Page 14 | Southampton publishes Clearing grade requirements

HPFA · 2025-07-09T19:58:43+00:00

I think this is the first time I've seen an RG Uni publishing Clearing grade requirements before Results Day. It's not for all courses but a lot of popular subjects nonetheless [[https://www.southampton.ac.uk/clearing/course-vacancies?availableOnly=true&filter=&studentType=uk&subject=All+Subjects https://www.southampton.ac.uk/clearing/course-vacancies?subject=All+Subjects&filter=&studentType=uk&availableOnly=true]] Not sure what it means for those students holding offers at Southampton - does it indicate how far they can drop grades and still get in?

RainbowBagels · 13/08/2025 19:33

HPFA · 13/08/2025 18:48

We've said before on this thread there's very little point now anyone predicted BCC or CCC applying in the first round.

Prepare for Clearing and take your fave from that - which might not always be the one highest ranked.

I doubt the CCD student at Southampton is going to have a happy time.

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Yes DS is predicted BBB so didn't bother looking at places like Nottingham and Reading which I think were ABB for his course but in Reading it's something ridiculous like CDD in clearing! I think over the next year it may be worth looking at the courses avaliable at the higher up places. He isn't far off an A in politics and that's what he wants to do so In don't think he'll struggle too much.

titchy · 13/08/2025 19:49

Not sure how useful this will be, but may help someone! (WonkHE is a very well
respected specialist HE publication btw, and this journalist is absolutely superb at data-y stuff.)

https://wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/data-driven-university-application-guide-2025/

Data driven university application guide, 2025

One for "the kids"

https://wonkhe.com/wonk-corner/data-driven-university-application-guide-2025/

WhatwouldStevieNicksthink · 13/08/2025 20:06

I doubt the CCD student at Southampton is going to have a happy time

I bet they prove you wrong.

My DD is thriving at her RG with her BBC. Loves studying, works hard and is looking forward to her year abroad.

She'll get a 2.1 and whilst she won't join the Magic Circle or Big 4 (Four?), she'll have a rewarding career and earn well. She's got an amazing work ethic and something that you can't quantify with an A level grade.

I'm really enjoying this thread with the OP and other contributors pretending to be aghast at the state of HE in the UK when really they just want to believe their DC are the best.

Oxbridge, Durham, LSE and <insert a few others> are for the elite but the rest are all about bums on seats.

Lampzade · 13/08/2025 20:14

thepurplepenguin · 13/08/2025 19:10

Oh yes, fingers crossed she will make her offer or if not they will still accept her, I was just shocked that Southampton (RG) is offering lower than Surrey (non RG). We were looking in case anything caught her eye that she wouldn't have considered with a higher standard offer the first time round. As it is, she's likely to stick with Surrey anyway as it has a great reputation for her subject and the course should suit her best.

Show quote history

Surrey is a great university tbf and has a great reputation

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 13/08/2025 20:17

I doubt the CCD student at Southampton is going to have a happy time

TBF it probably depends on the course. I had a quick look and courses like Maths are BBB. I agree that Maths or similar for CCD could be a disaster.

Original poster

HPFA · 13/08/2025 20:19

WhatwouldStevieNicksthink · 13/08/2025 20:06

I doubt the CCD student at Southampton is going to have a happy time

I bet they prove you wrong.

My DD is thriving at her RG with her BBC. Loves studying, works hard and is looking forward to her year abroad.

She'll get a 2.1 and whilst she won't join the Magic Circle or Big 4 (Four?), she'll have a rewarding career and earn well. She's got an amazing work ethic and something that you can't quantify with an A level grade.

I'm really enjoying this thread with the OP and other contributors pretending to be aghast at the state of HE in the UK when really they just want to believe their DC are the best.

Oxbridge, Durham, LSE and <insert a few others> are for the elite but the rest are all about bums on seats.

I hope they do prove me wrong.

My own DD is at a mid ranker having obtained BCC - she was always good in the classroom but terrible at revision - so she could probably have coped fine at somewhere a little bit higher up the ladder.

BUT I think there's a level at which she would have struggled, not just with the demands of a course but also knowing almost everyone around her had higher grades. Her friends at school were mostly mega high achievers so she knows what it's like to be surrounded by people who can work at that level.

