Advice on what to take for A levels

Hi,

I am going into college soon and I'm unsure which A levels work best together:

I want to take computer science, business and maths, but should I take physics or engineering instead of business/or maths, or something else? I'd like to be a machine learning or software engineer in the future and unsure what subjects would help set me up best for this career path.

Hi,

I am going into college soon and I'm unsure which A levels work best together:

I want to take computer science, business and maths, but should I take physics or engineering instead of business/or maths, or something else? I'd like to be a machine learning or software engineer in the future and unsure what subjects would help set me up best for this career path.

In terms of subject requirements, if you intend to go into machine learning or software engineering (presuming this is in research), then the only required A Level is maths. Further maths is optional, but bit of an overkill since no university asks for it. If you drop maths, I will have a falling out with you

Whether you take physics instead of business is up to you. Neither of these A Levels are required for degrees in software engineering (there is only 1 bachelors' in machine learning, and that's at Anglia Ruskin; machine learning is more of a subject reserved for master's degrees, and they tend to be joint with artificial intelligence and/or data science).

Computer science itself isn't a required subject for machine learning or software engineering degrees.

In terms of compatibility, physics or engineering will gel better with computer science and maths than business studies. Having said that, the prime concerns are meeting subject and grade requirements. If you can get higher grades in business than you do in physics or engineering, then do business.

In terms of getting work in industry, you don't need a degree to get into software engineering or machine learning. Most of it is on the job. See the following:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/data-scientist
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/software-developer
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/data-network/job-profile/data-scientist
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/software-systems/job-profile/software-developer

It's also said that it's a lot better to become a software developer via apprenticeship than via grad scheme. However, I haven't done it myself, so you're better off getting a second opinion from someone in the industry if it applies to you. For anything related to academic research, you will need to go by the entry requirements of the specific degrees that you want to apply for.

Having said the above, it will depend on the individual university and individual degree course what the specific entry requirements are. If there are no specific subject requirements for that specific degree and you want to do that specific course at that specific university, then go by what the requirements are for that specific course and ignore whatever I have said. The requirements of the individual degree that you want to do takes precedence over what I or anybody else says in terms of what A Levels you need or should do.

Hi,

I am going into college soon and I'm unsure which A levels work best together:

I want to take computer science, business and maths, but should I take physics or engineering instead of business/or maths, or something else? I'd like to be a machine learning or software engineer in the future and unsure what subjects would help set me up best for this career path.

Hi,

I am going into college soon and I'm unsure which A levels work best together:

I want to take computer science, business and maths, but should I take physics or engineering instead of business/or maths, or something else? I'd like to be a machine learning or software engineer in the future and unsure what subjects would help set me up best for this career path.

Hi!

I think like other people have said, it's a good idea to look ahead to the degree requirements for some universities that you might be interested in. If they only have maths and computer science as desirable subjects, I would say go for a third subject that you are passionate about. If they require physics or engineering then you could look further into these options at A level.

I've just graduated with a Natural Sciences BSc at Lancaster University where thTe entry requirements are two science subjects. My areas of interest ended up being Physical Geography and Mechanical Engineering which may not sound like they would work well together but they worked out really well for me. Overall, I think if you take subjects that you find interesting, you will tend to have the most enjoyable and successful A levels.

- Bethan (Lancaster University Natural Sciences Ambassador)

Thank you! I know you need a grade 6 primarily in maths and physics, I'm on foundation and the max I can get is a 5. I don't really know what to do in regards to do, but I'm trying!

Hi,

I am going into college soon and I'm unsure which A levels work best together:

I want to take computer science, business and maths, but should I take physics or engineering instead of business/or maths, or something else? I'd like to be a machine learning or software engineer in the future and unsure what subjects would help set me up best for this career path.

Firstly, Have you considered talking to your teacher about it? At this moment in time, you're only able to negotiate with your teacher if you can get on the higher paper.

Second, how much time do you have until your exam? If you have another year, then you can try to see if you can convince your teachers otherwise. If you're definitely implying that you have 2 months, then chances are you are already too late to do this.
If you can't get it changed, you can try to speak to the undergrad admissions of the specific universities that you want to attend to to see if they are willing to accept resits because of the category of papers you are signed up for and you want to do your application justice.
You would then need to also consider your application for 6th form and whether the colleges will allow you to do resits and do yourself justice.

Third, how is your confidence in these subjects and are you able to achieve the grades that you need? I have no problem giving your resources and guidance on improving your grades in these subjects, but you would need time to prepare and be able to actually perform in the exams. If you're not particularly strong in these subjects, you will need more time to prepare.

I’m stuck doing foundation as I’ve signed my entry statement now and have less than 2 months until my exams in May-June, but I’m getting strong grade 5s in maths, science and a 6 in computer science. Im practising and asking for higher tier in class and revising at home everyday, too. My health has got in the way but Im still proud Im getting semi-high grades for the amount of time I’ve had off. Im hoping if I get grade 5s the college hopefully accept me or let me do resits. I have the interview on Monday, so I’ll ask. If you could provide me resources I’d love that if possible, I already use Senecca. I’ve looked around and spoken to my tutor and I think computer science, maths and physics are the main ones I need.

In terms of subject requirements, if you intend to go into machine learning or software engineering (presuming this is in research), then the only required A Level is maths. Further maths is optional, but bit of an overkill since no university asks for it. If you drop maths, I will have a falling out with you

Whether you take physics instead of business is up to you. Neither of these A Levels are required for degrees in software engineering (there is only 1 bachelors' in machine learning, and that's at Anglia Ruskin; machine learning is more of a subject reserved for master's degrees, and they tend to be joint with artificial intelligence and/or data science).

Computer science itself isn't a required subject for machine learning or software engineering degrees.

In terms of compatibility, physics or engineering will gel better with computer science and maths than business studies. Having said that, the prime concerns are meeting subject and grade requirements. If you can get higher grades in business than you do in physics or engineering, then do business.

In terms of getting work in industry, you don't need a degree to get into software engineering or machine learning. Most of it is on the job. See the following:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/data-scientist
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/software-developer
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/data-network/job-profile/data-scientist
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/software-systems/job-profile/software-developer

It's also said that it's a lot better to become a software developer via apprenticeship than via grad scheme. However, I haven't done it myself, so you're better off getting a second opinion from someone in the industry if it applies to you. For anything related to academic research, you will need to go by the entry requirements of the specific degrees that you want to apply for.

Having said the above, it will depend on the individual university and individual degree course what the specific entry requirements are. If there are no specific subject requirements for that specific degree and you want to do that specific course at that specific university, then go by what the requirements are for that specific course and ignore whatever I have said. The requirements of the individual degree that you want to do takes precedence over what I or anybody else says in terms of what A Levels you need or should do.

Thank you! I know you need a grade 6 primarily in maths and physics, I'm on foundation and the max I can get is a 5. I don't really know what to do in regards to do, but I'm trying!