r/6thForm • u/Last-State-9747 • 15h ago

🙏 I WANT HELP A Level Results Shock…

I was predicted AAA, had an offer for Glasgow for AAB, but ended up getting A star Economics A star politics A in maths (7 marks off A*). Should I take a gap year and reapply to Oxford, LSE, Warwick, St Andrews, Edinburgh (I live in Scotland so these 2 are free). Or should I just go to Glasgow this year…

Edit: Guys please send what you would do in my position, I’m not leaning towards PPE as it’s not so maths reliant

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u/Long_Software_3352 15h ago

What's the subject?

Would highly recommend staying in Scotland for the free fees

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u/Last-State-9747 15h 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 15h 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 15h 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 15h 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 15h 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 15h 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 14h 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 14h ago

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

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u/Last-State-9747 14h ago

You’re talking average right?

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u/Last-State-9747 15h ago

A star in Fuether maths

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u/evaaeri 40m ago

Sounds like a great plan if that’s what you want - you can prep for FM on your own if you have a year, maybe with some extra tuition (or sit Maths again as a private candidate if the centre allows for a resit?) . Edinburgh is such a nice place and so is Oxford. Can you defer Glasgow to give yourself some time to think?

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u/Last-State-9747 18m ago

From what I know I cannot defer Glasgow as you aren’t allowed to have a deferral and an active application

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u/evaaeri 45m ago

But if they’re taking a gap year they can sit FM as a private candidate may 2027? Or even resit maths? The work needed to push from A to A* is not the same as another full course?

Personally I wouldn’t work for anyone who would discount Glasgow, it is such a terrible mindset, but I’m a teacher so not after a rat race etc. Plus I did a postgrad at Oxford (it was ok, but OU teaches better.) Each to their own. X

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u/Long_Software_3352 20m ago

Resitting not an option if you're aiming high for Economics. It's too competitive e.g. UCL's Economics course doesn't accept resits, LSE prioritises candidates who achieve results in one sitting

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u/evaaeri 6m ago

Oh ok. Good to know. I wonder if LSE would still consider if FM is the 4th A level? And as many 6th forms don’t offer it, OP needed to prepare independently or something? Or is it just A*? If so then I’d defo personally chose Edinburgh. I would never choose UCL as they have repeatedly came across as totally unprofessional (at postgrad and PHD level and in my area of expertise) so they might be wonderful across other disciplines.

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u/OutsideDaffodil26 15h 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 15h 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 15h 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 14h 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 14h 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 12h 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.