than one programme at LSE to be cautious, as they may find it difficult to effectively demonstrate their academic interest in the limited amount of space available in the personal statement. LSE does not accept additional or supplementary personal statements.

You should also note that applying to more than one programme does not increase the likelihood of your being made an offer. Applicants who make applications to more than one programme at the School within the same cycle will be considered for all programmes applied to, however would only be eligible to receive a maximum of one offer from the School."

I applied for politics, sociology and social policy at the same uni in my hometown in England (couldn't move away at the time). Got all of them plus offers of joint degrees so I think the admissions team did discuss? This was a top ten uni too for all three courses and overall so not exactly desperate for applicants. Ended up choosing a joint degree then switching to one straight subject mid way through first year. It sounds like different universities have different policies though so would be worth having a chat with admissions.

Your son's chosen options are so similar I really don't see how it'd be hard to make an application work for both. It's not like he's going for chemistry and theology or something!

Does anyone know why some International Relations degrees are BA and some are BSc?