Cambridge Computer Science (CompSci) Students and Applicants

I may not be able to take A Level Further Maths at my school, but I can take A Level Maths and Physics and I will take them. Also, I have learned Python and started learning the C programming language. However, most colleges in the University of Cambridge recommend that Computer Science applicants take A Level Further Maths, but St Edmund's does not recommend Further Maths or state that it would be useful for the Computer Science course. Does that mean they care less about Further Maths than other colleges? Plus, I don't really care about which college I would apply to since going to the University of Cambridge would be the best thing ever, no matter which I college I go to.

You really need Further Maths, trust me, I was in this exact position last year but in the end decided to take up the Further Maths. Without it you really stand no chance.

You're right. You're both right. I will do A Level Further Maths and just do AS Level Maths. I will do A Level Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry and apply to do Natural Sciences at Cambridge. If I get accepted, then I will do Computer Science in the first year and think about whether I want to continue it or not.

Noooo. No point doing A2 FM but only AS Maths. I'm not even sure if that's possible... You definitely need A2 Maths.

Posted from TSR Mobile

I'll do A Level Maths, Physics and Chemistry with AS Level Further Maths. I'll do C1-4, M1-3 and FP1-2

Hi everyone
So I'm in Year 11 and doing maths, FM, 3 sciences AS (coping fine) and got 11A*s last year. I thought I was going to do medicine but due to a lot of factors decided not to in October, so I thought I'd do my favourite subject, maths - which I'm ok at, got gold medal + book prize in the UKMT's Intermediate Hamilton Olympiad last year and a 35 on BMO1 and 10/40 on BMO2. But CompSci look pretty maths-y and I'm not sure about career prospects with maths (mathmos help me out?) but CompSci looks very good.

Unfortunately I last programmed seriously a couple of years ago (in C++) though I remember being really interested and enjoying it a lot; I have started again very recently. Basically, I would apply for CompSci but am worried that my apparent lack of programming/ computing experience and achievements would make me look bad at interview and communicate lack of passion. Does anyone think I have a chance? Do they really mean it when they say that they look for maths ability not computing experience? What do succesful Cam CompScis generally do to show their interest?

eg for maths I could mention all the maths challenges, a summer course I did and some reading. Obviously I'm down to read a few compsci books, but will this be enough given a lack of any 'concrete' achievement eg in CompSci competitions (though I have entered the Corpus essay and am doing a CompSci EPQ). Also I've never had the opportunity to study computing/ similar so idk if the course is right for me. Comments? Advice?
(No qualms about STEP; I am doing STEP I this summer and enjoy prepping for it)

Will be applying for Computer Science in a couple months.

Just can't decide whether or not to go fro Computer Science w/ Maths or just do the regular Computer Science w/ Natural sciences.

Do which one you feel you are more passionate about. At the end of the day, that's what matters more to the admissions officers.

Maths 100%, but my results - I hugely overachieved my expectations in Physics, and I underachieved my expectations in Further Maths... I'm basically better at Physics than I thought and not as good at Maths as I thought, so doing 0 physics at Uni sounds silly to me.

What were your grades and UMSs?

Hi guys-

I've just started Year 12 and I'm doing HL Maths (love it), Physics (really like it usually but we haven't done enough yet of IB HL to know properly if I really like it yet, think I will), History (love it) and Chemistry (sort of like it). I've learnt Java, HTML and CSS and I'm learning Python- I'm going to do my maths coursework and EE as coding projects (I've checked with my teachers that I can) because I would love to study CompSci at uni, it's perfect for me. But it doesn't change the fact that I'm going to have to drop either Chemistry or History to SL at some point. I know it would be better to pick Chemistry but I really love History- how much would Chemistry be worth on my application? Is it worth keeping at Higher even if I'm not as keen on it as I'd like to? What should I do?

Thanks very much.

Rx

Our son got into CompSci starting this year with an offer of 40 with 776 at HL with no particular subjects specified to be 7. His HL subjects were Maths, Physics and Design (777). One thing you should keep in mind is whether Chemistry or History is more likely to give you a 6 or 7 as your third subject at higher level.
At his interview he was only asked questions about maths and physics, and his other subjects were't even mentioned.
Good luck with your IB year!

Hi guys Im in year 12 and I do Maths, Further Maths, Comp Science and Physics AS Level.

Sorry if this has already been asked before but when Cambridge calculate your average UMS by looking at your 3 most relevant AS levels, in the case for Computer Science, with the A levels that Im doing which 3 would they look at?

Im guessing Maths and Further Maths but then would the 3rd be Computer Science or Physics?

Thanks