I've decided to make a career change and wish to do an MSc in Computer Science (conversion) at UCL or Imperial - I meet the 2:1 requirement, but in music, and with no subsid modules in computer science or maths. In that case, UCL ask for at least A' level Maths and A' level Computer Science.
I have a C at A' level Maths (18 year old me played WoW until 3am the night before most of my exams), but no Computer Science Qualification. Long story short, I am looking at earliest 2018/19 entry (moving to London this year, and want to wait for the dust to settle before handing in my notice (1 year) to work), so would self-study Computer Science and Further Maths A' level be a good way to boost my application at this stage? I am keen to have something to get my teeth into because of the delay before I can start the career change process, but I also don't want to waste my time if there is a better way forward.
The CIE exam in Computer Science is exam only, which avoids the hassle getting coursework certified, and there are two decision maths modules in the AQA Further Maths syllabus (also coursework-free) which I'm assuming would be quite relevant.
Also, I can get work to pay for most of the cost of these qualifications; another option I had thought about was the first year of an OU course in computing and maths, but it's just prohibitively expensive.
I want to be able to make my application as strong as possible as references may be an issue; the tutor for my undergraduate music degree is a specialist in French Grand Opera (i.e. knows nothing of my ability to code/do maths) and has probably forgotten who I am, also my current employer will only really be able to comment on how well I play the clarinet, alongside the more general transferable skills...
What do you all think?