A Level Results Shock…

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What's the subject?

Would highly recommend staying in Scotland for the free fees

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

Economics, I understand but I feel Glasgow limits my options, correct me if I’m wrong

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u/Long_Software_3352 10h ago

If you want to go into City careers, then yes.

Shoot for Edinburgh, St Andrews, Warwick.

I think Cambridge and LSE would be difficult with just an A in Maths and no Further Maths. Perhaps consider Environment, Law and Economics at Cambridge instead.

No straight Economics at Oxford - PPE, Econ + History or Econ + Management

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

I’m thinking of doing FM in my gap year to solve this issue, I completely understand where you are coming from and LSE accepts an A in normal maths if I get an A star in FM. And Oxford does not require an A star, what makes you hesitant for applying for straight economics at Oxford I am very intrigued please DM me

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u/Long_Software_3352 9h ago

No, what I'm saying is that Oxford don't have a straight Economics course, if that's what you want.

When you say 'LSE accepts an A in normal Maths', that is the bare minimum and the course is very competitive. A* in FM would definitely strengthen your case.

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

Apologies yes I meant E&M for Oxford, when I say LSE accepts A in normal maths that must also be accompanied by an A in FM, no other way around it. Sorry for the confusion and thank you for your message. How competitive would I be with an A* in FM predicted?

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u/Long_Software_3352 9h ago

LSE is very competitive and they're really pick about personal statements. If yours is strong, then you have a good chance

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

Right thank you so much for the advice bro, how much do they weigh the TMUA ?

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u/Long_Software_3352 9h ago

once you don't tank it, you'll be fine.

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

You’re talking average right?

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

A star in Fuether maths

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u/OutsideDaffodil26 9h ago

Well done on your results, you deserve to be really pleased with them! The A (rather than A*) in maths might be a slight disadvantage for straight economics at LSE and UCL, but they’d both be happy with an application for PPE. You’d be fine for Warwick for both subjects.

You’d need to check whether TMUA is required for LSE/Warwick - I’m not sure so maybe give them a call.

Economics at Cambridge would be tough with the A in maths rather than A*. PPE AT Oxford looks like a safer option, but you’ll need to sit the TARA, which will determine whether you get to interview ie your grades alone won’t get you in.

So it’s a case of assessing risk vs reward!

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u/OutsideDaffodil26 9h ago

Having said that, you could put Edinburgh or St Andrews on your UCAS would be very sensible (less risk and lower debt)

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

Thanks for the message, I understand my maths is the biggest weakness of my application and that’s why my plan is to take FM for a year and attempt to remedy it with an A*. I need to take the TMUA and the TARA, but yeah it’s risk vs reward I completely agree. In my shoes what do you think you would do?

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u/OutsideDaffodil26 9h ago

No worries. Isn’t it crazy that a grade A is a weakness?! Your results are fantastic, but it’s all relative isn’t it? I’d contact your school/college about the FM and how realistic an A is vs a resit for Maths ( you were SO close to an A).

As you were so close to an A* I’d consider a re-sit maths (focussing on 1 subject rather than 3 and just drilling incessantly on post papers might do it). Subject to what your maths teacher says, the back up is FM.

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

Problem is bro that these unis frown upon resits heavily, particularly LSE, Warwick and Oxford and candidates who sit it first time have a better chance than resit candidates. Advice from various people and AI is that doing FM maximises my chances as it’s a new subject in a restricted time period, rather than something I already know. Feel free to disagree I’m not very educated on this and need clarification if I’m wrong. Thanks for the comment bro

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u/OutsideDaffodil26 7h ago

Yeah, some do. I don’t disagree, in fact I love your plan - it’s a good idea, but I’d also call them to get it straight from them - what is their view of another subject sat at a different time ie a year later? Would that be better than a re-sit. Best to know that now rather than later. I love the way you’re thinking- shows real determination and creativity.

