computer science without maths

So I want to do computer science ( rn i've just finished AS ) but I have no history of ICT from GCSE onwards and no maths A levels but I DO have a B in maths mathematics and an A in maths numeracy. Computer science courses need an A in A level maths or higher but obviously i dont have this so.. a couple questions...
1. do u know any unis that dont stress maths that much?
2. what can i do to make up for the lack of maths
3. do u know of any1 that got into computer science without maths?

*for question 2 i could put that i sell on ebay for my free time in my personal statement and i will make my own app

Reply 1

Blue_Cow

Original post by J.George

1) All of the 'new' universities/ex-polytechnics, as a rule of thumb.

2) You don't have to

3) No one personally

* Selling on eBay during your free time is not relevant to why you want to study computer science. Leave it out.

One more thing - why do you want to study computer science if you've not taken mathematics to A-level? CS *is* maths heavy in its purest form.

Reply 2

A*A*D*A*

Original post by Blue_Cow

I'll try to answer honestly here lol..

so i wanted to medicine but in the back of my mind i was like nah this isn't right for me, but then i thought of computer science and i was like this is ideal..because I would love to work in an office environment + i'd love to work with computers..although i hate maths. i can't really think of another course that 1. is computer related +office environent 2. good wage 3. doesn't need as much maths.

*also i've gotten rid of the ebay thing

Reply 3

Blue_Cow

Original post by J.George

What do you mean by "working with computers"? CS degrees aren't as practical/hands-on as most people think they are.

Hating maths and wanting to study computer science... that's going to be tough to an extent.

Also, a CS degree =/= good wage. A lot of CS grads are unemployed because they lack practical skills. You're going to need to do a lot more than just get a degree to get a good wage.

Reply 4

A*A*D*A*

Original post by Blue_Cow

I don't know, we'll see as AS results are in 3 days.. thanks for your honest and to the point answers though

Reply 5

winterscoming

Have a look at this thread from the CompSci forum about some of the higher-ranked universities which don't require Maths:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5007920

Realistically speaking, it's the universities around the "top 20" which place a high emphasis on maths and put hard requirements on A-Level maths. (With Oxbridge/Imperial having a preference for Further Maths). At those universities, you'd find a lot of modules which emphasise the academic study of computer science, with a strong emphasis on analytical skills, problem solving, critical thinking, logic, reasoning, computation theory, statistical analysis, probability, etc. (Also leading into some more cutting-edge and research-based fields like AI, Machine Learning and Data Science).

And as @Blue_Cow mentions, nearly all of the newer universities tend to offer vocational courses with a greater emphasis on the skills used in professional IT jobs with more coursework/practical assessments. Those often have content wihch is different in focus to the top universities - mostly that they avoid going into any real depth around the academic stuff, but a Grade B in GCSE Maths tends to be enough. Modules at those would focus on topics that are applicable to mainstream Computing/Tech jobs like programming, software design, databases, networking, security, O/S skills, web development, UI/UX skills, systems analysis, software project management, etc.

You'll also find specialised degrees which relate to specific career paths too - e.g. Software Engineering, Networking, Cybersecurity, Forensics or Computer Systems Engineering (hardware/embedded programming); those kinds of jobs aren't really mathematical anyway, so a vocational degree is fine (especially if the degree includes a 12-month industrial placement "sandwich year"), although a degree like that is really more like a 3-year vocational training course than something designed to challenge students academically, but they tend to teach skills with good employability prospects.

Another possible route could be a degree-apprenticeship, which leads to a degree qualification by splitting your time between 4 days/week employment in a relevant job/role, and then one day/week studying towards the degree. These can be a very effective route if you are committed to a particular career path, although you would be required to specialise in that role from the outset, without being able to switch later on. Also, these can be competitive to get into due to the high demand for apprenticeship placements
e.g. https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/digital-and-technology-solutions-professional-integrated-degree/

Reply 6

Tex01Willer

1. do u know any unis that don't stress maths that much?
KCL, QMUL, Lancaster, Nott, Newcastle, RHUL, etc

2. what can i do to make up for the lack of maths
GCSE maths at A or B is fine

3. do u know of any1 that got into computer science without maths?

I got into MSci in CS with AI @RHUL with BTEC IT grade DDD and GCSE maths A