Southampton's official offer for History is AAB and probably most of their Firms will have grades around that even allowing for slippage. And it seems like a big gap from that to CCD - not really the same as having BBC.

OP posts:

Lampzade · 13/08/2025 20:23

MBL · 13/08/2025 19:33

I'm not sure, University is quite different to A levels and the assessment styles they use do not necessarily translate into being very successful from one environment to another. For example there is a lower focus on traditional exams and more focus on coursework and group work at university.

Grades for entry largely represent the popularity of a course not how difficult it is. 35 years ago getting in to do engineering was easier compared with now and the reverse for English. This is just reflective of the fact that more people want to study engineering now than they used to.

Absolutely correct
There are people who achieved relatively low A level grades who achieve a 1st or
2:1 at university .
Also agree that higher grade entry are often linked to the popularity of the course

RayonSunrise · 13/08/2025 20:30

The Beeb is reporting that grades are expected to be lower this year because the DoE is still trying to reduce covid period grade inflation. But UCAS is also expecting most students to get their first choice offers, with unis expected to be aware that results will be lower and adjust accordingly:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c15lv2xxyy5o

We may be seeing this via clearing tonight. Tomorrow could be very interesting.

Two female students smile as they look down at exam results they've just removed from brown envelopes. The student on the left has long straight blonde hair, and wears thick-rimmed black glasses and a blue, white and red checkered shirt. The student on...

Results day 2025: Students wait for A-level, T-level and BTec grades

Admissions experts say a record number of 18-year-olds could get into their first choice of university.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c15lv2xxyy5o

fluffythecat1 · 13/08/2025 20:37

Lampzade · 13/08/2025 20:23

Absolutely correct
There are people who achieved relatively low A level grades who achieve a 1st or
2:1 at university .
Also agree that higher grade entry are often linked to the popularity of the course

Show quote history

Absolutely. the University of Southampton’s English department is ranked 9th in the UK on the Times University Guide, however is in clearing at CCD. This says more about the decline in students taking the subject at A level and the fact that the humanities are not seen as a stepping stone to a lucrative job than anything else. Students and parents want solid job prospects for their £50k+ spend.
When I went there in the early 90s there were no fees and I got a full student grant.

Original poster

HPFA · 13/08/2025 21:06

Leicester have released grades -look very similar to Reading.

OP posts:

curiousllama · 13/08/2025 22:45

WhatwouldStevieNicksthink · 13/08/2025 20:06

I doubt the CCD student at Southampton is going to have a happy time

I bet they prove you wrong.

My DD is thriving at her RG with her BBC. Loves studying, works hard and is looking forward to her year abroad.

She'll get a 2.1 and whilst she won't join the Magic Circle or Big 4 (Four?), she'll have a rewarding career and earn well. She's got an amazing work ethic and something that you can't quantify with an A level grade.

I'm really enjoying this thread with the OP and other contributors pretending to be aghast at the state of HE in the UK when really they just want to believe their DC are the best.

Oxbridge, Durham, LSE and <insert a few others> are for the elite but the rest are all about bums on seats.

Imperial should be on the list instead of Durham tbh. Durham, while it is still a very good uni, gets an inflated perception by middle class parents, but it's no better or competitive than the rest of the very good unis.

MyLifeIsaRollercoaster · 13/08/2025 23:37

Have uni of Bristol listed clearing vacancies yet ? As I can’t find it if they have

MyLifeIsaRollercoaster · 13/08/2025 23:38

WhatwouldStevieNicksthink · 13/08/2025 20:06

I doubt the CCD student at Southampton is going to have a happy time

I bet they prove you wrong.

My DD is thriving at her RG with her BBC. Loves studying, works hard and is looking forward to her year abroad.

She'll get a 2.1 and whilst she won't join the Magic Circle or Big 4 (Four?), she'll have a rewarding career and earn well. She's got an amazing work ethic and something that you can't quantify with an A level grade.

I'm really enjoying this thread with the OP and other contributors pretending to be aghast at the state of HE in the UK when really they just want to believe their DC are the best.

Oxbridge, Durham, LSE and <insert a few others> are for the elite but the rest are all about bums on seats.

