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Should I Do Further Maths Or Computer Science A levels

Hello everyone, I'm deciding if I should stick with computer science or switch it with further maths, A little bit of my background, I came from another country and is in the UK for about 1 year now going into my second, I did maths gcse for one year and got a 7, I also did english and level 2 engineering btec with it, Fast forward to today im now doing maths, physics and computer science a levels, my tutor told me that i should consider doing further maths as it is preferred and recommended by top unis, I didn't do CS gcses and has little to no background on it I did SQLs, htmls, and a bit of phyton in my old school but didn't take it seriously, I do think bot CS and FM are very interesting and Would do either one, Should i switch? Should I take 4 a levels? Or stress might be too much with 4?
Original post by sammyboi13
Hello everyone, I'm deciding if I should stick with computer science or switch it with further maths, A little bit of my background, I came from another country and is in the UK for about 1 year now going into my second, I did maths gcse for one year and got a 7, I also did english and level 2 engineering btec with it, Fast forward to today im now doing maths, physics and computer science a levels, my tutor told me that i should consider doing further maths as it is preferred and recommended by top unis, I didn't do CS gcses and has little to no background on it I did SQLs, htmls, and a bit of phyton in my old school but didn't take it seriously, I do think bot CS and FM are very interesting and Would do either one, Should i switch? Should I take 4 a levels? Or stress might be too much with 4?

Well, four is generally not recommend in most scenarios, because its leaves you vulnerable to the effort required for the fourth A level impacting the grade you achieve in the other three. If a uni is looking for A*A*A and you have A*AAA, you might consider that "better" - but you'll still have missed the offer grades and so might miss-out on a place.

Have you thought about what you might want to do after A levels? Is university on the cards? If so, what subject might you like to study? (This is relevant because some universities express a preference for Further Maths for some subjects. But if those aren't the subjects, or universities, you're interested in then this doesn't matter.)
Original post by sammyboi13
Hello everyone, I'm deciding if I should stick with computer science or switch it with further maths, A little bit of my background, I came from another country and is in the UK for about 1 year now going into my second, I did maths gcse for one year and got a 7, I also did english and level 2 engineering btec with it, Fast forward to today im now doing maths, physics and computer science a levels, my tutor told me that i should consider doing further maths as it is preferred and recommended by top unis, I didn't do CS gcses and has little to no background on it I did SQLs, htmls, and a bit of phyton in my old school but didn't take it seriously, I do think bot CS and FM are very interesting and Would do either one, Should i switch? Should I take 4 a levels? Or stress might be too much with 4?

Hi @sammyboi13,

Firstly, may I ask what you are considering to study in university? Depending on your course, I recommend you choose the subject that is most related to what you wish to study in university. Secondly, taking four A-Levels is unnecessary as most universities only look at three subjects, furthermore taking four subjects is extremely time-consuming and can get very overwhelming.

It's also important to consider that GCSE Maths and A-Levels Maths is a very big jump, many students who perform well in GCSEs still find that A-Level Maths is challenging. Although your tutor is not wrong that further maths is well perceived, it's best that you choose the subject that best relates to your desired course in university.

Hope this helps,
Danish
BCU Student Rep
Reply 3
Original post by DataVenia
Well, four is generally not recommend in most scenarios, because its leaves you vulnerable to the effort required for the fourth A level impacting the grade you achieve in the other three. If a uni is looking for A*A*A and you have A*AAA, you might consider that "better" - but you'll still have missed the offer grades and so might miss-out on a place.
Have you thought about what you might want to do after A levels? Is university on the cards? If so, what subject might you like to study? (This is relevant because some universities express a preference for Further Maths for some subjects. But if those aren't the subjects, or universities, you're interested in then this doesn't matter.)


