How to Get Predicted Grades as a Private Candidate

What are predicted grades, and why are they important? How can private candidates, like home-schooled or self-studying students, get them? Can you apply to university without them? 

If you’re asking these questions, this guide is for you. It explains the routes available to get predicted grades as a private candidate and your options for university applications.

Key Takeaways 

• Request predicted grades early and choose your referee carefully: Private candidates are not automatically given predicted grades, so will need to actively seek them from tutors, exam centres, former teachers, or online schools who know their work well and understand their exam board.

• Provide credible, independent evidence to support your prediction: Share recent mock exams, coursework, or marked essays that reflect your exam’s content and requirements to help your referee make an accurate and reliable prediction.

• Know your options if you don’t have predicted grades: Without predicted grades, there are still options available for you to sit your A Level exams and apply to university.

Why Private Candidates Need Predicted Grades

Predicted grades are estimates of the A Level results you are likely to achieve. They are a key part of your UCAS application and are used by universities to decide whether to make you an offer.  

If you’re a private candidate, such as someone who is home-schooled, self-studying or retaking exams without school support, you will likely still need predicted grades for your UCAS application if you are applying for a degree course. 

Unlike students studying at school, you won’t receive these automatically. But don’t panic! There are several routes you can take to secure the predicted grades you need to achieve your future goals.

Who Can Provide Predicted Grades for Private Candidates?

Private Tutors 

Private tutors are teachers or subject tutors who have supported your learning. If they are familiar with your ability and recent academic work, your tutor may be able to provide a predicted grade for the subject(s) they have taught you.  

Tutors who have worked with you over a longer period are often in the best position to give an accurate and realistic prediction. To make sure their prediction is well-informed, they may ask you to complete mock exams, past paper questions, or coursework. The more relevant evidence you provide, the more reliable your predicted grade is likely to be.

Exam Centres and Online Schools 

Some private exam centres and accredited online schools offer predicted grade services. These are often available as part of a wider programme, especially if you are studying on their A Level course. 

When choosing a provider, make sure they are experienced in supporting private candidates, are familiar with your exam board (some centres are registered with exam boards too) and have a clear process for issuing predicted grades. Costs can vary, so it is worth contacting several centres to compare.

Former Teachers or Subject Specialists 

If you recently left school or college, you may be able to request a predicted grade from a former teacher or subject specialist. This is most likely to be successful if you left on good terms and can show evidence of your continued commitment to studying. 

It is important to approach them professionally and be prepared to provide recent work to demonstrate that you’re still working at the same or higher standard than when they last assessed you.

What Evidence Do You Need to Support a Predicted Grade? 

For a predicted grade to be credible, it must be based on reliable academic work that you have completed independently. This means the work should be your own, without significant help from a teacher, tutor or classmates, and it should closely match the content and assessment style of your exam board. 

Suitable types of work for predicted grades include: 

• Recent mock exams or timed past papers

• Marked coursework or essays from the current academic year

• Written feedback from a tutor or former teacher based on recent work

• Progress reports from online learning platforms that reflect your current level 

Unsuitable types of work include: 

• Group projects and work completed with extensive support from a tutor

• Work from unrelated subjects (for example, Maths work cannot be used to support a predicted grade for English)

• Tasks that do not reflect the exam content or assessment style

• Work you have marked or assessed yourself 

Sharing a portfolio of suitable work with your tutor, exam centre, online school or former teacher will help them make a reliable judgement about the grade you are likely to achieve in your final exams.

How to Request a Predicted Grade: Step-by-Step

1) Identify a Suitable Referee or Provider 

Choose someone who understands your subject and has seen enough of your work to make a fair prediction. This could be a tutor, online school, or a former teacher. They should be willing to act as a referee and submit the predicted grade to UCAS or the relevant awarding body for your exam registration.

2) Prepare Academic Evidence

Organise your academic work into a clear folder or digital file. Include full names, dates and a short explanation of what each piece shows. This will help your referee make an informed decision and may also be useful if your application is reviewed by universities or exam centres. 

