[notsure]

im going to start my a levels this September and need advice on what a levels to take i order for me to get more chances of getting into Cambridge architecture!
Most colleges do not ask for any subjects but require a portfolio and a few recommend mathematics or physics.
Im currently sure about choosing
- fine art AS
- Geography AS
- Maybe Biology AS
- History or Graphics (either way will be dropped in A2)
but thought that i should maybe take a science, however im only good @ biology which seems to be apparently ''the hardest of the science a-levels''?
Im only thinking of taking biology since it a science and might look good to universities like Cambridge? and what should i take for my fourth a level?????!! should i take art graphics or history?? Will my a -levels combination just result in being a failure with all these in-similar subjects???

Could i please get an answer because i have to make my mind up very soon!!

[wibletg]

(Original post by notsure)
im going to start my a levels this September and need advice on what a levels to take i order for me to get more chances of getting into Cambridge architecture!
Most colleges do not ask for any subjects but require a portfolio and a few recommend mathematics or physics.
Im currently sure about choosing
- fine art AS
- Geography AS
- Maybe Biology AS
- History or Graphics (either way will be dropped in A2)
but thought that i should maybe take a science, however im only good @ biology which seems to be apparently ''the hardest of the science a-levels''?
Im only thinking of taking biology since it a science and might look good to universities like Cambridge? and what should i take for my fourth a level?????!! should i take art graphics or history?? Will my a -levels combination just result in being a failure with all these in-similar subjects???

Could i please get an answer because i have to make my mind up very soon!!

If you're wanting to go to Cam, you should be studying AT LEAST Maths and maybe Physics.

Have a look at what they suggest here:
http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergrad.../architecture/

EDIT: Biology is NOT the hardest A Level - Chemistry is

[Existentialistic]

You should do physics, maths + XXXXX, no question about it.

[Historophilia]

A successful combination for Architecture (as observed in people I know who do Architecture) is Maths, Physics, Fine Art and Geography.

The first three are pretty much essential.

[notsure]

(Original post by Existentialistic)
You should do physics, maths + XXXXX, no question about it.

The problem is, if i take either im more likely to come out with a grade they won't accept. Some colleges don't ask for math or physics but say its somehow helpful? Do you think biology will be able to compensate it?

[notsure]

(Original post by wibletg)
If you're wanting to go to Cam, you should be studying AT LEAST Maths and maybe Physics.

Have a look at what they suggest here:
http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergrad.../architecture/

EDIT: Biology is NOT the hardest A Level - Chemistry is

I think physics is
Do you think if i get three A*'s and have a good protfolio without the physics or maths it will compensate it?

[notsure]

(Original post by wibletg)
If you're wanting to go to Cam, you should be studying AT LEAST Maths and maybe Physics.

Have a look at what they suggest here:
http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergrad.../architecture/

EDIT: Biology is NOT the hardest A Level - Chemistry is

Also, cambridge say
''Essential: No specific subjects
Desirable: AS Level/IB Standard Level Mathematics or Physics''

So by me not taking either my chances of getting in are decreased?

[wibletg]

(Original post by notsure)
I think physics is
Do you think if i get three A*'s and have a good protfolio without the physics or maths it will compensate it?

No.

They specifically say that Maths is preferred.

Previous posters have said Physics is also desirable.

What you've got to realise is that most other people are going to be doing Maths, Physics, Art and a Humanities/Science subject - you need to be on their level to be able to compete

(Original post by notsure)
Also, cambridge say
''Essential: No specific subjects
Desirable: AS Level/IB Standard Level Mathematics or Physics''

So by me not taking either my chances of getting in are decreased?

Yes - if they say it's desirable then you should be doing it

[notsure]

i guess that's the sad reality with competteive uni's Do you know anything about barlett UCL?

[Dinnes]

(Original post by notsure)
im going to start my a levels this September and need advice on what a levels to take i order for me to get more chances of getting into Cambridge architecture!
Most colleges do not ask for any subjects but require a portfolio and a few recommend mathematics or physics.
Im currently sure about choosing
- fine art AS
- Geography AS
- Maybe Biology AS
- History or Graphics (either way will be dropped in A2)
but thought that i should maybe take a science, however im only good @ biology which seems to be apparently ''the hardest of the science a-levels''?
Im only thinking of taking biology since it a science and might look good to universities like Cambridge? and what should i take for my fourth a level?????!! should i take art graphics or history?? Will my a -levels combination just result in being a failure with all these in-similar subjects???

Could i please get an answer because i have to make my mind up very soon!!

