Do GCSE grades matter for Oxbridge?
Hi there, For normal applicants, Oxford and Cambridge will take GCSEs into account as part of your academic profile. However, they are not at all the main focus, as your personal statement, reference and A Level predictions are more relevant to them. If your hospital stays continue during A Level and they affect your grades massively, to the extent where you achieve lower than ABB (on average), then Oxbridge will probably not consider you. If you achieve at least ABB (I think that’s the cutoff, don’t quote me on it though), can justify your hospital stays, prove that they affected your grades and have it all backed up by your reference, then you would normally be put forward for what they call ‘extraordinary circumstances”, and will be considered with lower grades regarding they are happy with your interview and entrance exam (where applicable). If you’re an able student who just misses the grades, but you can justify it, then you have as good a chance of getting into a top university
