My A-level options

Hello all,

I am a GCSE student in year 11 and it has come to that time where I make options for my A levels. So far I think I will be doing. Maths, Physics, History and Economics. However, I am thinking of taking computing in place of History because it is an old hobby of mine which I want to take to the next level. Any opinions and thoughts will be appreciated.

Reply 1

LewisClothier

Maths is awesome, definitely stick with it if you are interested in learning more, computing will come in handy by the time technology has advanced and you are searching for a job, however i don't know anything about it because they didn't provide it where I do my A levels :frown:

Reply 2

iamhasana

Original post by LewisClothier

Thanks for your input, much appreciated :smile:

Reply 3

carpe.noctem

Original post by iamhasana

Do you know what you want to do in the future (degree) ?

Reply 4

iamhasana

Original post by nihil_nimis

Do you know what you want to do in the future (degree) ?

Hi, Nihil

Not really, I am one of those students have the doors open to me but don't know which one to choose. I have always loved computer science and have taugh myself Java and PHP from a young age, so i guess that is an area I am leaning towards. I have looked at universities and many computing degrees do not require computer science A level. So that is why i was considering History to help get away from all that maths and equations.

Reply 5

username2298253

Maths, Physics, Computing and Economics is what I took for AS :smile:

I applied and have offers for Computer Science at university

I would drop physics unless you want to do something related to engineering

Economics is a joke too

Reply 6

username2165807

Original post by Skeptyle

Maths, Physics, Computing and Economics is what I took for AS :smile:

I applied and have offers for Computer Science at university

I would drop physics unless you want to do something related to engineering

Economics is a joke too

I disagree, Physics, Computing and Maths are real complementary (Economics terminology, not such a joke :wink:

) choices here.

Further Maths might be something you want to look into if you want to go into anything related to maths/physics/computing (actuarial science, engineering, compsci, etc.) - and even if you want to go into something related to economics still.

Reply 7

iamhasana

Original post by CloakedSpartan

I disagree, Physics, Computing and Maths are real complementary (Economics terminology, not such a joke :wink:

reffering to further maths, everywhere I go I hear that you have to be really passionate about maths to take that subject. However, eventhough i enjoy maths as a subject i don't think I am passionate enough to attempt the further maths course. I think the main question in my mind at this momment in time, is whether I do history or computer science. Thanks for your advice though.

Reply 8

iamhasana

Original post by Skeptyle

Maths, Physics, Computing and Economics is what I took for AS :smile:

I applied and have offers for Computer Science at university

I would drop physics unless you want to do something related to engineering

Economics is a joke too

I am guessing you are in year 13 at the momment. So taking that into regard, don't most universities require one science as a requirement for computing courses at university?

Reply 9

username2165807

Depends what you want to go into.

Leaning towards science, take computer science.

Leaning towards the arts, take history.

Reply 10

username2165807

Original post by iamhasana

I am guessing you are in year 13 at the momment. So taking that into regard, don't most universities require one science as a requirement for computing courses at university?

Not really. Quite a few of them recommend at least a science, but quite often computer science will count as one.

Reply 11

iamhasana

Original post by CloakedSpartan

Not really. Quite a few of them recommend at least a science, but quite often computer science will count as one.

hmmm interesting

Reply 12

kendo9

Original post by iamhasana

I'm also in year 11. I'd say to pick further maths, you just need to be good at maths, enjoy it, and be prepared to work, not so much "passionate" about it. I am choosing Maths Further Maths Physics and Chemistry or Computer or Economics (too many or's). From what I've heard maths and physics are really highly regarded, and further maths is great A level to have if you want to do CompSci, Physics (what I wanna do) maths, economics, engineering or any other stem subject. I'd say give further maths a try if you feel you can, definitely keep physics, and do Compsci instead of history. But really consider further maths. :smile:

Reply 13

carpe.noctem

Original post by iamhasana

The thing to remember is that even if a university does not specifically say that you require computing, you must still be able to demonstrate your passion for that subject so if you don't do computing you must find other ways to show you have made achievements and attended work shops and have done other numerous things ( eg. work experience) in the computer science field, however by doing computing your making it less hard on yourself and allowing yourself to do a subject you enjoy and show universities you have a genuine interest in it. Also, if you are good at and enjoy computing I don't see a reason not to do it, A-levels are really difficult and it makes it less so if your doing subjects you enjoy. History has a very high workload and is said to be a very difficult subject and at the end of the day no university will care if your doing history when you apply to do a computer science degree, you could perhaps link the skills you get from doing history to computer science but again that's just making it harder on yourself. Economics is mainly essay based at A-level so that would already give you a break from the equations and science, it also opens up the possibility of doing an economics degree as you are also doing maths. However with history the only real degree it opens up for you is a history degree but is also useful to have when applying for essay based degrees, ultimately its your decision but if you enjoy history more than computing, do history and vice versa.

sorry for the long reply, hope that helped

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 14

carliecarliecarl

Original post by iamhasana

Hi Hasana! You need to ensure that what you pick is something that you would enjoy in the long term. It must also relate to the career that you like . What career do you want to have in the future ?

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Reply 15

username2298253

Original post by iamhasana

I am guessing you are in year 13 at the momment. So taking that into regard, don't most universities require one science as a requirement for computing courses at university?

Yes they do, maths and computing both count.

I currently do Maths, Physics and Computing A2

Most just require maths though (e.g. warwick)

Reply 16

iamhasana

Original post by carliecarliecarl

Hi Carlie,

Like I have mentioned before I don't really have a career in mind, however, the thing I like doing the most is programming. I guess that is where I should focus my subjects towards right?

Reply 17

carliecarliecarl

Original post by iamhasana

Hi Carlie,

Like I have mentioned before I don't really have a career in mind, however, the thing I like doing the most is programming. I guess that is where I should focus my subjects towards right?

Yeah you must ensure that what you pick is something you would enjoy ! Since you enjoy programming , I think you should do that

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Reply 18

iamhasana

Original post by carliecarliecarl

Yeah you must ensure that what you pick is something you would enjoy ! Since you enjoy programming , I think you should do that

Posted from TSR Mobile

Thanks Carlie for your help

Reply 19

Babs Posh

When choosing your a levels you need to bear make sure you're picking subjects that you enjoy but also will help you in the long term and that they're something you're wanting to make a career out of.

If you're unsure what to do in the future, it may be a good idea to choose subjects that aren't too specialised and shut future career paths. Maths and history are good, academic subjects that look good and are quite general, however computer science may not be relevant if it's something you don't want to pursue.