Official Rep
Back
to top
A level options for computer science at cambridge
WatchPage 1 of 1
Go to first unread
Skip to page:
I know Cambridge only requires 3 A levels for an offer but i intend to do 5 because the subjects i'll study at A level (I believe) will be good for compsci
my choices so far (i'm currently year 10) are: computer science, maths, further maths, physics, chemistry with an epq in computer science, is this a good idea?
my choices so far (i'm currently year 10) are: computer science, maths, further maths, physics, chemistry with an epq in computer science, is this a good idea?
0
reply
Report
#2
bloody hell 5 A-levels with EPQ?!
I mean it will certainly make you stand out that's for sure. Just be careful that you don't do so many A-levels that you end up with 5 ok grades rather than have 3 excellent ones. The latter would be far more desirable. GCSE's are much easier than A-levels. The jump is insane. But as long as are willing to do the work, which there will be a lot of, then by all means.
I mean it will certainly make you stand out that's for sure. Just be careful that you don't do so many A-levels that you end up with 5 ok grades rather than have 3 excellent ones. The latter would be far more desirable. GCSE's are much easier than A-levels. The jump is insane. But as long as are willing to do the work, which there will be a lot of, then by all means.
0
reply
(Original post by Tinders)
bloody hell 5 A-levels with EPQ?!
I mean it will certainly make you stand out that's for sure. Just be careful that you don't do so many A-levels that you end up with 5 ok grades rather than have 3 excellent ones. The latter would be far more desirable. GCSE's are much easier than A-levels. The jump is insane. But as long as are willing to do the work, which there will be a lot of, then by all means.
bloody hell 5 A-levels with EPQ?!
I mean it will certainly make you stand out that's for sure. Just be careful that you don't do so many A-levels that you end up with 5 ok grades rather than have 3 excellent ones. The latter would be far more desirable. GCSE's are much easier than A-levels. The jump is insane. But as long as are willing to do the work, which there will be a lot of, then by all means.
0
reply
Report
#4
(Original post by Stoya)
between my gcses and a levels i'm gonna study throughout the holiday for all of my a level subjects, this is dependant on me doing well on my gcses, which i'm not.
between my gcses and a levels i'm gonna study throughout the holiday for all of my a level subjects, this is dependant on me doing well on my gcses, which i'm not.
1
reply
Report
#5
If you plan for CompSci I am not sure where A-level chemistry would come handy. If I were you I would rather focus more on maths and prepare for STEP (as far as I know it is not required, maybe Peterhouse wants it, but you would need to check). A 1 even in STEP1 only would really stand out in your application. As Tinders mentioned, 5 good A-levels is no deal breaker, but 3 excellent ones is a whole different story.
I am not sure about Computer Science, but I know for sure that Cambridge admission tutors consider additional qualification as a plus (you might want to think of some internships or additional courses rather than raking up exams). The third thing why I would drop chemistry is that it is a practical heavy subject. It is a lot of fun, but since you want to take physics already, you would already have some practicals to do.
I am not sure about Computer Science, but I know for sure that Cambridge admission tutors consider additional qualification as a plus (you might want to think of some internships or additional courses rather than raking up exams). The third thing why I would drop chemistry is that it is a practical heavy subject. It is a lot of fun, but since you want to take physics already, you would already have some practicals to do.
0
reply
Report
#6
Focus on doing double maths and physics, and maybe one more. Maths and physics are by far the most relevant and best preparation for the course.
EPQ won't be as relevant for an application as doing maths.
Getting A*A*A is far more important than AAAAA or A*AAAA in doing 5. Doing more but not reaching the grades required for the course won't get you in.
EPQ won't be as relevant for an application as doing maths.
Getting A*A*A is far more important than AAAAA or A*AAAA in doing 5. Doing more but not reaching the grades required for the course won't get you in.
0
reply
Report
#7
(Original post by Stoya)
I know Cambridge only requires 3 A levels for an offer but i intend to do 5 because the subjects i'll study at A level (I believe) will be good for compsci
my choices so far (i'm currently year 10) are: computer science, maths, further maths, physics, chemistry with an epq in computer science, is this a good idea?
I know Cambridge only requires 3 A levels for an offer but i intend to do 5 because the subjects i'll study at A level (I believe) will be good for compsci
my choices so far (i'm currently year 10) are: computer science, maths, further maths, physics, chemistry with an epq in computer science, is this a good idea?
Almost nothing you will learn in physics, chemistry and a disappointing amount of the computer science A-Level will be used in the actual degree (Computer science at a university like cambridge is just borderline pure maths with the applied bits deriving heavily from A-Level methods in the pure modules). Likewise, at the interview (or any test at the interview) - they will solely focus on Maths and Mathematical-logic based puzzles and problems.
Doing 3 vs 4 vs 5 A-Levels will make little difference to impress them. It's nice to have some back up A-Levels though (I say this as someone who also chose to do 5 A-Levels).
0
reply
Report
#8
(Original post by KarolL)
If you plan for CompSci I am not sure where A-level chemistry would come handy. If I were you I would rather focus more on maths and prepare for STEP (as far as I know it is not required, maybe Peterhouse wants it, but you would need to check). A 1 even in STEP1 only would really stand out in your application. As Tinders mentioned, 5 good A-levels is no deal breaker, but 3 excellent ones is a whole different story.
I am not sure about Computer Science, but I know for sure that Cambridge admission tutors consider additional qualification as a plus (you might want to think of some internships or additional courses rather than raking up exams). The third thing why I would drop chemistry is that it is a practical heavy subject. It is a lot of fun, but since you want to take physics already, you would already have some practicals to do.
If you plan for CompSci I am not sure where A-level chemistry would come handy. If I were you I would rather focus more on maths and prepare for STEP (as far as I know it is not required, maybe Peterhouse wants it, but you would need to check). A 1 even in STEP1 only would really stand out in your application. As Tinders mentioned, 5 good A-levels is no deal breaker, but 3 excellent ones is a whole different story.
I am not sure about Computer Science, but I know for sure that Cambridge admission tutors consider additional qualification as a plus (you might want to think of some internships or additional courses rather than raking up exams). The third thing why I would drop chemistry is that it is a practical heavy subject. It is a lot of fun, but since you want to take physics already, you would already have some practicals to do.
1
reply
X
Page 1 of 1
Go to first unread
Skip to page:
Quick Reply
