Want to go to uni but worried about getting the right grades? Here’s what you can do…
During Results Day, many students will be getting their hard-earned grades. If you’re worrying about your results, you may be wondering ‘Can I get into uni with low grades?’.
Of course you can! Even if they’re lower than expected, you may still get accepted onto your course, and if not, you have options. Let’s talk about a few of them.
Can I get my grades changed?
Predicted grades
Predicted grades are a key part of applying to university. Universities make conditional offers (where you have to meet requirements) or unconditional offers (where you have a guaranteed place should you accept it) based on your predicted grades.
If it’s your predicted grades that are low and you think it’ll affect your applications, you might be wondering if you can get them changed. While it’s not likely to happen, it’s worth a try. Talk to your teachers about your concerns and they’ll let you know what the best thing they can do for you is. You might have time to prove to them through your school work and performance that you deserve a higher grade.
But don’t let your predicted grades stop you from applying to university, especially to courses with slightly high entry requirements. Focus on your studying and exams because your predicted grades are only a guideline.
Actual grades
If you already have your results, you can appeal to your exam board or retake your exams – but remember that this can take time.
Keep in mind that grades aren’t the only thing universities look for when they choose to make you an offer. A good uni personal statement and interview (if you have one) also make a big difference, and you can get into university through clearing once you have your grades.
I have low Level 2 grades (e.g. GCSEs)
You’ll have options to continue learning and you can still get into university with low Level 2 grades or few passed subjects, for example GCSEs. Universities usually ask for specific grades that they require on a course, but they also focus on UCAS points too.
Each grade is given a value in points and all your grades are added together to get your total. But points aren’t just assigned to A, B and C grades. You can also get UCAS points through Pass, Merit and Distinction grades which means you can build your points up in many different ways.
Take a look at your options and see what’s best for you. You could study towards a HNC or HND, A Levels, a T Level (England only), BTEC qualifications or even do an apprenticeship. Advanced apprenticeships (Level 3 and 4) are considered equivalent to A Levels so you’ll get UCAS points that you can use to apply for uni.
I have low Level 3 grades (e.g. A Levels)
Take a look at your UCAS page! You may still get accepted by your university choices with lower grades than expected, depending on what they are. Log in once you have your results to see if you still got a place.
If you didn’t get accepted, don’t worry. You can apply through clearing. This is where you can apply to fill leftover spaces in many different courses that interest you. Top universities offer places this way because they know that it doesn’t always go as expected. That’s why you have this chance to prove that you’re more than your exam results and that you have potential.
Explore other ways to get into university
You don’t have to start a university degree right away – you can do it at any age. You may want to start now so that you can go with your friends – which is absolutely fine – but remember that going to university is about the experience and the qualification.
If it’s not the right time for you to start a university degree (usually starting with a bachelor degree), then you have other ways to get there. These include:
- An Access to Higher Education course. This is designed for adults aged 19 and over who don’t have the necessary qualifications to get into uni. They prepare you for university level study, and then you can move onto your degree course.
- A foundation year. This is an extra year of university study at the start of your course. It allows those who didn’t meet the entry requirements to learn more about the subject and prepare for your first year of university.
- Degree apprenticeships. You can get a degree and study at university while getting work experience in a real job. You also don’t have to pay for your degree education, and you’ll get paid to do your job! You might have to work your way up towards a Level 6 apprenticeship (they start at Level 2 but you can begin with the level that is best for you) if you have low grades, but it’s a great opportunity to earn and learn!
Ask for support
Know that you have people who can support you through getting into university, whether it’s your parents, friends or teachers. Your school should have a careers advisor who can help you with the process too.
You can also ring the exam results helpline who can support you with your next steps once you have your results.
Remember to take care of yourself during this time and ask for help if you need it.
