How much should I study to reach Oxbridge?
I scored 3a's 3a*'s 1b 1c in IGCSE. I have opted for a level physics chemistry mathematics w/ mechanics 1 and statistics 1, computer science and as level general english. I would really like to have an idea on how much effort goes in early on academics wise.
ps. I would like an engineering course with minimum a*a*a
ps. I would like an engineering course with minimum a*a*a
unfortunately, as you didn't pick further maths as an A level your chances for engineering at oxbridge are very low
It is just the start of the year. Should I take it?
Original post by iceinthedevil
unfortunately, as you didn't pick further maths as an A level your chances for engineering at oxbridge are very low
Original post by Kushagra_Sharma
It is just the start of the year. Should I take it?
If your school offers it then yes. I would also suggest that you do both mechanics modules for maths.
Original post by Kushagra_Sharma
It is just the start of the year. Should I take it?
All universities in the UK, including Oxbridge and Imperial College London etc, will ONLY ask for 3 A levels. Doing more than 3 A levels will not boost your application at all - universities do not care about extra subjects. Just do 3 subjects and get your best grades on them. Getting A*A*A* is much more impressive than AAAA.
If you want to do engineering at top universities, you should do A level Maths, Further Maths and Physics.
If you really, really want to study a 4th subject (even though universities do not require it), then you could do either Chemistry or Computer Science. It would be a good idea to do the subject that you like the most. If you decide later that you don't want to study Engineering at university, then maybe you could consider doing a Chemistry or Computer Science degree or something. However, universities do not require A level Computer Science if you want to study it at university. Usually, you only need Maths/Further Maths/Physics etc. But, for Chemistry degrees you will definitely need A level Chemistry.
(edited 4 years ago)
Sorry, I used the wrong words in my question. I would like to do either computer science or chemistry not engineering. In India even they are often considered as engineering.
Original post by Quick-use
All universities in the UK, including Oxbridge and Imperial College London etc, will ONLY ask for 3 A levels. Doing more than 3 A levels will not boost your application at all - universities do not care about extra subjects. Just do 3 subjects and get your best grades on them. Getting A*A*A* is much more impressive than AAAA.
If you want to do engineering at top universities, you should do A level Maths, Further Maths and Physics.
If you really, really want to study a 4th subject (even though universities do not require it), then you could do either Chemistry or Computer Science. It would be a good idea to do the subject that you like the most. If you decide later that you don't want to study Engineering at university, then maybe you could consider doing a Chemistry or Computer Science degree or something. However, universities do not require A level Computer Science if you want to study it at university. Usually, you only need Maths/Further Maths/Physics etc. But, for Chemistry degrees you will definitely need A level Chemistry.
If you want to do engineering at top universities, you should do A level Maths, Further Maths and Physics.
If you really, really want to study a 4th subject (even though universities do not require it), then you could do either Chemistry or Computer Science. It would be a good idea to do the subject that you like the most. If you decide later that you don't want to study Engineering at university, then maybe you could consider doing a Chemistry or Computer Science degree or something. However, universities do not require A level Computer Science if you want to study it at university. Usually, you only need Maths/Further Maths/Physics etc. But, for Chemistry degrees you will definitely need A level Chemistry.
Do you want to study either Chemistry or Computer Science at university? Do you mean Chemical Engineering or Chemistry?
You should definitely study A level Maths and Further Maths. Make sure you do as many modules in mechanics as you can.
For your 3rd A level, you could pick Chemistry because a Chemistry degree requires A level Chemistry but a Computer Science degree does not require A level Computer Science. However, if you are not sure which degree you want to do and you are considering engineering degrees as well, you could do:
A level Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics. When you decide which degree you want to do, you can drop either Chemistry or Physics (whichever you don't need).
Remember to do mechanics modules.
You should definitely study A level Maths and Further Maths. Make sure you do as many modules in mechanics as you can.
For your 3rd A level, you could pick Chemistry because a Chemistry degree requires A level Chemistry but a Computer Science degree does not require A level Computer Science. However, if you are not sure which degree you want to do and you are considering engineering degrees as well, you could do:
A level Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics. When you decide which degree you want to do, you can drop either Chemistry or Physics (whichever you don't need).
Remember to do mechanics modules.
Original post by Kushagra_Sharma
Sorry, I used the wrong words in my question. I would like to do either computer science or chemistry not engineering. In India even they are often considered as engineering.
Thanks man! You are one of the most helpful person on the internet!
Original post by Quick-use
Do you want to study either Chemistry or Computer Science at university? Do you mean Chemical Engineering or Chemistry?
