2 A levels + 1 AS = NO FUTURE?

I had disappointing grades at AS level – really rubbish. When I finish year 13, I will have 2 A levels and 1 AS level – even if they are each at A grade, am I doomed to a polytechnic? I’ve just sent off my UCAS application – BA Politics/International Relations – Uni of Nottingham, Birmingham, Sheffield and Leeds – do I stand a chance? Are there ever any exceptions?

They may or may not be enough, if all else fails you will just have to resit a few exams (or an entire course). This may mean you go to uni a year or so later, but that’s not a big deal. Some universities may take an applicant who doesn’t quite meet their entry requirements if that applicant has other things to recommend them.

It can feel humiliating to have to redo A levels, but sometimes you just have to grin and bare it. You might also want to look into whether one of the universities you’re interested in offers a foundation degree in the course you’re interested in. Foundation degrees have lower entry requirement and teach to a lower level, but on completion they usually grant you automatic assess to the full degree. It would mean you’d spend 4 years at Uni rather than 3, but again it’s worth it if it’s what you really want to do.

You could also look into the Open University. If doing a full degree with them doesn’t suite you, and you don’t get into a brick university this year, you could spend your year out doing a course with the OU. You might be able to gain a Certificate or Diploma in your subject, which might be more valuable when trying for a place at a regular university than your A levels (since you’ll have shown you already have a good basis in the subject). It’s worth contacting the admissions office for the universities you’re interesting and asking them if they would consider an alternative qualification like a Certificate of Adult educate or a Diploma.

So no your future is by no means over. It may take you longer to get what you want, but it can still be done.

And on a side note, while I understand parents want their children to do well, I think they’ve put a massive amount of pressure on you which seems to have done your self esteem no good at all. Focus on doing what you want, doing well because you want to, not because they want you to.

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