r/u_Otherwise_Rooster_86

Is it worth going to a “bad” uni for accounting such as Greenwich, London Met or Westminster? Can you still become successful afterwards, or is it more worth resitting A levels for another year to try get into a better university?

I’m 21 already and honestly feel behind in life, so I really don’t know whether it’s smarter to just move forward now or spend another year trying to improve my options.

I’m looking for honest advice from people in accounting/Big 4 recruitment because I’m trying to figure out whether this path is still realistic for me or if my A-levels will permanently hold me back.
By the time I graduate in 2029 I’ll be 24. I’ve been working since I was 16 and currently work in sales/events in luxury hospitality in London. It’s very client-facing and fast paced, dealing with corporate clients, events, admin, sales, problem solving etc. So I do have years of professional work experience already.
The issue is my A-levels. Realistically they’re basically fails. During that time my dad had cancer and then suffered 2 heart attacks, and I became one of his carers while trying to study. I completely spiralled academically and mentally during that period.
I know people say “everyone has circumstances” and I understand Big 4 is competitive, but I also genuinely know I’m capable academically when I’m in a stable environment. I think if I got into university I could realistically achieve a First in Accounting & Finance.
I’m looking at universities like London Met / Greenwich through Clearing because I know I probably won’t have many options with my grades.

My questions are:
Firstly, do you think universities like this would realistically still let me in through Clearing with terrible A-levels?
Secondly, would summer internships / placements automatically reject me because of the A-level grades, even if I’m doing very well at university?
Do Big 4 firms still care heavily about A-levels by 2029 or is there more flexibility now?
If Big 4 is unrealistic, are there still good firms that would fund ACA while paying a salary despite poor A-levels?
Once ACA qualified, do employers still care much about A-levels or does experience + ACA eventually outweigh them?
Has anyone here actually gone from bad A-levels → weaker uni → ACA → good career outcome?
I’d appreciate realistic answers rather than motivation. I’m trying to work out whether this is genuinely achievable if I work hard from this point onwards.