Post-18 Options: What parents need to know
Competitive courses that are oversubscribed tend to make grade offers e.g. AAB or A*AA with at least an A in Mathematics for example, or the subject they are choosing to study. Many will make an alternative offer if a high grade is achieved in the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification), for example they may offer with one grade less in one subject.
Recruiting Universities that generally have more places to offer pupils make tariff point offers instead e.g. 104 or 120 points. These often allow up to 20 points to be gained from other AS levels, EPQ or other qualifications such as Music or Drama.
The key tariff points are awarded as follows;
A Levels
Cambridge Technical and BTECS
Distinction* = 56, Distinction = 48, Merit = 32, Pass = 16
Pupils will be given a date at the end May/June by which they have to respond to offers given by Universities. Normally, they select a Firm (First) choice, an Insurance offer and reject the other offers. They then await confirmation on A level results day as to whether they meet the terms of the offer or not.