Should I drop Further Maths?
I am looking to apply for architecture - my top choice is UCL. Basically, I take four A-levels: Maths, Physics, Further Maths, and Art. As well as an EPQ (A*).
Yeah...IK. life has been hard. It's been super difficult to maintain my grades, and I have come out of this year burnt OUTTTT.
Point is : My school makes us sit AS-levels in maths, physics, and further maths. I got Triple A in all 3. I'm really happy obviously but I honestly cannot fathom going into another year of insane further maths when I know I'm probably not going to get an A* anyway. I also really want an A* in physics and so I know I will need to dedicate a large amount of time for that.
Should I keep FM as an AS or go for A-level FM???
Yeah...IK. life has been hard. It's been super difficult to maintain my grades, and I have come out of this year burnt OUTTTT.
Point is : My school makes us sit AS-levels in maths, physics, and further maths. I got Triple A in all 3. I'm really happy obviously but I honestly cannot fathom going into another year of insane further maths when I know I'm probably not going to get an A* anyway. I also really want an A* in physics and so I know I will need to dedicate a large amount of time for that.
Should I keep FM as an AS or go for A-level FM???
Original post
by fivesixsevenI am looking to apply for architecture - my top choice is UCL. Basically, I take four A-levels: Maths, Physics, Further Maths, and Art. As well as an EPQ (A*).
Yeah...IK. life has been hard. It's been super difficult to maintain my grades, and I have come out of this year burnt OUTTTT.
Point is : My school makes us sit AS-levels in maths, physics, and further maths. I got Triple A in all 3. I'm really happy obviously but I honestly cannot fathom going into another year of insane further maths when I know I'm probably not going to get an A* anyway. I also really want an A* in physics and so I know I will need to dedicate a large amount of time for that.
Should I keep FM as an AS or go for A-level FM???
Yeah...IK. life has been hard. It's been super difficult to maintain my grades, and I have come out of this year burnt OUTTTT.
Point is : My school makes us sit AS-levels in maths, physics, and further maths. I got Triple A in all 3. I'm really happy obviously but I honestly cannot fathom going into another year of insane further maths when I know I'm probably not going to get an A* anyway. I also really want an A* in physics and so I know I will need to dedicate a large amount of time for that.
Should I keep FM as an AS or go for A-level FM???
Hi there!
Four A levels and an EPQ is a lot of work and you're right to point out that you could spread yourself too thinly – and that that might be a real risk.
Do you know whether UCL expect Architecture applicants to have FM at A level? If not, are you able to bank your AS in FM and focus on your other three subjects to A level?
Reply 2
8
Original post
by Saracen's FezHi there!
Four A levels and an EPQ is a lot of work and you're right to point out that you could spread yourself too thinly – and that that might be a real risk.
Do you know whether UCL expect Architecture applicants to have FM at A level? If not, are you able to bank your AS in FM and focus on your other three subjects to A level?
Four A levels and an EPQ is a lot of work and you're right to point out that you could spread yourself too thinly – and that that might be a real risk.
Do you know whether UCL expect Architecture applicants to have FM at A level? If not, are you able to bank your AS in FM and focus on your other three subjects to A level?
They dont expect it but I'm scared it will be a sign of weak academic performance if I just gave up. Like would they think "she can't do an alevel??" or would they think "ooh look nice an extra AS". Do you think its worth contacting them over?
Original post
by fivesixsevenThey dont expect it but I'm scared it will be a sign of weak academic performance if I just gave up. Like would they think "she can't do an alevel??" or would they think "ooh look nice an extra AS". Do you think its worth contacting them over?
If you've just done AS then you haven't applied yet, right? So no need to contact them (if you dropped FM between applying and sitting your exams then you would have to let the unis know).
But when A levels were modular in England still it was incredibly common to do 3 full A levels and a fourth AS, and deliberately take four subjects to drop one in Y13, so I wouldn't say it was unconventional, never mind a sign of weak academics
(edited 3 months ago)
Reply 4
Original post
by fivesixsevenI am looking to apply for architecture - my top choice is UCL. Basically, I take four A-levels: Maths, Physics, Further Maths, and Art. As well as an EPQ (A*).
