[Outlaw1198]

Hi guys i was wondering what a levels should i get a what gcse's i should be studying to get a course in university on computer science. Oh also to add i am alredy doing computer studies in school

[A.J10]

Hey, I've just been and applied for this september so this is all fairly up to date.

GCSEs really don't matter, as long as you do well in them. Make sure you have some kind of ICT qualification even if it is just key skills or something that shows you can make a powerpoint (a lot of sixth forms will make you do one otherwise, best to get it out of the way).

As for A levels, the only one they ever required when I was looking was maths. Maths is absolutely essential. Further maths is very much favoured, as is physics. Other sciences are good too, ICT is irrelevent. Computing A level will only count in your favour, but it's not required as the quality/relevency of it varies apparently, and a lot of colleges don't offer it.

I applied with maths, further maths, computing and physics.

Seriously, don't worry about what you need to be choosing until A level, just do well in English/maths GCSE.

[Outlaw1198]

(Original post by A.J10)
Hey, I've just been and applied for this september so this is all fairly up to date.

GCSEs really don't matter, as long as you do well in them. Make sure you have some kind of ICT qualification even if it is just key skills or something that shows you can make a powerpoint (a lot of sixth forms will make you do one otherwise, best to get it out of the way).

As for A levels, the only one they ever required when I was looking was maths. Maths is absolutely essential. Further maths is very much favoured, as is physics. Other sciences are good too, ICT is irrelevent. Computing A level will only count in your favour, but it's not required as the quality/relevency of it varies apparently, and a lot of colleges don't offer it.

I applied with maths, further maths, computing and physics.

Seriously, don't worry about what you need to be choosing until A level, just do well in English/maths GCSE.

Ok thanks

[Oxford Computer Science Dept]

This is going to be an Oxford answer, but hopefully a useful one to you, as we're not that dissimilar to other top unis, and the points made earlier in the thread.

Our standard offer is A*AA, with at least an A in Maths. The A* has to be in either Maths, Further Maths, Physics or Computing. Maths is therefore essential to us. Computing is a mathematical subject, especially in the way we approach it at Oxford. So you will need to have developed your ability in mathematical thinking. We think doing both Maths and Further Maths to A2 is the best way of doing this, but we recognise that some schools are unable to offer this combination. So whilst double Maths is a good combination of A levels for us, we do consider applications from people with a single Maths A level, with or without Further Maths to AS level. But if you can do it, it will help.

We also suggest a science subject such as Physics, but it's not essential. Our courses start from first principles so we're not looking for any specific knowledge in Computing (although we are looking for a genuine interest in the subject.) Some students come to us with Computing A Level; others don't. ICT isn't very relevant to us.

We don't have any specific requirements for GCSEs but we'd prefer to see a good set of grades, especially in the maths and sciences.

Hope that helps.

[StaticContext]

As well as getting 5 A*-C's in your GCSE's, these are the essentials in my opinion:

> Grade A (at least B) in GCSE Maths and English.
> Grade A (at least B) in A-Level Maths.
> Grade A (at least B) in at least two other A-Levels.

If your other A-Levels include Further Maths and/or Physics, then that would help even more, but I really dont think it's essential. It may help a little. Good luck! :-)

[Outlaw1198]

(Original post by StaticContext)
As well as getting 5 A*-C's in your GCSE's, these are the essentials in my opinion:

> Grade A (at least B) in GCSE Maths and English.
> Grade A (at least B) in A-Level Maths.
> Grade A (at least B) in at least two other A-Levels.

If your other A-Levels include Further Maths and/or Physics, then that would help even more, but I really dont think it's essential. It may help a little. Good luck! :-)

Ok thanks this will be helpful thanks for the luck i guess i will need it