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Help me choose which course should I pick for engineering??

Hello, I study Physics and design engineering a level and applied law as a Btec. I always wanted to study Biomedical engineering but got a 6 in maths and couldn’t take maths alevel. I applied for foundation years at UCL and Cardiff University for biomedical engineering, and Reading University for first year entry as they accepted just physics. I also applied at Loughborough University for biomaterials engineering, which I later found to be not for me. I also applied to Manchester University for mechanical engineering with foundation year. I got accepted for all of them and I’m leaning towards UCL and Reading more. UCL however is very expensive and I would have to do an extra year but it’s really good uni and I really like it. Whereas for Reading it’s a campus uni which I like and it’s willing to give me a scholarship and I wouldn’t have to do a foundation year. Therefore, I don’t know what to pick. Help?

Reply 1

Original post
by Someone_90
Hello, I study Physics and design engineering a level and applied law as a Btec. I always wanted to study Biomedical engineering but got a 6 in maths and couldn’t take maths alevel. I applied for foundation years at UCL and Cardiff University for biomedical engineering, and Reading University for first year entry as they accepted just physics. I also applied at Loughborough University for biomaterials engineering, which I later found to be not for me. I also applied to Manchester University for mechanical engineering with foundation year. I got accepted for all of them and I’m leaning towards UCL and Reading more. UCL however is very expensive and I would have to do an extra year but it’s really good uni and I really like it. Whereas for Reading it’s a campus uni which I like and it’s willing to give me a scholarship and I wouldn’t have to do a foundation year. Therefore, I don’t know what to pick. Help?

I would do Maths A Level privately and then revise your options after. A Levels by themselves have no entry requirements (none set by the exam boards). It's only the individual colleges that set the entry requirements.
If you feel confident, then do the extra A Level privately.

In terms of the type of engineering, I would go for something in mechanical engineering - mechanical engineering will allow you to go into biomedical engineering as well as mechanical engineering (on top of several other subdisciplines). Manchester is probably the most well known for engineering, so I would lean more towards that. However, if you have to pick between UCL and Reading, then I would lean more towards UCL.

Do note, if you did Maths A Level by yourself and got the necessary grade, you wouldn't need to sit the foundation year. I doesn't change the fact that London is still expensive though.

Reply 2

Original post
by MindMax2000
I would do Maths A Level privately and then revise your options after. A Levels by themselves have no entry requirements (none set by the exam boards). It's only the individual colleges that set the entry requirements.
If you feel confident, then do the extra A Level privately.
In terms of the type of engineering, I would go for something in mechanical engineering - mechanical engineering will allow you to go into biomedical engineering as well as mechanical engineering (on top of several other subdisciplines). Manchester is probably the most well known for engineering, so I would lean more towards that. However, if you have to pick between UCL and Reading, then I would lean more towards UCL.
Do note, if you did Maths A Level by yourself and got the necessary grade, you wouldn't need to sit the foundation year. I doesn't change the fact that London is still expensive though.


Thank you that was very helpful. When it comes to taking alevel maths I wish I knew that when I was still in yr12 because I think it’s pointless to do it now. I will defo look more into my Manchester offer

Reply 3

Original post
by Someone_90
Thank you that was very helpful. When it comes to taking alevel maths I wish I knew that when I was still in yr12 because I think it’s pointless to do it now. I will defo look more into my Manchester offer

Well, it's not too late to do the A Level. You can take a gap year and spend 1-2 months studying it before sitting the exams, that is if you want to have as many options as you should have.
To me, the A Level which can cost about £1000 with study material and exam costs still is more economical than a foundation year which will cost you £9250

Reply 4

Original post
by Someone_90
Hello, I study Physics and design engineering a level and applied law as a Btec. I always wanted to study Biomedical engineering but got a 6 in maths and couldn’t take maths alevel. I applied for foundation years at UCL and Cardiff University for biomedical engineering, and Reading University for first year entry as they accepted just physics. I also applied at Loughborough University for biomaterials engineering, which I later found to be not for me. I also applied to Manchester University for mechanical engineering with foundation year. I got accepted for all of them and I’m leaning towards UCL and Reading more. UCL however is very expensive and I would have to do an extra year but it’s really good uni and I really like it. Whereas for Reading it’s a campus uni which I like and it’s willing to give me a scholarship and I wouldn’t have to do a foundation year. Therefore, I don’t know what to pick. Help?

Hi @Someone_90

I hope you're well.

It is great to hear that you're considering studying here at Reading.

I don't know anyone studying that course at the uni sadly so can't offer too much insight into it, but I can confirm that the campus is beautiful and such a lovely place to study. It is very picturesque and quiet, but the town centre is still very busy with plenty to do so it is a lovely balance.

If you have any more questions about the University of Reading then please just let us know.

Hattie😊
4MSci Speech and Language Therapy

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