Attention Englishmen... re: university

So I'm going to be finishing up my A Levels and going to uni this year. My question to you is, cutting the bullshit, how strict *are* universities as a whole on UCAS points requirements? The course I'm probably going to be putting down as my firm choice needs 300 points, but after basically spending the last 6 months getting drunk and bunking off half my lessons I'll be struggling to get above 250. Do you think I have any chance at all getting on a 300 tarriff course with, say, 240 points? Anyone have stories/experience in this situation?

I ask the question because it really is blurry from this side of uni applications as to how strict the requirements are... but I have heard my mate's brother got onto his 300 point course with exactly 240.... so it does baffle me.

Help is appreciated. Much love.

[Andrew]

Honestly it "just depends".

During the initial application process, just like when it comes to A-levels, everyone is serious tight about their requirements. Once it gets to around the middle-late end of the summer and closer to the start-date of the first semester then it's a lot easier to find yourself a place.

Universities generally want a good selection of people but they are not going to turn down someone without a "great" A-level record. Although I got in a few years back (I was the last year to have 2-year A-levels without the option of a AS-Level) but I did restart a few times at college. It's generally not the points that they were looking for but the courses you took. So if you had a good grade throughout college but didn't do a-level maths when that's a requirement you're more likely to be turned down than having an average/decent grade and trying to get into a course without specific requirements you may be missing.

Hope that helps.

[Taxi]

Depends!

Andrew put it well.

I think it generally works that you get your acceptance, dependent on you getting 300 points, and if you get your points, thats it your in.
If you don't get your points, you ring your first choice uni on the day, and they may or may not let you in anyway. It important to ring them the very moment you find out your results, cus your place might goto someone else through clearing. Remember, they want you, cus they've already accepted you, and it must be a ton easier for them just to let you in anyway if the course isn't full (which it wont be) than find someone else.

It might be worth looking at your uni and course to see if they were over subscribed last year or if there were lots of places through clearing, just so you know what to expect.

Also, 300 points, whats that BBB?
Are you sure thats not do-able?
What about doing some crappy half course in like General Studies (do you still get that?) to bump up your score?
Or do what I did, and re take some of your exams you did last year, even if you passed. For my maths I re took my Mechanics I from A/S level, which I got a B in I think, and did it at the same time as Mechanics II at A level, to bump up my score. The exams you did last year will seem like an absolute ton easier, you just need to make sure your not doing too much.

Don't forget a ton of people get into uni thru clearing anyways.

[Pelion]

I missed out on my top choice by a couple of percent and they said no. I think it depends how good the place is and how much competition for places there is though. You called always phone up and ask them? Id say it sounds unlikely though if you miss it by that much (but I dont hugely remember how much a point is worth)

[kevster]

I missed out on my top choice

You mean Southampton wasn't your top choice? Shame on you.

[Pelion]

durham was. but im glad i missed it now. durhams tiny.

plus ive somehow stumbled into an ORC phd at southampton, which im pretty sure i wouldnt have even thought about at durham.

[SaulPaul]

depends on course mainly, and prob uni second. doing sumthin like chemistry where there is high demand, but few ppl wanting to do it, makes it alot easier.

Ok, cheers for the advice. Human Geography at Reading is the choice, for the record. I'll look into how popular it is and then probably go and get BBB anyway

[WillburForce]

you mean people actually choose to go to Reading....?

I didn't have enough points to get into Leicester but I rang the Maths and Comp Faculty to find out if they had any spaces left and they took me! (this was a while back though and I was a "mature" student - 22 at the time)

good luck - and what is Human Geography? Do they actually teach where to find bits on women now.....?