[USB]

(Original post by bistonut)
Exam results are the main one- competency in physics (obviously) and (probably even more so) maths. Reading around the subject to show a genuine passion for the subject too. Work experience is not necessary, but helpful. Extra stuff on that doesn't make much of a difference, unless it's maths/physics/chemistry challenges, relevant summer courses etc.

It's a highly academic subject, so mainly just grades and an interest!

Thanks

Thankfully I'm strong academically, so grades don't bother me too much (unless there are copius amounts of coursework ).

I've been looking to get into some science projects/ events at my school, but have been told they are mainly for Sixth Form

[Ineedhelp998]

(Original post by Star Stark)
8A* wow!
i had 4A* 1B and the rest were As

AS Level: Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics. Im thinking of starting my EPQ now.

Currently looking at: Cambridge, Bristol, St.Andrews. Birmingham and Warwick

hey what epq? please quote me so I am notified thankss

[bistonut]

(Original post by USB)
Thanks

Thankfully I'm strong academically, so grades don't bother me too much (unless there are copius amounts of coursework ).

I've been looking to get into some science projects/ events at my school, but have been told they are mainly for Sixth Form

What year are you? If you're yet to choose your A-level options, Maths and Physics are a must, Further maths if it is offered, then any non-"soft" subject will do, whatever to your liking (chemistry is often chosen as good physicists are often decent chemists)
Not that this may apply to you, but be careful if you're not a great maths person. You don't need to be incredible, but being competent is a definite - physics at uni requires A LOT of maths skills.
I had friends who lower down the school who loved physics and the amazing stuff, but couldn't hack the maths, although i'm sure this isn't you

And you can never get involved too early!

[TenaciousMonkey]

(Original post by alvaro1994)
yeah i mean league tables eg its 17 in the complete university guide...

I wouldn't take too much stock in the university guides. UCL's a pretty great institution. If you like the course there, then apply. A 2:1 from UCL is no mean thing

[Fing4]

(Original post by Ineedhelp998)
hey what epq? please quote me so I am notified thankss

Extended Project Qualification

[USB]

(Original post by bistonut)
What year are you? If you're yet to choose your A-level options, Maths and Physics are a must, Further maths if it is offered, then any non-"soft" subject will do, whatever to your liking (chemistry is often chosen as good physicists are often decent chemists)
Not that this may apply to you, but be careful if you're not a great maths person. You don't need to be incredible, but being competent is a definite - physics at uni requires A LOT of maths skills.
I had friends who lower down the school who loved physics and the amazing stuff, but couldn't hack the maths, although i'm sure this isn't you

And you can never get involved too early!

I've just started year 11.

In a perfect world I would like to take; Maths, FM, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

But that is a bit crazy, especially as Critical thinking is compulsory at my school.

I'm competent at maths, i.e. I got 99% on a test that closely resembles a C1 + C2 paper.

[bistonut]

(Original post by USB)
I've just started year 11.

In a perfect world I would like to take; Maths, FM, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

But that is a bit crazy, especially as Critical thinking is compulsory at my school.

I'm competent at maths, i.e. I got 99% on a test that closely resembles a C1 + C2 paper.

If the test is really that hard, then you're better than me at maths at that age, so i don't what im giving you advice for
It varies from school to school in how they work, but at mine, we took 4 ASs each 10 hours a fortnight, plus a couple of hours towards general studies, then most dropped one to A2. I took FM, chem, physics and philosophy, dropping the latter. At our school we did the whole normal maths A-level in one year (easier than it sounds) and am doing the FM AS and A2 this year.

If i were you (and assuming a few things on what you can and cant do) i wouldn't do biology, and instead study some extra (mechanics) maths modules, which are ace for physics. Naturally depends on what you want to do (i never did like bio past year 10) and do what you enjoy, dont focus EVERYTHING on trying to do physics

[USB]

(Original post by bistonut)
If the test is really that hard, then you're better than me at maths at that age, so i don't what im giving you advice for
It varies from school to school in how they work, but at mine, we took 4 ASs each 10 hours a fortnight, plus a couple of hours towards general studies, then most dropped one to A2. I took FM, chem, physics and philosophy, dropping the latter. At our school we did the whole normal maths A-level in one year (easier than it sounds) and am doing the FM AS and A2 this year.

