Should I do DT or chemistry for engineering at uni?

2

I want to go to either Cambridge or Imperial for university, and I was wondering what I should take as my fourth level, along with maths, further maths, and physics. I haven't done DT for GCSE, but I have faith in my abilities to catch up over the summer. I do enjoy chem but I have heard so many horror stories about doing it, and the fact that DT is 50% coursework would probably lower the load in the long run. However I am wondering if that would lower my chances of getting into a top uni because the course is different and chem is a more common fourth subject for those courses.

Reply 1

Yeahye

10

Original post

by beulsies

I want to go to either Cambridge or Imperial for university, and I was wondering what I should take as my fourth level, along with maths, further maths, and physics. I haven't done DT for GCSE, but I have faith in my abilities to catch up over the summer. I do enjoy chem but I have heard so many horror stories about doing it, and the fact that DT is 50% coursework would probably lower the load in the long run. However I am wondering if that would lower my chances of getting into a top uni because the course is different and chem is a more common fourth subject for those courses.

I do DT, it really does lower the pressure for exams if you do well in the coursework, no idea how it affects getting into a top uni, but its fun

Reply 2

username7632970

8

Original post

by beulsies

I want to go to either Cambridge or Imperial for university, and I was wondering what I should take as my fourth level, along with maths, further maths, and physics. I haven't done DT for GCSE, but I have faith in my abilities to catch up over the summer. I do enjoy chem but I have heard so many horror stories about doing it, and the fact that DT is 50% coursework would probably lower the load in the long run. However I am wondering if that would lower my chances of getting into a top uni because the course is different and chem is a more common fourth subject for those courses.

As it's a fourth subject, I don't think it really matters? It would say do DT, as it would be lot less stressful and would cut down the workload a lot. If you enjoy chem, and you think you can get a good grade on it, even with physics maths and fm, then go for that, but it would be a lot of work and be a lot more stressful in the long run. For unis, I don't think it really matters, as long as the grades for the others are good enough. Overall, choose the one you think you're going to do the best in and enjoy more, as it wouldn't really matter towards uni (unless your predicted like a C or smth, it might slightly decrease your chances)

Hope this helped a bit?

Good Luck!

Reply 3

Wired_1800

20

Original post

by beulsies

I want to go to either Cambridge or Imperial for university, and I was wondering what I should take as my fourth level, along with maths, further maths, and physics. I haven't done DT for GCSE, but I have faith in my abilities to catch up over the summer. I do enjoy chem but I have heard so many horror stories about doing it, and the fact that DT is 50% coursework would probably lower the load in the long run. However I am wondering if that would lower my chances of getting into a top uni because the course is different and chem is a more common fourth subject for those courses.

It depends on the course. Some courses would require some knowledge of chemistry. However, i think DT could be a good skill to learn for future endeavours.

Reply 4

Muttley79

20

Original post

by beulsies

I want to go to either Cambridge or Imperial for university, and I was wondering what I should take as my fourth level, along with maths, further maths, and physics. I haven't done DT for GCSE, but I have faith in my abilities to catch up over the summer. I do enjoy chem but I have heard so many horror stories about doing it, and the fact that DT is 50% coursework would probably lower the load in the long run. However I am wondering if that would lower my chances of getting into a top uni because the course is different and chem is a more common fourth subject for those courses.

Is it DT or 3D Product Design?

Reply 5

CosmoH

1

I was in the same situation and chose chemistry, which I've quite liked.
No (non-chemical) engineering course I've seen has required either, so if you have a preference for DT over chemistry then that's probably what you should do. I wanted a break from coursework after GCSE DT and I think chemistry was the right decision for me (and didn't give me a disadvantage applying to unis, as far as I can tell), but if you don't have many engineering projects or competitions for a personal statement then DT has the advantage of giving you more of those to do.
I don't think DT is less work than chemistry, though, from what I've heard from my friends that do it.

Reply 6

beulsies

OP

2

Original post

by Muttley79

Is it DT or 3D Product Design?

dt

Reply 7

Muttley79

20

Original post

by beulsies

dt

Chemistry is only needed for Chem Eng - DT is broader and is useful if you are drawn to the design side of Engineering.

My studnts tend to look elsewhere [with 4 x A*] as having a year in industry and up-to-date knowledge is important in getting a job. Please don't focus on those two ...

Reply 8

Camer0nR

11

Yo! Year 12 here. I'm doing Chem as one of mine and I really don't think it's that bad and I know others who think this as well, though I also know people who struggle with/hate it. Overall though, from my experience there is no reason to be put off doing it by its difficulty as it's manageable as long as you make sure you understand everything and have no gaps, and you can always drop it if you don't like it. DT is definitely the better option for something like design engineering at Imperial and is probably more linked to engineering generally than Chemistry, but Chemistry is generally seen as more academic so might be better for Cambridge. Probably though, with 3 traditionally academic subjects DT being less traditional isn't a bad thing and you might enjoy the different style. Ultimately I'd say pick the one you are likely to enjoy and succeed in. Maybe have a look at some DT over summer and see if you like it?

Should I do DT or chemistry for engineering at uni?

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