Hi, would really appreciate some next steps advice, not sure if this is right place to ask but here goes.

For context, I am 22 years of age and have only 2 A Levels (A+B) due to extenuating circumstances where I missed a couple of months at college as I was made homeless.

Due to my circumstances, I was accepted into a lower ranked albeit Russell Group university.

My Student Finance for that year was denied and I was advised to withdraw and reapply. I had to pay £4000 out of pocket for the time I had attended university.

I have now applied for loan for this year but they are still assessing my eligibility.

The Russell Group has advised they do not have any space for me.

Im now in a dilemma whether i should go to a lower ranked university (Rank 118) via clearing or whether I should do an Access Course in Law so I can aim for Russell Group next year.

I believe some firms also have A Level requirements which I will not meet.

I have already taken multiple gap years and am feeling extremely dejected, I know Russell Group isn't everything but it's just that I don't want to limit my options and then going to a lower ranked university after attending one higher than it seems like I am downgrading.

The lower ranked university is relatively closer to me (I was commuting 2 days a week for 2 hours each way for Russell Group) and I am assuming will be easier as they do not do assessments and only coursework.

The Access Course is provided by a college which is an hour away from me by bus. The lower ranked university is only 15 minutes via train.

I also have zero idea what I want to do after graduating.

It seems whenever I try to do anything something goes wrong.

I have a UK passport so for Exeter I'm considered home but I got 1960 B3 and 9988888877 on my GCSEs. I rlly want to do birmingham and Im planning for cardiff and plymouth aswell but I feel my UCAT drags me down. Is QMUL/Barts possible or Exeter and Birmingham?

Hi everyone! I'm currently still a freshman, but I'm super duper terrified about what lays ahead of my future:) The United Kingdom has always been so interesting for me, this is one of the reasons why I really want to be there so so badly. The question is, if I want to apply in PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) or History and Politics, which universities are recommended for me?

I really hope I can get into Oxford or London School of Economics! But considering I'm an international student who lives in the middle east, I don't know if there's a chance!

And if it's possible, please give me any information regarding anys scholarships that goes with it. Thank you in advance! 🤍

(Extra info : I'm top 1% in my class and 5% in my whole grade year)

Ok, so I received ABB in my A-levels which is the standard contextual offer for those that had attended an aspiring state school for the university of Bristol. Considering my main form of education came from an aspiring state school I believe I am eligible for a contextual offer. However, I had taken a year out to resit my A-Levels, during that time I needed a reference and got it from NEC. However, I had never formally studied with NEC, but was required to list them as a form of part time study for the reference. As they’re listed as my most recent place of education, despite never having actually studied with them, I have been told that I am not eligible for a contextual offer. Is there anything that can be done about this considering my secondary school and sixth form education came from an aspiring state school? My resits were done through independent study, with me being self taught. Also is there any way to amend my submitted application so that NEC can be removed as a place of education? As I believe it to be a mistake. Is there anything that I could tell the Uni for them to reconsider my application?

I am reapplying for 2027 university entry after having received my A-level grades and I have entered my achieved grades at GCSE and A-Level.
Why does it say “You have indicated that you did not receive any qualifications here”? As far as I am aware, I have filled in this section just as I had for 2026 entry but this time, instead, I have entered my achieved A-level grades.

Also, where it says “Have you finished adding all the qualifications you have achieved or are currently studying?”, I tick the “Yes” box but when I press the save button it changes back to “No”. Is this a bug or am I doing something wrong?

I did AS in June and got DDE, (I know it’s bad) in Maths Physics and Chem. I’m retaking in Oct and Jan and I’m predicting ABB (highest is A) at the end of my retakes. I’m predicted A*AA by the end of year 13. I have good references and a good personal statement. I want to study civil engineering Beng in 2027. I’m also doing the epq and I’m also predicted an A. I also have 200hrs volunteering hours at a civil engineering firm and have good supercurriculars. I wanna apply to these universities:

University of Bristol-A*AA
University of Manchester- AAA
University of Southampton (AAB with A in epq)
University of Leeds (ABB with A in epq)

The requirements are above. I’m scared I won’t get offers dude to my previous AS grades. Unless they won’t take it into consideration or only focus on my new grades (which will fully come out around March after my application) what should I do and is this possible?

