Can I get into Oxbridge with these a-levels
I have to pick my a-level options. I am unsure if I want to do medicine or computer science at uni and so I want to keep my doors open. I have selected:
Computer Science
Maths
Chemistry
Biology
For Oxford University, Maths is an essential subject and further maths is highly recommended for computer science. Is further maths really just " highly recommended" or in reality are candidates who don't select further maths "looked down upon" or at a disadvantage compared to those who picked further math. Also I am considering engineering so can I swap computer science for physics instead and have the same chances of getting into Oxford if I were to select computer science.
Computer Science
Maths
Chemistry
Biology
For Oxford University, Maths is an essential subject and further maths is highly recommended for computer science. Is further maths really just " highly recommended" or in reality are candidates who don't select further maths "looked down upon" or at a disadvantage compared to those who picked further math. Also I am considering engineering so can I swap computer science for physics instead and have the same chances of getting into Oxford if I were to select computer science.
Original post by n1gg4
I have to pick my a-level options. I am unsure if I want to do medicine or computer science at uni and so I want to keep my doors open. I have selected:
Computer Science
Maths
Chemistry
Biology
For Oxford University, Maths is an essential subject and further maths is highly recommended for computer science. Is further maths really just " highly recommended" or in reality are candidates who don't select further maths "looked down upon" or at a disadvantage compared to those who picked further math. Also I am considering engineering so can I swap computer science for physics instead and have the same chances of getting into Oxford if I were to select computer science.
Computer Science
Maths
Chemistry
Biology
For Oxford University, Maths is an essential subject and further maths is highly recommended for computer science. Is further maths really just " highly recommended" or in reality are candidates who don't select further maths "looked down upon" or at a disadvantage compared to those who picked further math. Also I am considering engineering so can I swap computer science for physics instead and have the same chances of getting into Oxford if I were to select computer science.
If Further Maths is recommended, I would say take it. I'm not sure about being "looked down upon" but it's best to be safe I guess. Besides keep an eye out for admissions tests as well, Oxford looks heavily upon them when shortlisting applicants for interviews.
Original post by boopitisme15
If Further Maths is recommended, I would say take it. I'm not sure about being "looked down upon" but it's best to be safe I guess. Besides keep an eye out for admissions tests as well, Oxford looks heavily upon them when shortlisting applicants for interviews.
If interested in Med and Comp sci, I'd say swap out the computer science for Further Maths. I think for Computing they don't expect you to take it as one of your A levels, most unis look for Maths or Further Maths (for those top Russel Group unis).
So, you are considering engineering, computer science, and medicine, all at the same time? I think your bigger problem is choosing a career path, not choosing your A-levels. Do not make the mistake of attempting to keep every door open - trying to keep on top of the work for all three courses will inevitably lead to you falling behind on all three. You do not want to be a jack of all, king of none. If you were considering light subjects like the humanities my advice would be different, but the reality is that if you want to get into one of the stated (highly competitive) Oxford courses you must pick the correct A-level combination, and trying to keep options open will weaken the combination.
That being said, your current selection will only be competitive for medicine. It will not be competitive for either engineering or computer science. For computer science, you practically must have Maths and Further Maths A-level, and ideally computer science. For engineering you must have maths and physics A-level.
To reiterate: decide what course you want to do first and then pick your A-levels. Do not try to keep lots of options open indefinitely if you have an ambition to go to Oxford.
That being said, your current selection will only be competitive for medicine. It will not be competitive for either engineering or computer science. For computer science, you practically must have Maths and Further Maths A-level, and ideally computer science. For engineering you must have maths and physics A-level.
To reiterate: decide what course you want to do first and then pick your A-levels. Do not try to keep lots of options open indefinitely if you have an ambition to go to Oxford.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/course-listing/computer-science
Copied from "Admissions Requirements":
"If your school offers Further Maths A-Level we expect you to have taken it. However, we understand that not all schools offer Further Maths, and so we do consider applications from people with a single Maths A-level.
If you are based in England, and your school doesn't offer Further Maths visit the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme website as they can provide extra maths support. If you are based in Wales, visit the Further Mathematics Support Programme Wales.
Please note from 2021-24, 95% of A-level students who were offered places for Computer Science courses (including joint courses) took Further Maths to A-level. "
It isn't optional by the looks of it, and a quick google search would've told you this. It's a bit concerning you want to apply to a course with a 5% acceptance rate and don't even know what A levels to take.... Engineering would probably need FM too but you can check that yourself.
Copied from "Admissions Requirements":
"If your school offers Further Maths A-Level we expect you to have taken it. However, we understand that not all schools offer Further Maths, and so we do consider applications from people with a single Maths A-level.