You should definitely study A level Maths and Further Maths. Make sure you do as many modules in mechanics as you can.
For your 3rd A level, you could pick Chemistry because a Chemistry degree requires A level Chemistry but a Computer Science degree does not require A level Computer Science. However, if you are not sure which degree you want to do and you are considering engineering degrees as well, you could do:
A level Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics. When you decide which degree you want to do, you can drop either Chemistry or Physics (whichever you don't need).
Remember to do mechanics modules.
You should definitely study A level Maths and Further Maths. Make sure you do as many modules in mechanics as you can.
For your 3rd A level, you could pick Chemistry because a Chemistry degree requires A level Chemistry but a Computer Science degree does not require A level Computer Science. However, if you are not sure which degree you want to do and you are considering engineering degrees as well, you could do:
A level Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics. When you decide which degree you want to do, you can drop either Chemistry or Physics (whichever you don't need).
Remember to do mechanics modules.
Original post by Kushagra_Sharma
Thanks man! You are one of the most helpful person on the internet!
You're most welcome! Just remember that universities only need 3 A levels. Extra A levels will not boost your application or advantage you in any way. It's a waste to do more than you need. But, if you're really not sure what degree you want to do, it's a good idea to start with Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics. Afterwards you can drop either Physics or Chem (whichever one your chosen degree does not require). If you do drop one after applying to universities, make sure to email the universities and ask them if it is OK to drop a subject that they don't require.
You're going to have to work really bloody hard with those options and the amount you're taking. But I guess if you're capable of getting an A* at gcse then you can do it. I wasn't capable of that but I got mostly A's and the rest B's.
Original post by Kushagra_Sharma
I scored 3a's 3a*'s 1b 1c in IGCSE. I have opted for a level physics chemistry mathematics w/ mechanics 1 and statistics 1, computer science and as level general english. I would really like to have an idea on how much effort goes in early on academics wise.
ps. I would like an engineering course with minimum a*a*a
ps. I would like an engineering course with minimum a*a*a
Original post by Quick-use
Doing more than 3 A levels will not boost your application at all - universities do not care about extra subjects.
I disagree with this, except in the case of where doing the extra subject will cause you to perform under the entry requirements. Cambridge do actually prefer four A-Levels, but this is only for Engineering (and I assume Computer Science and other related things).
https://www.admissions.eng.cam.ac.uk/faqs - as you can see in the answer to question 8, they do prefer four.
Original post by Kushagra_Sharma
I scored 3a's 3a*'s 1b 1c in IGCSE. I have opted for a level physics chemistry mathematics w/ mechanics 1 and statistics 1, computer science and as level general english. I would really like to have an idea on how much effort goes in early on academics wise.
ps. I would like an engineering course with minimum a*a*a
ps. I would like an engineering course with minimum a*a*a
It's true universities rarely ask for more than 3, unless you're doing 4 subjects that are all relevant. However taking 5 subjects and excelling at them is impressive, and shows you can deal with a high workload. don't forget there is more to life than uni - after this future employers will want to see your level choices and grades.
When it comes to effort, it depends how good you are compared to your peers. If you can get away with minimum/average workload and still get top grades then obviously it won't require anymore work than anywhere else.
Because of the linear a-level system, your uni's will most likely only have predicted grades for you, so having a strong application is much more important for getting an offer.
Unfortunately, much of the "extra reading" that looks impressive on an application is the topics that you don't learn at school at all. So there is more work in that sense.
What levels are best depend on your degree choice. If you want to do CS then I would recommend doing whatever you can to take further maths A-levels. and by the time you apply you should probably be almost fluent in at least one programming language. For Chemistry, FM is less crucial, but would be strongly preferred by top uni's.
If you plan to go into stem I don't see much point in doing english, unless you're doing it for fun. The good thing about the other subjects is there is a generous amount of cross over, especially between Maths and FM ( if you do take it). Don't be put-off by other peoples fear of nerdiness!
Its worth noting that if it is chemistry you want to do, Cambridge don't offer "straight" science courses. Everybody goes through the NatSci tripos, and specialises later on, so would probably want a good idea of what options you might take.
Original post by ÷by0
It's true universities rarely ask for more than 3, unless you're doing 4 subjects that are all relevant. However taking 5 subjects and excelling at them is impressive, and shows you can deal with a high workload. don't forget there is more to life than uni - after this future employers will want to see your level choices and grades.
When it comes to effort, it depends how good you are compared to your peers. If you can get away with minimum/average workload and still get top grades then obviously it won't require anymore work than anywhere else.
