Arts and Sciences BASc at UCL

Hi Ryan,

I am currently on this course and so far I've enjoyed it a lot.

The core side of the course has taken up quite a lot of time during the first term: there are only 3 contact hours per week, but for some topics there is a substantial amount of reading to do and before each lecture we have to watch "flipped lectures" - essentially video lectures online. The idea is that we are given all of the content in the flipped lectures and the actual lectures are then used to answer any questions we may have (and an hour is never enough to answer every single question).

As for applying, I expect this is probably too late, but the arts and sciences admissions people don't really read your first personal statement (at least that's what they told us); instead, they judge you primarily on your second one and on the exam which you have to do. Don't worry too much about the exam, just revise your A-level stuff and you should be fine!

Reply 3

Could anyone tell me about the compulsory Open Day which we attend and specifically the test which I've heard about.

What sort of things would I need to brush up on if I'm going down the sciences pathway?
How much value is put on the result?
Will there be an interview?

Reply 4

Original post by nugiboy

Could anyone tell me about the compulsory Open Day which we attend and specifically the test which I've heard about.

What sort of things would I need to brush up on if I'm going down the sciences pathway?
How much value is put on the result?
Will there be an interview?

Brush up on maths and all the science subjects you have studied so far such as Chemistry, Physics and Biology. You don't have to answer all of the questions in the test so you shouldn't have to answer questions in areas you don't have prior knowledge of.

I'm not sure how much value is put on the result, or even exactly how they judge the result, but I would imagine it counts for at least as much as your personal statement since it gives you an opportunity to actually demonstrate what you can do.

If you're an international student you might have a skype interview, if not then there is no interview.

Reply 5

Doglamlico

16

Original post by rybo_14

Hello,
I am going to apply for the Arts and Sciences course at UCL and was hoping someone currently studying the course could talk of their experiences so far. How is the Core side of the course? I thought it would make up less than 50% of the course but how have you found it so far? Do you have any advice that may help applying?
Thank you
Ryan

I was thinking of going for it, but the 50% core really put me off so I went for ESPS instead. The Core of Arts+Sciences... bleurgh

Reply 6

Original post by The Polymath

I was thinking of going for it, but the 50% core really put me off so I went for ESPS instead. The Core of Arts+Sciences... bleurgh

Fair enough. There are definitely some parts of the core course which people didn't enjoy (myself included). On the whole, however, I did actually find the core stuff quite interesting and have used things that I learnt in my other modules.

Reply 7

Doglamlico

16

Original post by Max J

Fair enough. There are definitely some parts of the core course which people didn't enjoy (myself included). On the whole, however, I did actually find the core stuff quite interesting and have used things that I learnt in my other modules.

Yeah, that seems about right. Some of it would be horrible, some would be quite interesting. The thing is though, loads of things are quite interesting. I want to do my subject though, which I find *really* interesting :redface:

Reply 8

Original post by Max J

Brush up on maths and all the science subjects you have studied so far such as Chemistry, Physics and Biology. You don't have to answer all of the questions in the test so you shouldn't have to answer questions in areas you don't have prior knowledge of.

I'm not sure how much value is put on the result, or even exactly how they judge the result, but I would imagine it counts for at least as much as your personal statement since it gives you an opportunity to actually demonstrate what you can do.

If you're an international student you might have a skype interview, if not then there is no interview.

Thanks Max.

A couple of other questions. How are you finding the language aspect of the course? Does it take quite a big part in your workload or is the primary focus on your pathways and core modules?

Another thing I'm curious about is about the social side. I've actually completed one and a half years of a joint honours degree in Maths and Economics before at a different university, but I withdrew last year as I wanted to apply for a course more in line with my interests. Long story short, Maths wasn't for me.

One thing I found with my course was that being a joint honours, my time ended up being split between so many different groups of people that It was hard really to get to know anyone on my course that well. i.e. I was spending half my time in lectures with Maths students and half the time with Economics students. Of course I did know the people who were doing my degree a bit better, but after first year when everyone has chosen different module selections, it becomes near impossible to have a sort of 'course life' if you know what I mean. Your day ends up revolving around your own timetable and what other people are doing becomes irrelevant.

