A-Level choices for Computer Science

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(edited 6 years ago)

Congratulations on a great set of results.

Imperial lists both physics and economics as 'very useful A-Levels'. It seems likely that they are therefore considered equal in the application process.

As for Cambridge, their website states that some colleges require three maths/science subjects - which I doubt includes economics. For Computer Science with Mathematics some colleges require physics.

In summary: you can get into both without doing physics. If you have your eyes on a specific college in Cambridge it may be necessary.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 2

JackP_

Original post by Hydrogen-7

Thanks for your response.

Do you know how I can find out exactly which colleges require 3 sciences and which do not?

Reply 3

Hydrogen-7

Original post by JackP_

Thanks for your response.

Do you know how I can find out exactly which colleges require 3 sciences and which do not?

Unfortunately not. I haven't looked into Cambridge much, especially now that I have a B in Further Maths on my record haha

Reply 4

username1865079

Original post by JackP_

Thanks for your response.

Do you know how I can find out exactly which colleges require 3 sciences and which do not?

Each college has details about their entry requirement for each course on their website.
If you're lucky there can be a list of the university's undergraduate admission page for such things, also on the department's.

Actually, you can get all necessary (and correct) information on those official sites. That's they're there for.
Read them thoroughly, and if you Have more questions, you can come back here and ask it. :smile:

Reply 5

JackP_

Still pondering this, would be great if anyone who is currently studying Computer Science at University could give me some insight, thanks.

Reply 6

Student1191

Original post by JackP_

Hello, today I received my GCSE results (9A*s and 2As) which I am very happy with.

However, I am not too sure if my A-Level choices are optimal for taking Computer Science at either Cambridge or Imperial College London.

My current choices are Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science, Economics.

Would it be best to switch Economics to Physics? Or does it not really matter? I think I would enjoy Economics more, but if Physics would help me get in then I may do that instead.

Thanks!

Physics could be more beneficial

Reply 7

JackP_

Original post by Reece.W.J

Physics could be more beneficial

Do you think they would accept one applicant over another purely because they studied Physics, while the other did not?

Also, I understand that Physics is loosely related to Computer Science, but why is it really so beneficial if I'm already doing double maths?

Reply 8

Student1191

Original post by JackP_

I don't think they would choose someone with physics over economics it's just physics is harder and you're aiming for a prestigious uni

Reply 9

username2424985

Original post by JackP_

I think on the one hand Physics might give you a more "scientific" approach, and on the other Econ might train your formal essay writing skills. I did Maths+FM, History and Physics in Year 12, disliked Physics, will most likely drop it as I have my AS and don't need 4 A2s, and an Oxford admissions tutor said dropping it would not impact my ability to make a competitive application. The core of Maths+FM is even more important than CompSci, and I'd say picking Econ, especially since you're more comfortable with it, would round off your application nicely. I really don't believe Physics is all too beneficial, though I would recommend emailing some admissions tutors from unis this week to find out (I emailed university staff from 3 or 4 institutions and they replied to me within 2 days).

Reply 10

Tryfan99

Original post by JackP_

About to start at cambridge for compsci and I did Maths,FM,Compsci and Physics. I would say that physics is definitely seen as better than economics for a compsci course, but Maths+FM are the main two.

In terms of how useful the subjects are I would rank them
Maths > FM > Compsci > Economics
vs
Maths > FM > Physics > Compsci

(They don't seem to really value a compsci A level)

But yeah my advice would be to take physics over economics

Reply 11

sweeneyrod

Original post by JackP_

I don't think it matters much. Maths and Further Maths are the key subjects. If you've got them and either Physics or Computer Science, I don't think they will care what the fourth subject is (and Economics is fairly relevant anyway).