If i were you (and assuming a few things on what you can and cant do) i wouldn't do biology, and instead study some extra (mechanics) maths modules, which are ace for physics. Naturally depends on what you want to do (i never did like bio past year 10) and do what you enjoy, dont focus EVERYTHING on trying to do physics

Thanks

I'll ask my teacher about the possibility of doing Maths and FM in 1 year apiece, sounds like a good idea, if one is capable.

The reason for Biology, is that I'm torn between Medicine/ Dentistry and Physics/ Maths.

I know which one I truly would prefer, but what is worrying me is career and life prospects :/

[bistonut]

(Original post by USB)
Thanks

I'll ask my teacher about the possibility of doing Maths and FM in 1 year apiece, sounds like a good idea, if one is capable.

The reason for Biology, is that I'm torn between Medicine/ Dentistry and Physics/ Maths.

I know which one I truly would prefer, but what is worrying me is career and life prospects :/

As you'll see if you read around here, physics has great prospects. First off, if your heart isnt set on medicine, you wont really do that well in it, and could be one of those (quite often) people that gets like 4 A*s at A level with no medicine places. Plus physics is highly employable, what a lot of people forget is that the majority of graduates of all types, minus medicine/dentistry, go into jobs that aren't the degree! I.e with physics you can do everything from engineering, to working in the stock markets, basically anything that employers want someone with problem solving and/or mathematical skills. One of the richest men in Britain applied his physics degree maths to hedge funds :P

[tory88]

(Original post by USB)
I've just started year 11.

In a perfect world I would like to take; Maths, FM, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

But that is a bit crazy, especially as Critical thinking is compulsory at my school.

I'm competent at maths, i.e. I got 99% on a test that closely resembles a C1 + C2 paper.

I did those ASs, and regret doing 5 subjects really. I got AAAAB, with the B in chemistry, not something I was completely happy with if I'm honest. At A2 I dropped down to three (further maths, normal maths and physics). I regret taking biology as I really didn't enjoy it and believe the workload was to my detriment in the end. Unless you don't know what you want to do (I just knew science or maths) then I would urge you to drop the subject least relevant to you. Further maths is always useful though, so drop the least relevant science (I would say Biology).

[USB]

(Original post by bistonut)
As you'll see if you read around here, physics has great prospects. First off, if your heart isnt set on medicine, you wont really do that well in it, and could be one of those (quite often) people that gets like 4 A*s at A level with no medicine places. Plus physics is highly employable, what a lot of people forget is that the majority of graduates of all types, minus medicine/dentistry, go into jobs that aren't the degree! I.e with physics you can do everything from engineering, to working in the stock markets, basically anything that employers want someone with problem solving and/or mathematical skills. One of the richest men in Britain applied his physics degree maths to hedge funds :P

(Original post by tory88)
I did those ASs, and regret doing 5 subjects really. I got AAAAB, with the B in chemistry, not something I was completely happy with if I'm honest. At A2 I dropped down to three (further maths, normal maths and physics). I regret taking biology as I really didn't enjoy it and believe the workload was to my detriment in the end. Unless you don't know what you want to do (I just knew science or maths) then I would urge you to drop the subject least relevant to you. Further maths is always useful though, so drop the least relevant science (I would say Biology).

Thanks for the advice

I am aware of the competitiveness of Medicine/ Dentistry.

How competitive are courses like Physics/ Maths at the best insitutions?

[tory88]

(Original post by USB)
Thanks for the advice

I am aware of the competitiveness of Medicine/ Dentistry.

How competitive are courses like Physics/ Maths at the best insitutions?

