What A-levels for Oxbridge Computer Science

I aspire to study Computer Science at Oxbridge.

The college I will go to only offers 3 A-levels but offers an AS level and EPQs. Should I do both the AS level and an EPQ? I can handle the workload.

If so, should I do Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science and Physics AS, or, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Computer Science AS?

Thanks

Reply 1

bluegray

Original post by fjekwsj

I aspire to study Computer Science at Oxbridge.
The college I will go to only offers 3 A-levels but offers an AS level and EPQs. Should I do both the AS level and an EPQ? I can handle the workload.
If so, should I do Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science and Physics AS, or, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Computer Science AS?
Thanks

if you're planning on doing CS at uni i'd definitely do a full a level in it

Reply 2

fjekwsj

Original post by bluegray

if you're planning on doing CS at uni i'd definitely do a full a level in it

But I'm not sure if that's true. I looked at Oxford successful applicants and there was more FM, M, P than FM, M, CS.

Reply 3

mqb2766

Original post by fjekwsj

But I'm not sure if that's true. I looked at Oxford successful applicants and there was more FM, M, P than FM, M, CS.

Id agree with that physics would probably be slightly preferable to cs, though I doubt its a deal breaker. If you can do cs to as then that would be good though doing appropriate supercurricular stuff is almost more important.

Reply 4

fjekwsj

Original post by mqb2766

That's what I was thinking, I will do a lot of super-curricular activities such as website development.

Reply 5

mqb2766

Original post by fjekwsj

That's what I was thinking, I will do a lot of super-curricular activities such as website development.

Id have a look at the oxbridge recommended supercurriculum stuff. You dont have to do exactly what they suggest, but its a good starting point, so
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/super-curricular_suggestions.pdf
There is little about web development (not a bad thing to do), but more on things like bio/bebras/codes&cyphers/algorithms/...

Note oxbridge accept "just" three a levels and its important to hit the grades, but with maths and further maths, you can use the fact that you elect to take extra as and epq as evidence that youre capable of handling the workload.

As usual though the entrance exams (tmua and mat) and interviews are typically more selective, and this year cs has been extremely competitive for leading unis.

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 6

fjekwsj

Original post by mqb2766

Id have a look at the oxbridge recommended supercurriculum stuff. You dont have to do exactly what they suggest, but its a good starting point, so
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/super-curricular_suggestions.pdf
There is little about web development (not a bad thing to do), but more on things like bio/bebras/codes&cyphers/algorithms/...
Note oxbridge accept "just" three a levels and its important to hit the grades, but with maths and further maths, you can use the fact that you elect to take extra as and epq as evidence that youre capable of handling the workload.
As usual though the entrance exams (tmua and mat) and interviews are typically more selective, and this year cs has been extremely competitive for leading unis.

Yes, I will do the Bebras, Project Euler and I've got the Code Book and the New Turing Omnibus. I also watch Computerphiles. I will do personal projects (web and app development) to build a portfolio to make me stand out :smile:

Reply 7

bluegray

Original post by fjekwsj

But I'm not sure if that's true. I looked at Oxford successful applicants and there was more FM, M, P than FM, M, CS.

but also look at worst case scenario applying to backup unis aswell which may recquire you to have computer science at a level. Not saying you won't get into oxbridge but remember there's still 4 other ucas spaces you can apply to aswell so think about that too