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"University is easier than A Levels!"
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2384911
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#1
Hi all,
Have you heard this? I've heard people say this. Surprisingly, I heard it from teachers too..
Now, I can only speak on behalf of BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science - and all I can say is, that is a load of absolute tosh.
I don't know about other courses (please comment!) but the science now is significantly harder than it was in A Level Biology and Chemistry. I don't understand how anyone can say that University is easier than A Levels.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Have you heard this? I've heard people say this. Surprisingly, I heard it from teachers too..
Now, I can only speak on behalf of BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science - and all I can say is, that is a load of absolute tosh.
I don't know about other courses (please comment!) but the science now is significantly harder than it was in A Level Biology and Chemistry. I don't understand how anyone can say that University is easier than A Levels.
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CTLeafez
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#2
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#2
I also do a bioscience degree. Currently in 1st year Genetics 
I believe people say University is easier than A-Level for two reasons:
1. They have a better work ethic (hopefully). You are paying a significant amount of money to be there and there's a lot more support in the form of lecturers being experts in their field and libraries full with books on the topic.
2. 70% at Uni is a 1st (highest grade) while 70% at A-Level is around a B grade. So those who score mildly are now achieving top tier grades, thus giving the impression of uni being easier.
I believe people say University is easier than A-Level for two reasons: 1. They have a better work ethic (hopefully). You are paying a significant amount of money to be there and there's a lot more support in the form of lecturers being experts in their field and libraries full with books on the topic.
2. 70% at Uni is a 1st (highest grade) while 70% at A-Level is around a B grade. So those who score mildly are now achieving top tier grades, thus giving the impression of uni being easier.
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#3
(Original post by CTLevers)
70% at Uni is a 1st (highest grade) while 70% at Level is around a B grade.
70% at Uni is a 1st (highest grade) while 70% at Level is around a B grade.
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KaylaB
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#4
Yup, I can confirm the same from my experience. I'm doing Chemistry BSc, but it also depends on the modules.
Like year some modules like the maths ones are just for catching everyone up to the same level, so for example to me it's easy. The change in terms of the course difficulty started on gradually but now is just leaps.
Like year some modules like the maths ones are just for catching everyone up to the same level, so for example to me it's easy. The change in terms of the course difficulty started on gradually but now is just leaps.
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tomtjl
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#6
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#6
The first year of a biomed degree isn't significantly harder than A-levels, as the first year is usually used to bring everybody to the same level of knowledge in the field. Due to this, there is a fair amount of overlap with A-levels, though most of it is new information. There's also the fact that most first year exams are MCQ/SAQ, which are complete **** in all honesty.
Once you get to second year and everything is essay based, you'll realise that 70% is actually a lot damn harder than it sounds.
Source: Currently doing a Master's in Neuroscience.
Once you get to second year and everything is essay based, you'll realise that 70% is actually a lot damn harder than it sounds.
Source: Currently doing a Master's in Neuroscience.
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CTLeafez
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#7
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#7
(Original post by AshEntropy)
Ohhhh yes that's true! I forgot all about that actually, mhm... I wonder if these lower grade boundaries outweigh the increase in difficulty of scientific concepts. I think you're right actually
Ohhhh yes that's true! I forgot all about that actually, mhm... I wonder if these lower grade boundaries outweigh the increase in difficulty of scientific concepts. I think you're right actually
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CTLeafez
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#8
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#8
(Original post by AshEntropy)
Also, that's extremely interesting! Genetics is my absolute favourite section of Biology, even though it seems like the hardest - what are you planning on doing afterwards? Hoping to become a Genetic Engineer?
Also, that's extremely interesting! Genetics is my absolute favourite section of Biology, even though it seems like the hardest - what are you planning on doing afterwards? Hoping to become a Genetic Engineer?
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username1221160
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#9
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#9
(Original post by AshEntropy)
Hi all,
Have you heard this? I've heard people say this. Surprisingly, I heard it from teachers too..
Now, I can only speak on behalf of BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science - and all I can say is, that is a load of absolute tosh.
I don't know about other courses (please comment!) but the science now is significantly harder than it was in A Level Biology and Chemistry. I don't understand how anyone can say that University is easier than A Levels.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Hi all,
Have you heard this? I've heard people say this. Surprisingly, I heard it from teachers too..
Now, I can only speak on behalf of BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science - and all I can say is, that is a load of absolute tosh.
I don't know about other courses (please comment!) but the science now is significantly harder than it was in A Level Biology and Chemistry. I don't understand how anyone can say that University is easier than A Levels.
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#10
(Original post by tomtjl)
The first year of a biomed degree isn't significantly harder than A-levels, as the first year is usually used to bring everybody to the same level of knowledge in the field. Due to this, there is a fair amount of overlap with A-levels, though most of it is new information. There's also the fact that most first year exams are MCQ/SAQ, which are complete **** in all honesty.
Once you get to second year and everything is essay based, you'll realise that 70% is actually a lot damn harder than it sounds.
Source: Currently doing a Master's in Neuroscience.
The first year of a biomed degree isn't significantly harder than A-levels, as the first year is usually used to bring everybody to the same level of knowledge in the field. Due to this, there is a fair amount of overlap with A-levels, though most of it is new information. There's also the fact that most first year exams are MCQ/SAQ, which are complete **** in all honesty.
