Post 18 Pathways - Predicted Grades and Choosing a University or Apprenticeship

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick

Post 18 Pathways explains how predicted grades are produced and why they are central to applicants’ predicted outcomes and university or apprenticeship decisions. It clarifies what predicted grades mean in admissions, how staff complete them by a set date, and the qualities expected of them, including data-driven professional judgement. It also outlines why predicted grades cannot be inflated and describes how applicants should select aspiration, solid, and safe options, alongside tariff points and practical factors such as location, costs, facilities, and career prospects.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages34

Reading Time1 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Predicted grades

What predicted grades are

Why predicted grades cannot be inflated

Selecting choices based on predicted grades

Aspiration, solid, and safe options

Tariff points

Destinations and decision factors

How to choose a university or apprenticeship

Post 18 Pathways The importance of your predicted grades Your mock exams will be the biggest determinant of your predicted grades. You will need to know this when considering your course / university choice. Your predicted grades will be made available to you at the beginning of September. • A predicted grade is the grade of qualification an applicant’s school or college believes they are likely to achieve in positive circumstances. • They are part of the universities and colleges admission process. • Staff have been asked to complete them along with your reference by Friday 5th September 2025 . • Your predicted grades will be: • In the best interests of the applicant. • Aspirational but achievable. • Determined by professional judgement. • Data driven. • Finalised by the point of submitting an application. Why predicted grades cannot be inflated. • An applicant may receive an offer(s) they are unlikely to meet – leading to disappointment on results day. • Applicants’ might gain admission to a course which they cannot access/succeed in. This can be difficult to change and would still cost the applicant money, time and effort. • If a university or college has a reason to believe that a predicted grade is grossly inaccurate, they retain the right to withdraw any offers. Based on your predicted grades you will need to focus on selecting: • One aspiration choice • Three solids choices • One safe choice For example, if you are predicted AAB your choices should be as follows: • AAA (aspirational) • AAB (solid) • BBB (safe) Tariff Points For all A level courses and Criminology. For Applied Law, Applied Science, Health and Social Care and Information Technology. Destinations University or Apprenticeship How do I choose a university or apprenticeship? What factors do I need to think about? What to consider: • Location • Size of the university/campus/company • Distance from home • Facilities • Courses • Bursaries, scholarships and schemes (applies to universities) • Finance/fees • Living costs and accommodation • Transport • Training opportunities • Career prospects Can I apply for any university or apprenticeship that I want? Universities

FAQs

What are predicted grades and when are they made available?

Predicted grades are qualification grades an applicant’s school or college believes they are likely to achieve. They are made available at the beginning of September as part of the admissions process.

Why can’t predicted grades be inflated?

Inflated predictions can lead to offers the applicant cannot meet, disappointment on results day, or difficulty changing course access after admission. Universities can also withdraw offers if a predicted grade is grossly inaccurate.

How should applicants choose between aspiration, solid, and safe options?

Applicants should select one aspiration choice, three solid choices, and one safe choice. For example, if predicted AAB, the recommended pattern is AAA (aspirational), AAB (solid), and BBB (safe).

What factors should applicants consider when choosing a university or apprenticeship?

Key factors include location and distance from home, size of the university/campus/company, facilities, available courses, bursaries/scholarships and schemes, finance/fees, living costs and accommodation, transport, training opportunities, and career prospects.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick