How important are A level for university applications?

[Gardensunnydays]

As the question said. Am I correct in thinking that if you want to attend a decent uni you need 3 A levels with at least Bs?

What are the options if you don’t have 3 good A levels? Or not A levels at all? Or if you have BTEC instead.

I didn’t grow up in the UK and find the process a bit complicated. If you don’t have good GCSES you don’t get to do A levels and if you don’t have A levels you can’t go to University

So, a pupil could just do physics and biology for example and not chemistry?

DD took triple science so she had separate sciences because she took all three.

Even the double science pupils took all three sciences but only did papers 1 and 2 The triple science pupils did papers 1, 2 and 3.

I know that double science is now called combined science.

We had separate sciences at my school, my sister only took bio and physics as she was 'kindly advised' by the school that she was shit at chemistry. To be fair she was.

We did at my school, but I took my O levels in 1975. I took chemistry and physics.

OP I'm from another country and the standards for university in the UK are very low. You can even get in with DDD albeit not a top university.
There are a number of threads running here on how clearing offers were abundant this year even from so-called 'prestigious' universities. They are businesses and need bums on seats.

Having said that, rankings are not everything especially for vocational subjects. Ravensbourne is THE university for media and film production, it's the lowest ranked in the UK but who cares. It's a rare production that doesn't feature ravensbourne alumni among the crew.

And finally, a 'degree' and 3 years of full-time university are not the same thing. I strongly disagree with shoving everyone into the latter path if they have no passion for their subject. Graduates in 2024 are ten a penny and many never end up earning enough to justify the cost.

My advice would be for her to check out other routes. If you Google 'top-up degree interior design' for example there are many one year courses you can do to build on other non-uni courses and graduate. Far better and cheaper for her to do this, get work experience etc instead of 3 full years away at university

Of course if she really wants to go 'for the experience', it's her right and you should contribute if you can afford it. But she needs to understand the tradeoffs, not do it because all her friends are. Also pick a degree with at least a placement year. Employers really value work experience.

Not all "top" universities are Russell Group, and not all Russell Group are top universities.

i was trying to give OP a broad overview. I think it’s a reasonable way of explaining things. I know Bath for example is very good and not in the RG but i think it is going into too much detail and debate.

@RampantIvy yes. One of the sisters of DDs best friend is only doing biology

3 years of full time study if you pass will usually give you a degree?

Yes.
But not all degrees require 3 years of full-time study.
A single year of an undergraduate degree (if living away from home) usually costs at least 15K. 9K on fees alone and the rest for accomodation, bills and living costs (I'm underestimating here).
Other qualifications not only cheaper and paid for by employer but if you're earning a salary you can pay for these things.

What I'm saying is, people need to decide whether it's a degree, or the 'university experience' that they want. And whether it's worth it. Even if you do not go to university full-time, you can still get a degree.

BTW this is a common route in accountancy, people who pass the professional exams (which well is NVQ level 6 in its own right) can do a top-up to get a degree. Just for the name.

What use is a single year of a three year degree, @ForHardyOliveExpert ?
It sounds completely pointless to me, and would only serve to raise questions (from employers) as to why you couldn’t finish the course.
Or have I completely misread your post?

I did a degree and post grads in my late 20's/early 30's and I have no A levels at all. No access course.

How?

Entry requirements are much more flexible for mature students.

I did an MA in middle age that was a world away from my first degree or professional qualification. No formal background in the subject - I just had enough non-academic experience in related fields to convince the tutors I could do it.

@KerryBlues

I applied, and got onto the degree course. Then did postgrad straight after. I took a punt and it paid off.

Yes, this.

I could talk the talk and had whatever life experience they deemed valuable.

Unis like mature students; they're generally there because they actually want to be, and they tend not to be a pain in the arse.