Yeah...IK. life has been hard. It's been super difficult to maintain my grades, and I have come out of this year burnt OUTTTT.
Point is : My school makes us sit AS-levels in maths, physics, and further maths. I got Triple A in all 3. I'm really happy obviously but I honestly cannot fathom going into another year of insane further maths when I know I'm probably not going to get an A* anyway. I also really want an A* in physics and so I know I will need to dedicate a large amount of time for that.
Should I keep FM as an AS or go for A-level FM???
Yeah...IK. life has been hard. It's been super difficult to maintain my grades, and I have come out of this year burnt OUTTTT.
Point is : My school makes us sit AS-levels in maths, physics, and further maths. I got Triple A in all 3. I'm really happy obviously but I honestly cannot fathom going into another year of insane further maths when I know I'm probably not going to get an A* anyway. I also really want an A* in physics and so I know I will need to dedicate a large amount of time for that.
Should I keep FM as an AS or go for A-level FM???
Hi @fivesixseven ,
It sounds like you have a lot on your plate! Congratulations on your AS level results!
Unis are generally looking for 3 A levels so whilst having a 4th can be an asset to an application is not essential - especially as you're doing an EPQ!
If you don't specifically need an A Level in Further Maths then there is no harm in dropping it. It's impressive to have it at AS level and it is often recommend to focus on getting higher grades in 3 subjects then splitting your attention across 4.
Good luck with year 13 and your uni application!
Eloise
Second Year Psychology Student
Reply 5
8
Original post
by Saracen's FezIf you've just done AS then you haven't applied yet, right? So no need to contact them (if you dropped FM between applying and sitting your exams then you would have to let the unis know).
But when A levels were modular in England still it was incredibly common to do 3 full A levels and a fourth AS, and deliberately take four subjects to drop one in Y13, so I wouldn't say it was unconventional, never mind a sign of weak academics
But when A levels were modular in England still it was incredibly common to do 3 full A levels and a fourth AS, and deliberately take four subjects to drop one in Y13, so I wouldn't say it was unconventional, never mind a sign of weak academics
Thank you so much for the advice. I've talked to a few people and they all seem to agree.
Reply 6
my friend is also applying for architecture, she didn't do FPM, just maths
Reply 7
Neither maths or further maths is required for architecture. 5 x RG offers here with no Maths A-level whatsoever!
Only Bath and Leeds specified a Maths A level requirement this year.
Architecture is very much a creative design degree course. It is a lot of work and high entry grades are required, so being academic and showing how hard working you can be in your A-levels will of course help, but the most important thing will be the quality of your art portfolio. Have you started to put that together yet? Many applicants will have an Art or Product Design A-level to help them put a quality portfolio together. UCL also requires an interview so your passion and knowledge for architecture will be very important. UCL is probably the most creative architecture course in the UK. If your strengths are more in STEM subjects, along with being very artistic too then I strongly consider you to look at Bath and Leeds or perhaps civil/structural engineering courses more generally? Sheffield is the other very highly rated University for Architecture that you could also consider. Have you considered Cambridge too? Many applicants there are likely to have 4 A-levels and have done STEM subjects too?
Only Bath and Leeds specified a Maths A level requirement this year.
Architecture is very much a creative design degree course. It is a lot of work and high entry grades are required, so being academic and showing how hard working you can be in your A-levels will of course help, but the most important thing will be the quality of your art portfolio. Have you started to put that together yet? Many applicants will have an Art or Product Design A-level to help them put a quality portfolio together. UCL also requires an interview so your passion and knowledge for architecture will be very important. UCL is probably the most creative architecture course in the UK. If your strengths are more in STEM subjects, along with being very artistic too then I strongly consider you to look at Bath and Leeds or perhaps civil/structural engineering courses more generally? Sheffield is the other very highly rated University for Architecture that you could also consider. Have you considered Cambridge too? Many applicants there are likely to have 4 A-levels and have done STEM subjects too?
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