Which Universities Accept A Level Retakes?

The majority of UK universities accept A Level retakes. This includes many highly respected Russell Group institutions, including UCL, Manchester, King’s, Warwick, Bristol and Leeds.

However, each university sets its own admissions policies, and these may also vary according to the degree courses. For example, UCL will not accept retake students for Law, but it does for many other degree courses.

Some courses may:

• limit the number of resits allowed,
• stipulate a minimum level of grades achieved in the first sitting,
• require all grades to be achieved within two years,
• only consider students with strong mitigating circumstances,
• or expect higher predicted grades from retake applicants.

For this reason, it is vital to check the admissions requirements for your specific course on the university’s own webpage before applying.

Do Russell Group Universities Accept A Level Retakes?

Yes, many Russell Group universities accept students who have retaken their A Levels.

Universities generally focus on predicted grades for A level resit subjects, although they may also consider how close previous grades were to the entry requirements. Performing well in any admissions test, if required, will significantly enhance an application.

It is also essential that any mitigating circumstances (eg bereavement, late diagnosis of SEND or ill health) are clearly explained in the second section of the UCAS reference. Students should provide information to their referee so that these circumstances can be clearly and concisely explained by their school or college. This means that students themselves do not need to provide a lengthy explanation in their personal statement and can instead focus on the positives of their additional year.

Another strategy some students adopt for very competitive courses, is not only to retake A levels but also to start a fourth AS or A level. This means that a year spent retaking A levels is not simply repeating a year, but also a year in which an applicant develops their academic repertoire. An example of this would be taking a Further Maths AS or A level to enhance an application for Economics at a top Russell Group university.

One other strategy is to use a retake year to gain more extensive work experience which is relevant to the degree course choice and insights can then be discussed in the personal statement. This is particularly the case for Medicine and Dentistry and students often find they can gain a wider range of experience if they are aged 18 and above. For example, a Dentistry applicant training as a dental nurse at the same time as retaking one A level.

Retaking exams does not automatically disadvantage you with a Russell Group application. In many cases, universities value the maturity that is gained from an additional year at college and clear evidence of academic improvement.

That said, highly competitive courses may apply stricter criteria to retake applicants so check university websites carefully.

Can You Get into Medical School with A Level Retakes?

Some medical schools accept A Level retakes, while many others have restrictions or do not consider retake applicants at all. Careful research of individual medical schools’ retake policies is therefore required.

As a very quick guide, if you got grades AAB, various options will be open to you; while ABB or lower will significantly restrict your options.

Medicine is one of the most competitive degree courses in the UK, and medical schools often publish detailed policies regarding:

• resits,
• achieved grades on the first sitting,
• UCAT scores,
• and widening participation criteria.

Certain universities may:

• accept retakes only under exceptional circumstances,
• require significantly higher UCAT scores,
• or insist all grades are achieved within a single sitting.

Others are more flexible and review applications holistically. Because policies change regularly, students applying for Medicine should always check the latest admissions guidance directly from each university.

Expert advice and careful research are essential if you are considering applying for Medicine as a retake student and every aspect of your application should be polished and improved.

Applicants and their families do need to adopt a realistic approach and obtain honest advice on whether a reapplication for Medicine is viable, but we have successfully supported A level retakers applying for Medicine and Dentistry after improving their A level grades, alongside strong UCAT scores and gaining additional work experience.

Do Oxford and Cambridge Accept A Level Retakes?

Oxford and Cambridge may accept applicants with A Level retakes, but admissions are extremely competitive. Both universities are very careful not to exclude applicants who are retaking their A levels, but the likelihood of being invited to interview or ultimately offered a place is low due to the calibre of the first-time sitters who are also applying.

As a very quick, but not definitive guide, to be viable, an Oxbridge applicant should ideally not be retaking more than one A level, and the previous grade should be a very near miss, i.e. one grade below. If there are any extenuating circumstances, they will need to be at the more significant end of the spectrum, and a strong case will need to be made with supporting evidence.

It is also a good idea to enhance the application by adding in something new. Examples at our college of successful applicants include those who have taken an additional fourth A level or have applied for, and been awarded, a choral scholarship.

Strong applicants typically need:

• exceptional final grades,
• excellent admissions test results,
• strong academic references,
• and outstanding interview performance.

Individual colleges and courses may also have different approaches to resit candidates, so checking the latest entry requirements is essential.

One final and very important factor to consider is the early Oxbridge application deadline of 15 October. Pushing through an application for Oxford or Cambridge can often be rushed and may not even be viable if you have joined an A level retake college in September as the teachers and advisers do not know new students well.

The early Oxbridge application deadline also means applicants have less time to consider their options carefully and that their personal statement may not be as good as it could be.

This can also have a negative impact on the other four university choices, which are also likely to be competitive Russell Group universities. It is therefore not always advisable to jeopardise an application to other prestigious universities if the likelihood of being accepted by Oxford or Cambridge is, in reality, very low.

Retaking A Levels therefore does not automatically prevent admission to Oxbridge, but applicants are expected to demonstrate extremely strong academic potential and significant improvement.

Will Retaking A Levels Affect My University Application?

In general, retaking your A levels should not have a negative impact on a university application. For less competitive courses, universities are often very flexible. For highly competitive degrees or universities, admissions tutors may examine:

• how many subjects are being retaken,
• whether grades will improve significantly,
• and whether extenuating circumstances were involved.

A strong UCAS application, improved grades and clear academic motivation can all strengthen your application after retakes. Many retake students are much clearer about exactly what they want to go on to study because they have had more time to study and explore their options. This can also mean that discussion in the UCAS personal statement is more detailed and academically sophisticated.

Frequently Asked Questions: A level Retakes & University Admissions