Does anyone else have a child who didn’t get four or five A’s at higher who wants to go to university?

[Tig33]

Hello I am hoping to find other parents with children in a similar situation to my child. It seems all of my child’s friends and peers and my friends’ children did really well in S5 so have four or fives A’s at higher. My child did not achieve this and is feeling very despondent (as am I!) as we go to open days and look at university choices. It looks like Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrew’s and Strathclyde are completely out as require AAAAA for entry to courses they are interested in. They got four B’s
in S5 and If they work very hard this year they may get an A or two in their highers or a B in their AH but with their current grades I am worried that that will simply be out of the running as so many students have such high grade. We have visited Stirling and Dundee and were considering Aberdeen but perhaps also out of reach after guardian’s high ranking… I would like to hear from others in similar position please.

An hnc may be the way forward ? Then into Uni

Ds got 2 x A and 3 x B for his Highers. Did AH Maths and Physics and a crash Higher in Modern Studies in S6. (got an A for his AH Maths and his Modern Studies Higher but iirc a B for his Physics took his foot off the gas for it as he didn't need it )

Applied to do Politics and International Relations and got unconditional offers from Aberdeen and Strathclyde (rejections from Dundee and 2 x Edinburgh he insisted on applying to two similar courses there, one which included Quantitative Methods which would've used his Maths )

He's just graduated from Aberdeen with a 2:i and has got a good job in public affairs which he's really enjoying.

Studied History, economics, philosophy and sociology in 1st year alongside the PIR modules. (continued macro Sociology in 2nd year and considered it as a joint degree).

My friend just graduated from a History degree at Glasgow as a mature student. Did an HNC in Social Sciences I think to get in? he had to get an A in the graded unit and did a bunch of stuff volunteering etc to bulk up his application? He loved it.

He got the student loan/fees paid for the five years of study. But if you do the HND you only get three years of Uni covered (I did this!). HND might get you into 2nd year of Uni though (depending on the Uni/Course)

I know there is a programme if your DC live in a certain postcode or have certain situations that can help you get into university (certain subjects). Just in case that applies to anyone - This is it.

www.gla.ac.uk/study/wp/reach/#tab=eligibility

My DC is also thinking history. It seems really competitive. They get straight As for history and English and are OK track for an A at AH for history but did 2 Sciences at higher as well which is where they struggle. I'm not concerned about their ability to cope on a history course, its just their grades in other subjects that might srop them getting in.

@Whattodowithallthebooks I wonder whether your DD might have a better chance with unis who read and value personal statements and references. My niece was similar to your DD (not history though) but got an offer from StA but not Glasgow. She had a really good personal statement.

I hate that now you can't take a higher subject that is useful knowledge you need to pick the ones you are most likely to get an in.

There is also the option to work for a year and apply with actual AH grades. Neighbour did this for a competitive subject. Highers were good but not stellar but AHs were stellar.

I have two who have gone down the college first then uni track.
DS 1 left school halfway through Highers and drifted for years ( undiagnosed/untreated ADHD). Got treated and did access course and is now on a degree course that is two years at college then two years at uni, going well so far.
DS3 opted for an HNC as he needed to build skills before applying for a specialist course, it's been a good halfway house between school and uni as he's living in halls, working part time, college part time and he got into his dream very competitive course.
There is an extra year to pay for but it's turned out to be a positive as the extra maturity and experience means they will cope with first year on a demanding course better I think ( also chance to change his mind but he didn't).

My eldest two didn’t get 5 A’s at higher. They both took a gap year to earn some money (ds2 took 2 years) and started HNC then HND at UHI. Both went on to do a degree there and are now working in their chosen fields. Ds3 hopes to get a degree apprenticeship through the company he is working in at the moment but if not will need 5 A’s this year to do his chosen degree in Edinburgh.

That sounds tough! Four Bs at higher is an amazing achievement! For what it’s worth I got into law at Edinburgh without straight As (AAAAC) and ended up dropping out and doing a media related degree that needed far less, no As but at least a C in English, BBCC overall, so it varies hugely!

I'm in my fourth year at edinburgh uni and didnt get 4 A's. it really depends on the program and uni.

My dc can only study 3 A Levels at our local comp so don't stand a chance against privately educated kids.

@Newyeardietstartstomorrow

have you looked into things like LEAPS? i went to a deprived school and had an ABBB, maybe a couple of other bs and a c, i cant exactly remember and got in to edinburgh because of leaps. i mention this because i went to a deprived state school and LEAPS/ widening participation most likely helped me secure a place. You dont have t be from a deprived area or school, there are other factors such as if youre the first in your family to attend uni. In general, Edinburgh uni favours students from england and abroad because they pay tuiton fees which means that there are not many scottish students :(

@friendlylurker I hadn't heard of that, thank you. I've also noticed now that a lot of unis are point based, so its easy to achieve the required number of points if you have the option to study 4 + a levels, but it makes it tight if you only have 3. We had considered a 1 year level 3 course after her A Levels to get the numbers up.

@Newyeardietstartstomorrow the thread was talking Scottish Highers where it is standard to need 5 for University unlike A levels where 3 are typically studied. For some courses in Scotland without a contextual offer the requirement is often a minimum of 5As at higher - typically 6 if you take two sittings into account e.g Economics at Glasgow.. As a pp said there are many courses which are accessible without 5As.

I got a BCCCC for Highers years ago - got a place at uni through clearing and came out with a degree like everyone else in the cohort regardless of A/B/C results in Highers/GSCEs 🤷

Your DC will get there just the same OP. Please don't fret. HNC as you say is also another route in.