[stevewestbelfast]

Hi I am a long time browser of the site but do not post much. I have a couple of questions that I need help with answering as I am quite confused in what to do next. As I am sure many people are.

I am currently studying a Extended Diploma in Multimedia and Games development. I Got a Distinction in every module in the the first year 11 in total and I should be able to do the same with the remaining 8 next year. I am quite confident I can get D*D*D*

I really want to go on and study Computer Science next year. My questions are, will I get in to Uni, especially a Comp Science course with a BTEC?

My main problem is my maths I don't have a GCSE in maths but have the equivalent, Level 2 in Numeracy. Maths really inst my strong point I don't really think that I deserve the qualification as I am really bad at maths.

Would I need an A - Level or would I even get in, in the first place?

You see, I am really good at assignments and know exactly how to get the highest possible marks in them. When it comes to practical work I don't think I could cope in a Comp Sci degree.

Can someone possibly offer some suggestions to what I could do or what other courses are out there?

Thanks.

[Frazeled]

My fathers friend lectures computer science at westminster university and my father is a retired lecturer at london met (he didnt lecture computer science but he used to hear all about it) and you definetly would have a better advantage of geting a place if you had alevels in maths it and other science subjects as the degree largley foucuses on mathmatical problems like logarithums and boolean algebra which is more calculus than algebra and a alevel in maths shows that you will understand the maths topics that will come upin the degree . Your btces are really good though as they show you have a intrest in the subject and that you are good at it and universitys love em. Level 2 numeracy is good as well and you might find universitys will exept you even though you havent got a gcse or alevel in maths or if they dont if you dont want to have a go at alevels have a go at a level 3 acsess course at a collage these are designed for people who want to go to uni but dont have the entry requirements grades. Good luck

[Jonnyy]

Yeah you'll be fine mate, i've firmed for Newcastle which is a pretty high ranking uni and have liverpool as my insurance also (both Russel group if you care about that).

As long as you finish with with a DDD or above and have good GCSE's in maths/english you should be fine for applying to most places.

[Iqbal007]

(Original post by stevewestbelfast)
Hi I am a long time browser of the site but do not post much. I have a couple of questions that I need help with answering as I am quite confused in what to do next. As I am sure many people are.

I am currently studying a Extended Diploma in Multimedia and Games development. I Got a Distinction in every module in the the first year 11 in total and I should be able to do the same with the remaining 8 next year. I am quite confident I can get D*D*D*

I really want to go on and study Computer Science next year. My questions are, will I get in to Uni, especially a Comp Science course with a BTEC?

My main problem is my maths I don't have a GCSE in maths but have the equivalent, Level 2 in Numeracy. Maths really inst my strong point I don't really think that I deserve the qualification as I am really bad at maths.

Would I need an A - Level or would I even get in, in the first place?

You see, I am really good at assignments and know exactly how to get the highest possible marks in them. When it comes to practical work I don't think I could cope in a Comp Sci degree.

Can someone possibly offer some suggestions to what I could do or what other courses are out there?

Thanks.

Retakes maths gcse..........QMUL and Kings accept Btec but you need Distinctions

[stevewestbelfast]

Thanks for all the responses. Puts my mind at ease.

I think I will need to think more carefully when it comes to picking a course at Uni. I'm really starting to think that Comp Sci is not for me because of the disadvantage I have in maths. What other ICT courses are out there, that are still a recognised degree and have credibility? Bare in mind that I don't really want to do a multi media type subject.

Are there any courses that cater towards Computer Hardware and components ?


Thanks

[stevewestbelfast]

Yeah you'll be fine mate, i've firmed for Newcastle which is a pretty high ranking uni and have liverpool as my insurance also (both Russel group if you care about that).

As long as you finish with with a DDD or above and have good GCSE's in maths/english you should be fine for applying to most places.

Do you mind me asking, did you study a BTEC? If so which and what grades did you get ?

[NewFolder]

A BTEC at D*D*D* is equivalent to 3 A Levels at grade A*, can't really see you having any problems.

Don't worry about the maths side of it, I'm terrible at maths and don't have any problems with Computer Science at all. They only expect you to have a GCSE level of maths usually.

[stevewestbelfast]

(Original post by NewFolder)
A BTEC at D*D*D* is equivalent to 3 A Levels at grade A*, can't really see you having any problems.

Don't worry about the maths side of it, I'm terrible at maths and don't have any problems with Computer Science at all. They only expect you to have a GCSE level of maths usually.

What uni are you at?

[Jonnyy]

(Original post by stevewestbelfast)
Do you mind me asking, did you study a BTEC? If so which and what grades did you get ?

I should finish with a D*D*D, my university of choice wanted DDD with a B in GCSE maths, which I finished with an A*.

[nmr1991]

It's strange the fact that many universities rated below 20 in the league tables only value their course requirements to be at DMM or DDM when in fact they know people can aim higher than that. When considering A levels, it would probably equate to ACC, ABC or even ABB, I know that these are high asks for people, I couldn't know because I didn't put my strength and ability into revising the A level subject(s) in depth. The fact that I pushed myself to achieve top grades in my BTEC shows I can do well, but can I? Does it do justice against one who has top grades at A Level, I fear I may struggle, I am genuinely concerned that I might not do as good.

I do best to not dwell too much in my own doubts, i've got so far, but with very few qualifications in the past, how can I compare with someone who is well versed in many aspects of a subject where I have self-taught and been lectured on many parts of a subject but failed to understand once or twice to get it right?

My course is in my signature incase you're wondering what it is, the university I am applying at is around 60-80 in the league tables, would a higher up like Sussex expect more from the student as opposed to Portsmouth? Would I be taught in the same manner?

Long story short: I am concerned I won't do well because I have based my studies heavily on vocational qualifications, will academic qualification like a BSc/MSc be a struggle for me because I have been successful in BTEC and not in more traditional qualifications?

[FinalMH]

(Original post by nmr1991)
Ix?

Don't worry, if you're capable enough of passing the BTEC with the required grades for the course you should be more than capable of doing the course. That is why the admission department accepts the qualifications, it doesn't look good for the university if they get larger amount of students failing.

Do remember university is suppose to be 'full time' you're suppose to do 37.5 hours study a week(At my university). If you find something more difficult it just means you have to spend longer on it. If you're having some doubts try to do some reading and work over the summer.