The "Are my grades good enough for Maths..." Thread

Hello

Just wondering if anyone could give me a brief summary of my options in regards to where I can, and where I most definitely can not, apply to for Mathematics in October.

Originally, I had planned on studying Medicine, but three work experience placements showed me that it really wasn't for me. Moreover, I've come to realise that, of the four AS-levels I have just sat, maths is the only subject that comes to me naturally. Due to my original aspirations to study medicine, I opted against further maths, and while I understand that is going to limit my options, I am of the belief that it is not going to be the be-all or end-all of things. The subjects I'm studying are Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

I intend to drop Biology or Chemistry next year and persue an AS (possibly a crash-course A2) in Further Maths instead.

GCSE Profile: 6.5A*, 4A, 2B, 0.5C.

I reckon that hopefully I got AAAB in my AS's, with atleast 285/300 in Maths.

If anyone could bestow upon me any words of wisdom, that's be much appreciated.

Oh and also, I've always wanted to go to Cambridge since I was little, so if that is still possible, please let me know..

Without A2 further maths, Imperial, Warwick, UCL and Durham are out. Although some of these do have offers for AS further maths, they're only available to people who didn't have further maths offered to A2 by their school. See the links in the post above yours for more information.

Bristol can offer you AAA http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/2011/sections/MATH/200/admissions#entry and Bath can offer either A*AA or A*AB2 http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/ug/courses/SUG-L1/ where 2 represents the grade required in a STEP paper (a maths exam aimed at a-level students with increased difficulty). In both cases, check the links to see all the details of the offer.

Oxford can offer A*AA http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate but bear in mind that it's very competitive so not doing the full A2 won't look good.

Cambridge give out various different offers http://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/undergrad/admissions/admissionsguide.pdf (last page) but again, it's a very competitive course.

There are various other universities to look through. I haven't got time to go through them all so all I can recommend is that you find a good league table and go through all the ones near the top.

i got 3A* 5A's and 3B's at gcse but i barely worked for them at all, will oxford be bothered about them if my AS's are good?
in january i got an A in chem and took 4 maths modules C1 M1 D1 and FP1 and i scored 100 93 80 and 96 respectively and by the end of june i will have C2 C3 S1 and M2 done and i am also taking additional further maths next year. just wanting to know what my chances of getting into oxford are.

ps. i am also planning on doing AEA

Slightly off topic but the advice here seems to be good.
Just wondering which is more competive History or English Literature courses in the Russel groups (aiming for cambridge). Thanks!

Hey, i plan to study Actuarial science and mathematics at Manchester university or Physics at Cambridge university. I'm just curious is Maths, Physics, Chem and Biology good enough for the courses?

Here are the relevant entry requirements:

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/search2011/atoz/course/?code=07383&pg=3

http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/natsci/requirements.html

Your subjects (providing you get the grades) would satisfy these. Another option to consider is further maths. Although it's not required for these courses, you may find it helpful since they do have a lot of mathematical content.

Okay, here goes. GCSE's 5 A's (Inc. English Lang and Maths) 4 B's 5C's.
Year 12 Predicting; Maths A/A* (Full A level) Physics A/B Biology A Chemistry B/C

What are my chances for the top unis. Mainly UCL KCL Warwick Durham and Cambridge? Also asdie from Cambridge do any of them take into account how GCSE's in relation to how good your school was? :/

(Mainly hoping for Warwick) ^_^

Ok, my main question here is why aren't you doing further maths? Does your school offer the subject (either up to AS or A2)? The general impression I'm getting from looking through the admissions pages for these universities is that you need at least AS further maths, and if your school offers it to A2. then you should take that up (although the requirements vary slightly from this).

I'll just note that the KCL offer is http://www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/entryrequirements/name/mathematics/alpha/MNO/header_search/ and the other universities have offers linked above.

Ok, my main question here is why aren't you doing further maths? Does your school offer the subject (either up to AS or A2)? The general impression I'm getting from looking through the admissions pages for these universities is that you need at least AS further maths, and if your school offers it to A2. then you should take that up (although the requirements vary slightly from this).

I'll just note that the KCL offer is http://www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/entryrequirements/name/mathematics/alpha/MNO/header_search/ and the other universities have offers linked above.

Okay, here goes. GCSE's 5 A's (Inc. English Lang and Maths) 4 B's 5C's.
Year 12 Predicting; Maths A/A* (Full A level) Physics A/B Biology A Chemistry B/C

What are my chances for the top unis. Mainly UCL KCL Warwick Durham and Cambridge? Also asdie from Cambridge do any of them take into account how GCSE's in relation to how good your school was? :/

(Mainly hoping for Warwick) ^_^

Warwick will give you an offer without a doubt, the only problem there is making it.
AS-wise you're good for the other places as well. Durham ask for your maths module grades, and from open days I went to it seems that these play the major part in decision making (IIRC they're looking for scores of 90/95+). I'm fairly sure UCL has a similar policy.

wrt to the GCSEs, Durham will take your school into account, not sure about the others.

Very encouraging, thank you. I don't mind the offer lol, mathematically I'm incredible able. I revised 2-3 days before these exams and am expecting 95%+ in all modules bar C3 and C3.

Very encouraging, thank you. I don't mind the offer lol, mathematically I'm incredible able. I revised 2-3 days before these exams and am expecting 95%+ in all modules bar C3 and C3. But this year however I've already started revision on maths and have self taught FP1 already even though I will have classes in September hehe, I really want to go to Warwick.

I got very good scores in A level maths but based on STEP this year I doubt I would have made Warwick's offer. Don't underestimate it.

that's par for the course