Predicted Grades: What UK Students Need to Know Before Applying to University

When you apply to university in the UK through UCAS, your predicted grades, estimates of your final exam results made by your teachers based on coursework, mock exams, and class performance. These aren’t random guesses—they’re formal assessments that universities use to decide whether to offer you a place. If your predicted grades are too low, you might miss out on top choices—even if you’re capable of doing better. If they’re too high, you could end up in a course that’s too tough, setting you up for stress or failure.

Predicted grades are tied closely to UCAS applications, the centralized system used by nearly all UK universities to process undergraduate applications. They’re also linked to teacher assessments, the process where your teachers review your work over time to estimate your final A-level, BTEC, or IB results. Schools don’t just pull numbers out of thin air. They look at your mock exam scores, class participation, homework consistency, and how you’ve improved over the year. But here’s the catch: different schools do this differently. Some are strict, some are generous. That’s why two students with identical grades might get wildly different predictions.

It’s not just about getting into university—it’s about getting into the right one. A high predicted grade might land you an offer from Oxford, but if you’re not prepared for the workload, you could struggle. A lower prediction might push you toward a safer option, but if you’re underestimating yourself, you’re leaving potential on the table. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your teachers early, understand how they calculate predictions, and ask for feedback on what you need to improve.

Many students panic when their predictions don’t match their goals. But you’re not stuck with them. If you’ve improved since your mocks, you can ask for a review. Some schools allow appeals if you’ve shown clear progress. Others won’t change them—but you can still explain your situation in your personal statement or through an additional reference. And if you’re an international student, know that UK universities understand that grading systems vary. They’ll look at your predicted grades alongside your prior qualifications and English test scores.

Below, you’ll find real guides from UK students who’ve navigated this system. You’ll see how to handle low predictions, how to ask for better ones, what universities really look for beyond the numbers, and how to use your predicted grades to your advantage—not let them limit you.