Have you found this on the BASC so far? I'm wondering because this time you are obviously taking up to 4 unique modules which means potentially a more isolated study path, especially further down the line. How is the degree with keeping a sense of 'course' rather than just lots of people studying a bunch of different modules and then adding all the marks together at the end?

Reply 9

Torvus

6

Original post by nugiboy

Thanks Max.

A couple of other questions. How are you finding the language aspect of the course? Does it take quite a big part in your workload or is the primary focus on your pathways and core modules?

Another thing I'm curious about is about the social side. I've actually completed one and a half years of a joint honours degree in Maths and Economics before at a different university, but I withdrew last year as I wanted to apply for a course more in line with my interests. Long story short, Maths wasn't for me.

One thing I found with my course was that being a joint honours, my time ended up being split between so many different groups of people that It was hard really to get to know anyone on my course that well. i.e. I was spending half my time in lectures with Maths students and half the time with Economics students. Of course I did know the people who were doing my degree a bit better, but after first year when everyone has chosen different module selections, it becomes near impossible to have a sort of 'course life' if you know what I mean. Your day ends up revolving around your own timetable and what other people are doing becomes irrelevant.

Have you found this on the BASC so far? I'm wondering because this time you are obviously taking up to 4 unique modules which means potentially a more isolated study path, especially further down the line. How is the degree with keeping a sense of 'course' rather than just lots of people studying a bunch of different modules and then adding all the marks together at the end?

Will help answer that question.

One of the really good things about our degree is that we have a large, dedicated common room just for us. We us it for socialising and work, so you will get to know many of your people on your course that way. Plus our programme director brings in doughnuts on Thursday afternoons to talk with us.

Another thing is that since half of our modules are core ,and 3 of those 4 modules are the same for everyone, you will get to know people from your course during lectures and tutorials. Plus many of the pathway modules are just for BASc students such as Maths, Law and Engineering.

For languages they can get sidelined a bit, so it is up to you to stay focused on them. One thing for sure is that so many different courses make things harder, but that is a good thing I think :smile:

As for focus, you will have a tutor who guides you in your course choices to make sure you have a good degree at the end. Plus the variety of choices means you can study more of your interests, this can ironically make you more specialized than the conventional degrees but also have more breadth as well.

Reply 10

Original post by Torvus

Will help answer that question.

One of the really good things about our degree is that we have a large, dedicated common room just for us. We us it for socialising and work, so you will get to know many of your people on your course that way. Plus our programme director brings in doughnuts on Thursday afternoons to talk with us.

Another thing is that since half of our modules are core ,and 3 of those 4 modules are the same for everyone, you will get to know people from your course during lectures and tutorials. Plus many of the pathway modules are just for BASc students such as Maths, Law and Engineering.

For languages they can get sidelined a bit, so it is up to you to stay focused on them. One thing for sure is that so many different courses make things harder, but that is a good thing I think :smile:

As for focus, you will have a tutor who guides you in your course choices to make sure you have a good degree at the end. Plus the variety of choices means you can study more of your interests, this can ironically make you more specialized than the conventional degrees but also have more breadth as well.

Well that's just what I wanted to hear :biggrin:

I've heard good things about Mr Gombrich too. He has a lot of interesting articles on his blog and website about interdisciplinary learning which I'm definitely going to give a read before starting. It should be useful for my basc personal statement too.

One last thing. Did many students change their choice to have a year abroad or not after starting the course? I've chosen to do the 3 year course at the moment, but I would definitely consider changing my mind further down the line depending on what language I take and what universities are available.

Reply 11

dreamwood

Original post by Torvus

Will help answer that question.

One of the really good things about our degree is that we have a large, dedicated common room just for us. We us it for socialising and work, so you will get to know many of your people on your course that way. Plus our programme director brings in doughnuts on Thursday afternoons to talk with us.

Another thing is that since half of our modules are core ,and 3 of those 4 modules are the same for everyone, you will get to know people from your course during lectures and tutorials. Plus many of the pathway modules are just for BASc students such as Maths, Law and Engineering.

