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Physic at Oxford

I'm taking IB next year and plan to study physics in University. However, I'm confident that the subjects I have chosen are suitable for studying physics at a top university specifically Oxford.
My IB subjects are:
Higher Level: Math, Physic, Business Management
Standard Level: Chemistry, French AB Initio, English

Are these subjects suitable for studying physics at Oxford?

I'm quite concerned as I heard Business Management is considered "soft" and that chemistry is on the sl level.

Reply 1

BubblesBB

Original post by adsdasdsadf

I'm taking IB next year and plan to study physics in University. However, I'm confident that the subjects I have chosen are suitable for studying physics at a top university specifically Oxford.
My IB subjects are:
Higher Level: Math, Physic, Business Management
Standard Level: Chemistry, French AB Initio, English
Are these subjects suitable for studying physics at Oxford?
I'm quite concerned as I heard Business Management is considered "soft" and that chemistry is on the sl level.

The minimum HL requirement for Physics at Oxford is 766. If you choose a different subject from Bus Mgt, would you be confident that you can attain at least a 6, or would for example taking HL Chem throw your chances away if you can 'only' attain a 5? So, I would say rule number 1 is to choose your 3rd subject wisely.

Secondly, you need to know your competition. UK A levels students are typically going to present 4 A levels for Oxford Physics because their schools would have insisted that they take Further Math. So they would typically have Physics, Math, Further Math + 1 other subject. So by comparison, if your 3 HLs are not the traditionally academic subjects, I'm afraid to say, you would be slightly disadvantaged.

PCM - Physics, Chem and Math AA would be the safest HL combination but it's no point if you are not confident you can attain min 766.

To be able to apply confidently to Oxford, do research widely on what constitutes "supercurriculars" and what you need to read around the subject outside of school. This takes time to develop, and it would be beneficial to you to begin this summer.

gl

Reply 2

McGinger

Cambridge super curriculars list by subject - super-curricular_suggestions.pdf (cam.ac.uk)
Oxford super curriculars - Suggested Subject Resources | University of Oxford
Both lists are good for applications to all Unis.

Moocs (free online courses) to do over the summer - examples
Mechanics: Motion, Forces, Energy and Gravity, from Particles to Planets Course by UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales) | Coursera
Physics of Waves and Optics | Coursera
Solving Societal Problems with Modern Physics - Online Course - FutureLearn
etc

Remember that you need 4 other UCAS choices, not just Oxford. Do not pick more than 'Oxford plus two of UCL/KCL/mega-competitive' Unis - you may not get offers for any of them even if you meet/exceed the entry requirements. Pick at least two 'other Unis' that you would still be happy to go to. If you can, go to University Open Days this June to compare courses etc.