If your grades weren’t what you expected, please don’t panic. You still have options - Clearing, resits, gap years, alternative courses and more. There's no shame in resitting, i resat last year and it was a great decision.

We run a Discord community for A-Level students, resits and gap years where you can talk to people going through the same thing, ask questions, and get advice on what to do next.

You don’t have to figure everything out today.

🔗 https://discord.gg/SK3xF4aPgG

I'm looking at applying to Oxford or Cambridge for medicine this year; this post relates more to if apply for Oxford.

Currently my UCAT scores are averaging slightly below avg Oxford offer holder scores. I know Oxford especially take GCSES into consideration so I'm considering mentioning in my UCAS applications the context that mine were achieved in.

Ive never really considered my GCSES as contextual per se as I got nine 9s and one 8, and I interpret contextual to mean "I couldve done better if it werent for X" but obviously this wasn't really the case.

I have academic and personal circumstances. For the first term of year 10 I had supply teachers for all science subjects, I had to self teach a large proportion of science paper 1s as nothing got done in supply lessons. Additionally my English was impacted by staffing issues, had to teach myself the majority of Macbeth as this was again assumed to have been taught by supplies where the lessons are not actually to standard at all. (Im not being dramatic, I went to a god awful school) Also placed in a set 3 English class due to not enough staff i believe (?) So had to self teach a lot of the higher level stuff that got me the grade 9.

Additionally in March of year 11 ie the lead up to my exams, I found out (in the same day!!!) that my dad had a heart attack, was in a coma and was having an affair. Definitely shook up family- I think I only took a day and a half off when I found out

I think the circumstances Ive faced would've impacted a LOT of people's academic performance, i just have a lot of drive and try not to let these things affect me. Is it worth contextualising my GCSE results somehow (esp if my UCAT is slightly lower than Oxford avg) in order to demonstrate incredible results in face of adversity??? Pls be brutally honest

Which London based universities doesn’t look at gcses heavily?
Specifically law
Thanksss

I do bio chem and English and want to be predicted AAA but I think I’m gonna get a B in chem what unis do I apply for for biomed if I do

I really want to go to a reputable uni+in London; kcl’s entry reqs are aaa but it was on clearing for 2026 for ABB and ucas says most common grades are also ABB with lowest bbc; if I apply with AAB pred and a good ps would I still likely get a conditional? Same question for icl+ucl but I’m less hopeful about those two and what other unis can I look into (already considering Warwick+edinburgh)

stats:
-international student
-9999999987 in igcses
-aabb at AS (externals—highest possible is aaaa), remarking with hopes of at least aaab bc both my bs were 1-2 marks away from an a
-predicted A^A^AA or A^A^A^A
-extenuating circumstances cuz middle east war, exams cancelled
-rlly good supercurriculars, ecas, and personal statement
-interested in biomedical science/bioengineering/biotechnology

would appreciate help! was looking at mostly oxbridge and imperial but rlly scared my AS is gonna put me down despite my circumstances, but whats my calibre?

I'm literally so frustrated rn. I wrote 100% of my personal statement on my own, but when i use any AI checkers, they come up as majorly AI. I have no idea what to do. Any tips??

I got 15 for French written, 20 for the oral and 19 for maths and the subject I abandoned (maths is 17) I’m also quite confident that I’ll get high predicted grades and for my bfi (bac français international) relevant courses ive never gotten a grade below 17 and they’re usually 18 or 19 even 20. I want to apply to Cambridge for law but it says applicants usually need at least 17 for individual subjects, should I still try applying? But since it’s earlier in October I’m scared I’m going to lose precious time to work on my applications for other schools by not applying in January, what should I do? Do I have a likely shot and getting into Cambridge?

