Should I change?

Hi,

So i've basically completed my ucas application and it is now sent to the unis that I have chosen. One of them being Uni of Huddersfield.

I'm looking to study Computer Science. However, you need to have a gcse grade 5 to study Computer Science at Uni of Huddersfield.

I contacted the uni and they said it would be best to apply for computing since it is the same as computer science first year and if i get over 50% on the computer science and math module then I would be able to transfer.

I looked at WhichUni for Computer Science at Uni of Huddersfield and saw that 100% applications received offers. So I'm wondering is it worth changing my choice from computing to computer science on ucas track even if I have a gcse maths grade 4? Or is it not worth the risk?

I was wondering if you had extenuating circumstances for getting a 4 in Maths at GCSE? Computer Science contains quite a lot of Mathematics within it, especially at universities, though I don't know if this is the case at Huddersfield particularly. Are you taking A-Level Maths? If so, how are you doing at that? If your maths isn't that good then applying to a Computer Science course may not be such a good idea.

nah, I'm not doing a level maths. Doing Btec computing (equivalent to 3 a levels) Honestly I think it just came down to nerves and not really spending as much time in revising for maths.

I mean I would say I did good in my maths tests - most of the time getting a 5 or 6 - this was in mocks/practice tests.

But I've always enjoyed maths and never really hated it

Ah okay, the BTEC path explains this all a lot more then (because if you had been taking A-Levels then it would expected for you to be doing maths and thus your GCSE grade would be irrelevant). I think you've still got a chance - ultimately if the number of people who apply to the course is less than the number of spaces available, they will very likely take you, especially if you've got good predictive grade for your BTEC. If you have interest in Maths, then that would help.

From doing a quick overview of the BTEC Computing course, I'd say that you are learning the right kinds of things to be alright to start doing Computer Science at university. Doing an entire BTEC in it suggests that you have dedication to the subject, which shows you in a favourable light.

I mean I assume if I was to get rejected for computer science, I could possibly contact the university and ask if they would possibly put me onto a computing course?

I've still got other uni choices and it's not like uni of Huddersfield is my main I would say but I would prefer it as a backup as it's quite close to me and I wouldn't have to move out

You could contact them ask yes, and if they didn't offer you now and it turned out on results day that you didn't get into other universities, then I expect both courses will be in Clearing (I'm not very familiar within the universities further north, so excuse me for my ignorance).

Nah, don't worry about it. it's totally fine. Thanks for responding and providing info, I appreciate it!

Do you happen to be studying computer Science? if so what uni do u go to?

@DoNotMove Oh right, cool. Well good luck on your a level exams. Hopefully you get the grades for bristol

From looking at the differences between their Computing and CompSci degrees it looks like Computing is just a more generalised and flexible version of the Computer Science degree which replaces a couple of mandatory core maths modules with the ability to choose more optional modules instead. Otherwise, they look like exactly the same course.

https://courses.hud.ac.uk/full-time/undergraduate/computing-bsc-hons
https://courses.hud.ac.uk/full-time/undergraduate/computer-science-bsc-hons

The degree title you end up doesn't matter so don't worry about that - the important thing is being able to study the modules that you want to choose, and that by the end of those 3 years you've been able to pick up the skills and experience that you went there for. (You get the the 12-month industrial placement option on both as well, which is by far the best way to boost to your graduate employability)

If they've suggested you apply for Computing to make it easier to meet the entry requirements then I see no reason not to go with that. It's fairly normal for the first year of Computing-related degrees at a university to be identical across all the specialisations, allowing for people to switch going into the second. They've already let you know that you'd be able to switch if you pass the Year 1 maths module with 50%, so there doesn't seem to be any reason not to apply for the generic Computing degree - a bit more flexibility over your module choices going into Year-2 is nice to have

hi,

thanks for the response!

I got a conditional offer for Computing - However I've contacted them to see it there's any possibility to be given an offer for grade 4 maths on the Computer Science course.

I also got an offer from UEA which is for Computer Science with foundation year - I knew I most likely wouldn't get accepted but it was one of my last choices and thought might as well just try.

Anyways, I'm planning on changing that choice to a different university - However, I'm finding it pretty difficult to choose a university with a grade 4 maths. I do have a grade 5 physics - Reading University said there's a possibility they will accept me but I don't know how I feel about the uni.

I'm just finding it difficult to choose a uni to change to. - Any suggestions on any unis which have a good computer science degree? - Even if they have a grade 5, I might possibly just give it a go and apply