What’s the magic circle or big 4 ?

StressedLP1 · 13/08/2025 23:44

Law/accountancy firms

TizerorFizz · 13/08/2025 23:44

@MyLifeIsaRollercoasterMagic circle are the largest solicitors in London with very high post qualification salaries. Big 4 were the big corporate accountants/consultsnts/professsional services firms by income.

@WhatwouldStevieNicksthink Whether a student is suitable or not with CCD is a very different student to BBC. If lots of other students have A stars they might feel second best and it very much depends on subject. They may well find it a challenge to catch up as they haven’t got the best prep academically.

StressedLP1 · 13/08/2025 23:45

The elite law/accountancy firms, I should have said.

MyLifeIsaRollercoaster · 13/08/2025 23:53

What are those companies then out of interest

StressedLP1 · 14/08/2025 00:10

Law firms like linklaters, Clifford chance, slaughter & may, accountancy firms like PWC, deloittes. Google will give you a more comprehensive list

MyLifeIsaRollercoaster · 14/08/2025 00:13

Ok thanks for the info
I’ve only heard of pwc but that’s not my world tbf but thanks for the info

MyLifeIsaRollercoaster · 14/08/2025 00:25

Does anyone know when Bristol will show their clearing offers ? Will it be in the am ? 8am ? As I can’t find them

ParmaVioletTea · 14/08/2025 02:47

titchy · 09/07/2025 22:55

No. It means their offer is likely to be whatever they say for 2026, but in reality they’re so desperate for students they’ll take the lower grades advertised in clearing this year.

Caveat - this is not guaranteed.

Show quote history

And a further caveat: students going in with those low grades may find the courses are quite a struggle, and they may have to be satisfied with 2, ii grades in their degree - unless they really are late bloomers!

pineisland · 14/08/2025 06:56

TizerorFizz · 13/08/2025 23:44

@MyLifeIsaRollercoasterMagic circle are the largest solicitors in London with very high post qualification salaries. Big 4 were the big corporate accountants/consultsnts/professsional services firms by income.

@WhatwouldStevieNicksthink Whether a student is suitable or not with CCD is a very different student to BBC. If lots of other students have A stars they might feel second best and it very much depends on subject. They may well find it a challenge to catch up as they haven’t got the best prep academically.

Some of them might have a spread of grades with two decent grades and one low grade. In any case some people do not attain what they are capable of at A level due to anxiety, poor study skills, mistakes with subject choice etc but flourish at uni doing the subject they love.

tennissquare · 14/08/2025 07:10

Warwick has dropped to ABB for psychology from AAA. This is a really popular course from a top 10 uni. It may mean that most students have achieved an offer from their firm or insurance and unis are anticipating not enough demand from clearing to fill their courses. Only 1 more hour to wait!

OvaHere · 14/08/2025 07:18

DS's firm is on UCAS clearing with the standard offer of AAA but on their own website at BBB. His offer there is AAB.

His insurance dropped like a stone last night down to 88 points (CCD) the offer he holds at that one is ABB.

I just want the 2nd guessing to be over. Not long to wait now.

RainbowBagels · 14/08/2025 07:34

HPFA · 13/08/2025 20:19

I hope they do prove me wrong.

My own DD is at a mid ranker having obtained BCC - she was always good in the classroom but terrible at revision - so she could probably have coped fine at somewhere a little bit higher up the ladder.

BUT I think there's a level at which she would have struggled, not just with the demands of a course but also knowing almost everyone around her had higher grades. Her friends at school were mostly mega high achievers so she knows what it's like to be surrounded by people who can work at that level.

Southampton's official offer for History is AAB and probably most of their Firms will have grades around that even allowing for slippage. And it seems like a big gap from that to CCD - not really the same as having BBC.

Show quote history

Yes I agree. My DS is mid ranking too. I also agree that sometimes it renders mumsnet pointless as an advice forum when you ask about students with anything less than 9s at gcse and all A grades and are told they might as well go work their way up in Tesco.
But I do think ( but I'm not great at maths) that for maths/ economics/ science courses you need better grades to be able to keep up with a degree. BBC are decent grades and outside Mumsnet most kids who get that manage well at University and in good careers.