dropping a subject

I want to pursue Artificial Intelligence in uni and currently take Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Comp Science. I got AABB for my AS results (2 A for bio and chem and 2B for maths and comp science). I want to drop one subject but was unsure whether to drop comp science or bio as bio was my highest grade but comp science is a good foundation to have for my bachelors.

I understand that comp science is relevant to AI but it isn’t a required subject but is preferred, and so i thought that by choosing to keep biology, i can hopefully achieve better grades to get into top unis. I’m also going to resit my maths AS exam, so if I keep bio, my AS results can then change to AAA. Biology is seen as a useful subject as well and I hope to specialise AI in medicine, and was worried that if I resat comp science AS too, I will be at a disadvantage for unis like Imperial who don't prefer resits.

I spoke to my school counsellor, and she suggested me to take drop CS but to continue to go to the classes but not take the actual exam. I'm worried as well if I drop CS, during the interview, the uni will question as to why I dropped CS when it's relevant to my degree.

What do you think is the best option?

Reply 1

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Are you taking international A levels or studying in Wales where your AS results are formal qualifications?

Reply 2

JustAMidlander

3

I'm pretty sure comp sci isn't a necessary requirement for comp sci or AI degrees, it's only maths from what I've seen so you might be able to drop it! Check the courses at a bunch of unis on UCAS to see the mandatory requirements

Reply 3

jjjjjulia

OP

1

Original post by PQ

Are you taking international A levels or studying in Wales where your AS results are formal qualifications?

I'm currently taking international CIE A levels

Reply 4

jjjjjulia

OP

1

Original post by JustAMidlander

I'm pretty sure comp sci isn't a necessary requirement for comp sci or AI degrees, it's only maths from what I've seen so you might be able to drop it! Check the courses at a bunch of unis on UCAS to see the mandatory requirements

Yeah I checked all the entry requirements for my courses and all of them have stated maths as the only requirement, so my main priority is maths. Though I'm just worried that during interviews, they might ask why I dropped computer science and so I am currently planning to do extra curricular projects like coding an app to still show my passion towards computer science. Do you think this would be a good idea to make it up for dropping CS?

Reply 5

JustAMidlander

3

Original post by jjjjjulia

Yeah I checked all the entry requirements for my courses and all of them have stated maths as the only requirement, so my main priority is maths. Though I'm just worried that during interviews, they might ask why I dropped computer science and so I am currently planning to do extra curricular projects like coding an app to still show my passion towards computer science. Do you think this would be a good idea to make it up for dropping CS?

yeah I'd say side projects are very helpful. also just programming in general helps I suppose, you can find a lot of datasets and project ideas online!

Reply 6

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by jjjjjulia

I'm currently taking international CIE A levels

then you going to have to declare that you took Comp Sci AS and then dropped it for A level - I think that's going to be very hard to justify if you're applying for AI degrees.

If Biology is your best grade then why not drop chemistry instead?

Reply 7

jjjjjulia

OP

1

Original post by PQ

then you going to have to declare that you took Comp Sci AS and then dropped it for A level - I think that's going to be very hard to justify if you're applying for AI degrees.

If Biology is your best grade then why not drop chemistry instead?

I got an A for chemistry so if I dropped chemistry, I would have ABB supposed to AAB. I'm resitting maths AS already and have researched that top unis don't prefer students who resit too many modules thus I'm not sure I want to risk resitting CS as well. Do you think if I did extra curriculars like coding projects, it would help make up for dropping CS? I will also be taking the STEP admissions test, to prove that I have further maths knowledge which is also preferred for AI degrees.

Reply 8

PQ

Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by jjjjjulia

I got an A for chemistry so if I dropped chemistry, I would have ABB supposed to AAB. I'm resitting maths AS already and have researched that top unis don't prefer students who resit too many modules thus I'm not sure I want to risk resitting CS as well. Do you think if I did extra curriculars like coding projects, it would help make up for dropping CS? I will also be taking the STEP admissions test, to prove that I have further maths knowledge which is also preferred for AI degrees.

You've got AABB at As level - all 4 of those grades will be on your application. What your referee chooses to put as your predicted grades is completely independent of those.

You don't have to declare modules in your UCAS application. You can resit AS modules to boost your A level grade and your universities won't know or care. It's resits that take an extra year that some universities have concerns about.

I think if you're wanting to drop CS A level then AI probably isn't the right choice of degree subject for you.

(edited 7 months ago)

dropping a subject

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