[TenaciousMonkey]

Hey there, I've a couple of quick questions about the Physics course

Firstly, I wanted to ask about first/second year entry? Which is recommended to apply for? Do you have to make a decision on the UCAS application or do you decide later on?

Secondly, I've heard that St Andrews is unusually competitive for Physics especially, is this true? (I know it's a very competitive university in general.)

Thirdly, and I'm sorry to have to ask this, but would I be a typical applicant for Physics at St Andrews, grades considering? (Obviously my PS will have to be strong, etc.) Do St Andrews ask for module grades or do they only see the overall grade itself?

Lastly, if I opt for Astrophysics instead... I know there's a common core of general Physics to follow in the first two years so would there be much of a difference in the two courses, except that the Astro modules are compulsory for one and optional for the other,

Thanks!

[alexss]

Hiya,

1. You can do direct entry if your grades are good enough. As I understand it, the decision about what level to enter at is made in the first week. As for recommendations on what to do, I guess it depends on what you like. Direct entry cuts a year off your degree/might be more vigorous, whereas first lets you start from scratch. I think I'm right in saying it's also possible to drop onto the first year course if you find the direct entry to be a bit too much at once.
2. I got a great feeling from the department when I visited, something I'd not felt elsewhere. That alone was what made me desperate to go, not how competitive it is! I think at one of the talks on an open day, we got told there were something like 800 applicants, 100 offers made, and about 50 expected to come. Sorry if those figures are wrong- it's been a while!
3. You got AAABC at AS level, and an A* already in Maths? Considering I got BBBB at AS level, I'd say you're in a better position than I was.

[TenaciousMonkey]

(Original post by alexss)
Hiya,

1. You can do direct entry if your grades are good enough. As I understand it, the decision about what level to enter at is made in the first week. As for recommendations on what to do, I guess it depends on what you like. Direct entry cuts a year off your degree/might be more vigorous, whereas first lets you start from scratch. I think I'm right in saying it's also possible to drop onto the first year course if you find the direct entry to be a bit too much at once.
2. I got a great feeling from the department when I visited, something I'd not felt elsewhere. That alone was what made me desperate to go, not how competitive it is! I think at one of the talks on an open day, we got told there were something like 800 applicants, 100 offers made, and about 50 expected to come. Sorry if those figures are wrong- it's been a while!
3. You got AAABC at AS level, and an A* already in Maths? Considering I got BBBB at AS level, I'd say you're in a better position than I was.

Thanks for replying!

1) Okay, great, thanks ^.^

2) Well, I'm not applying BECAUSE it's competitive! Far from it - I visited the town a few weeks ago, absolutely loved it (didn't have an opportunity to visit the university, unfortunately). That's not too bad. I can live with those odds ;D

3) I scraped most of my grades - do they take UMS into consideration?

[alexss]

(Original post by TenaciousMonkey)
Thanks for replying!

3) I scraped most of my grades - do they take UMS into consideration?

Nope. All St Andrews asked get is the bog standard UCAS application and your PS. All you declare on that is grade for AS, and predicted grade for A2. I think it's only Cambridge that ask to see UMS, and you have to fill out a separate form for it.

Btw, if you've got any exceptional module scores, you can have your referee draw attention to them, or include it in the PS if it's relevant.

[TenaciousMonkey]

(Original post by alexss)
Nope. All St Andrews asked get is the bog standard UCAS application and your PS. All you declare on that is grade for AS, and predicted grade for A2. I think it's only Cambridge that ask to see UMS, and you have to fill out a separate form for it.

Btw, if you've got any exceptional module scores, you can have your referee draw attention to them, or include it in the PS if it's relevant.

Oh, good, good :P I think I have maybe two great exam scores, the rest were low/average :P

[Oxy]

(Original post by TenaciousMonkey)
Hey there, I've a couple of quick questions about the Physics course

Firstly, I wanted to ask about first/second year entry? Which is recommended to apply for? Do you have to make a decision on the UCAS application or do you decide later on?

Secondly, I've heard that St Andrews is unusually competitive for Physics especially, is this true? (I know it's a very competitive university in general.)

Thirdly, and I'm sorry to have to ask this, but would I be a typical applicant for Physics at St Andrews, grades considering? (Obviously my PS will have to be strong, etc.) Do St Andrews ask for module grades or do they only see the overall grade itself?

Lastly, if I opt for Astrophysics instead... I know there's a common core of general Physics to follow in the first two years so would there be much of a difference in the two courses, except that the Astro modules are compulsory for one and optional for the other,

Thanks!

