comp sci, maths, physics, further maths?

im looking to do software engineering at uni, going onto be either a software engineer or in games development. comp sci and maths are a definite for me, are physics and further maths worth it? (my backup is business - i’d do economics instead but my school doesn’t offer it)

Reply 1

McGinger

20

FM is useful for Comp Sci etc, Physics less so.
Its also useful for Economics.

Reply 2

milktee

18

Original post by olliedr

im looking to do software engineering at uni, going onto be either a software engineer or in games development. comp sci and maths are a definite for me, are physics and further maths worth it? (my backup is business - i’d do economics instead but my school doesn’t offer it)

im in y11 rn im also looking to do computer science or software engineering at uni, and the a levels that I'm going to take are maths, further maths, physics and biology. physics should be a priority to take because most top comp sci unis require it, alongside maths. further maths will definitely increase your chance of getting a place bcs it's highly liked by top unis like imperial, and also ucl I think. maths, further maths and physics all provide the logical thinking needed to do comp sci and uni so is definitely worth it.
of course there's the downside that further maths is one of the most difficult a level subjects, but I think that if you like maths as a subject and have a passion for it, which I do, I would definitely suggest going forward with it.
I was also going to take cs as my fourth a level (instead of bio) but I've researched and I don't think that many unis require cs as an a level. I may be wrong but from what I remember, it's mainly maths, further maths and physics.
hope I helped !!

Reply 3

harrietsiddall

3

Yeah, most unis don't require comp sci, the only exception being Sheffield. But as far as I know, taking physics isn't a must either, as long as you have maths it's good enough, but if applying to the top unis such as Imperial or Cambridge then further math is needed.

Reply 4

skvsyu

8

Original post by olliedr

im looking to do software engineering at uni, going onto be either a software engineer or in games development. comp sci and maths are a definite for me, are physics and further maths worth it? (my backup is business - i’d do economics instead but my school doesn’t offer it)

I do maths, further econ and computer science, and also wanna do software engineering. I’m year 12

Further maths is the safer bet. It’s easier to get a better grade in than physics, and respected more by universities when trying to go into SE. Top unis such as Oxbridge and imperial, basically 90%+ of the applicants do further for CS, whereas a similar but smaller amount of people do physics. Further can also be useful if you change your mind about software engineering (you’ll consider it at some point trust) for smth else

Reply 5

olliedr

OP

7

Original post by skvsyu

I do maths, further econ and computer science, and also wanna do software engineering. I’m year 12

Further maths is the safer bet. It’s easier to get a better grade in than physics, and respected more by universities when trying to go into SE. Top unis such as Oxbridge and imperial, basically 90%+ of the applicants do further for CS, whereas a similar but smaller amount of people do physics. Further can also be useful if you change your mind about software engineering (you’ll consider it at some point trust) for smth else

Yeah, although my school only has further as an extra 4th option, so I'd be taking physics either way.

Reply 6

jxmes_

1

Original post by milktee

im in y11 rn im also looking to do computer science or software engineering at uni, and the a levels that I'm going to take are maths, further maths, physics and biology. physics should be a priority to take because most top comp sci unis require it, alongside maths. further maths will definitely increase your chance of getting a place bcs it's highly liked by top unis like imperial, and also ucl I think. maths, further maths and physics all provide the logical thinking needed to do comp sci and uni so is definitely worth it.
of course there's the downside that further maths is one of the most difficult a level subjects, but I think that if you like maths as a subject and have a passion for it, which I do, I would definitely suggest going forward with it.
I was also going to take cs as my fourth a level (instead of bio) but I've researched and I don't think that many unis require cs as an a level. I may be wrong but from what I remember, it's mainly maths, further maths and physics.
hope I helped !!

> physics should be a priority to take because most top comp sci unis require it

no they don't?

Reply 7

milktee

18

Original post by jxmes_

> physics should be a priority to take because most top comp sci unis require it
no they don't?

am i wrong omg... i'm pretty sure physics and maths are preferred since they're maths related subjects, including further maths too

Reply 8

Ldk458

5

Original post by olliedr

im looking to do software engineering at uni, going onto be either a software engineer or in games development. comp sci and maths are a definite for me, are physics and further maths worth it? (my backup is business - i’d do economics instead but my school doesn’t offer it)

I do that exact combo! Tbh physics is probably not that useful for comp sci but further maths is probably one of the best things if you enjoy maths and are prepared to tackle 4 a-levels (your school might let you do an as further and its still great). I think the best thing it does is lower entry requirements. Im applying to Sheffield Uni to study comp sci and their entry requirements this year are A*AA but i got it down to AAB for taking as-level further and got an A. I chose to do the full a level anyway and you can still get that same lowering if you get a B in at A-level. If you like problem solving and want a challenge then F maths is definitely a good thing to try :smile:

Reply 9

Tommy_123

9

Original post by harrietsiddall

Yeah, most unis don't require comp sci, the only exception being Sheffield. But as far as I know, taking physics isn't a must either, as long as you have maths it's good enough, but if applying to the top unis such as Imperial or Cambridge then further math is needed.

Sheffield don't require cs at A-level. However, they will lower an offer if an applicant has it.

Reply 10

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

18

Hey there!

If you’re aiming for a career in software engineering or games development, your A-level choices already align well with these goals. Computer Science and Maths are excellent foundational subjects, providing the necessary skills for programming, algorithms, and computational thinking. Maths is particularly critical for understanding complex algorithms, logic, and game physics, making it an essential requirement for most university courses in computer science.
Software Engineering - https://www.coventry.ac.uk/course-structure/ug/eec/software-engineering-bsc/
Games Design and Development - https://www.coventry.ac.uk/course-structure/ug/fah/games-design-and-development-ba/
Games Technology - https://www.coventry.ac.uk/course-structure/ug/eec/games-technology-msci/
Computer Systems Engineering - https://www.coventry.ac.uk/course-structure/ug/eec/computer-systems-engineering-mengbeng/

Adding Physics to your choices can be valuable, especially for games development, where concepts like mechanics, motion, and light are often used. Physics also develops strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which are highly transferable to software engineering. While not mandatory for most computer science degrees, it can strengthen your application and showcase your technical aptitude.

Further Maths, if offered at your school, is highly recommended and directly applicable to computer science. It covers advanced topics like calculus, linear algebra, and matrices, which are fundamental in fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and game development. Many universities, especially competitive ones, regard Further Maths as a strong asset for applicants pursuing technical courses.

If business is your backup plan and Economics isn’t available, choosing Business A-level is still a solid option. It equips you with strategic thinking and financial literacy, which are valuable for careers in entrepreneurship or management within the tech industry. Not having Economics won’t significantly limit your options for business-related university courses.
Here are some information about the Economics course that is available at Coventry University:
Economics - https://www.coventry.ac.uk/course-structure/ug/fbl/economics-bsc-hons/

A combination of Computer Science, Maths, Physics, and Further Maths would be ideal for software engineering, offering a strong foundation and keeping your options open for top university programs. If managing Physics and Further Maths together feels overwhelming, prioritizing Further Maths may be more beneficial due to its closer relevance to computer science. Alternatively, swapping Physics for Business can balance technical and broader skills, particularly if you’re interested in exploring the business side of technology.

Ultimately, choose subjects you enjoy and excel at to ensure your A-level experience is both engaging and manageable. This combination of subjects sets you up strongly for software engineering, games development, or even a pivot into tech-related business roles, providing flexibility and a strong foundation for your future.

I hope this information helps!
Good luck with your choices!

Best Regards,
Reka - Coventry University Student Ambassador

comp sci, maths, physics, further maths?

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