If you are based in England, and your school doesn't offer Further Maths visit the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme website as they can provide extra maths support. If you are based in Wales, visit the Further Mathematics Support Programme Wales.
Please note from 2021-24, 95% of A-level students who were offered places for Computer Science courses (including joint courses) took Further Maths to A-level. "
It isn't optional by the looks of it, and a quick google search would've told you this. It's a bit concerning you want to apply to a course with a 5% acceptance rate and don't even know what A levels to take.... Engineering would probably need FM too but you can check that yourself.
Original post by pagan-scimitar
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/course-listing/computer-science
Copied from "Admissions Requirements":
"If your school offers Further Maths A-Level we expect you to have taken it. However, we understand that not all schools offer Further Maths, and so we do consider applications from people with a single Maths A-level.
If you are based in England, and your school doesn't offer Further Maths visit the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme website as they can provide extra maths support. If you are based in Wales, visit the Further Mathematics Support Programme Wales.
Please note from 2021-24, 95% of A-level students who were offered places for Computer Science courses (including joint courses) took Further Maths to A-level. "
It isn't optional by the looks of it, and a quick google search would've told you this. It's a bit concerning you want to apply to a course with a 5% acceptance rate and don't even know what A levels to take.... Engineering would probably need FM too but you can check that yourself.
Copied from "Admissions Requirements":
"If your school offers Further Maths A-Level we expect you to have taken it. However, we understand that not all schools offer Further Maths, and so we do consider applications from people with a single Maths A-level.
If you are based in England, and your school doesn't offer Further Maths visit the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme website as they can provide extra maths support. If you are based in Wales, visit the Further Mathematics Support Programme Wales.
Please note from 2021-24, 95% of A-level students who were offered places for Computer Science courses (including joint courses) took Further Maths to A-level. "
It isn't optional by the looks of it, and a quick google search would've told you this. It's a bit concerning you want to apply to a course with a 5% acceptance rate and don't even know what A levels to take.... Engineering would probably need FM too but you can check that yourself.
ditto
Original post by pagan-scimitar
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/course-listing/computer-science
Copied from "Admissions Requirements":
"If your school offers Further Maths A-Level we expect you to have taken it. However, we understand that not all schools offer Further Maths, and so we do consider applications from people with a single Maths A-level.
If you are based in England, and your school doesn't offer Further Maths visit the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme website as they can provide extra maths support. If you are based in Wales, visit the Further Mathematics Support Programme Wales.
Please note from 2021-24, 95% of A-level students who were offered places for Computer Science courses (including joint courses) took Further Maths to A-level. "
It isn't optional by the looks of it, and a quick google search would've told you this. It's a bit concerning you want to apply to a course with a 5% acceptance rate and don't even know what A levels to take.... Engineering would probably need FM too but you can check that yourself.
Copied from "Admissions Requirements":
"If your school offers Further Maths A-Level we expect you to have taken it. However, we understand that not all schools offer Further Maths, and so we do consider applications from people with a single Maths A-level.
If you are based in England, and your school doesn't offer Further Maths visit the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme website as they can provide extra maths support. If you are based in Wales, visit the Further Mathematics Support Programme Wales.
Please note from 2021-24, 95% of A-level students who were offered places for Computer Science courses (including joint courses) took Further Maths to A-level. "
It isn't optional by the looks of it, and a quick google search would've told you this. It's a bit concerning you want to apply to a course with a 5% acceptance rate and don't even know what A levels to take.... Engineering would probably need FM too but you can check that yourself.
Similarly for Cambridge: if your school / college offer Further Maths A-Level, you'd be expected to take it.
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/computer-science-ba-hons-meng
Original post by n1gg4
I have to pick my a-level options. I am unsure if I want to do medicine or computer science at uni and so I want to keep my doors open. I have selected:
Computer Science
Maths
Chemistry
Biology
For Oxford University, Maths is an essential subject and further maths is highly recommended for computer science. Is further maths really just " highly recommended" or in reality are candidates who don't select further maths "looked down upon" or at a disadvantage compared to those who picked further math. Also I am considering engineering so can I swap computer science for physics instead and have the same chances of getting into Oxford if I were to select computer science.
Computer Science
Maths
Chemistry
Biology
For Oxford University, Maths is an essential subject and further maths is highly recommended for computer science. Is further maths really just " highly recommended" or in reality are candidates who don't select further maths "looked down upon" or at a disadvantage compared to those who picked further math. Also I am considering engineering so can I swap computer science for physics instead and have the same chances of getting into Oxford if I were to select computer science.
Hi, I took Maths Further Maths Chemistry and Biology because I was interested in Medicine or Engineering, and yesterday I received an offer for Medicine at Cambridge. I think this is a good combo for Med/Compsci because it will be a safe option for both.
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