3) Contact the Referee with a Professional Request 

Approach your chosen referee well in advance of any deadlines. Use a polite and formal tone, and make sure to include all the necessary information. Here's a sample email template: 

Subject: Request for Predicted Grade for UCAS Application 

Dear [Referee's Name], 

I hope you are well. 

I’m getting in touch to ask if you would be willing to provide a predicted grade for my UCAS application. I am applying for [subject] and wanted to reach out because [insert a brief sentence explaining how they supported you – for example: ‘you taught me history in Year 12 in 2023/24’ or ‘you have been supporting me as a private tutor for history since January’]. 

I am currently applying to university and need a predicted grade for [subject] to include in my application. I’ve attached recent examples of my work for your reference, including [briefly list what you are sending]. 

Would you be willing to provide a predicted grade and act as my referee? The deadline for submission is [deadline]. Please let me know if you need any further information from me. 

Thank you for considering my request. I would really appreciate your support. 

Best regards,
[Your Name]

4) Ensure the Prediction Is Submitted Correctly 

If you are applying through UCAS, your referee will submit your predicted grades directly via the UCAS system. Make sure they understand how to access this and have all the details they need. 

If the grade is required by an exam centre, check their submission process carefully. Some centres may ask for a signed statement or digital upload. 

Be mindful of all deadlines. UCAS applications usually open in September, with the deadline for Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary courses in mid-October. The deadline for most other courses and universities is in late January.

What If You Can’t Get a Predicted Grade? 

Not having a predicted grade won’t necessarily stop you from sitting your A Level exams. You can often still enter as a private candidate without needing predicted grades, but always check with your assessment centre and exam board first. 

Before Results Day, you usually cannot submit a UCAS application for a degree course without predicted grades. However, there are still other options available if you want to go to university. 

Some universities outside the UK do not require predicted grades for applications. Additionally, certain foundation courses at UK universities allow UCAS applications without predicted grades. Always check the specific entry requirements and contact admissions offices for advice before deciding where to apply. 

If you want to study a degree course at a UK university, you can wait until your A Level results are released and apply through UCAS Clearing for courses starting that September. Alternatively, you can wait for the next UCAS application cycle and apply with your final grades to start your course the following year. 

For further advice, you can contact the Admissions Team at your preferred university. Their contact details will be on the university website. You can usually speak to them via telephone, email, online live chat or in-person during Open Days or with an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can UCAS accept predicted grades from a tutor?

Yes, as long as the tutor is willing to act as your referee and submit the grade through UCAS. Their prediction must be supported by reliable academic evidence, such as recent mock exam results and coursework. 

Tutors who have supported you for a longer period of time in your subject will be in the best position to support your application.  

How do I find a tutor who can provide predicted grades? 

You can search online tutoring platforms or contact exam centres that offer tuition services. Look for tutors with subject-specific experience and knowledge of your exam board. 

You can also ask them if they have experience with providing predicted grades for students in your subject, and what evidence they would base your predicted grade on.

How much does it cost to get predicted grades as a private candidate?

Costs vary depending on the tutor or centre. Some tutors include this in their regular fees, while others may charge an additional fee for writing a reference and submitting predictions. 

Centres offering full packages may include predicted grades in their overall fee or may have it as an optional chargeable extra. Be sure to check with your tutor or centre about their fees and compare prices if necessary.

What if my predicted grades are too low? Can I appeal or improve them?

You cannot formally appeal a predicted grade, but you can ask your referee to reconsider the grade they’ve given you. Providing further evidence of your current level of attainment and doing additional assessments may help convince them to change your predicted grade.

Do all universities accept predicted grades from private candidates?

Although some very competitive universities may prefer predicted grades from schools or registered centres, most UK universities accept predicted grades as long as they come from a credible source. Choose your referee carefully and share a portfolio of relevant recent work so they can make a well-informed and reliable prediction.

Final Thoughts

Getting predicted grades as a private candidate takes effort, but is possible with early planning and the right support. Choose a reliable referee and provide strong evidence of your work. If you cannot get predicted grades or don’t want to, there are ways to apply to university without them, too.