Engineering with grades ABC

[GraduationQuery]

Finding it hard to work out where best to apply with:

Maths A
Geography B
Physics C

I’m not familiar with the subject so would hugely appreciate some pointers.

It will likely be for Clearing this year.

I'd also be interested in this dc is looking at mechanical or civil engineering. Is in y12 and just got predicted of ABC (so I know they could change). Dc teacher suggested Huddersfield (but we need to look into it).
Have you looked at degree apprenticeships to? I'm not sure as to what the necessary grades are for that. This is something else dc is considering.

My DS is doing mechanical engineering at Solent University (in Southampton, but not to be confused with University of Southampton) with lower grades in Maths and Physics although he did do well in an engineering BTEC.

Newcastle is known for offering places at lower grades in clearing, I know people who got accepted with those grades for engineering though this was 4-5 years ago

Thanks for the suggestions.

My impression of degree apprenticeships when I looked into them was that you need to know what area of engineering you want to go into and he’s not at that stage yet, @Hellofromthesideyoudontwanttobeon.

Think he’d also like the uni experience, sport etc.

Degree apprenticeships are insanely competitive and are a bit of a long shot in my view much easier to get into uni. Perhaps a level 4 apprenticeship is a better choice?

UEA? Possibly with foundation year.

Swansea Uni. Has an impressive huge newish engineering campus. Swansea is a fab student city with nightlife but also right on the Gower and some of the most beautiful beaches. Cheap cost of living. A very underrated university.

What about Newcastle with a partners application ( if you qualify for it) BCC grades

Leeds ?

Not eligible for Patners but what a great scheme.

Last year Southampton, Nottingham and Liverpool released their clearing grades very early so those would be good places to keep an eye on.

Be sceptical of the "clearing" grades published on sites like Whatuni- they tend to be just the standard offers and will mislead you as to what is really available.

I went to the Open Day for civil engineering with my DS last year and was told everyone who applied for a STEM course would receive a Partners offer if they made Newcastle their firm choice

RGU it is in Scotland but entry requirements are BCC, 97% employability rate after leaving uni too https://www.rgu.ac.uk/study/types-of-study/undergraduate-courses/engineering-undergraduate

What about something like nmite?

That’s interesting! Not sure how going through clearing would impact that.

Can't you still apply via UCAS? I know the equal consideration date has passed but you can apply until the end of June

The grades for these published in the run up to clearing were:

Southampton grades (for MEng, at least) were ABB with A in Maths, B in physics last year for Mech Eng.

Nottingham were BBC or ABD but looking for a B in maths and a B in the science. Only civil engineering in clearing at MEng

Liverpool clearing grades were BBB, I think for engineering with a general first year. Again, MEng.

OP, you could look at starting a BEng as the grade requirements tend to be a bit lower, but with the option to transfer to the MEng.

Thanks. I can see that now. Wonder if that would be looked on negatively? I guess there’s not much to lose. It’s my nephew and somehow he thought the deadline was end January. No extenuating circumstances.

If they still have places then it makes sense to fill them rather than go into clearing.
It would also be better for your nephew if he needs to organise accommodation, doing it after Clearing will put him at a disadvantage.

The mid January date is for universities to be required to give equal consideration to all those who have applied by then. As others have said, a sensible institution which can see that its available places won't be filled by on time applicants won't refuse to look at those applying later. On the UCAS website itself, you can check for courses still accepting applications (but it would be sensible to check with the actual university, if your DN is interested in applying to any of them).
Search - UCAS https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/results/courses?searchTerm=Engineering&studyYear=2026&destination=Undergraduate&vacancy=eng&postcodeDistanceSystem=imperial&pageNumber=1&sort=MostRelevant&clearingPreference=None

Look at UWE also

last year on results day these clearing offers were available for electronic engineering:

Lancaster BBC with a B in Maths
Liverpool BBC
Northumbria 112 points
Lincoln 104 points

Loughborough offered BBC but wanted the B's in Maths and Physics

Thanks for the suggestions and insights.

He worked pretty hard for his A levels so I’m now wondering if it would be a three-year struggle? He’s unsure about it himself.

There’s no pressure, but just want to ensure he’s had some decent pointers/help before he decides.

Have you thought about earth sciences or environmental sciences? I became a specialist civil engineer with an earth sciences degree.

@GraduationQuery Id look at Southampton, Leeds and Liverpool and Nottingham. Then look at former polys as many have very good courses and certainly places like Surrey or Swansea. The MEng is more desirable as it bypasses a stand alone masters for chartered engineer status later.

He needs to consider if he likes big building projects or mechanical ones. Did his school not chase him up regarding UCAS? A bit odd that he missed it. Any reason for being a bit dozy?

Earth sciences would need to be an accredited degree by the Engineering Council. If not, it’s a long haul to get qualified. Possible but slow.

@OhDear111 Most BEng engineering degrees are looking for AAB or ABB. I looked at Surrey, Liverpool, Nottingham, Southampton and Portsmouth for civils - they may take lower grades on clearing.

Southampton wants A star AA for MEng, Nottingham AAA and Surrey is AAA - AAB.

Hence suggesting earth sciences which would be a good fit for the A levels already achieved, and might be of interest.

No need for an engineering accredited undergrad degree - you do an accredited specialist masters.