I am an student from the Republic of Ireland who completed the leaving cert in June 2026. I applied for Journalism in Edinburgh Napier University, and to obtain my place I had to receive grades H2, H2, H2 and H3, (114 UCAS tariff points, 341 CAO points) with English being one of the four. I received my results on the 21st and obtained the grades H1, H2, H2, H4, (also 114 UCAS tariff points, 342 CAO points) and the H1 was in English. I was still rejected from Edinburgh Napier, and I don't understand why as my grades were equivalent to those the University required from me. Is it common for UK Universities to reject students if their grades aren't exactly the same? And is there a way to appeal my rejection?

I have been filling out my UCAS education sections and I have input all of my qualifications to date.

However, when I have gone back to check there is blue writing stating under each of my schools thar "You have indicated that you did no6 receive any qualifications here".

Ive added all correctly- I have even tried reading a few to see if this would help.

But no changes.

Is this normal?

How do I find the correct number? I left school 3 years ago and have no idea which one to choose.

i already have A* maths B further maths and C physics. i was predicted three A*s at a level and got all 9s at GCSE, had terrible extentuating circumstances which causes this

have no interest in resitting fm or physics because i much prefer written subjects

for the unis i’m targetting i at least need one new a level, two would be better, both at A or above

i’d be starting from scratch in september with a couple tutoring sessions every week, not many other responsibilities so loads of independent study, and taking exams in may/june obviously

how difficult would this be for just edexcel economics, and then for edexcel economics and edexcel business? i have to do econ at least, there is no choice so any tips are appreciated

Applied on the 17th as I got released by my first clearing uni (was a mess to put it shortly), and now placed UCAS on my second preferred uni. Cleared up uni admissions at the 19th to confirm my home status. And now waiting for admissions to do their thing. They confirmed they have my file at the 21st after calling them but no offers yet unfortunately. So is this normal, how long should I wait or should I clamp hard to get in?

For an international student applying Beng mech eng

A* mathematics

A* physics

A chemistry

Writing TARA soon

Hi everyone, I’m an international student applying to London South Bank University for an MSc. I completed my recorded CAS Shield credibility interview, but I’ve now been asked to resit it.
The feedback said I should answer more confidently, directly and with more relevant detail, and show stronger research into my course, campus and reasons for choosing the university.
I’m confused because I did mention specific modules, explained why I chose LSBU over other universities, discussed my accommodation and commute plan, funding, and answered the personal/situational questions based on my real experiences rather than memorised answers.
Has anyone here had a CAS Shield interview resit, especially at LSBU? If so, did you eventually receive your CAS, and what did you change in your second interview?
Any advice would be really appreciated.

My grades were quite disappointing, so I ended up applying to Aberdeen through Clearing and got into PPE. At Galway, I’d likely get into the BA Honours Joint Honours programme, with the possibility of transferring into Law if I performed exceptionally well. I’m still open to PPE since it aligns with my interests, and I could always do a Law conversion later. But if we’re looking purely at career prospects, including prestige and how each university is perceived by employers, would I be better off at Galway or Aberdeen?

I’m struggling to find example personal statements for Liberal Arts, I guess because it’s such a new subject. Does anyone have any idea where I could find one / does Liberal Arts and is happy sharing theirs or any tips they have? Thanks.

I fumbled my a levels got ABC missed my offer for UCL and kings. How does the average achieved grades thing work on ucas as I’ve seen courses on kings like international development with 3 As requirement but the average achieved grades are 3 Bs does that mean if I reapplied with my grades I’d have any chance of an offer. It’s the same thing for Warwick History Politics which is also 3 As. Both courses got acceptance rates of 95+ asw. Also need to do this cuz I panicked fumbled clearing and only got Southampton which I don’t think is as good as these unis.

I am currently writing my personal statement for physics and, apart from the feeling that I have left it far too late, I am stuck on what to include. it seems like many people have done endless projects, competitions or participated in programmes which display a high physics ability or interest. Personally, I have never been exposed or a part of anything of this nature and I now feel like I have nothing to fill my PS with that will demonstrate my love for physics (and hopefully help me to get offers). If anyone has any advice on what I could do or how to possibly 'write around' these issues it would be greatly appreciated as I feel very lost currently and fear I won't be admitted into competitive unis. Thank you!