Post code lottery for University acceptance

I think the important point about this is that it is about widening access and enabling students who may be at a disadvantage to access university courses.
My GD got a contextual offer because she went to a secondary school for A level in a grammar school area. (It was her choice not to go to grammar at 11+). As I said upthread she actually got 3x A* and went to her first choice of university, so did not take up the place at Bristol.
The categories include young carers, young people in the care system, and areas where the number going to university is below average.
Different universities use different systems, but it is not about particular courses. It is literally about contextualising the offer for students who meet the criteria.
I can't begin to imagine that anyone would think it is anything but a good idea.

This was back in 2003, but my son was told by Bristol University that the course he was applying for normally required 3 As, but because of the school he went to they would accept an A and 2 Bs. (He got that, but decided not to go there anyway).

I remember, good grief, 50 years ago this month, being offerred BCC at the University I wanted to go to.
I was peeved (but accepting) that they wouldn't accept ACD, as the A was in the proposed degree subject.

UCCÀ found me a good second choice.

When my husband did admissions he didn't have anything like the type of leeway (a grade in all 3 subjects) that the OP refers to.

Mamie I was speaking in reference to the article you linked to which I just skim-read. I saw no other mention of post-code.

The York details were for AnnSixty and are from their own website. I was (trying to) explain that different courses at the same university will have very different entry requirements. York is always oversubscribed for English so can easily ask 3As.

NotSpaghetti

I think the postcode part is actually about additional funding support as part of the offer...

I think it would not be that dramatic an offer difference. 3As v 3Bs. I think that is probably to different courses.
York, for example, wants AAA for English but BBB for Social and Public Policy.

Not true of the course my GD was applying for at Bristol. Universities do it differently.

I will ask my friend about the courses.

I think the postcode part is actually about additional funding support as part of the offer...

I think it would not be that dramatic an offer difference. 3As v 3Bs. I think that is probably to different courses.
York, for example, wants AAA for English but BBB for Social and Public Policy.

The areas covered for contextual offers usually cover a number of postcodes.

Mamie

The article above includes post code Growstuff.

I know. All I wrote that was that the kind of housing wouldn't affect the offer.

The article above includes post code Growstuff.

Sorry. I meant "likely" not "unlikely".

There is a good explanation here.
www.unifrog.org/know-how/contextual-offers-getting-the-bigger-picture#:~:text=Contextual%20offers%20are%20those%20made,help%20you%20get%20into%20university.

It doesn't sound very unlikely, if it's for the same course. The type of housing makes no difference to uni offers. However, if the friend went to a different school, which historically doesn't achieve high A level results or the friend comes from a family with problems, it's possible that the uni might have made a slightly lower offer - it's usually two grades (eg ABB rather than AAA).

Yes, there are contextual offers by certain universities based on location and school attended. My GD did her A levels at a secondary modern school a couple of years ago. She had a 3xB contextual offer from a Russell Group university but went to her first choice as she got 3xA*.

I can't comment on that but is it for the same course? Different courses may have different entry requirements