Just because you didn’t perform as expected at GCSEs doesn’t mean you don’t intend to go to university. In fact, it may make you even more determined. If you’re worried about your application, we answer if universities look at GCSEs.
There are a whole bunch of reasons why your GCSEs might not have gone to plan. Perhaps you were just a different person back then or you had things in your personal life that got in the way. Whatever the reason, you might be worried it will matter when applying to university.
We break down what universities look at when it comes to your results so you can be fully informed when applying.
Do Universities Look At GCSEs?
Bottom line, yes, all universities will look at your GCSE results. However, that doesn’t mean you have to have the best scores possible to get in.
Of course, if you’re aiming for a top university, then your chances are improved with better results. This is because competition will be higher, so they’ll be looking at even more compared to other institutions.
Whatever university you’re applying to go to, your GCSEs will be taken into account. This is mainly because when they receive your application, you won’t have your A-level results yet, so those are all they have to go off of. So, when they make their initial offer, GCSEs will have an impact. This can definitely change once your Year 13 results are official, but it’s worth keeping in mind.
On top of this, most universities will require a Grade C or 4 in Maths and English, no matter what course you’re applying for. Colleges will usually allow you to retake whilst studying further education courses to boost or secure your grade. But, you should bare in mind that top universities may not take retake grades.
Of course, you may not be looking at Oxbridge or Russell Group universities. Typically, you can find out the GCSE requirements for your chosen course on their information page. Even if you don’t quite match, you can still apply, or even chat with an adviser at the university.
How Much Do GCSEs Matter?
As long as you have Maths and English, they won’t matter so much to the average student past A-level. This doesn’t mean they’re not important, but they are also stepping stones to more important qualifications in the long run.
However, it’d not just the grades that matter, it can be the course subject too. If you’re considering a career in medicine or becoming a vet, then you’ll be expected to have studied science and have good grades in it. This doesn’t mean you should have your whole career planned, but GCSEs will matter on a highly competitive, specialist course.
If you failed some of your GCSEs but still got Maths and English, then this shouldn’t stop you from getting into university.
If you failed all of them and didn’t retake them, it’s unlikely you’ll get onto a course. Most of what you learn in GCSE Maths and English you’ll never use again, but securing a pass is crucial to getting further academically.
You Will Have Choices
If your results aren’t what you expect or need, that doesn’t have to be the end of your journey. You should speak to a careers adviser and attend open days at universities. This way, you can get real advice from people who can actually help you determine your next steps. They can talk you through what you want to achieve and how you might be able to get there.
You can always get papers remarked on, but you should only do this after speaking with your teacher and if you seriously believe it’s been graded incorrectly. It costs money and may give you false hope, but it is an option.
Lots of universities offer foundation years on certain courses for those who don’t meet the criteria to jump straight into the course. See if there are any degrees that you’re interested in that offer this. It’s a little extra work, but worth it if you can get into your university of choice.
Take classes! In between A levels and university, you can always take some time off. You can work and earn some money (which is always useful at university) and even take community classes to boost your academic CV.
GCSEs are important, but they aren’t the be-all and end-all. If you have a can-do attitude, then that might take you to more places than the grades themselves.