Applying for sixth forms confused about subjects and my future

Not sure about universities and my future aside from doing STEM. I know probably math is guaranteed but I don't know whether or not to pick physics, aerospace engineering piques my interest but I'm not sure, and I don't know if I can get into a Russell group without it (My current a level choices are math chemistry and computer science)

Reply 1

Ahqosjdjr1

I would say avoid doing specific subjects like computer science, psychology, politics at alevel. Study the broader, core subjects like sciences, history or english lit. University is for studying the more specific topics. Alevel is the foundation of that.

Reply 2

890990

Thanks for replying, I think a problem of mine is that i want to eat my cake and have it too because i do like Gcse computer science and my parents want me to pick it, but I want I have the most flexibility for choice as well in case I want to do engineering and other stuff

Reply 3

Ahqosjdjr1

Original post by 890990

You can be an engineer with a computer science degree. Like a software engineer, UX designer.

But once you study computer science at alevel, you might not have many options at degree level. Remember universities take into consideration your alevels are. Don't bottle yourself into one route too much.

Reply 4

KWad

Imo you should take Maths, Further Maths (if you're up to it) and Physics and/or Chemistry. They keep your options very open and are highly regarded A-levels in STEM irrespective of which area you go into. Those A-levels could get you anywhere from Med school to an aerospace engineering course.

If it turns out you really enjoy computer science and want to study it at uni, you will not be disadvantaged by not having taken computer science at A-level. I say this as someone who is applying for computer science and takes the subject at A-level. All unis are aware that most colleges/sixth forms do not offer cs, and even if they do the teachers might not be very good, so do not care much about whether or not you studied the subject. They do, however, care a lot about maths and further maths if you can study it.

Reply 5

nwar

Original post by 890990

What your parents want should NEVER be a factor in your A levels. They are 100 times harder than GCSEs and if you’re not studying something you enjoy, you will struggle and probably won’t do very well. Your parents aren’t sitting your A levels.

That being said, picking physics opens your doors if you don’t know what exactly you want to study yet. Also remember that subjects you enjoyed at GCSE may not necessarily be subjects you enjoy at A level.