Hi,

Back when I did my A levels nine years ago, I was 'awarded' an N in one of them. Now after having recently completed a degree, and getting a 2:1, I'm thinking about applying for a Masters.

I'm wondering, do I need to declare the N graded A level or can I leave it out of the qualifications section? Is there any official policy on this? Obviously my application would look better without it.

Cheers.

I don't think you need to worry at all about your A levels now you have your 2:1 degree. I failed most of my A levels and just don't bother putting those on any applications. The higher the qualifications you get the less relevant the previous ones become. I'd just leave it off and don't worry about it at all.

Just leave it off - they are highly unlikely to be interested in your A level results.

I think it would be ok to omit it. Actually, I didn't give any info about qualifications from school on my masters application, just info about my degree.

When I applied for my MSc I included all of my A-level results in the space provided, despite achieving quite sub-standard grades for my school (B, C, C, D). At the time of applying for my MSc I was still completing my undergrad degree and was on the borderline between a first and a high 2:1 (ended up getting a first). I was told by a tutor at university that A-level results didn't really matter, however when I went for an interview they asked about the discrepancy between my A-level performance and my degree performance. I replied truthfully - when I was in 6th form I had wanted to go into medicine and so taken science subjects that I wasn't good enough at, I then went on to study Applied Psychology and Sociology and did well, and realised that was the career path that I wanted to follow, etc etc. I didn't get offered the place but was later assured that was for totally different reasons, and got accepted onto a better MSc course soon after my rejection.
So I don't think A-level results matter too much, they may well ask about your N grade but with a good predicted degree classification, references and personal statement it shouldn't hold you back too much, particularly if it is in an unrelated subject. Good luck though, what are you applying for?

Ben correct me if I'm wrong but a N was a fail wasn't it? So pedantically as it's not a qualification because you didn't pass so there's no need to mention it.

Hi,
Just to tell you, (and I don't mind admitting), I haven't got any A-levels at all. I went back to Uni at 20 and got a BA (1st), have just completed my MA (anticipated 1st), and am hopefully starting a PhD in October.
As said previously, I really don't think you'll need to reference A-levels, especially as you've already got your degree.

I'm not sure- I thought that was the case with a U but not an N? I always thought an N is one up from a U. It's annoying all the same though I wish I had just withdrawn from the course instead of taking the exams!

The problem is I've looked around and there seem to be lots of different answers to this question on different forums. Thanks to everyone who's replied though.

I might be wrong, but I think 'N' was fail (near miss), but was then replaced with 'U' which is unclassified.

But really don't be concerned about it!

Once you have a degree, A Levels or the any other high school level qualifications are not put on your CV.

i'd leave it off if you possibly can... i can't imagine any university checking as far back as a-levels.