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Not sure about whether I picked the right level 3 subject

Context: I'm currently in year 12 and picked Double maths, computer science and an RS level in creative digital media (a coursework subject focusing on game dev) for my subjects. I'm very happy with the maths and comp sci side of things, and it's enough to go into computer science or maths I'm sure. The main problem is creative digital media, which I picked because I wanted to do something fun as my 4th A level (pretty idiotic to do but eh). It turns out that It's much more art focused than I though it would be, which is pretty anxiety inducing for me since I'm not an art guy. The subject I would have picked if I didn't would have been physics, which I think would have meshed with maths much better and given me much more STEM career and course pathways than creative digital media. It's not technically too late to change my course, however I assumedly would have a lot to catch up on since Its basically half a year through already, and I would also have wasted my progress in CDM.

Right now I'm thinking just to stick it out and aim for a D instead of a D* since I currently plan to study computer science and maybe some added maths (or joint CS + maths). If I were to apply for a prestigious Uni (like Cambridge or oxford), would having a non-stem subject as my fourth subject be detrimental to my chances?

My main question is, how hard would switching to physics be if I decided to/whether it would be advisable (could I self study it after sixth form maybe?). Additionally, if I wanted to change my course/career pathway to something more physics related in the future, how could I get the qualifications to do so?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Tldr: Picked a creative subject as my 4th a level which isn't as good as I though it would be. Considering switching to physics (though it would be pretty late) or studying physics later. Currently aiming to study comp sci and not sure how a creative subject impacts my chances. Would like advice or just thoughts
(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 1

Original post by EdenÅ
Context: I'm currently in year 12 and picked Double maths, computer science and an RS level in creative digital media (a coursework subject focusing on game dev) for my subjects. I'm very happy with the maths and comp sci side of things, and it's enough to go into computer science or maths I'm sure. The main problem is creative digital media, which I picked because I wanted to do something fun as my 4th A level (pretty idiotic to do but eh). It turns out that It's much more art focused than I though it would be, which is pretty anxiety inducing for me since I'm not an art guy. The subject I would have picked if I didn't would have been physics, which I think would have meshed with maths much better and given me much more STEM career and course pathways than creative digital media. It's not technically too late to change my course, however I assumedly would have a lot to catch up on since Its basically half a year through already, and I would also have wasted my progress in CDM.
Right now I'm thinking just to stick it out and aim for a D instead of a D* since I currently plan to study computer science and maybe some added maths (or joint CS + maths). If I were to apply for a prestigious Uni (like Cambridge or oxford), would having a non-stem subject as my fourth subject be detrimental to my chances?
My main question is, how hard would switching to physics be if I decided to/whether it would be advisable (could I self study it after sixth form maybe?). Additionally, if I wanted to change my course/career pathway to something more physics related in the future, how could I get the qualifications to do so?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Tldr: Picked a creative subject as my 4th a level which isn't as good as I though it would be. Considering switching to physics (though it would be pretty late) or studying physics later. Currently aiming to study comp sci and not sure how a creative subject impacts my chances. Would like advice or just thoughts

Quite a situation you’ve found yourself in. Swapping to a subject like physics this late will surely have its repercussions as physics is often hailed as the third hardest a-level after further maths and maths. I would consider that heavily as you would of also missed about half a years worth of content.
Hey, I filter SR for search terms like Game art/Game dev so my advice is not that of someone who went down the super academic route (but bear with me)

From my understanding, doing 4 A -levels is not necessary to get into the super prestigious universities- sometimes it can be a bonus, but not a necessity - focusing on doing really well in your Maths and Compsci should be enough - and I wouldn't worry too much about your other course impacting your outcomes. One of my best friends went to Cambridge with 3 A levels in amazing grades (I believe A*A*A*) so it definitely is not a dealbreaker.

If you are still interested in pursuing some kind of game development pathway in the future, possibly as an outcome from your maths/compsci degree in something like software engineering, feel free to reach out to me and chat further. But I appreciate you may want to move away from that if your intention is to broaden your career prospects (certainly not a bad thing!)

