How flexible are grade requirements when applying grades in hand?

[igivein]

DS got CCC. He hasn’t applied anywhere yet because he wanted to take a year off to work and travel.
There are two universities he’s interested in and their offer for his course is BCC (they’re both currently in clearing requiring rather less than he’s got but that’s another story).
After a remark he was 1 mark off a B in one subject - which is really annoying. Along with the fact that if the grade boundaries had stayed the same as last year he would have had ABC…
We’re going to open days for both universities in a couple of weeks and will obviously discuss it with them, but what are people’s thoughts on if they’ll accept him for next year with CCC already attained, or will he likely need to resit one to try and push the grade up?

Neither Physics or Mech E at Lincoln will be over populated with high grade candidates. They will still be recruiting courses as we don’t have enough DC with physics A level for all these courses and catching up lectures will be offered. I would say he really won’t find getting into the courses a problem. These unis aren’t Imperial standard!

Is clearing still open ? - Why not apply through cleaing for 2024 and then when confirmed ask to defer to 2025. Would save a lot of bother. Even if he changed his mind in the interim - he could reject the deferred unconditional place and put in a new UCAS. I expect they would be pleased to have applicants / places confirmed for next year already.

I said about deferring, but he's still dithering about which course he wants and is worried it will be held against him if he defers and then doesn't end up going there (I know, but he's 18 and you can't tell him much!)

Clearing is open until Oct 21 for this years starters - I would do a search and see where the best place for him that he can get into with his grades - go through clearing and then defer it.

He might get a 'better' place with his current grades through this process rather than reapplying.

Its all done online he would know in 24hrs. He's a high paying customer - people change their minds all the time - its not personal.

I think PP is correct about whether he is applying to a recruiting uni or selecting uni.

You could do Vet Med with BBB at Nott Uni on clearing day this year .... unprecidented. Dont let him sell himself short.

You can't use clearing for 2025 entry - you have to apply again. If you're made an offer for 2024 entry then ask to defer, the offer will be withdrawn.

I undertsand that you cant use the clearing system directly obtaining for deferred places...but I am wondering if indirectly once you had your unconditional 2024 place you could then ask to defer it - how is it different to how those whos conditionals become unconditional on results day 2024 and then request a deferral ?

I can't speak for those subjects but would have thought if in clearing and with one mark off, he would stand a good chance. I'd contact directly. Even if he decides to apply next year, it's best to make inquiries sooner rather than later

@igivein He probably thinks engineering is an unknown. Physics isn’t. He’s studied it. I think the only way to decide is to look closely at the modules and core elements. Does he understand what engineering is? 18 year olds are capable of making choices!

That's why he likes Heriot Watt @TizerorFizz , they have a quite broad first year before specialising more from second year - but the downside of that is that Scottish unis run four year programmes, which adds more debt.

I read that with appropriate grades you can join Scottish unis in Yr2 for STEM - also if there is the opportunity to use the additional year in an industrial placment (no uni fees - or rent if he could do one near home - but being paid) it would put him in a better place for employment. Also the 4 year course might be an integrated Masters rather than a BSc - and this could potentially be a cheaper route to achieving MEng?

If a student can do it, MEng (4 years at an English/Welsh uni) is best. Although students can start on BEng and can usually trade up if good enough, plus it’s cheaper to do integrated masters. Many engineering degrees have a broad first year. HW isn’t unique in this at all. I would not do 4 years for BEng. Too expensive for what’s 3 years elsewhere.

Wow this is exactly my daughters situation.
DD had already decided she would be having a gap year to work and earn some money for uni next year. Also looking to do voluntary work and camp America in the summer. DD also got CCC and one mark off a B which is currently being remarked, so way off the ucas points to study psychology.
We are so disappointed because we was thinking she will have her grades in hand and will get an offer straight away. Now it looks like we will have the worry of waiting for clearing. I know early clearing starts on the 5th July but even the waiting for that is going to be a worry.
We are going to go along to the open days and have a chat with admissions to see where she stands.
When we went to the open day in Bristol last year Admissions did say if she didn’t make the grades they would take into account that she did chemistry and biology which are difficult A levels.

I keep worrying about how it will all turn out for her but at the same time I know it will all work out in the end.

Why does she have the worry of waiting till July for clearing? She can apply now (once the remark has come back).

Clearing for this year is still open until 21 OCT - is there anything she would consider? Also even if she didnt want to go this year she could get a clearing place and then once confirmed ask to defer - they may say yes they may say no.

You can’t defer after getting through on clearing.

She might well get an offer with grades in hand quickly - depends where she applies. Only guessing but Uni of Bristol would be unlikely. She needs to do some research. Also even though clearing opens on July 5 (as IB results are out) it doesnt actually operate until A level results are out.

An email or phone call to the admission departments of where she likes asking what the lowest grades they have accepted (as its hard to pin down this info otherwise) would give her an indication of where to apply.

Also does she have an EPQ as this can often add a significant nudge.

If she gets upgraded to a B - has she considered retaking one or both of the other two?

Just for info for people in a similar position.
We went to an open day yesterday and had a good chat with the admissions person.
We were told that because DS already has his grades his application would be considered on the basis of whether he would have been accepted had he applied for this year. Since they would have accepted him in clearing this year they would accept him next year.
I don’t know if this is the same at other universities, but it’s got to be worth asking. I think it makes sense, because it means he’s being judged against his own cohort. (But then I would think that wouldn’t I, because it works in his favour 😁)

Thats really positive news @igivein - good luck to your DC.

However I do think that will depend on the specific institution and how many students got in on those grades or similar eg if somewhere has AAA offers but most students have AAA - a random near miss applicant with maybe mitigating circumstances or excellent PS/ref may get through on AAB - it would be risky to apply with AAB in those circumstances.

More transparency is needed to what the whole range of grade profiles for a course actually is - as many in the above example even with AAA grades in hand might not get an offer.

Clearing usually indicates a recruiting course. So they probably see this course as always recruiting so are flexible. Other courses would be selective and could not possibly promise this.

You can’t defer after getting through on clearing.

I realise that - sorry I read your post as saying your dd had 3 x Cs but no offers. I didn't realise she had a deferred offer.

It’s a shame she can’t do that to be honest but she’s still not 100% sure what course to do, hence why she didn’t apply and defer this year.