History degree, predicted Bs and Cs

[MountainofWashing]

Dd, year 12, wants to do a history degree. She is dyslexic and also has some anxiety and low mood which aren't making sixth form easy for her at the moment and she is wary of putting herself under intense academic pressure leading to a worsening of her mental health. But she is bright and really keen to study history.
Current school predictions based on GCSE results are Bs but it looks like a mix of bs and cs are on the cards really
I've searched Mumsnet for previous threads but a lot of mumsnetters children are aiming a bit higher.
Any recommendations for good history courses and unis at this level? We're based in the north but she's happy to travel (she doesn't want London or Scotland and for cost reasons I think avoiding these is a good plan).

Chester? Man Met? Keele?

Uni of Leicester (I do go on about it here but it's great and underrated IMHO) offers ABB so might be a punt. I know that sounds high but DD went there to study Eng lit and got in on clearing with BCC (book offer ABB I think). It’s not RG but it's a big, diverse city and uni, supportive (DD also has issues around anxiety and her dept was so helpful) and has a nice village of halls a few miles from the city centre. Cheap for halls (< £100 pw in some cases) and private houses too.

Otherwise if BCC is more likely, look at unis like NTU, Sheffield Hallam, Leeds Beckett, all of which are quality unis which will offer 104UCAS points (= BCC).

DS is doing a History degree at NTU and the course is genuinely brilliant. They take a really modern approach and the work he has turned in has been so varied already - from essays to podcasts. He loves the subject and it suits him to keep if fresh and varied.

We were both been really impressed on the open day and although he didn't get great grades (BCC) he was offered Uni of Liverpool which is certainly considered a 'better' Uni - RG and generally higher ranked, but he had his heart set on the approach and ethos at NTU so that's what he picked. He has no regrets - the course has lived up to the open day and he is really enjoying it.

PS DD is at MMU doing Human Geography - also having an excellent experience and they were awarded Times Modern Uni of the Year this year. (NTU having won in previous years).

There are some really REALLY good 'second tier' universities out there OP.

Are dyslexia and history good bedfellows bearing in mind the essay requirements

My advice would be to punch slightly above her weight and apply for ABB institutions - humanities courses are increasingly undersubscribed and uni's will accept lower grades to keep their student to staff ratios up. History and other hums courses are reducing due to falling demand.

I might urge her to consider a more vocational course if at all possible.

Has she got talk to type software such as dragon. Its amazing

Bangor University springs to mind, BCC is their minimum requirement. It's a while since I had direct knowledge but it's a well regarded uni.

I'm a historian who has also worked in assistive tech - ignore that comment about dyslexia and history being incompatible.

Dear OP,

I don’t have useful advice re specific unis as my DD is studying history at a university in London although I can’t see any reason your DD can’t be successful studying history at the right uni. One of the previous posters mentioned the potential issue with history being quite essay heavy and how that would fit with dyslexia. I would suggest that non exam based assessment might actually suit better. When your DD visits unis as part of her research make sure she talks to the DDS (disability and dyslexia service) at each one to understand the support provided. They can be a bit variable but some are fantastic.

If you want some independent assessment you can have a look at the disabled student access insight report. Be aware that not all unis have returned enough responses to be counted so the data may be a little bit skewed. It gives a bit of a starting point though: https://disabledstudents.co.uk/2025-access-insights-report-3/

One other thing, make sure she applies for disabled students allowance (DSA). They can provide support with software and other ideas that can really help. It can also unlock access to other support. My DD has a chronic pain condition which impacts on her studies and she was able to access talk to text software, mind mapping software and lecture capture which have helped (along with with an ergonomic office chair, adjustable desk and blue tooth mouse and key board). The process was really quite efficient and the advisor suggested some things we hadn’t considered.

https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa

Aberystwyth - excellent teaching there. I know someone who was external examiner.

I provided support to students via the DSA in terms of speech context software etc.

Honestly OP, speaking as a professional historian who has worked at Unis in Britain and Ireland, don't let your dd be put off history due to the essay requirements. There are accommodations for exams. She should find a course that excites her and chat to the academics and the student support office.