I plan on doing engineering in the future although I'm not sure which field I'm gonna choose yet, but right now I'm leaning into Mechanical, automotive or biomedical engineering. I'm also hoping to get into the top Russel group Universities
Reply 4
Original post by BCU Student Rep
Hi @sammyboi13,
Firstly, may I ask what you are considering to study in university? Depending on your course, I recommend you choose the subject that is most related to what you wish to study in university. Secondly, taking four A-Levels is unnecessary as most universities only look at three subjects, furthermore taking four subjects is extremely time-consuming and can get very overwhelming.
It's also important to consider that GCSE Maths and A-Levels Maths is a very big jump, many students who perform well in GCSEs still find that A-Level Maths is challenging. Although your tutor is not wrong that further maths is well perceived, it's best that you choose the subject that best relates to your desired course in university.
Hope this helps,
Danish
BCU Student Rep


I'm set on doing engineering in the future as I think it is very interesting coming from my background in level 2 engineering btec.
Original post by sammyboi13
I plan on doing engineering in the future although I'm not sure which field I'm gonna choose yet, but right now I'm leaning into Mechanical, automotive or biomedical engineering. I'm also hoping to get into the top Russel group Universities

Thanks. I always get confused when people use a phrase like "top Russel group Universities", because it suggests that they're only interested in top universities if they happen to also be in the Russell Group - but not otherwise. So, in your case, you're apparently excluding University of Bath (a top five uni for Mechanical Engineering). Anyway, I'm sure you have your reasons...

For their Engineering course, Cambridge say "A level Further Mathematics is very strongly encouraged." Of recently accepted students, 96% had it, so you could almost certainly rule out Cambridge without it. (Details)

For Mechanical Engineering, Imperial specific no preference or requirement for Further Maths. (Details)
They do, however, specify their entry requirements separately for those doing three or four A levels: A*A*A or A*AAA.

For their Engineering Science course, Oxford say "Further Mathematics can be helpful to students in completing this course, although it is not required for admission." (Details)

For their Mechanical Engineering course, Bristol are equally happy with Further Maths or Computer Science. (Details)

So it's probably only Oxbridge where Further Maths would make any difference (from the limited analysis above).
Reply 6
Original post by DataVenia
Thanks. I always get confused when people use a phrase like "top Russel group Universities", because it suggests that they're only interested in top universities if they happen to also be in the Russell Group - but not otherwise. So, in your case, you're apparently excluding University of Bath (a top five uni for Mechanical Engineering). Anyway, I'm sure you have your reasons...
For their Engineering course, Cambridge say "A level Further Mathematics is very strongly encouraged." Of recently accepted students, 96% had it, so you could almost certainly rule out Cambridge without it. (Details)
For Mechanical Engineering, Imperial specific no preference or requirement for Further Maths. (Details)
They do, however, specify their entry requirements separately for those doing three or four A levels: A*A*A or A*AAA.
For their Engineering Science course, Oxford say "Further Mathematics can be helpful to students in completing this course, although it is not required for admission." (Details)
For their Mechanical Engineering course, Bristol are equally happy with Further Maths or Computer Science. (Details)
So it's probably only Oxbridge where Further Maths would make any difference (from the limited analysis above).


Sorry about that, I haven't researched much outside of rusell groups do you know anymore universities like bath? And does bath prefer FM as well?
Original post by sammyboi13
Sorry about that, I haven't researched much outside of rusell groups do you know anymore universities like bath? And does bath prefer FM as well?

The Russell Group was formed in order to market / promote its members and hence attract more research grants. Membership is no guarantee of teaching quality in any particular field, or that it's a place at which you'll enjoy studying.

Non-members include universities such as St. Andrews (ranked the best university in the country right now, according to both The Times and The Guardian) - although not necessary "top" for your chosen courses, and Bath (top five for Mechanical Engineering).

For Mechanical Engineering, Bath say: "You will need a strong performance in both Mathematics and Physics or Engineering as part of your entry qualifications. If you are taking qualifications including a mixture of subjects (such as A levels) we prefer either a relevant subject (such as Design and Technology) or a traditional subject (such as History). We have a preference for applicants who study A level Further Mathematics (or equivalent)." (That emphasis is mine)

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