Reply 3

Hey! I'm also in y12 so don't take anything I say as gospel, but from what my friends doing, maths, FM and physics say physics is arguably as hard as FM. That's not to say you shouldn't switch but it would mean a lot of catch up. I wouldn't worry about course options with your current choices as from what I've seen loads of unis would take you on for STEM courses like engineering without physics because you've got double maths. Even if you couldn't get a top 10 uni you would have loads of options. Ultimately, though, your 2 main options seem to be maths or cS and your subjects are perfect for that. For your 4th subject, just because it isn't STEM as such doesn't disadcantage you from what I know, but it isn't worth carrying on if it's causing you unnecessary stress and taking time from your other 3. Again, I'm only in y12 and i'm not planning on going down the maths/CS path but hope this helps. PS, it might be worth looking at some uni admissions websites.

Reply 4

Original post by aspalax
Hey, I filter SR for search terms like Game art/Game dev so my advice is not that of someone who went down the super academic route (but bear with me)
From my understanding, doing 4 A -levels is not necessary to get into the super prestigious universities- sometimes it can be a bonus, but not a necessity - focusing on doing really well in your Maths and Compsci should be enough - and I wouldn't worry too much about your other course impacting your outcomes. One of my best friends went to Cambridge with 3 A levels in amazing grades (I believe A*A*A*) so it definitely is not a dealbreaker.
If you are still interested in pursuing some kind of game development pathway in the future, possibly as an outcome from your maths/compsci degree in something like software engineering, feel free to reach out to me and chat further. But I appreciate you may want to move away from that if your intention is to broaden your career prospects (certainly not a bad thing!)

Ok, thanks

Reply 5

Original post by EdenÅ
Context: I'm currently in year 12 and picked Double maths, computer science and an RS level in creative digital media (a coursework subject focusing on game dev) for my subjects. I'm very happy with the maths and comp sci side of things, and it's enough to go into computer science or maths I'm sure. The main problem is creative digital media, which I picked because I wanted to do something fun as my 4th A level (pretty idiotic to do but eh). It turns out that It's much more art focused than I though it would be, which is pretty anxiety inducing for me since I'm not an art guy. The subject I would have picked if I didn't would have been physics, which I think would have meshed with maths much better and given me much more STEM career and course pathways than creative digital media. It's not technically too late to change my course, however I assumedly would have a lot to catch up on since Its basically half a year through already, and I would also have wasted my progress in CDM.
Right now I'm thinking just to stick it out and aim for a D instead of a D* since I currently plan to study computer science and maybe some added maths (or joint CS + maths). If I were to apply for a prestigious Uni (like Cambridge or oxford), would having a non-stem subject as my fourth subject be detrimental to my chances?
My main question is, how hard would switching to physics be if I decided to/whether it would be advisable (could I self study it after sixth form maybe?). Additionally, if I wanted to change my course/career pathway to something more physics related in the future, how could I get the qualifications to do so?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Tldr: Picked a creative subject as my 4th a level which isn't as good as I though it would be. Considering switching to physics (though it would be pretty late) or studying physics later. Currently aiming to study comp sci and not sure how a creative subject impacts my chances. Would like advice or just thoughts

What career are intending to do, as that will determine the best Computer Science degree for you. Physics would be very useful. When I was an Edinburgh University studying Computer Science most students had maths, physics, and a variety of subjects for there 3 or 4 A-level subject.

BTW Edinburgh University has the largest C.Sci department in the UK, and it has strong links to several of the main computer games clusters in the UK. C. Sci at Cambridge is Theoretical focused. Manchester University, Imperial College, UCL, Bristol University, Dundee University, and Southampton University would be worth looking at.

Look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Association_for_UK_Interactive_Entertainment - has a link to an interactive map that shows key companies for you to reach out to. Use LinkedIn to find out what degrees they want for the specialism(s) that you are interested in, and contact them about internships, etc.

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