Important thingie here:
Do:

a) What you like
b) What you're good at

Don't do subjects you hate cause you think cambridge will like them. Because if you don't like them you won't do well in them at you won't get good grades.

If you like a subject you'll try harder in it and be more attentive and you'll get better grades.

Also, don't be so fixed on cambridge - I have similar ambitions careerwise but I'm not worrying about universities that much: from people I've spoken to there are loads of really well-reputed and good unis for architecture, and there is no one best architecture university - The Cambridge course is fairly theoretical and historical whereas say, the Bath course is very engineering focused. Then you get universities such as Nottingham (I think) which are more creative-based.

What you need to do is choose subjects you like, and then form a career and university choice around that, not the other way round.

But I wish you the best of luck, I'm at a similar point, and I'm doing the subjects I like most - Art (Fine), Maths, Physics, English Lit

All the best,
Dan

[Dinnes]

Also I don't think any science is especially harder than any other. If anything I've been told physics was the hardest a-level, but if you like a subject enough and work hard enough anyone can get top grades

Dan

[pshewitt1]

(Original post by notsure)
im going to start my a levels this September and need advice on what a levels to take i order for me to get more chances of getting into Cambridge architecture!
Most colleges do not ask for any subjects but require a portfolio and a few recommend mathematics or physics.
Im currently sure about choosing
- fine art AS
- Geography AS
- Maybe Biology AS
- History or Graphics (either way will be dropped in A2)
but thought that i should maybe take a science, however im only good @ biology which seems to be apparently ''the hardest of the science a-levels''?
Im only thinking of taking biology since it a science and might look good to universities like Cambridge? and what should i take for my fourth a level?????!! should i take art graphics or history?? Will my a -levels combination just result in being a failure with all these in-similar subjects???

Could i please get an answer because i have to make my mind up very soon!!

biology has always and generally will always by a greater majority be seen as the easier science, look at grade boundaries to prove this... it's chem and physics that kill you

also why bother with Cambridge, Bath is by far more reputable for architecture..

[CharliePhillips]

(Original post by notsure)
im going to start my a levels this September and need advice on what a levels to take i order for me to get more chances of getting into Cambridge architecture!
Most colleges do not ask for any subjects but require a portfolio and a few recommend mathematics or physics.
Im currently sure about choosing
- fine art AS
- Geography AS
- Maybe Biology AS
- History or Graphics (either way will be dropped in A2)
but thought that i should maybe take a science, however im only good @ biology which seems to be apparently ''the hardest of the science a-levels''?
Im only thinking of taking biology since it a science and might look good to universities like Cambridge? and what should i take for my fourth a level?????!! should i take art graphics or history?? Will my a -levels combination just result in being a failure with all these in-similar subjects???

Could i please get an answer because i have to make my mind up very soon!!

Okay for cambridge....


- Fine art is good, however History of art would be better.
- Do mathematics
- Then do History but DO NOT drop it (don't do graphics)
- Then a science but as people have said before do physics unless your truly awful at it

SO your subjects should be..

History of art or Fine art A2
Mathematics A2
History A2
Physics AS (dropped)

However as Dinnes said if you hate one of the above subjects don't do it you will succeed in subject you enjoy!

However don't take my word as law..

[notsure]

(Original post by Dinnes)
Important thingie here:
Do:

a) What you like
b) What you're good at

Don't do subjects you hate cause you think cambridge will like them. Because if you don't like them you won't do well in them at you won't get good grades.

If you like a subject you'll try harder in it and be more attentive and you'll get better grades.

Also, don't be so fixed on cambridge - I have similar ambitions careerwise but I'm not worrying about universities that much: from people I've spoken to there are loads of really well-reputed and good unis for architecture, and there is no one best architecture university - The Cambridge course is fairly theoretical and historical whereas say, the Bath course is very engineering focused. Then you get universities such as Nottingham (I think) which are more creative-based.

What you need to do is choose subjects you like, and then form a career and university choice around that, not the other way round.

But I wish you the best of luck, I'm at a similar point, and I'm doing the subjects I like most - Art (Fine), Maths, Physics, English Lit

All the best,
Dan

Thanks for the advice! Really got me thinking!
the thing is i would do physics but i'm just so crap at it!

(Original post by CharliePhillips)
Okay for cambridge....


- Fine art is good, however History of art would be better.
- Do mathematics
- Then do History but DO NOT drop it (don't do graphics)
- Then a science but as people have said before do physics unless your truly awful at it

SO your subjects should be..

History of art or Fine art A2
Mathematics A2
History A2
Physics AS (dropped)

However as Dinnes said if you hate one of the above subjects don't do it you will succeed in subject you enjoy!

