[whiteing]

Hi,

I'm wanting to go to university to study physics/Theoretical phyiscs. As it stands I have pretty terrible qualifications, just due to work obligations and not being sure what i wanted to do when i was studying.

My GCSEs were pretty poor, was predicted A*s and As and got Bs and Cs the did As Biology,History and enviro science, didnt really like these and go DDE respectively and dropped out after a year.

This year im hoping to self study Maths As and A2 and as much physics modules as i can, probably all papers without practials, then apply for a foundation year at uni.

Or I could self study Maths Phyics and FM As and A2 in two years then apply for entry to a first year

The question is, what would be the best course of action? Would prefer the first option but it would depend on if i could get into a half decent uni.

Sorry about the sheer mass of words
tarr

[PQ]

Your best bet is to hunt around for universities offering a physics foundation year and get in touch with them ASAP most foundation years are designed to give you the maths/physics background you need so studying for maths/physics A level before applying for a fdn year is a waste of time. (eg http://www.leeds.ac.uk/coursefinder/...dation_Studies http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/s...yrequirements/ http://www.manchester.ac.uk/undergra...ode=00660&pg=3 http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/ugstudy/...s/science.aspx http://www.sefp.qmul.ac.uk/entry/ http://www.southampton.ac.uk/undergr...undation.shtml http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/ug/2012/1563/24767#tabs-3 http://www.york.ac.uk/physics/underg...undation-year/ ).

Alternatively they might recommend that Open University courses alongside Maths A level would be more useful...or they might be able to advise on the best qualifications to take in a single year for direct entry onto their courses (bypassing a foundation year).

Get in touch ASAP though - there may well be an option to get onto a foundation year in 2012 (if you can convince them of your commitment, potential and ability)...and even if that isn't an option then by getting in touch now you can tailor your study over the next year to what they actually want rather than simply picking up A level maths plus a few physics modules because that is what you expect them to want.