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Not sure if I chose the right university for Computer Science :(

I wanted to go to a University that was near so I chose Kingston University for Computer Science and I got an unconditional offer and accepted. I keep having regrets about my decision because most universities have artificial intelligence modules but Kingston does not. I'm not even sure if it is too late anyway since it has been longer than 14 days. Another thing that also has been worrying me is the decline in applicants and apparently their losing money according to various articles. also on various sites the career after 6 months is low.

Originally I wanted to go to University of Surrey to do computer science but I don't have a-level maths. They do Computing and IT which is really similar to computer science and you do not need A-level maths. The problem is I need to resit maths to get a B. At the moment I am doing BTEC computing. I would need to get a distinction for every assignment and I obviously can't predict the future if i will be able too. But the thing that puts me off is I have bad anxiety and I've heard theirs a lot of pressure at University of Surrey so it might not be the best place for me whilst at Kingston it is more chilled.

I was thinking of taking a gap year so I can rethink what I want to do and try to reduce my anxiety which stops me from doing stuff. But yeah the main reason I didn't want to move out is because of anxiety and low self-esteem and social-anxiety. I also have autism as-well but obviously that shouldn't stop me because everyone I know with autism is really smart. So my University choices are limited.

If someone could help me I would be very grateful because I've been worrying constantly for 3 weeks now. Everyone at college thinks I should go to Kingston because of the support and the chilled environment. But I thought a gap year may help me grow up and give me more options. I also hope I posted it in the right forum topic.
(edited 5 years ago)
Reply 1
Original post by BeanyPene
I wanted to go to a University that was near so I chose Kingston University for Computer Science and I got an unconditional offer and accepted. I keep having regrets about my decision because most universities have artificial intelligence modules but Kingston does not. I'm not even sure if it is too late anyway since it has been longer than 14 days. Another thing that also has been worrying me is the decline in applicants and apparently their losing money according to various articles. also on various sites the career after 6 months is low.

Originally I wanted to go to University of Surrey to do computer science but I don't have a-level maths. They do Computing and IT which is really similar to computer science and you do not need A-level maths. The problem is I need to resit maths to get a B. At the moment I am doing BTEC computing. I would need to get a distinction for every assignment and I obviously can't predict the future if i will be able too. But the thing that puts me off is I have bad anxiety and I've heard theirs a lot of pressure at University of Surrey so it might not be the best place for me whilst at Kingston it is more chilled.

I was thinking of taking a gap year so I can rethink what I want to do and try to reduce my anxiety which stops me from doing stuff. But yeah the main reason I didn't want to move out is because of anxiety and low self-esteem and social-anxiety. I also have autism as-well but obviously that shouldn't stop me because everyone I know with autism is really smart. So my University choices are limited.

If someone could help me I would be very grateful because I've been worrying constantly for 3 weeks now. Everyone at college thinks I should go to Kingston because of the support and the chilled environment. But I thought a gap year may help me grow up and give me more options. I also hope I posted it in the right forum topic.

Surrey is far better than Kingston, try and get on to the Computing & IT course there if you can. Even though it's not technically Comp Sci, the modues are basically identical and it's an excellent university.

If you can't get the required B in GCSE Maths, then consider looking at Essex and Kent, they're probably the 2 best unis which don't require a B.
It sounds like a gap year would be really beneficial in making sure you’re happy with your university choices and that you’re ready to move out.

If you’re going to do it then it’s a good idea to have a plan about what you want to do during the year. Year in industry often have placements for students interested in computer science, or you can retake your maths and maybe some other courses to help you prepare for university.
Original post by BeanyPene
I wanted to go to a University that was near so I chose Kingston University for Computer Science and I got an unconditional offer and accepted. I keep having regrets about my decision because most universities have artificial intelligence modules but Kingston does not. I'm not even sure if it is too late anyway since it has been longer than 14 days. Another thing that also has been worrying me is the decline in applicants and apparently their losing money according to various articles. also on various sites the career after 6 months is low.

