Hi, I wonder if anyone can help with a question - if a child is doing 4 A Levels and the uni requirements are 3 A Levels, how does the uni specify the offer? Do they say conditional offer of grades *** (no mention of subjects), or do they specify the grade for the subject eg grade X for English, X for History and X for Physics etc? Assuming all subjects taken are academically equal and all meet the required subjects for the course.

It really does depend on the course and uni.

agree does depend on course and uni - may say:

AAA(any subjects)

AAB (with A in English)

etc

This year for the same uni and almost the same course dd's offer was 3 grades and her friends was the same 3 grades but with the highest grade needing to be in a particular subject.
It does seem to be variable (our assumption was that the university specified it in her friend's case due to the fact that it is a very essay heavy degree course but the friend was doing fewer essay subjects at A level).

Also be aware that if 4 A levels are being taken, then the offer can be based on all 4, although it may be something like A*AA / AAAA (real example from University of Birmingham website).

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Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx

DS2 did 4 A Levels - Maths, FM, Physics and Chemistry - and all of his offers for Physics were based on 3 with no stipulations as to which 3.

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Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad !

Thanks everyone, we are having some at-home debate about her choice to undertake 4! Just trying to think ahead to any possible implications of taking 4 should any uni make an offer.

Think quickly - if there is a possibility that she may drop one before next term, it is best to do it before she submits her UCAS form. The information given has to be 'true and complete', so she will have to tell them all as soon as she decides not to take the exam anyway.

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Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx

There’s rarely a benefit to doing four, and most courses/unis won’t account for four or take the fourth into consideration, students are still expected to meet the standard offer in three.

Some will reduce an offer if someone is offering three A levels plus an EPQ, and some might say unofficially they will consider the fourth if the offer is just missed. Very few look at a fourth A level.

If she knows what she wants to do, knows where she might like to go etc, then she should have a look at the course requirements and see if they look at a fourth or not. Otherwise it’s probably not worth the extra work and stress, she can concentrate on the three she needs

I have listened to a lot of admission officers and it is always the same message. Depth not breadth.

Better to have the chance to focus and do a really good job with three rather than spread yourself for four. DG