Career dilemma

Hi I have currently done one year of btec engineering and a level maths and in the end of the first year for 3d stars and an a star in maths

However, I switched subject now to Biology, chemistry and maths. A levels to try and get into dentistry. I have a week to switch again to engineering.

If I do engineering btec and maths I only have a year left of I do the a levels I have 2 years left. I'm unsure now which one is better. I don't know if it's worth trying to get into dentistry when it's a 10 percent chance of getting in and then risking the fact I may not get the right grades or that I've just wasted a full year for no reason.
Any help would be nice please

Reply 1

TSR Jessica

Sorry you've not had any responses about this. :frown:

Are you sure you've posted in the right place? :smile:

Here's a link to our subject forum which should help get you more responses if you post there. :redface:

Reply 2

zak.sa1

Thanks

Reply 3

username7214188

with dentistry, you would have to do UCAT too. that in itself is difficult and most unis prefer a minimum of 2800.
I would recommend pursuing engineering at uni too. i've seen unis allow btecs if you get distinctions. Also, you do a level maths right? surely you can do anything finance related. Applications for degree apprenticeships are open rn! Worth a shot at applying for uni and degree apprenticeships at the same time

Reply 4

zak.sa1

Yeah my skl are quite generous and have given me a extra month to decide as the engineering classes are just catching up from work last year which I have finished. I'll have a good think about it as I do know the UCAT is really hard. Is there any more advice you could maybe give like what a day in the life of a civil engineer is like

just any info on engineering would be appreciated
thanks

Reply 5

username7214188

Original post by zak.sa1

Yeah my skl are quite generous and have given me a extra month to decide as the engineering classes are just catching up from work last year which I have finished. I'll have a good think about it as I do know the UCAT is really hard. Is there any more advice you could maybe give like what a day in the life of a civil engineer is like
just any info on engineering would be appreciated
thanks

I’m a y13 myself. I’m looking into biomedical engineering.

A lot of my friends are doing med/dent and it is most definitely a lot of pressure. Ucat itself is atrocious, and in all honestly a few of them have had low scores ultimately ruining their decisions and making a year of their lives doing bio and chem go to waste. Bio is difficult honestly. I do chem and it’s easy so far in my opinion. By all means do it if you’re going to put in a lottt of effort from the beginning. It’s also about the work experience and your super and extra curricular too. Interview prep and early entry. It is definitely a lot.

I always sort of knew I didn’t want to do med/dent. I picked maths chem and physics for a levels, and decided on engineering and I only just recently decided in biomedical engineering. That’s why I recommend you do it as well. If it helps, I know UCL do a foundation course for engineering.

Also, I know most unis prefer if your subjects were completed in the same year. Because you’ve already done year 1 of maths, wouldn’t you be doing the exam this year meaning you only have bio and chem to focus on? And wouldn’t you be completing those in 2026?

All in all, I’d recommend engineering. I know civil engineers focus on planning and construction. For example, buildings and dams etc. You should look at descriptions of the different engineering routes on uni websites. That’s what helped me pick which unis and what specific course of engineering.

Reply 6

zak.sa1

Thanks thats actully really useful. as i said since i did the a level maths i can get into my local russel group uni which is newcastle, but i got a month to decide as I am ahead of the engineering work. so i'll look at some videos maybe about engineering and see how that goes.
thanks alot

Reply 7

username7214188

Original post by zak.sa1