Originally I wanted to go to University of Surrey to do computer science but I don't have a-level maths. They do Computing and IT which is really similar to computer science and you do not need A-level maths. The problem is I need to resit maths to get a B. At the moment I am doing BTEC computing. I would need to get a distinction for every assignment and I obviously can't predict the future if i will be able too. But the thing that puts me off is I have bad anxiety and I've heard theirs a lot of pressure at University of Surrey so it might not be the best place for me whilst at Kingston it is more chilled.

I was thinking of taking a gap year so I can rethink what I want to do and try to reduce my anxiety which stops me from doing stuff. But yeah the main reason I didn't want to move out is because of anxiety and low self-esteem and social-anxiety. I also have autism as-well but obviously that shouldn't stop me because everyone I know with autism is really smart. So my University choices are limited.

If someone could help me I would be very grateful because I've been worrying constantly for 3 weeks now. Everyone at college thinks I should go to Kingston because of the support and the chilled environment. But I thought a gap year may help me grow up and give me more options. I also hope I posted it in the right forum topic.

"Originally I wanted to go to University of Surrey to do computer science but I don't have a-level maths. They do Computing and IT which is really similar to computer science and you do not need A-level maths."

the things you read online.
Original post by BeanyPene

Originally I wanted to go to University of Surrey to do computer science but I don't have a-level maths. They do Computing and IT which is really similar to computer science and you do not need A-level maths. The problem is I need to resit maths to get a B.


Why is this a problem if you want to specialise/branch into AI?

Any AI module worth spending time on is going to consist of a lot of mathematics.

I suggest you take a gap year, brush up on your mathematics and reapply. You really should be looking at more traditional CS courses imo rather than ones that take a vocational stance especially if AI is your main interest.

Saying that, you could always do your postgraduate studies in AI at a university that focuses more on it e.g. Edinburgh.
(edited 5 years ago)
Reply 5
Original post by BeanyPene
Originally I wanted to go to University of Surrey to do computer science but I don't have a-level maths. They do Computing and IT which is really similar to computer science and you do not need A-level maths.


Does that course have AI or Machine Learning modules?

PS. Please don't bump threads. You already have lots of good replies.
Reply 6
Sorry for bumping. I think I am learning towards Kingston because I really do not think I will get in Surrey.

I can't be 100% it doesen't have AI and machine learning because it is stated the modules listed are not definate. Though the description does say "processing of data sets with adaptive algorithms driven by machine learning". So I guess theres parts of it.
Reply 7
Original post by BeanyPene
Sorry for bumping. I think I am learning towards Kingston because I really do not think I will get in Surrey.

I can't be 100% it doesen't have AI and machine learning because it is stated the modules listed are not definate. Though the description does say "processing of data sets with adaptive algorithms driven by machine learning". So I guess theres parts of it.


Well the content of any course is subject to change so I wouldn't worry about that.

It has a compulsory AI module in Y2, plus in Y3 options in Computational Intelligence and Deep Learning & Advanced AI.

Have you visited both Kingston and Surrey? They are quite different universities / locations.
Reply 8
I never thought about going to uni until recently. I've not been to an open day but i've traveled to both to look at the location mainly. There is a sort of a tour for people joining at Kingston which I signed up for and will be going. I suppose I could always do a masters in AI and machine learning if I wanted to (which Surrey does fortunatly).
Reply 9
Original post by BeanyPene
I never thought about going to uni until recently. I've not been to an open day but i've traveled to both to look at the location mainly. There is a sort of a tour for people joining at Kingston which I signed up for and will be going. I suppose I could always do a masters in AI and machine learning if I wanted to (which Surrey does fortunatly).

Location wise, Royal Holloway is close to both Surrey and Kingston and they do a BSc Computer Science with AI degree - https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/computer-science/computer-science-artificial-intelligence/
Hi there,

Thanks for thinking of Surrey! Our Admissions team would be more than happy to offer you some advice. Please do feel free to drop them an email. They are on [email protected]

Hope that's helpful. Wishing you all the best with your studies! :smile:

Rosie

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