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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

History degree, predicted Bs and Cs

57 replies

MountainofWashing · 16/02/2026 22:52

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).

OP posts:

Spirallingdownwards · 17/02/2026 20:15

RosesAndHellebores · 17/02/2026 00:17

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.

Shouldn't be an issue. My son is dyslexic got 3 x A* A levels in his humanities A levels, a 2.1 in his history degree and doing well in his law conversion.

Why are you suggesting a vocational course? What vocation? A history degree is highly regard across many professions due to the analysis and critical thinking it brings.

NoExchangeBeforeChristmasThen · 17/02/2026 20:29

I don't really have much to add that's helpful @MountainofWashing, though as a Yorkshire lass who read History at Leicester back in the day is it really 34 years ago dear god I agree with @clary - it's a great university and city, always was and still in hugely economical to live in. One of my closest friends from my degree has a son who's just gone there to follow in our footsteps and read History too - he's loving it. I didn't have dyslexia but did have (then undiagnosed) Autism and ADHD and went on to do a Masters at Leicester and a PhD at Lancaster (another good choice.)

History is the best degree subject and anyone who disagrees is wrong 😉 Best of luck to your DD.

BasiliskStare · 17/02/2026 20:31

@MountainofWashing - Just another one to say my son did 3 essay based subjects at A level and got double first in History, and he is dyslexic.
Now, I'm not commenting on any particular university , but more to say it is possible. I would say at university it is more enthusiasm for the subject and taking all the help for the dyslexia you can. DS had extra time in some exams and he wasn't the only one by far. Also make sure you point out the dyslexia on the (can't remember the name now ) but the forms when you have a place. DS was offered more help at university that he actually thought he needed. In his case a laptop solved quite a bit - his main problem was speed of writing. He did read slower than a lot , but he has a retentive memory so he thinks that sort of balanced itself out. Anyway not all with dyslexia are the same , so I think ( as a parent of one - not an expert) the trick is to see how it affects you and get appropriate help / measures for that.

On the other hand Maths - he was competent but not great , nor enthusiastic so all the help in the world wouldn't have helped him with that , even if it meant no essays. 😊

I wish you well

CrochetMadRosie · 17/02/2026 21:54

MountainofWashing · 17/02/2026 19:37

In terms of the dyslexia yes I know history isn't an obvious choice! Over the years I've explained to her how essay subjects are more difficult for her and encouraged a slight interest in textiles, applied science etc to no avail. But Dd loves humanities and social sciences and managed to get an 8 at GCSE in history and RS with 25% extra time. I have reluctantly decided that her commitment and interest are worth quite a lot. Good to hear a few saying ignore the naysayers. As it does worry me!

She uses a reading pen which really helps but isn't keen on text to speech as it struggles with a Yorkshire accent apparently! I will look at getting her dragon. I think unis are probably better than schools for adjustments and I think her needs actually make her quite independent in her study which should help a bit.

Definitely apply for DSA as they will be able to recommend lots of things that will help.
It’s such a supportive process and they WANT to give you everything you need to succeed at uni. Everything from software that will read and summarise information for you, to lecture recording software that will make notes for you.
DS isn’t dyslexic, but those are just some of the things that he’s been given for his needs. All free.

Spirallingdownwards · 17/02/2026 21:58

Yes the help available at uni via DSA and uni itself was far more than was available at 6th form and indeed for easier to access.

I do think Lancaster and Liverpool are good shouts.

narrowrailroad · 18/02/2026 19:37

Does she have a formal diagnosis of Dyslexia? If not get one now to qualify for DSA.

I would make lots of visits, and focus more on where DD is comfortable rather than any perception of which is the 'best' university or 'aiming high'. I would be finding out how the Disability and Wellbeing services work and how easy it is to access them, if lectures are recorded and class PowerPoints etc provided in advance as standard, if they give extensions automatically to students with support needs, if they make allowance for Dyslexia when marking spelling and grammar. There really isn't anything like a national standard of support and universities can be very different in how they work.

Also what support is there in housing (eg is there a 24/7 warden team), is it guaranteed for first year, or every year?