Because of the linear a-level system, your uni's will most likely only have predicted grades for you, so having a strong application is much more important for getting an offer.
Unfortunately, much of the "extra reading" that looks impressive on an application is the topics that you don't learn at school at all. So there is more work in that sense.
What levels are best depend on your degree choice. If you want to do CS then I would recommend doing whatever you can to take further maths A-levels. and by the time you apply you should probably be almost fluent in at least one programming language. For Chemistry, FM is less crucial, but would be strongly preferred by top uni's.
If you plan to go into stem I don't see much point in doing english, unless you're doing it for fun. The good thing about the other subjects is there is a generous amount of cross over, especially between Maths and FM ( if you do take it). Don't be put-off by other peoples fear of nerdiness!
Its worth noting that if it is chemistry you want to do, Cambridge don't offer "straight" science courses. Everybody goes through the NatSci tripos, and specialises later on, so would probably want a good idea of what options you might take.
When it comes to effort, it depends how good you are compared to your peers. If you can get away with minimum/average workload and still get top grades then obviously it won't require anymore work than anywhere else.
Because of the linear a-level system, your uni's will most likely only have predicted grades for you, so having a strong application is much more important for getting an offer.
Unfortunately, much of the "extra reading" that looks impressive on an application is the topics that you don't learn at school at all. So there is more work in that sense.
What levels are best depend on your degree choice. If you want to do CS then I would recommend doing whatever you can to take further maths A-levels. and by the time you apply you should probably be almost fluent in at least one programming language. For Chemistry, FM is less crucial, but would be strongly preferred by top uni's.
If you plan to go into stem I don't see much point in doing english, unless you're doing it for fun. The good thing about the other subjects is there is a generous amount of cross over, especially between Maths and FM ( if you do take it). Don't be put-off by other peoples fear of nerdiness!
Its worth noting that if it is chemistry you want to do, Cambridge don't offer "straight" science courses. Everybody goes through the NatSci tripos, and specialises later on, so would probably want a good idea of what options you might take.
thanks man
Original post by Kushagra_Sharma
I scored 3a's 3a*'s 1b 1c in IGCSE. I have opted for a level physics chemistry mathematics w/ mechanics 1 and statistics 1, computer science and as level general english. I would really like to have an idea on how much effort goes in early on academics wise.
ps. I would like an engineering course with minimum a*a*a
ps. I would like an engineering course with minimum a*a*a
Hey, I also got mostly A's and A*'s at GCSE with a few B's too. A-Levels: Maths, Further Maths, physics and computing. I got a B in my computing AS last year but an A* in my A-level Maths. I'm currently taking the rest of my A levels this year as well as STEP with hopes of cambridge Maths next yr. I'd say y12 isn't as important as teachers will say as I still got an interview and offer from cambg even with my B at AS comp, but I am also doing four so I may have been an exception. Also, I applied for Maths so they hand out almost twice the offers as available places (read: I got lucky). Cambg requires me to get "my predictions or better this year" so my A-Level from last year is being totally ignored offer wise though I'm sure it helped me reach this stage. However, I regret keeping comp as it's unnecessary stress in revision season, a waste of time which is a valuable commodity right now. If you think you can handle 4.5 A-levels, go for it but I personally think I'd've benefitted from dropping Comp after AS. Rather have a larger chance of A* A* A than a smaller chance at A* A* A* A.
TLDR; I messed about in y12 and still have a cambg offer.
Original post by esrever
If your school offers it then yes. I would also suggest that you do both mechanics modules for maths.
yeye defo, the edexcel FM1 is pisseasy. idk about FM2 but hey at least 1/4 of the A-level for free? I'll take it
Original post by Kushagra_Sharma
It is just the start of the year. Should I take it?
I highly recommend taking further maths if you have aspirations for engineering at oxbridge I know many people who got into engineering/natural science at Cambridge and they all did further maths all the people rejected had no further maths
First of all, that's a lot of A levels! Kudos, but also be prepared to cut yourself some slack and drop one or two, as three is all you need. The main thing is that an A* at A level is much harder than GCSE; you can't cram in the last term or year, you have to try hard from the start. Work as hard as you can without it getting you down - and remember you can never be sure of getting in, but Oxbridge really isn't the be all and end all; check whether you actually love their courses the most. And if you want to do yourself a massive favour, do light revision even in holidays you don't need to, like half terms and y12 Christmas - having notes or whatever you use ready will be a lifesaver!I hope that's useful. 
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