However don't take my word as law..

Thanks for both of your advice! I just want to get to a good uni for architecture that is known as my mother doesn't really believe that other uni's e.g bath are good (i dont know why?) And i would do maths or physics but just dread the subjects
Btw do they look at your fourth AS that you drop, in my case graphics?
How does this sound
-Fine Art
-History
-Biology/physics
-geography/ or either graphics drop A2

[CharliePhillips]

(Original post by notsure)
Thanks for the advice! Really got me thinking!
the thing is i would do physics but i'm just so crap at it!




Thanks for both of your advice! I just want to get to a good uni for architecture that is known as my mother doesn't really believe that other uni's e.g bath are good (i dont know why?) And i would do maths or physics but just dread the subjects
Btw do they look at your fourth AS that you drop, in my case graphics?
How does this sound
-Fine Art
-History
-Biology/physics
-geography/ or either graphics drop A2

I would DEFINITELY do Geography instead of Graphics!! And in answer to your first question, yes they do look at your fourth and dropped subject.. some subjects even require an A grade in the dropped subject though I am unsure about architecture.

Also in terms of your subject choice I would be unsure on biology... but geography would be good!

[notsure]

(Original post by CharliePhillips)
I would DEFINITELY do Geography instead of Graphics!! And in answer to your first question, yes they do look at your fourth and dropped subject.. some subjects even require an A grade in the dropped subject though I am unsure about architecture.

Also in terms of your subject choice I would be unsure on biology... but geography would be good!

Ok thanks!, do you do physics yourself?

[charlottelea]

I'd really suggest taking one of maths or physics. You definately don't need both (I have an offer with just maths), but I haven't heard of anyone with an offer who hasn't taken one of these to at least AS level. If it's any help my subjects were maths, fine art and geography at A level, and english lit and further maths at AS level.

For Cambridge though it is really important to get high percentage scores in your exams, so like others have said pick subjects which you are interested in.

Remember Cambridge isn't actually the best for architecture though. I'd say it's probably UCL and they are much more creative focused, so they may be more leniant of you not taking maths or physics there.

[notsure]

[QUOTE=charlottelea;38426314]I'd really suggest taking one of maths or physics. You definately don't need both (I have an offer with just maths), but I haven't heard of anyone with an offer who hasn't taken one of these to at least AS level. If it's any help my subjects were maths, fine art and geography at A level, and english lit and further maths at AS level.

are you applying for an architectural course @ Cambridge? if not where?
and yeah, im thinking of doing maths now since im pretty much hopeless with physics heheh
Also could you pls tell me how easy your a levels are (not eng lit or further math)

Many thanks
me!

[charlottelea]

[QUOTE=notsure;38426988]

(Original post by charlottelea)

are you applying for an architectural course @ Cambridge? if not where?
and yeah, im thinking of doing maths now since im pretty much hopeless with physics heheh
Also could you pls tell me how easy your a levels are (not eng lit or further math)

Many thanks
me!

I applied last year, so just waiting on my results to see where I get in, but I have offers from Cambridge, UCL, Bath, Sheffield and Northumbria.

I found maths fairly easy as it can be quite repetitive. If you put the effort in throughout the year it is relatively easy to get an A, and because there are 6 modules to the a level you can afford to do "badly" in some topics and still come out with an A. Because of how the grading system works though, it's quite hit and miss whether you get an A*. In geography the content is quite easy, but there is A LOT to learn! I probably found it my toughest a level, though I'd still think it was much easier than physics or a science. Fine art, again, the content is easy, there's just a lot of work to do! Especially if you want an A*. It's just about finding a good balance of quantity and quality of work, and you should be fine!

[notsure]

[QUOTE=charlottelea;38519078]

(Original post by notsure)

I applied last year, so just waiting on my results to see where I get in, but I have offers from Cambridge, UCL, Bath, Sheffield and Northumbria.

I found maths fairly easy as it can be quite repetitive. If you put the effort in throughout the year it is relatively easy to get an A, and because there are 6 modules to the a level you can afford to do "badly" in some topics and still come out with an A. Because of how the grading system works though, it's quite hit and miss whether you get an A*. In geography the content is quite easy, but there is A LOT to learn! I probably found it my toughest a level, though I'd still think it was much easier than physics or a science. Fine art, again, the content is easy, there's just a lot of work to do! Especially if you want an A*. It's just about finding a good balance of quantity and quality of work, and you should be fine!

Ah thanks! You're really lucky to get offers from like all the best architecture unis What are your predicted grades?


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