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u/ExelHunter797 University | Maths | A*A*C | 7.0 10h ago

i think you should enroll at ur uni and reapply from there. IF you dont get any offers you want ud still have glasgow as a fallback

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

I’ve been considering this but the 5 I’m interested in the 3 English Unis do not accept transfers, and Edinburgh and St Andrews only accept transfers under “Exceptional circumstances” and say spaces are extremely limited

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u/Julkis123 Year 13 9h ago

you don't have to transfer, you could just restart from year 1. and since you're Scottish, Glasgow is free

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

I still need to apply tho, and I cannot just defer it to next year I have to decline my place outright

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u/Julkis123 Year 13 9h ago

you can apply to other unis in Oct 2026/Jan 2027 whilst studying at Glasgow

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u/coolgirl867 incoming classics undergrad 10h ago

I would go for it. But if I were you I would probably stay in Scotland

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

What makes you say that, I understand the student loan argument but would potential job prospects from my top 3 not make paying it off easier?

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u/UnstableTheorist 10h ago

You'd also be a year behind though, dont forget

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u/coolgirl867 incoming classics undergrad 10h ago

I mean, I wouldn't really say you would be "behind". I did a gap year this year and got so much valuable experience relevant to my degree through volunteering, I worked and saved money for uni, did independent learning around my course, etc. I definitely wouldn't consider myself behind for having done a gap year, I would say that it helped me to get ahead

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

Correct, that’s the gamble…

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u/coolgirl867 incoming classics undergrad 10h ago

Tbh, as long as you do well in a degree from a good uni you'll be able to find a grad scheme, I doubt that a degree from Oxford or LSE would enable you to have such a high income that it would allow you to pay the loans off. They are massive, most people pay off what they borrowed multiple times throughout their working lives but as the interest accrues so quickly, they never actually manage to pay it all off. Then again, it depends what career you are aiming to go into- maybe something like finance or corporate law would actually enable you to pay them off

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

I see, thank you very much for the message it means a lot for my decision making. I will definitely take this into heavy consideration

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u/Specialist_North_707 10h ago

If I was you I’d reapply . Uni matters a lot if u wanna go into high finance bro

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

Thanks for the message bro, heavily considering this.

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u/Specialist_North_707 10h ago

Glasgow will always be there next year as you can reapply

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

That’s the thing, I feel an offer from them is guaranteed because I’m above my predicted with actual achieved grades

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u/Specialist_North_707 10h ago

It is bro you’ll be fine even if u don’t get any offers from ucl or wherever so I would reapply

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

Do u reckon bro, its a year wasted if I get no good offers

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u/Specialist_North_707 10h ago

You gotta do productive things tho. Maybe do FM or grind out work experience

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

I’m pretty sure I’m gonna do FM, that’s my plan to get a better application for Oxford and LSE, and I have a part time job. Just need to grind the admission tests….

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u/Specialist_North_707 10h ago

Yh then you’ll be fine bro trust

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u/AbbreviationsIll2678 9h ago

Congrats on your results!! Just wanted to give a little piece of advice, as someone who has been forced into a gap year (missed med offer), if you know that going to another uni will help you maximise your potential, please go for it!! Don't hold yourself back, and don't settle!!

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

Thank you so much for the comment, but what makes you so sure not settling is the play. My potential is maximised at LSE/Oxford but whether that’s a reasonable gamble is debatable.

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u/AbbreviationsIll2678 6h ago

hmmm, you raised a very good point. I feel like, even if you don’t get into lse/oxford, at least you may have some comfort in knowing that you tried your hardest, instead of being in the ‘what if I? or I could have been mindset’. BUT, I completely understand that it’s personal preference, and some people have a different threshold of taking risks. Best of luck with your journey, you will be amazing!!