My son is doing History at Uni of Lpool, and really enjoying it. He got BBC at A' Level. Liverpool was his first choice, he's a quiet guy but has made friends and settled in well to Uni life.

Another vote for the University of Leicester. DS got in with BBC at A-level. His experience was affected by the pandemic, but he came out with a 2:1, and still liked History by the end of the course.

Can’t help you with choosing a course but just some reassurance. One of my son’s did a history degree, he then went on to do a Masters of teaching and is now in his third year as a high school teacher and loving it. He is profoundly dyslexic, as a child my biggest hope was that he would finish school!

Sorry for the rogue apostrophe!

Chichester were fairly low requirements for history as were St Mary’s (Twickenham). Reading was around that too if you firmed.
They’re all quite South. Maybe too far South for her?

One of mine did archaeology and history combined degree at uni of Liverpool . Got offered ABB but they took her with BBC ( one of her bs was in history ) . She loved it there . I know people who firm a higher uni and halve a more accessible uni as back up writhing the same city . She then did a masters in sustainable heritage management and now has a job she loves in a heritage trust. Have a good look around there are plenty of supportive unis with good history courses which are accesible. When the time comes make sure to vivir and get a feel for places and follow your gut .

To add my middle is dyslexic too .

One of our DC is studying a History adjacent degree and there is a LOT of reading of complex texts, many of which are ancient and poorly articulated. Is that compatible with dyslexia?

She is dyslexic and also has some anxiety and low mood which aren't making sixth form easy for her at the moment and she is wary of putting herself under intense academic pressure leading to a worsening of her mental health.

This sounds like an ideal case for a gap year - planned with useful & productive activities, (not just arsing about!) To give her a bit of a breather off the treadmill of academic expectation and testing.

University will be tougher than A Levels, and there'll always be academic expectations surrounding her.

As for universities, the History degree at Lancaster is top notch and the college pastoral care system, and general esprit de corps at the university amongst students may be a nurturing environment for her. It's a very residential campus - built to be like a village. The A level results ask may look high, but there will be relaxation in grades if all else looks good with a candidate.

The only issue is one facing a lot of regional universities: government neglect of HE & the fact that the tuition fee doesn't cover costs of each student is leading to some deep cuts in staffing. But the staff at Lancaster are very focused on students, and there is still a really great depth in the History department there.

A friend's DC with similar grades has recently received offers for History from Northumbria, Edgehill and Liverpool John Moores - applied with grades in hand

BBC are perfectly good grades to get to uni and study history. Courses vary hugely so have a good look around and see what she fancies.

My DD is arg academically but really hates exams, finds then very stressful. So she went to study archeology at York as thst is no exams (mix of essays, presentations, running a seminar, producing a portfolio). She found something that worked for her.

I would echo the poster who said it's probably a safe bet to shoot a bit higher and aim for BBB/ABB courses as Humanities degrees tend to be undersubscribed. I work as a UCAS Advisor and had students who ended up at a Russell Group uni to do History a couple of years ago despite missing the grades they asked for. Also, there will be numerous courses in clearing accepting lower than their previously advertised grades, so last year many students 'traded up' from their original firm choice because a more highly regarded course was willing to take them with the grades they'd achieved.

I have a DC at Edge Hill which I highly recommend - the student support is outstanding. It’s a lovely campus too with great accommodation.

I would echo the poster who said it's probably a safe bet to shoot a bit higher and aim for BBB/ABB courses as Humanities degrees tend to be undersubscribed.

Humanities prof here: yeeeeesssss, up to a point, Lord Copper. Applicants may be offered a place, but they need to be aware that the course/modules will be taught at a level that reflects the higher grades asked for.

Which is fine if the pupil is prepared to be in the mid range of marks - high 2, 2 to low 2, i. They need to be OK with not being top, and finding the degree a challenge - which it should be!

Although, a lot of students mature and develop in the intensity of studying the one discipline they love, and can improve beyond their A Level achievements.