Uni entry requirements for DC with a setback?

[LeylaOfCircassia]

DC2 is 16 and did not do as well as he could have in his GCSEs (4s across the board). This was due to him, basically doing absolute minimum and not revising (his own admission). As a result he is doing a BTEC in Sports (can be equiv 2 A Levels + an A level or equiv. 3 A levels).

He was 'allowed' by special arrangement to select an A level alongside because he submitted a strong summer assignment and spent weeks speaking to teachers and subject teachers. It turns out the subjects he would have liked (History or Classics) are full so cannot now do this.

However, it seems the GCSE results, that he was gutted about have lit a rocket and I have never seen him as driven as he was to get an A level place, even for one A level and is working extremely hard to make sure he does well in his BTEC. He has spoken to all the relevant staff and made sure he can do an EPQ (in the history space).

He is now completely set on going to uni and wants to study a historical subject (history, Ancient History, Archaeology etc). He wants to do this on the same timeline as his peer group, so no 3 year Sixth Form etc.

We've found lots of unis that accept BTEC, but I have only ever seen them in certain subjects, never anything humanities based, so:

(1) are unis understanding that the student is likely coming from Business, Sports, Health and Social Care or similar and as long as you achieve DDD or whatever and demonstrate commitment and interest in the subject then it is fine?

(2) will he need to look at Foundation Year (we have done this and he is ok with this if it is the only way)

(3) will demonstrating interest via EPQ, wide reading, engagement in his topic be enough

He knows some options are out for him, but there are plenty still available.

I know many will say 'is he suited to uni'. My view is he has learnt a very hard lesson and is capable - but more importantly he wants to try and wants a chance and I am keen to support that.

That is because it is the most fascinating, wonderful subject EVER 😉

Do you think retaking History GCSE would help?

Could he phone or email your two local unis or any on your list and ask to speak to someone in admissions?

I would contact university admissions departments as advised however the way the sector is going currently its quite likely that lower tariff universities will accept an unconnected BTEC without an issues, particularly with a relevant EPQ. One thing to consider is what type of history he wants to do, if looking at a smaller/lower tariff university they may have more limited options.

I wouldn't be too concerned. Unlike say, science subjects history doesn't necessarily require pre-existing knowledge so a BTEC (in anything) is providing the university with evidence of his ability to study at that level. Also as pp have said if he does well the BTEC will get him onto a degree without foundation.
I teach a relatively specialised subject only available at degree level. Some applicants have studied useful related subjects but that's a bonus because most haven't. We accept a lot of people with totally unrelated qualifications. It's more about looking for the ability to study, potential and enthusiasm.

What are his predicted grades? If they don’t specify a subject and are happy with BTECs then that’s what they mean - the skills developed through the BTEC are sufficient for admission, if the admissions tutor is otherwise happy with the application.

I think the concern would be the 4 at GCSE in the subject, no bridging study in the area and a less traditional entry qual. Depending on the admissions tutor, they may feel that while they’re happy in general terms with a BTEC, the particular profile your son presents is an issue.

Definitely email some admissions tutors now for feedback before visits.

Otherwise a foundation year is a great option, or an extra year in sixth form to sit additional qualifications. I appreciate this isn’t his preference, but if you have another DC in university and it’s not affordable, then he will have to deal with it as another consequence of his choices. I don’t mean to be hard on him here but it’s not a bad thing for them to see impact.

Hey @LeylaOfCircassia I hear you on the Btec subject surprise – I have followed you and checked history at Leeds and it is true that it does not specify any A levels – or any Btec subject; and it says it accepts Btecs. So it should mean that any subject is acceptable.

I checked Warwick at random and it requires an A in history A level. Presumably you could apply for history at Leeds with A levels in bio, chem and phsyics? I think you would need a strong story as to why tho. But yes, if the uni accepts Btecs and doesn’t state subjects then presumably it accepts any subject. I'm not an expert but I don't think Btecs exist in things like history or English or sociology?

Nottingham accepts Btecs but the info looks as tho it wants A level history as well. Warwick is the same.

I agree with others, pull together a list of possibles, and get your DS to email admissions to ask if he might be a suitable candidate. Good to know sooner rather than later as he can then decide what to do. Yy also ask if it is worth him sitting GCSE history again or A level as a private candidate, Cost wise, T&E centres charge £290 for history GCSE and £670 for A level (that's exams in 2025).

Best to check each universities entry criteria.

If your son is doing the extended diploma then higher ranking universities may want a combination of A levels and a extended certificate or an A level with the diploma.

Loughborough though at least seem to accept the extended diploma in sport for history.

Most lower ranked universities outside of say the top 30-40 don't seem to have any preferred BTECs for the courses I looked at for my son.

He though is looking at more Businesses related degrees and is doing the extended certificate with 2 A levels

Suspect if your son gets DMM or above should have reasonable choices especially if flexible on the type of degree he wants to do.

As others have said you can also email some of universities he maybe interested in to see if they would consider the BTEC he doing for the courses he is interested in.

Thanks for clarifying around the BTEC, I am very glad of the flexibility but did seem odd, not that they accept the qualification, just that it tends not to come in a humanities form.

He doesn't know what he might want to do for career and for him course content will be important but he actually has far more choice than his high flying sibling who is looking at top grad schemes in consulting or potentially law conversion, which meant his options were very limited, DS2 is a bit freer. Some of the smaller departments, have some interesting courses that translate well to the world of work - public history, digital humanities etc.

Anyway, all of the advice has been so helpful, we are doing all the right things, next thing to check is, as you have all said the dept admin to be sure he isn't wasting choices and to keep focused.