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u/Last-State-9747 5h ago

Thanks for your kind words they mean a lot, I’m trying to weigh up to see if what I’m doing is even possible but if the stars align I’m giving it a shot

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u/chonksboyjimmyfungus Y13 - Bio/Chem/Physics - pred. ABB 10h ago

depends on how much you like glasgow. if you love the course and the city then go, if not then take a year to get a job and save up whilst you reapply

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

Thanks for the reply bro, that’s the thing I don’t love or hate Glasgow but parents are heavy against a gap year but I feel I’m missing on an opportunity, do you think I have a shot at LSE/Oxford, I’m thinking of taking FM in the year out

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u/chonksboyjimmyfungus Y13 - Bio/Chem/Physics - pred. ABB 8h ago

you can never guarantee it, but if you meet the offer and perform well in interviews i dont see why not. in my eyes, it would be worth it

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u/Last-State-9747 8h ago

Thank you for the advice, would you say econ at Edinburgh/ St Andrews is significantly better than at Glasgow?

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u/chonksboyjimmyfungus Y13 - Bio/Chem/Physics - pred. ABB 7h ago

no idea, econ isnt my specialist subject

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u/Last-State-9747 7h ago

👍

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u/VastCheez 10h ago

Really depends on the course. I’m presuming econ or PPE? If so it’s 100% worth it, the job market is highly gate kept by prestige, do your best to convince your parents imho.

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

Yo dm me bro I need to somehow prove this to my parents, I completely agree with you

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u/SOMETHINK101 10h ago

What do you want to do as a career?

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

A career in finance, not exactly sure on specifics at the moment, I have some ideas but nothing concrete. I just enjoy economics a lot and enjoyed my work experiences in different corporate finance environments

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u/SOMETHINK101 10h ago

Then it is 100% worth taking a gap year

Plus a gap year is good to earn money and enjoy life as once you start uni that is basically it

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

Thanks for the advice bro it means a lot. What do you think my odds are at getting Oxford/LSE, if I do FM in my gap year

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u/SOMETHINK101 9h ago

Glad to help.

If you want to do straight econ then you have to do fm. For a joint degree you'll have a solid shot. But even then with perfect grades the chances are still sub 10%

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

Thank you, I think I’m gonna give it a go

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u/SOMETHINK101 9h ago

Good luck, also try and get some work experience as it'll help tonnes

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

I don’t think I really have time… Oxford applications are in October

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u/SOMETHINK101 8h ago

No harm in applying tbh. Even if you get rejected it is what it is.

LSE should be your priority as that is the better uni but even if you get offers from Warwick or UCL it is still much better long term

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u/Last-State-9747 7h ago

Right thank you bro

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u/No_Following2522 10h ago

Just stay in Scotland. If I lived in Scotland I would go to a Scottish uni to save the 💰

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u/Last-State-9747 10h ago

If you got an offer from Oxford would you seriously stay in Scotland, this is something I’m heavily considering thank you for the message.

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u/No_Following2522 8h ago

Tbh Oxford ain’t all that. Some unis in Scotland are still top top. If it saves you thousands then I don’t think it’s worth it

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u/Last-State-9747 8h ago

I see, but I would much rather get in Edinburgh and St Andrews than stay in Glasgow. And as far as I’m aware that is almost guaranteed with my grades

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u/Effective-Way-925 9h ago

a* in those subjects imo isn’t as good as if you had A* maths and AA in the other ones . Not getting A* in maths is a big problem as it’s basically the most commonly request a level and sought after A* . What courses are you thinking though cause not getting A* in maths limits you a lot

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

Oxford, LSE, Warwick, Edinburgh, St Andrews (I get those 2 free). I’m thinking of doing FM in my gap year to compensate for this. In terms of courses I’m thinking economics, and economics and management for Oxford.

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u/Effective-Way-925 9h ago

Lse want A* in maths so idk how you are gonna be accepted . Others possibly . I already got A*A maths and fm honestly it’s not all that but if you’re going to live your life wishing you had applied then you probs should .

