DT or computer science A-Level for engineering?

3

Im in year 11 and need to apply to college. I’ve applied to my sixth form already but it’s not final yet so I can still change it. I chose further (double) maths, computer science and physics. Now im starting to doubt my choices as i like maths but im not crazy about it and i really love computer science and i like physics but im really passionate about philosophy and ethics and i would so love to take dt product design as im naturally a creative person. Philosophy is not very realistic as I want to do engineering or computer science at university. I do not need product design or computer science to study computer science or engineering at university but I do need further maths if I want to go to Russel groups like Oxbridge or Imperial which I do want to try to get in to. And I also need physics. These subjects work very well together (further maths, physics and computer science) however, im doing the product design GCSE and the computer science GCSE right now and I love both but I love that dt is more practical and I actually get to make things. I also like that at my school they make architectural models at some point in the course. I think it will give me good practical skills and experience but computer science is more mathematical and I love the community around it. I also love the idea of game development and making my own world. However, this is something I can do in my own time. I really do enjoy programming and problem solving though and I also have a genuine passion for philosophy which I don’t feel for many other subjects. Which option is the most ideal choice?

Reply 1

MindMax2000

22

Original post

by Kileyleeast

Im in year 11 and need to apply to college. I’ve applied to my sixth form already but it’s not final yet so I can still change it. I chose further (double) maths, computer science and physics. Now im starting to doubt my choices as i like maths but im not crazy about it and i really love computer science and i like physics but im really passionate about philosophy and ethics and i would so love to take dt product design as im naturally a creative person. Philosophy is not very realistic as I want to do engineering or computer science at university. I do not need product design or computer science to study computer science or engineering at university but I do need further maths if I want to go to Russel groups like Oxbridge or Imperial which I do want to try to get in to. And I also need physics. These subjects work very well together (further maths, physics and computer science) however, im doing the product design GCSE and the computer science GCSE right now and I love both but I love that dt is more practical and I actually get to make things. I also like that at my school they make architectural models at some point in the course. I think it will give me good practical skills and experience but computer science is more mathematical and I love the community around it. I also love the idea of game development and making my own world. However, this is something I can do in my own time. I really do enjoy programming and problem solving though and I also have a genuine passion for philosophy which I don’t feel for many other subjects. Which option is the most ideal choice?

If you don't have maths and physics, you're shooting yourself in the foot.

The third subject can be anything you want. There is nothing to say that you need computer science, DT, or philosophy.

You can always read philosophy books in your own time - alternatively a degree in philosophy wouldn't require specific A Level subjects. DT is something you can do at an adult college, and it's not strictly something you would need to do - there's no uni course for it for example; even if you want to do a degree in product design, you won't need DT to do it. Computer science won't require anything beyond Maths, but Physics would help your applications.

FM is typically the 4th subject in any college application, and not usually a third subject.

Personally, if I were to apply to a top end uni, I would limit my choice for the third subject to be either philosophy or computer science. In which case, I would pick the subject with the chance of getting the higher grade.

Reply 2

McGinger

20

If you are aiming at any sort of CS or Engineering degree subject, Maths will be a required subject, and if you don't enjoy this at A level, it suggests you wont actually enjoy those degree courses.

Have a look at degrees where you can study a variety of different subjects, and the connections between them.

•

Natural Sciences - multi-science STEM degree, and each Uni will offer different subject choices etc, and may include optional units from Management, Social Sciences etc Usually i includes a work/research placement.

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Liberal Arts - multi-subject Humanities program, that again may allow you to take units in other subject areas. Usually includes a valuable Year Abroad.

Other ideas :

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Loughborough - Product Design and Technology BSc | Undergraduate study | Loughborough University

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Leeds - School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science undergraduate courses | School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science | University of Leeds

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NTU - Architectural Technology BSc (Hons) Undergraduate Course | Nottingham Trent University

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Bangor - Creative Technologies

Reply 3

Muttley79

20

Original post

by Kileyleeast

Im in year 11 and need to apply to college. I’ve applied to my sixth form already but it’s not final yet so I can still change it. I chose further (double) maths, computer science and physics. Now im starting to doubt my choices as i like maths but im not crazy about it and i really love computer science and i like physics but im really passionate about philosophy and ethics and i would so love to take dt product design as im naturally a creative person. Philosophy is not very realistic as I want to do engineering or computer science at university. I do not need product design or computer science to study computer science or engineering at university but I do need further maths if I want to go to Russel groups like Oxbridge or Imperial which I do want to try to get in to. And I also need physics. These subjects work very well together (further maths, physics and computer science) however, im doing the product design GCSE and the computer science GCSE right now and I love both but I love that dt is more practical and I actually get to make things. I also like that at my school they make architectural models at some point in the course. I think it will give me good practical skills and experience but computer science is more mathematical and I love the community around it. I also love the idea of game development and making my own world. However, this is something I can do in my own time. I really do enjoy programming and problem solving though and I also have a genuine passion for philosophy which I don’t feel for many other subjects. Which option is the most ideal choice?

DT is quite useful for Engineering.

Maths & Physics are essential ...

Also do not be focused on RG as those unis are not important for Engineering. Look for an accredited degree with a year in Industry.
Some unis also enter Formula Student https://www.imeche.org/events/formula-student [Bath & Oxford Brookes do the best in this]

DT or computer science A-Level for engineering?

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