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I am in year 12 and I got my AS results with C in computer science and A in physics. I also got A in a level maths. Do you guys think I should still apply for Oxbridge and imperial? Or should I choose some safe universities? I currently have 1. Cambridge 2. Imperial 3. Bristol 4. Manchester for aerospace engineering and 5. UCL for theoretical physics.

Reply 1

Squiggles1238

Absolutely, I would recommend applying for at least one safe university

Reply 2

CynicalSuperior

Original post by Squiggles1238

Absolutely, I would recommend applying for at least one safe university

Which one though? I want aerospace engineering or physics but I also don’t want a university that is too bad.

Reply 3

Squiggles1238

Original post by CynicalSuperior

Which one though? I want aerospace engineering or physics but I also don’t want a university that is too bad.

I’d look for a university that you could see yourself going to that has entry requirements that are at least one grade below your predicted grades

Reply 4

melancollege

Original post by CynicalSuperior

Which subject are you thinking of applying for at Cambridge, Imperial and Bristol? Looking at the other two I'd assume either of Engineering or Natural Sciences (Physical). I can only talk for Cambridge but this is some advice regarding Cambridge:

Looking at the subjects you've mentioned, without Further Maths your application may be at a significant disadvantage. Given that you have achieved aac in your AS Levels, even if we assume you get a grade higher in each subject, you are still short of the minimum requirements of A*A*A. Most applicants will have achieved As in their AS results if they have taken them at all.

For Natural Sciences, your application may not even meet the subject requirements. The requirements are Mathematics and two other science or mathematics subjects, where ‘science/mathematics subjects’ refers to Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and (A Level only) Further Mathematics. You can try contacting your college to see if they will accept Computer Science but it is unlikely.

For Engineering, 96% of successful applicants had A-Level Further Maths and it is likely that the others had exceptional applications to match, including top grades in all their other AS and A-Level exams.

Should you be aiming for Mathematics with Physics at Cambridge, Further Maths A-Level is required.

I think it is worthwhile having more safe options. You are welcome to apply after your A-Levels but the subjects you have chosen, alongside your AS results, may make your Cambridge application less competitive.

Reply 5

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by CynicalSuperior

Physics (theoretical or otherwise) is a completely different course to (aerospace) engineering and there is relatively little overlap between the two (most of the overlap being in mathematical methods and some classical mechanics and thermodynamics, although even those latter two areas will have a quite different approach from each side).

Pick either engineering or physics then go from there. As above without FM unless your school doesn't offer it and your referee can attest to this in your reference, you may be less competitive for some of those unis for either physics or engineering. Also the C in CS at AS level may not provide encouragement that you will indeed eventually get an A in it at A-level (which would be necessary as all of those courses have requirements of AAA or above...).