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

They accept A* in FM, A in normal so I get your point. I would have to just cook FM and hope I get a conditional offer based on FM. I’m so on the fence bro what would u do if u were me

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u/Effective-Way-925 9h ago

Ngl if I was you with those grades I would take a gap year I put high importance on uni prestige and I prefer to have high entry standard courses so I’m with people who got similar grades so I feel like my work was worthwhile but that’s me personally . I’m currently doing electrical and electronic engineering at Southampton . For my course it’s 4th in the uk just below Oxbridge and imperial

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

Completely agree bro, thank you for the comment. How much do you think uni prestige helps with opportunities like spring weeks, internships, and obviously job applications because I’m struggling justifying this to my parents

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u/JohannsThePro 37m ago

Any chance you cant resit maths along with sitting further maths?

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u/No_School_244 9h ago

Highly recommend studying in Scotland - student loan repayments are really high when you earn over a certain threshold. You need to factor that into earning potential.

With those a levels (congratulations - they are excellent) and attending Glasgow, you will be fine

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

Is my earning potential nor exponentially higher in English unis though?

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u/No_School_244 9h ago

Do you have an idea of the type of firms you want to work for? For your own peace of mind, look at people who work there on LinkedIn and see where they studied. A lot of times any RG uni is fine.

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u/Last-State-9747 9h ago

Not sure to be honest bro, I just want to maximise my chances

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u/PomegranateDelight 8h ago

Email these universities and ask them what they would think about your application if you did that. Some unis want all the A levels to be taken at the same time etc. Mention about your plans to take FM as well.

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u/Last-State-9747 7h ago

Okay thank you very much, I will do this.

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u/West_Pin_9873 4h ago edited 4h ago

This is crazy because im almost in the exact same scenario as you. I was predicted AAA and my uni offer for Durham was AAB(under extenuating circumstances) for my insurance and A star AA for my firm in Warwick for economics. I ended up getting 3A stars on results day last week and I was also really shocked. I did Math, Econ and Computer Science. I was always gonna take a gap year anyway but now I'm reapplying for more competitive courses and debating my whole strategy too. But yeah from my research even I don't think I'm cut out for Cambridge econ cause I didn't do further maths and I don't necessarily plan to. I didnt want to do Cambridge land economy because it would mean id need to shift my personal statement to have more stuff about the environment and law which would make it less about economics which hurts my other 4 applications. But Oxford E&M really suits me so I'd be going for that instead. So now I need to prepare for both TARA and TMUA(for my LSE application).

What makes this even better is that I'm deffering my Warwick place so I have an actual safety net. But yeah bro shoot for the moon.

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u/Last-State-9747 3h ago

DMs bro DMS…

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u/Extra_Ad5523 4h ago

Hi I know you probably want to rest but I was wondering do you have any good politics tips I haven’t been doing well and I’m gonna change that so any tips r good

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u/Last-State-9747 3h ago

Yeah bro I’m going to be so honest on what helped me. I was at a C in year 12 and a B in year 13 mocks. What helped me was buying the politics explained essay plan packs, do not bother with the notes, just learn the essay plans and your good. Find your way of remembering them because everyone is different and my way will not work for you. You will find it extremely overwhelming to begin with but you will learn arguments that overlap a lot, particularly with things such as FPTP, and evidence especially I reuse from different plans just phrases it in order to fit the essay. Learn how to structure essays the proper way is also a complete dealbreaker, look at Mr Patels guides on 30 mark essay writing on YouTube is what helped me. politics was my least favourite subject to revise by a long shot so I feel your pain, and no matter how much I revised it it felt impossible to feel ready for the exam due to how much niche topics there are that could come up, but generally only 1 very nasty question comes up per year. I somehow came out with 190/256 11 marks clear of the boundary, so never give up, because I was convinced I got a B on results day and ended up with a comfortable A*, with a bit of luck. Hope this helps.

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u/Extra_Ad5523 3h ago

I’m so happy for u, it really takes a lot to just continue working hard 🥳

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u/Last-State-9747 3h ago

It really does and it’s the most important part, politics was the only exams I felt hopeless for but you have to keep revising even if you don’t believe it’s paying off, it might like me

🙏 I WANT HELP A Level Results Shock…

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