Alternatives after missing Leeds offer for Music and English 2027 start date

[Enterthewolves]

Help! DS got a shock C in English lit/lang. He was consistently getting high Bs low As in mocks/class work so it was a total gut punch but he was 12 points off so no point in requesting a regrade. He really wanted to do Music & English at Leeds but they won’t take the C (fair enough) - he’s very averse to doing a resit, but was taking a year out anyway so a) doesn’t want to do clearing and b) is happy to think about alternatives. He got DD* in Music BTEC foundation diploma and A in Film Studies. He has a Grade 5 in Music theory and a Grade 8 performance but doesn’t want to do a BMUS. I’ve suggested trying Sheffield who might take him for the combined honours music/English or BA Music - does anyone know if Leeds might take him? Their standard offer is ABB. Any other ideas? Please

Why don’t you ask his school or ring clearing to get an idea of what is on offer?

School are totally unhelpful and clearing basically say they can’t help for entry 2027. We’ve looked at what’s coming up and several (decent) places offering BA Music seem to have BBB - it seems wrong to call and take their time up asking if he’s get in when he won’t take up a place this year so was wondering if anyone had any recent experience- especially with Leeds. Otherwise it is apply in September and see if he gets offers - and then apply to resit English if not.

Southampton are currently offering their music courses at BCC including a Liberal Arts Music pathway which sounds really interesting - you specialise in Music but select other modules according to your interests.

The official requirement is AAB but there seems no reason why it wouldn't be in Clearing next year so he could always wait and apply then.

I think you’ll have to go the route of applying and see, very few unis will confirm that they’ll make unconditional offers at below the book grades. Clearing isn’t your route you’d want to ask the question of standard admissions teams.

To state the obvious, it’s your son that needs to phone/research/make decisions.

If he’s taking this year out he has some breathing space.Let him use this.

@OP: So did your DS have an offer for next year that hasn’t been confirmed? Not sure how relevant but my DC applied for Music and Music Tech at Leeds in 2023 to start in 2025 (taking a gap year). I think the original offer was AAB. He got BBB. If he had been starting straight away, in 2024, he would still have been accepted (the course was in Clearing on results day at BBB). He accepted his insurance but then the Leeds course came up in pre-Clearing the next year at BBB and he switched to it and started at Leeds last September.

Thank you, that’s helpful.

Thanks all, some helpful information there.

@Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies no shit, crumbs, why hadn’t I thought of that…he’s upset, and confused, he’s looking at his options but I’m trying to help him marshall his thoughts and was hoping for some help so I can help him. He doesn’t have a year to think about it if he wants to go 2027, he needs to book in the resit if he is doing it pretty quickly, but yes obviously his life, his decisions, and his responsibility, so useful
of you to say so.