1. I applied for first year Chem (with the intention of going into second year). Once youve got your A-level results and theyre enough to get you into 2nd year then there is no problem asking the department to move you directly into 2nd year.

2. Yes it is, in recent years they've had to up the requirements considerably (now AAA for 1st year entry I believe). When I applied it had the same requirements as Chemistry (ABB 1st year, AAB 2nd year).

3. Yes you are typical academically. Make yourself stand out.

4. I wouldn't worry too much about this, there is so much flexibility in switching modules (I even managed to switch my whole degree with ease) it wouldn't be a problem switching between the degrees. The modules you've taken will decide the title of your degree.

[TenaciousMonkey]

Thanks for replying!

(Original post by Oxy)
1. I applied for first year Chem (with the intention of going into second year). Once youve got your A-level results and theyre enough to get you into 2nd year then there is no problem asking the department to move you directly into 2nd year.

2. Yes it is, in recent years they've had to up the requirements considerably (now AAA for 1st year entry I believe). When I applied it had the same requirements as Chemistry (ABB 1st year, AAB 2nd year).

3. Yes you are typical academically. Make yourself stand out.

4. I wouldn't worry too much about this, there is so much flexibility in switching modules (I even managed to switch my whole degree with ease) it wouldn't be a problem switching between the degrees. The modules you've taken will decide the title of your degree.

Yeah... Personal statement!

[Hope333]

(Original post by Oxy)
1. I applied for first year Chem (with the intention of going into second year). Once youve got your A-level results and theyre enough to get you into 2nd year then there is no problem asking the department to move you directly into 2nd year.

2. Yes it is, in recent years they've had to up the requirements considerably (now AAA for 1st year entry I believe). When I applied it had the same requirements as Chemistry (ABB 1st year, AAB 2nd year).

3. Yes you are typical academically. Make yourself stand out.

4. I wouldn't worry too much about this, there is so much flexibility in switching modules (I even managed to switch my whole degree with ease) it wouldn't be a problem switching between the degrees. The modules you've taken will decide the title of your degree.

Hi=) I don't know which uni to apply to in UCAS. I have to choose two between Warwick, York and St Andrew's. Could you please give me any piece of advice, since you are a student there. Also, I am applying for Chemistry too. Thank you in advance.

[Oxy]

(Original post by Hope333)
Hi=) I don't know which uni to apply to in UCAS. I have to choose two between Warwick, York and St Andrew's. Could you please give me any piece of advice, since you are a student there. Also, I am applying for Chemistry too. Thank you in advance.

Well I can't pick your university for you. Visit each of the universities and get a feel for them, then I think you'll have more of an idea of which university you would want to go to.

[Hannah4994]

(Original post by TenaciousMonkey)
Thanks for replying!

1) Okay, great, thanks ^.^

2) Well, I'm not applying BECAUSE it's competitive! Far from it - I visited the town a few weeks ago, absolutely loved it (didn't have an opportunity to visit the university, unfortunately). That's not too bad. I can live with those odds ;D

3) I scraped most of my grades - do they take UMS into consideration?

If you dont mind me asking, what do you mean by 'scraped' ?

i got told by the admissions, if you are predicted the minimum they require, so for me it was AAA, then you will be considered, and it will go on your personal statement

so if you have A*A*AA, but a bad PS then she told me that they probably wont get an offer?.

so you will have a chance ! even though it is competitive!

[TenaciousMonkey]

(Original post by Hannah4994)
If you dont mind me asking, what do you mean by 'scraped' ?

i got told by the admissions, if you are predicted the minimum they require, so for me it was AAA, then you will be considered, and it will go on your personal statement

so if you have A*A*AA, but a bad PS then she told me that they probably wont get an offer?.

so you will have a chance ! even though it is competitive!

For example, for my A* in Maths A Level, I hit 180 UMS exactly over C3 and C4, and for my A in Physics AS Level, I got something like 83% which is just over the mark.

(I ended up not applying, by the way, for the simple reason that I needed space for a "backup" university.)

[Hannah4994]

(Original post by TenaciousMonkey)
For example, for my A* in Maths A Level, I hit 180 UMS exactly over C3 and C4, and for my A in Physics AS Level, I got something like 83% which is just over the mark.

(I ended up not applying, by the way, for the simple reason that I needed space for a "backup" university.)

thats not bad, you beat me :P. lol

ohhh ok, where did you end up applying ?

[TenaciousMonkey]

(Original post by Hannah4994)
thats not bad, you beat me :P. lol

ohhh ok, where did you end up applying ?

Imperial, Durham, Manchester, Lancaster and Southampton (it's all in my signature)