Any question answered...

What age do people in the UK start uni? And also what way do your A-Levels work for uni, are you offered a place and then you have to get the grades to fill the requirements or do you get your grades first then get your place?

Our system's so flawed and frustrating.

Things may have changed, but you do your mock a levels, apply with your predicted grades and they make you an offer. If you get the grades they want you get your place. If you don't you go through clearing.

You can go at 18, after a levels. These days people seem to want a GapYah, where they fuck off on a round the world jolly and call it charity work. Christ knows why.

Alternatively you can wait and go as a mature student. I went at 24. If you do this A levels are irrelevant. I just did an access course for a year and got in.