2026 UCAS - Offers, Rejections and then the exams! (Thread 2)

[EducatingRosemary]

Starting a new thread as our original is almost full…

Original thread

We had a similar story here, with DD choosing between Durham and Sheffield. On paper Durham was the better choice, higher ranking etc but after lots of agonising DD has opted for Sheffield as it just felt more suited to her. It was a very close call though and even now she’s questioning whether she’s done the right thing. So difficult to choose between all the variables isn’t it!

I’m sure your DD has made the right choice @Suffolker , it’s hard to ignore the ‘feels right’ in your gut. There was definitely something about Sheffield that I could see really suiting DS. And thank you @Keenwalker I agree Sheffield is a great city.

I think there is often pressure for dc to choose what are considered excellent universities but they may not always fit with who dc are or where they will thrive. Elder ds chose NTU over Bath, Warwick etc and it was the perfect fit for him, both course wise and socially. Ultimately they have to feel that it is the right place for them.

Warwick accommodation portal finally open for all those Warwick firms on here. Not that there's any benefit to putting your choices in early as the ballots the same for anyone in the mix by Aug 18, but still, a fun distraction from revision.

I agree @mumonthehill - more parental involvement contributes to that I think. I don’t remember my parents being that involved at all, and certainly among my friend group no-one remembers going to as many open days and OHD, and certainly not with their parents. Maybe fees/cost and worry about graduate prospects driving it a bit more. I think I knew in my heart that what DS has chosen was actually the best option for him, and that’s all that really matters.

Fingers crossed that everyone’s DC now gets the grades the need and the exams go well. DS is finished next week, it has come around so fast. But given he effectively finished school when the Easter holidays started I think there’s a lot of cabin fever going on for him.

@Keenwalker - we are now just looking at halls in Sheffield, I wondered if you might have picked up any useful info or tips about the accomodation at Sheffield from your DD?

@WhatWouldTheDoctorDo my DD is in Endcliffe which is lovely. She is in a flat of 10 all with en suite and a shared kitchen dining space. The accommodation is really good, with a bar and gym on site. She plays piano so there are music rooms available for hire and rooms for study space. She is loving it, but it’s definitely a party town. One top tip though for moving in…it’s carnage and we did it in the pouring rain. There are two hotels literally onsite. If you book into either of those for moving in weekend you will be sorted with parking. Look for the Halifax hotel or jonas hotel.

Thanks for replying @Keenwalker ! There’s only Ranmoor halls available just now so he’s hoping Endcliffe comes up. He’s not a full on party boy, but is worried about ending up in a Ranmoor flat with everyone who opted for ‘quiet flat’. Good tip on the hotels, thank you.

I've just dropped ds2 off for the first of his 13 exams! Only one this week so an easier start.

He has yet to start his accommodation preference list for Bath though. And knowing him, he'll take it right to the wire because he spends so much time doing pro/con lists, research etc...

I would tell him not to worry too much @WhatWouldTheDoctorDo My DD is a really party girl and she’s had a great time with her flat but most of her mates now are in Ranmoor, and they seem just as lively.

I think this is exactly it. Unis take a huge hit in finances if they can't attract enough international students so I do think they hold out for as many as them as possible. The fact they've waited this long to get back to so many people this year suggests there's been a big drop in international students applying this year. I wonder if that turns out to be the case.

I'm just jumping in to say that my son is a 2nd year at Sheffield and having a great experience all round. He's really grown in confidence. He was in Endcliffe in first year as that where everyone seemed to recommend for making friends with other students easily but I've been shocked at the huge jump in prices this year and next year. It's a lovely campus in a lovely leafy area and yes, you know you're going to be with other UoS students but the downsides are the distance from town, and of course, the price.

He's spent this year in private halls right in the city centre with a few members of his Endcliffe flat and much prefers the city centre location. It's far cheaper than Endcliffe. He's switching to another one next year (Bailey Fields) which has great communal spaces and is still great value. There are quite a few private halls in the city centre, very good value. They're very popular with international students but honestly, I think it's a shame that more home students don't consider them in first year. I guess they (and parents) want to stick to the safe bet of Endcliffe and the more leafy environment.

Thanks @CurlyhairedAssassin yes, the price of the halls made me wince, and they’re nowhere near as nice as some of the others we visited on open days. I noticed how much cheaper some of the private halls are, but like you say, everyone wants to guarantee they’ll be with 1st years from their Uni. Interesting that yours went in private halls in 2nd years - any particular reason they chose that rather than a flat or a house?

My DS has firmed Bath for Maths. I’ve done his accommodation research for him as he wouldn’t get round to it otherwise and be homeless 🙄. The fact that you have 8 choices is a bit overwhelming for him as they all look the same ish. Top of the list is Marlborough/Solsbury.

My DC has also firmed Bath for Maths so maybe they will meet each other! Did accommodation application last weekend - DC chose but I think was heavily influenced by the limit I gave as to what we would pay for - some of them are very expensive!

Dd has also firmed Bath for psych, but not even looked at accommodation yet! Trying to get through these exams to work out whether she feels she will be able to get the grades before engaging with it I think! Yep.. it is super expensive 🤦‍♀️

My DD has also firmed Bath for Natural Sciences.

DS managed to get an Endcliffe hall at Sheffield today, which he was very pleased about. Just need to finish the exams and keep everything crossed he gets the grade he needs to secure his place.

Hope everyone’s exams are going ok now they seem to be in full swing!

Last exam today (IB)! It feels very momentous, but now have to keep fingers (and everything else) crossed for the results in July… :)

Good luck to all those doing A level exams!

Just one more exam for DS, on Monday - shame it couldn't have been over in time for the weekend!

Oh wow! I can’t believe people are nearly finished. DD still has another week to go before her first exams next Thursday.

Roll on last exam on 15th June

(If its any consolation, my younger is doing GCSEs, so it's exam season until 15 June here too.)

Agree it's amazing to think that some have nearly finished. FM was one of the first exams this week, and then DS' last on 19 June. Feels like ages to go.

Luckily my DS has told me today he really enjoys exams! Though I think it's because there is no proper school!

Yes, my DD is living her best life right now - she loves study leave. Locked in and living by her revision timetable - every hour mapped out and she loves it. She is ready for all her exams so is really just consolidating at this point and doing the last few remaining past papers for practice.

I also have a younger one in 4th form who is doing a few GCSE modules this year, but thankfully only a few. 15th June doesn’t seem too bad when I know next year we will be going all the way to the 21st.

How have first week of A-levels gone for everyone?