The courses are very competitive, but nowhere near as bad as medicine is. Knowing people going to competitive universities for both subjects I would say if you're hardworking, dedicated and get top grades you're likely to get into a fop ten institution.

[bistonut]

(Original post by USB)
Thanks for the advice

I am aware of the competitiveness of Medicine/ Dentistry.

How competitive are courses like Physics/ Maths at the best insitutions?

For oxbridge it's anyone's guess, i've know some genius guys been rejected. But for the ones below that- your Durhams and UCLs etc, if you're good they'll take you, not "that" competitive, especially compared to some other degrees. Need to be of A*AA-AAB capability to get in to a decent place basically. A grade higher for maths maybe.

I remember before A-levels I wanted to do engineering- i was always drawn to physics, and engineering seemed like the most vocational physics related thing. At my school, every clever science person was drawn to medicine at some point, but you come to realise it's not the best option for the most cases. Especially if main motivation is a good salary

[BlackPoison94]

Another question...if I'm applying to a Maths and Physics course at e.g. Warwick or UCL or Kings...do I have 2 interviews..one from the Maths and the other from Physics?

[olddad]

(Original post by bistonut)
Help on my last 2 choices for UCAS anyone? Opinions on Bristol, York, Nottingham and Manchester please From manchester so know about the place at least, and know an ace department, although that's about it

My son is at Nottingham and loved it there. Greatr City to live in and excellent Uni.

[alcimedes]

better late than never...
GCSEs 6A*,9A ,B,C
AS- Maths A, Physics A, Further Maths A, Chem B(dropped)
A2 predictions- A*A*A* (Maths, FM, Phys)
Choices- Oxford, Durham, Lancaster, Manchester plus 1 of Leeds, York, Bath.

really struggling with pers state. I know I love physics but trying to prove it ends up with cliches or rambling.

[a.koe]

Hey guys im applyin for physics...

IGCSE: 6A*s, 2A, 2b, 1C...IGCSE not GCSE heard IGCSE are harder so might get more credit
AS Lvls: AAAAA (Math, Phy, Economics, Spanish, ICT)
A2 My prediction of my predicted grades: A*A*AA (Math, Spanish, Phy, Economics) and A in AS Further Math
Hopeful A2 Predictions: A*A*A*A and A in FM :P

Choices: Oxford, Imperial, St Andrews, Nottingham, and choice between Warwick or edinbrough...Which one do u guys think?

What do you guys think? Il hopefuly make it to oxford or imperial bt the PAT at oxford is super hard so well c

Good luck to all!!

[alcimedes]

I'm definite on Oxford, Durham, Lancaster, Manchester but can't decide on 5th choice. currently between Leeds, York, Sheffield. I've been to Leeds open day but not the other 2. does anyone have any advice?

[alexthomas93]

Hi everyone
Username: alexthomas93
GCSEs: 8A*s 3As 1B
AS Levels: Maths (A) Physics (A) Further Maths (A) History (C) General Studies (A)
Choices: Oxford (Physics), Warwick (Maths & Physics), St Andrews (Maths & Theoretical Physics), Durham (Natural Sciences), Lancaster (Maths)

[matthew769]

(Original post by a.koe)
Hey guys im applyin for physics...

IGCSE: 6A*s, 2A, 2b, 1C...IGCSE not GCSE heard IGCSE are harder so might get more credit
AS Lvls: AAAAA (Math, Phy, Economics, Spanish, ICT)
A2 My prediction of my predicted grades: A*A*AA (Math, Spanish, Phy, Economics) and A in AS Further Math
Hopeful A2 Predictions: A*A*A*A and A in FM :P

Choices: Oxford, Imperial, St Andrews, Nottingham, and choice between Warwick or edinbrough...Which one do u guys think?

What do you guys think? Il hopefuly make it to oxford or imperial bt the PAT at oxford is super hard so well c

Good luck to all!!

Warwick since you can't spell Edinburgh