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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

University offer question

18 replies

NotHB · 08/05/2022 20:23

I had to name change to avoid accusations of humble bragging, but I've been on Mumsnet since dc in question was 3 years old. I have no experience in further education and don't know how it works.

Said child is now 18 and about to do A levels. They have been offered ABB maximum for their University course in all 5 Unis they have applied to.

At least 3 of them usually ask for AAA.

Why the disparity in what they are asking from my dc? For context they go to a state comprehensive school with not great "on paper" GCSE results. Is this something to do with contextual offers?

OP posts:

RampantIvy · 08/05/2022 20:27

Is it an undersubscribed course or are they undersubscribed at those universities for that course?

Congratulations to your DC anyway.

savoycabbage · 08/05/2022 20:28

It could be. My dd has contextual offers and she went to one of her offer days and everyone else had A*AA for their offer and she has ABB.

Or maybe she did a cracking personal statement.

Original poster

NotHB · 08/05/2022 20:29

I don't think undersubscribed as they wouldn't usually ask for AAA?

OP posts:

PAFMO · 08/05/2022 20:30

Sounds like it's contextual, yes.
Don't think you'll be accused of humble bragging in this section of MN by definition.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 08/05/2022 20:31

Perhaps due to school or circumstances she has been given a contextual offer?

PeekAtYou · 08/05/2022 20:31

My dd went to a comp and her course entry requirement was AAA unless you take biology or chemistry in which case AAB. Could she be taking hard subjects which means a lower offer?

JoanThursday · 08/05/2022 20:31

Yes, it could be that your dc is eligible for a contextual offer. Take a look at the postcode checker on the Office for Students website.

Sorry just tried to paste the link but have failed dismally! I'll find it ....

JoanThursday · 08/05/2022 20:36

Here you go: www.officeforstudents.org.uk/data-and-analysis/young-participation-by-area/search-by-postcode/

Just be aware of the caveats on this webpage but it'll give you an idea.

I'm an admissions officer and, at this point of the cycle, we'd be unlikely to drop offer grades unless an applicant is eligible for a contextual offer. We're more likely to potentially drop when the results come out when we may accept 'near misses'.

JusticeForWanda · 08/05/2022 20:44

If their school is a state comp with poor results it will almost certainly be a contextual offer, to recognise that your DC is learning in more challenging circumstances.

Original poster

NotHB · 08/05/2022 20:49

JusticeForWanda · 08/05/2022 20:44

If their school is a state comp with poor results it will almost certainly be a contextual offer, to recognise that your DC is learning in more challenging circumstances.

This is what I am questioning. Thank you. When I have asked around some people say this doesn't happen!

The school gets around 50% 5 x A to C grades in GCSE which isn't disastrous in some parts of the country but seems to be a bad result in London.

OP posts:

titchy · 08/05/2022 21:10

Bristol list all the schools/colleges that they make contextual offers to - are you on that list because others use the same criteria: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/study/documents/Aspiring%20State%20Schools%20and%20Colleges%20for%202022%20cycle%20England%20and%20Wales.pdf

savoycabbage · 08/05/2022 21:15

You can get a contextual offer on your own home postcode or that of your secondary school or your sixth form college.

Why do some people think it doesn't happen? It definitely does! When dd was invited to her offer day at York the university offered to pay her travel expenses.

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 09/05/2022 10:49

Ds's said it was a contextual offer when they dropped their entry grade. He only had 1 contextual offer and that was based on POLAR postcode, basically they are saying that the area we live in doesn't have a high uptake of higher education. His secondary school and sixth form are outstanding with above average Progress 8, he has never been in care or adopted or been on free school meals. The only reason for 1 uni to offer a contextual offer is definitely on our postcode. The map for our POLAR area covers a wide variety of housing.

He had offers from 4 unis only 1 was contextual and only if he put that first was there a big grade drop.

Durham's usual entry is A star AA
Ds was offered AAA by Durham but
A star AB or AAB if he put them first.

He was predicted 3 A stars plus 1 A so this was a very comfortable choice for him. If I remember correctly from last year I am sure one uni was dropping their entry grade down significantly when offering a place to guarantee to get some students to put them as their first choice.

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 09/05/2022 10:50

Meant to say it should say on UCAS if it is a contextual offer. Have you seen the offers page?

ChiswickFlo · 09/05/2022 10:50

Nottingham offered ds1 ABB (down from AAA) if he firmed them last February...

Not contextual.

Not sure I'd that's happening as much this year...

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 09/05/2022 10:54

It sounds like they are doing well, and its heartening to hear that there is a level of flexibility, having teenages at senior school myself.
It might be their equivalent of an unconditional offer, if they like what they have seen or heard about your dc. Is it a STEM subject? My dd is looking at STEM, and has been told on the side that she will be treated favourably because of the need to get more women into the area.

Neolara · 09/05/2022 10:57

That's an interesting list of schools. My dd's secondary school is on there. She moved to a sixth form college which isn't on the list. I don't think she has been given contextual offers.

titchy · 09/05/2022 11:01

Neolara · 09/05/2022 10:57

That's an interesting list of schools. My dd's secondary school is on there. She moved to a sixth form college which isn't on the list. I don't think she has been given contextual offers.

It's the place where the level 3 quals (ie A levels) are taken that qualifies for any contextual offers, not where the GCSEs were taken as they don't form part of the offer.

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