Already done alevels - Is it worth applying for courses that ask for higher grades

[Timtims]

DS did alevels in the summer and is currently completing UCAS application for a Sept 2025 start.

He has BCC and would like to apply for some unis who are asking for higher grades (but that have accepted BCC historically).

Is this worth doing? I'd hoped that having grades in hand may be an advantage .... but maybe not?

I agree, I am not sure where anyone got the idea that Liverpool is not an excellent place to study and a great and long-established uni (not that being long-established makes a uni great for sure).

A friend's DD is studying dentistry there and really enjoying it. I had a big L/pool connection when I was an undergraduate and it was a vibrant and lively place. Lots of people love the city. All good.

I agree re weirdness of MN sometimes – if you read some threads you would be under the impression that all 16yos gain all 9s at GCSE (when actually it is in the hundreds – a tiny percentage) and they all head to Oxford, UCL or Durham. So many universities are so excellent, and different ones for different subjects. It's a big commitment tho of money (and time!) so careful research is as alway, the key.

Exactly that @clary. Liverpool has some excellent departments and students who didn’t achieve all A* at A levels but who will nevertheless go on to have great careers.

Has he done an EPQ - its not well known but I believe you can hand in an EPQ Feb/March and get grades in August with the other results and that should help with his application if he gets an A in an EPQ.

An EPQ is worth 50% of a A level and he already has his A levels, so I don't really see the up side?