2026 UCAS - Offers, Rejections and Waiting to Hear

[EducatingRosemary]

For those whose DC have submitted their UCAS application without having yet taken the A-level (or equivalent) exams…

How are your DC getting on with hearing back from the universities?

@CautiousLurker2 I agree. My DS has not done an EPQ, his school didn't offer it. He also has not been focusing on his sport. So this offer does not impact him. Other than it does suggest that they will let you in if you miss a grade.

I agree @CautiousLurker2 too. It seems unfair as you say many don’t have such opportunities such as placements, music lessons, summer schools etc and many schools don’t offer EPQ. Also, as previously mentioned some students, we know quite a few, have their PS written for them while others are at a school that doesn’t even look over them! Some Uni’s don’t read them others place a lot of emphasis on them.

Ah, that interesting to hear.

He was really impressed with Warwick. The campus, facilities, other students that he met and especially the course. He was impressed that there is a vibrant Welsh society and has decided that making friends with a member of the Baking society could be a good idea! He said he could see himself there which is a first!

The EPQ thing is interesting. DS is doing (well has done, it was handed in last week) the Welsh Bacc which some universities (but not all) take into account. The lowering grades and contextual offers thing is all a bit odd. DS’s school is on Bristol University’s list of Aspirational Schools, but otherwise he doesn’t qualify anywhere else for any contextual offers. They can all decide what to do on an individual organisation level except for the more concrete things like postcodes, looked after children etc and when not all kids have the opportunity to do music exams, EPQ etc it makes it even more of a lottery.

Oddly this morning DS received an individual letter from the head of physics at Birmingham - obviously some of it is pro forma, but it does reference specific things from his PS, such as his interest in particle physics. It was encouraging him to attend an OHD so that he could meet the department etc. Am not sure if I am being cynical in feeling this is a bit desperate [I am becoming old and jaded LOL], but I am not sure as Birmingham is one of the top 5 at the moment for Physics so they shouldn’t have to work so very hard to get people to pick them. I am suggesting DS be flattered for now!

May provisionally book in the April OHD as it is at least in the holiday, but DS’s heart is set on Manchester (interview on Wednesday) and if he gets an offer there it will be Manchester firm and Southampton insurance.

@Muchtoomuchtodo yes, my DC really loved Warwick when they visited last year and they have has friends there in year 1. DC may firm it over ICL as they were impressed with the sports facilities and relatively cheap accommodation. Still waiting on LSE, like you,
another friend got an offer this morning so hoping they’ll hear soon.

I agree the EPQ system is a bit unfair. My son did one and his school let him do it mostly in year 12, whereas the state sixth form he was looking at as an alternative after GCSEs would only let those with grade 8 and above do an EPQ (which he did have) and mostly in year 13 when they should have been focussing on their a-levels. He finished his EPQ a while ago and got a lower offer from Exeter and York as a result. I think they are a really good idea though as they prepare you for university but they should be as easily accessible in all schools for fairness.

Yes, conditional offer A star, A star, A

Are you Scottish?

No

Clearly not because you don't get A stars in the Scottish exam system.

Guess if she'd known that, she wouldn't have asked so it's only clear if you know.

Sorry to ask what might seem an obvious question. St Andrews Offer Holder Day - is that for every degree subject? We're going up and I'm just wondering how busy it might be.

Thanks in advance

On the website it says there are a few subjects on different days, so I'm assuming that if they don't mention the subject, it's on the 11th. I've just booked (refundable) travel and accommodation for the OH day, even though DC hasn't heard from them yet, because trains from London are already looking very booked up. We'll just cancel if he gets a rejection or if he still hasn't heard.

Ok, further to post upstairs, DS is really bowled over by the letter from Birmingham. Lots of amazing, world leading new equipment apparently according to the prose - and the letter was so personal and directly addressed his PS… so we are now going to the Physics offer holder day on Saturday.

Think we have covered more miles this year than a truck driver!

Lol ‘quote upstairs’!! Gotta love the corrective text thingy on apple products 🤣

@CautiousLurker2 wow they must really want him if they have been writing to him directly! We haven't had anything like that from DC's university choices but a lot of marketing by post sent by York in particular.

We are actually a bit taken aback. He has applied for a particle physics orientated degree there and DS wrote in some detail about his interest in this particular area of physics, but the letter (nearly 2 sides of A 4) talks about all the research opportunities for those doing the 4year degree, a few of the modules that map onto something he mentioned in his PS and all the new equipment they’ve acquired recently. Obviously there are a few pro forma paragraphs but the bulk of it seems individually tailored. We’re rather impressed.

There certainly seems to be a trend of universities getting in touch with their potentials! I’d rather they didn’t spend money on “wish you were here” postcards or other random things in the post. It seems such a waste. Who uses actual post these days?! If they want to use time getting in touch, at least make it an informative email.

When you know how easily AI generates a tailored letter even that seems a tad desperate to me but I’m obviously quite cynical.

I guess they must have evidence it gets people to firm them.

I think that was what took DH and I back - a posted personal letter, not duplicated in email. I know they will have used co-pilot or similar but don’t want to burst DS’s bubble while we don’t have a Manchester offer in hand yet. I am surprised (bemused) that such a high ranking uni is motivated to market in this way? My DS has high PGs but he’s not a star student (per GCSE grades, at least, which were a bit of a disaster) nor at a top school or anything.

DD is having similar dilemmas here. We went to the Durham offer holder day on Saturday and she really liked it. Now trying to decide if she prefers it to Sheffield. They are polar opposites in many ways but each has pros and cons. I think Durham is a bit more outside her comfort zone, but it’s a great department and she liked the city a lot. Difficult to see how she’s ever going to reach a decision!

Thanks for letting me know @ComingInByAnsible well done to your DS! Still nothing here sadly. I’m not going to tell DS they have started doing offers, he’s quite sure they won’t start till later in the month, and he’s full on handing in his coursework etc. just now, he doesn’t need the distraction!

Ds got a Newcastle offer last night which has slightly derailed things! He will have to go up to an offer holder day really to see what he thinks. He was very pleased.

Funny how you can think you have it all decided and then they throw a curveball in!! My DH did a 4.5 hour drive to Manchester last night so DS can do his interview/offer day and then has to do it back again tonight, while ‘working’.

Then he has to now drive up to Birmingham and back for an offer day (no interview in that set up) on Saturday - 2.5-3 hours each way. It’s a good job my DH likes his car and sort of doesn’t mind driving. And adores DS! He’s very excited DS is following his footsteps to study physics. LOL

@CautiousLurker2 that is a lot of driving!! Newcastle is 7 hours from us so quite a trek but ds has driven up that way before and loves a road trip! I quite wanted him a bit closer but it has to be his choice. Now we wait for Durham.

We visited 5 universities in total, 4 of which were put on the UCAS form, and DC has no interest in going to offer days. He hasn't visited any university since May, as far as I can remember. He is waiting to hear from Bristol, and seems to think that this is the one he wants to firm, despite never having been to that one. I pointed out that it has a bit of a reputation for gap yah girls from private schools, and apparently this is a strong part of its appeal for him 🙄. He thinks it might have a better nightlife than Warwick.