For languages they can get sidelined a bit, so it is up to you to stay focused on them. One thing for sure is that so many different courses make things harder, but that is a good thing I think :smile:

As for focus, you will have a tutor who guides you in your course choices to make sure you have a good degree at the end. Plus the variety of choices means you can study more of your interests, this can ironically make you more specialized than the conventional degrees but also have more breadth as well.

Hey Torvus, your answers have been really useful :smile:

thank you for being so detailed! Would just like to check with you - if I received an offer for Cultures and would like to switch it to Societies, do you think that will be an issue? I was under the wrong impression that Cultures & Societies were interchangeable and made a bad move :frown:

Thanks in advance!

Reply 12

Torvus

6

Nugiboy - I am on the year abroad option and I think it is an amazing opportunity to study in another country for a year. I know loads of people who have done it and loved it. You'll have until the 2nd year to switch to a year abroad.

dreamwood - You should give Cultures a go before you decide to switch but the first couple of weeks you can change your options. A few people have done it with one person switching from Cultures Major to Science & Engineering Major. Plus you can audit (attend the lessons but have it not count towards your degree) classes from other pathways if you have the time.

Reply 13

dreamwood

Original post by Torvus

Nugiboy - I am on the year abroad option and I think it is an amazing opportunity to study in another country for a year. I know loads of people who have done it and loved it. You'll have until the 2nd year to switch to a year abroad.

dreamwood - You should give Cultures a go before you decide to switch but the first couple of weeks you can change your options. A few people have done it with one person switching from Cultures Major to Science & Engineering Major. Plus you can audit (attend the lessons but have it not count towards your degree) classes from other pathways if you have the time.

thank you torvus! :smile:

(HOW COME YOURE SO KIND, ANSWERING QNS LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS) how are you enjoying your classes? do you have an inkling what you want to pursue after the basc?

Reply 14

Torvus

6

Hahaha oh thanks, I answer questions on the course because I really love it but I can understand how it is rather radically and therefore a bit confusing for the outsider.

The classes are great (well for me anyway), but the opinion isn't uniform as since many of the core modules are quite different from what you would get in a conventional top-class degree. Don't apply for this course if you want to study a normal degree, this degree wants to make you think differently and challenges you to be interdisciplinary. The teachers running the classes are all really passionate, this is one thing that has surprised me about this course in that all of the main core teachers are really enthusiastic and good lecturers. So to summarize great teachers, unconventional core classes which I believe are very good and valuable for the future, but may not appeal to everyone so research beforehand!

As for what I want to do in the future. I applied with interest in energy and science policy so want to explore that avenue. Also considering the Civil Service, Consultancy and anything diplomacy-related. This course gives you all the skills you will need to apply for a white-collar job, more so than any other degree out there. Some you may not believe me but think about it:

1. You do tons of group projects (I am already on my 2nd group project in the first year) so develops team skills.
2. Interdisciplinary across multiple fields which means you tick more boxes when it comes to skills and disciplines
3. Available from top-university
4. Compulsory language module
5. Quantitative and Research Methods courses which are vital in any industry (especially professional services)
6. Year abroad option, meaning you have studied and lived in a culture different to your own
7. Not tied down to one discipline. This may seem similar to interdisciplinary but being able to have skills across multiple disciplines is important and shows you are adaptable. No job now days focuses on one discipline, most people have to become interdisciplinary after their degree, BASc does it whilst your doing it.

Reply 15

indigoheart

3

I have an offer for major in Societies, minor in Health and Environment. I'm doing A level Chemistry but am absolutely terrible at maths. anyone any idea how hard the quantitative methods core module is?

Reply 16

Original post by indigoheart

I have an offer for major in Societies, minor in Health and Environment. I'm doing A level Chemistry but am absolutely terrible at maths. anyone any idea how hard the quantitative methods core module is?

I can't answer your question unfortunately but when did you get your offer and which open day did you go to? I'm still waiting but I only had the test just over a week ago but hopefully not too long now..

Congrats on the offer!

Reply 17