stuck with my alevels

Universities Forum Helper

computer science? do you know what you want to do at uni

Reply 2

mnot

20

Original post by el474

i'm trying to choose my alevels for september, and i'm confident that i want to do physics, maths and further maths. only thing is i can't settle on a 4th subject (which i need to take fmaths). any advice on what to go with?i'm no good at chemistry and i was thinking maybe an essay based subject is a good choice? not really sure

Well if your confident you dont want to take Chem, its an open list really. I would base your decision on what you want to do after A-levels.

but potentially an essay subject, business, economics, IT....
whatever you are interested in, or you could try and find a softer subject you can easily nail high marks in.

Reply 3

OP

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by mnot

Well if your confident you dont want to take Chem, its an open list really. I would base your decision on what you want to do after A-levels.

but potentially an essay subject, business, economics, IT....
whatever you are interested in, or you could try and find a softer subject you can easily nail high marks in.

well i'm interested in physics or astrophysics at uni, my prospects are oxbridge and kings college. only thing is, i was considering film studies alevel cause i could nail an a*, but is it facilitating? or is it best for me to struggle through something else like economics or a language?

Reply 4

Maximus 190

18

Original post by anoymous77

computer science? do you know what you want to do at uni

Is computer science difficult? I’m in the exact same situation as OP, same 3 alevels but unsure on the fourth. My school has a great geography department and not so great computer science department, but I definitely am more interested in computer science.

Reply 5

mnot

20

Original post by el474

well i'm interested in physics or astrophysics at uni, my prospects are oxbridge and kings college. only thing is, i was considering film studies alevel cause i could nail an a*, but is it facilitating? or is it best for me to struggle through something else like economics or a language?

if u want to study physics, economics or a language wont help your degree, and wont help your admissions either, so only do that subject if you want to do as a passing interest.
Obviously Chemistry would be the most helpful but you don't want to do that...

Maybe a coding subject if A-level computer science is available (physics will require you to do this in your degree)

If not just find a subject you can smash, to apply to Oxbridge having an extra A* a level matters...

Reply 6

Delilah23

15

I would do a language because it will look so good in your personal statement but also just a good skill to have in general.
Do one like French or Spanish and there easier then mandarin or somthing.

Reply 7

OP

Original post by mnot

if u want to study physics, economics or a language wont help your degree, and wont help your admissions either, so only do that subject if you want to do as a passing interest.
Obviously Chemistry would be the most helpful but you don't want to do that...

Maybe a coding subject if A-level computer science is available (physics will require you to do this in your degree)

If not just find a subject you can smash, to apply to Oxbridge having an extra A* a level matters...

i haven't done computer science gcse and everyone i know hated it, so i think i'll stick with something i can get an a* in. thanks

Reply 8

OP

Original post by Maximus 190

Is computer science difficult? I’m in the exact same situation as OP, same 3 alevels but unsure on the fourth. My school has a great geography department and not so great computer science department, but I definitely am more interested in computer science.

try sticking with what you enjoy, but if you struggle within the first month or so they should let you change alevels? most sixth forms/colleges let you do that at the start of the year

Reply 9

idk01

20

Economics isn't very challenging. If you are considering it, maybe it'll be a good 4th option because I don't think you'll have much difficulty with it and it still looks quite good.

source: I did it myself :smile:

Reply 10

OP

Original post by Delilah23

I would do a language because it will look so good in your personal statement but also just a good skill to have in general.
Do one like French or Spanish and there easier then mandarin or somthing.

i did german gcse, i'm not sure how well i've done (i got a 6 in my mock). only thing is it seems strenuous and i already feel overwhelmed at the thought of physics and double maths

Reply 11

Hattieee

1

I was in a similar situation when I chose my A levels. I knew I wanted to take maths and physics and I didn't know what to pick for my last subject and I picked Biology. Best decision ever. Trust me - when you do so much mathsy stuff it's nice to switch it up with some other subject that at least includes some good words and definitions. I also thought I would like biology the least but it turns out to be my favourite. Another science is reeeally useful. So if you don't like Chemistry, Biology might be the next best option. Although computer science is also good. You said you were considering film studies - from what I've heard it is fun but really time-consuming. I don't know anyone who has taken four A-levels that includes an art subject, because it seems you will never have enough time to sleep or function as a basic human being.

Reply 12

Delilah23

15

Original post by el474

i did german gcse, i'm not sure how well i've done (i got a 6 in my mock). only thing is it seems strenuous and i already feel overwhelmed at the thought of physics and double maths

If you already knkw some German and over the summer you could try to become some what fluent in it then when it comes to a level you shouldn’t need to work to hard.
I take physics and it is a lot of work but hard work and perseverance from the start of year 12 will get you the grades you deserve.
You seem very ambitious and you seem to know what you want so keep going and work hard as the reward in the end will be great

Reply 13

Definitely, do not do media studies if you want to go to top uni's - it's not facilitating and it's blacklisted by most. For oxbridge, it's probably best to do another science subject eg chemistry, computer science (not ICT) or biology.

If not, another facilitating subject will do. Facilitating subjects: modern foreign languages, history, English lit, economics, geography, RS, economics

Reply 14

Original post by Maximus 190

Is computer science difficult? I’m in the exact same situation as OP, same 3 alevels but unsure on the fourth. My school has a great geography department and not so great computer science department, but I definitely am more interested in computer science.

I think it's difficult from what I have heard, but I don't do it personally. It's a well respected a level by universities so if you enjoy it you should do it. If you are interested and motivated you can get a good grade even if your school department is not great.

Reply 15

OP

Original post by anoymous77

Definitely, do not do media studies if you want to go to top uni's - it's not facilitating and it's blacklisted by most. For oxbridge, it's probably best to do another science subject eg chemistry, computer science (not ICT) or biology.

If not, another facilitating subject will do. Facilitating subjects: modern foreign languages, history, English lit, economics, geography, RS, economics

the thing is, if i have top marks in my three other subjects will it really matter? any other subject wouldn't be relevant for my chosen course anyway

Reply 16

Cait12x

5

Does anyone know if physics a level is like really hard ?

Reply 17

Original post by el474

the thing is, if i have top marks in my three other subjects will it really matter? any other subject wouldn't be relevant for my chosen course anyway

A lot of top universities for example oxbridge do not count further maths as a full other A level so the fourth does count.

Reply 18

OP

Original post by anoymous77

A lot of top universities for example oxbridge do not count further maths as a full other A level so the fourth does count.

i've been reading the cambridge website, and it says they do consider further maths a full alevel if it is appropriate to the course you apply for. it also says that non-relevant subjects are only considered in the sense that they show a candidate has other skills.

Reply 19

OP