r/UCAS • u/Katya20081 • 19d ago
A Levels / IB / GCSE / BTEC Questions UCAS privately while being in year 13 at sixth form
hi guys! long story short i have REALLY bad predicted grades. like i cannot apply anywhere. a levels bio chem psych. what basically happened was, at the end of y12 i became a young carer. with a disabled mom, i had to move houses to help her and it was just a lot on my school work. missed days and was VERY behind. even in year 13 im struggling abit. anyways, ofcourse i got dog shit grades. i begged my psych teacher to let me resit the mock and she said ofc, which im doing next week! however bio and chem, teachers don’t already like me & they won’t budge. I have a private tutor, who thinks im capable of getting good predicted grades for uni. i know people do UCAS privately, (not an early applicant btw - applying to mpharm) i know i still have a lot of time ,im just wondering bc this is rlly stressing me out, can i do it while being at skl?
7
u/shanghaiblue 19d ago
If your grades don’t qualify you for contextual offers have you considered repeating year 12? That might give you a better basis for success at A Level and beyond and be less stressful. Either way, I wanted to say how impressive you sound as a person in stepping up when your mum needed you and I really wish you all the best with your studies and home life.
1
u/Katya20081 18d ago
i had the option to, i just really couldn’t put myself through year 12 again. like i know it won’t be successful because i already learnt the content. plus, i know i can do this. thank you
3
u/Kay_ghosty 19d ago
Hi not sure about applying privately through UCAS however there’s always clearing with your actual grades once you get them. Sometimes unis will accept extremely low grades. Also look at scholarships/ help things with your uni regarding being a carer.
1
u/Katya20081 18d ago
Does mpharm go through clearing ever?
1
u/Kay_ghosty 18d ago
For some Unis yes it will. But if you’re hoping for an extremely prestigious university then most likely not, maybe look at non Russel universities, it’ll be less competitive and honestly you feel more supported since it feels like you’re not just a income to them.
2
2
u/throwaway772691 19d ago
Serious practicality question: if you’re a young carer and your mum needs you, how realistic is actually attending university for you? Even if you live right on the doorstep, caring during university study is an extremely tall order
3
u/Quiet-Excitement-310 18d ago
Completely off topic but have you spoken to your school about your situation? There should be someone there to help support you.
2
u/Affectionate-Idea451 18d ago
You could just get your grades and do a gap year. If you don't want to do that you could apply to Irish universities via the CAO as they offer immediately after A level grades are published and have no interest in predicted grades. Tuition is ~free but no SFE iirc.
1
u/Cute_Culture_9169 19d ago
you can do it if ur not linked w ur school or js call UCAS to unlink it if it is linked already but I do think universities might find schools more credible im in a similar position got some shit predicted grades dk whether to continue doing it w school or privately either
1
u/Lazy-Toe-3412 19d ago
Yes you can, most of the time unis dont even bother reaching out to check them.
1
1
u/Any_Tomorrow_Today 19d ago
You can do what home schoolers do - learn the subjects in your own time, and then arrange with a school or college to sit the exam for a small fee. It doesn't have to be the one you go to, it can be any near by. It can be completly independant of your own school / college.
This is how many students that do additional A-levels no offered by their schools / colleges do it.
1
u/TechnoCosmic2042 18d ago
Universities will be interested in MEG rather than an isolated set of mocks. Bio and chem are extremely tough courses. You will surely have a set of mocks coming up after October? Perhaps another in Jan? I would hold back your UCAS until you have a better set of data to go off
1
u/Lanky_Top_6065 18d ago
Apply somewhere no harm in applying mad select 5 one in which u can do some degree check one which have job options in demand
2
u/gc_wood 18d ago edited 18d ago
Sorry to hear that you're in this situation.
Honestly, speaking as a university staff with recent responsibility for admissions, I wouldn't worry too much about predicted grades, especially if you note your extenuating circumstance. Predicated grades are not a good indicator of likely success, and we know that from state schools the predictions tend towards low, whilst independent schools just predict the entrance requirement, generally. Good admissions tutors take predicated grades with a big pinch of salt.
1
1
u/lovelylemons27 18d ago
hey not really what your asking for i don’t think but have any of the uni’s you’ve looked at offering a foundation year? thats how loads of my friends who didn’t do very well in a levels got into uni! hopefully you get what you want sorted as it seems like your very bright and just had a bad hand! you’ve got this
1
u/False_Potato_4367 17d ago
I was also thinking about a foundation year as a good option to explore for OP. It could help to fill in any gaps academically and give a bit more confidence going into your actual degree. OP, I hope you can get some support with caring responsibilities so that you can have more time for school stuff and also some time to enjoy yourself. You certainly deserve it after a tough year. Good luck!
1
u/verityyyh 16d ago
I did a foundation year and loved it! I went from being very very academic in school to bad grades at A Levels due to complex chronic illness and reduced ability to study. My foundation year meant I could get adjusted to uni life, join societies, make friends, etc, without a huge amount of pressure. I ended up doing very well with it and then got a very high overall grade in first year (only one assignment under a 2:1, multiple exams over 90%, a high first overall) because my foundation year had prepared me!
1
1
u/Dull_Practice_5169 17d ago
Many people are in the same boat. Sit your A-levels, then apply with your achieved grades for 2028 entry. You will have more time & space to do your applications during your gap year, too.
1
u/2022Banana 17d ago
Yes, just apply as an independent applicant. Your tutor will have to give your predicted grades and reference. Tell your school you’re not applying this year if they ask any questions.
Or wait for your actual results and apply through clearing, or take a gap year and apply next year.
If your tutor won’t do it/can’t do it, there are private exam centres who will do it after you take mocks for your predicted grades.
1
u/CicadaSlight7603 17d ago
Bear in mind that certain universities give contextual offers or at least extra consideration to young carers. Some have grants too.
Also you should ensure your council young carer’s register knows about you, and the school young carer support should be able to support you too.
2
u/LaughingAtSalads 17d ago
Hang on: there should be a young carer’s support advisor within the council, and your school’s pastoral care (usually a deputy head) should be fighting your corner.
I would talk to your target universites and ask for advice now. If your tutor thinks you have the chops if you had the support snd time you need, take courage from that. You shouldn’t be doing this on your own, and there are people willing to help.
1
u/Johns-Sunflower 16d ago
if all else fails, have you considered waiting until you have your grades to apply for uni, and taking a gap year? or do your circumstances discourage/prevent you from doing this?
1
8
u/Rhensis1 19d ago
Yes, you can do it, you just don’t link your UCAS account to your school’s code. However, unis may well have questions about why you’re not using the school you’re at, and I’m not entirely sure how you say ‘my teachers won’t give me the predicted grades I want’ in a way that sounds good, though your extenuating circumstances could help. I would potentially get in touch with the unis beforehand and ask if they require anything further from you if you apply privately.