Once you get to second year and everything is essay based, you'll realise that 70% is actually a lot damn harder than it sounds.
Source: Currently doing a Master's in Neuroscience.
(Original post by KaylaB)
Yup, I can confirm the same from my experience. I'm doing Chemistry BSc, but it also depends on the modules.
Like year some modules like the maths ones are just for catching everyone up to the same level, so for example to me it's easy. The change in terms of the course difficulty started on gradually but now is just leaps.
Yup, I can confirm the same from my experience. I'm doing Chemistry BSc, but it also depends on the modules.
Like year some modules like the maths ones are just for catching everyone up to the same level, so for example to me it's easy. The change in terms of the course difficulty started on gradually but now is just leaps.
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CTLeafez
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#11
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#11
(Original post by Quantex)
Lets take a moment to consider the suffering done by those at postgraduate level....
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Lets take a moment to consider the suffering done by those at postgraduate level....
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#12
(Original post by CTLevers)
I'm leaning more towards becoming a Genomic Counsellor (previously known as a Genetic Counsellor), specifically pre-natal. I love genetics, I enjoy educating others in genetics e.g. punnett squares and then putting that into a medical/helping context is the perfect role for me.
I'm leaning more towards becoming a Genomic Counsellor (previously known as a Genetic Counsellor), specifically pre-natal. I love genetics, I enjoy educating others in genetics e.g. punnett squares and then putting that into a medical/helping context is the perfect role for me.
I wonder why.. a bit like how Computing got changed to Computer Science? I'm sure you'll love being a Genomic Counsellor 
(Original post by Quantex)
Lets take a moment to consider the suffering done by those at postgraduate level....
Lets take a moment to consider the suffering done by those at postgraduate level....
My.
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CTLeafez
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#13
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#13
(Original post by AshEntropy)
For us, we do MCQ, Lab Reports, Practicals & Essays to contribute to our overall module grades. .
For us, we do MCQ, Lab Reports, Practicals & Essays to contribute to our overall module grades. .
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#14
(Original post by CTLevers)
I'm not even going to ask what all that means...
I'm not even going to ask what all that means...
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#15
(Original post by CTLevers)
I'm not even going to ask what all that means...
I'm not even going to ask what all that means...
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#16
(Original post by CTLevers)
A-level Biology on AQA was SQA and essay questions, no MQC unfortunately...XD
A-level Biology on AQA was SQA and essay questions, no MQC unfortunately...XD
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tomtjl
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#17
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#17
(Original post by CTLevers)
I'm leaning more towards becoming a Genomic Counsellor (previously known as a Genetic Counsellor), specifically pre-natal. I love genetics, I enjoy educating others in genetics e.g. punnett squares and then putting that into a medical/helping context is the perfect role for me.
I'm leaning more towards becoming a Genomic Counsellor (previously known as a Genetic Counsellor), specifically pre-natal. I love genetics, I enjoy educating others in genetics e.g. punnett squares and then putting that into a medical/helping context is the perfect role for me.
. Genetics is a really useful tool but is bloody boring to learn about imo.
(Original post by AshEntropy)
The major issue a lot of people on my course have been having, including myself, is the fact in A Level Biology there was very very little anatomy - literally, no studying about the brain whatsoever - but now there's a lot of anatomy to learn from scratch. Yeah there's overlap with A Level Biology in topics like Aerobic Respiration, etc, but there's also a lot of completely new stuff. For us, we do MCQ, Lab Reports, Practicals & Essays to contribute to our overall module grades. Also, I'd love to study MSc Neuroscience
The major issue a lot of people on my course have been having, including myself, is the fact in A Level Biology there was very very little anatomy - literally, no studying about the brain whatsoever - but now there's a lot of anatomy to learn from scratch. Yeah there's overlap with A Level Biology in topics like Aerobic Respiration, etc, but there's also a lot of completely new stuff. For us, we do MCQ, Lab Reports, Practicals & Essays to contribute to our overall module grades. Also, I'd love to study MSc Neuroscience
And trust me, you won't want to be studying MSc anything once you get to this point :P.
My advice to both of you would be to keep an open mind about your future endeavors. CT stated he wanted to be a genomic counsellor, but most people end up leaving the sciences after their degree, so keep an open mind about that. It's very easy to get sick of science and these degrees are some of the hardest around.
Also consider doing an MSci (which is what I'm doing) if you want to get a Master's. It's much, much, much, much better than doing an MSc. Trust me.
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#18
(Original post by Quantex)
Schematic of metabolic pathways.
Schematic of metabolic pathways.
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CTLeafez
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#19
(Original post by Quantex)
Schematic of metabolic pathways. You will have a working knowledge of it by the time you finish your degree. Then you'll look back and wonder why people find A level so hard.
Schematic of metabolic pathways. You will have a working knowledge of it by the time you finish your degree. Then you'll look back and wonder why people find A level so hard.
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#20
(Original post by tomtjl)
Also consider doing an MSci (which is what I'm doing) if you want to get a Master's. It's much, much, much, much better than doing an MSc. Trust me.
Also consider doing an MSci (which is what I'm doing) if you want to get a Master's. It's much, much, much, much better than doing an MSc. Trust me.
(Original post by CTLevers)
I look forward to that day! Human orientated sciences are the best sciences.
I look forward to that day! Human orientated sciences are the best sciences.
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