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Cambridge Maths subjects?

Hi! At the start of 6th form I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do in uni. Basically would doing economics A level instead of physics/chemistry (assuming you have A* in maths and furthermaths) basically make it impossible for a maths offer? Has anyone with econ A level without phy/chem ever gotten a Cambridge offer?

Reply 1

No, you don't need physics or chemistry to get into Cambridge Maths. The only subjects that matter are Maths (and Further Maths)

Taking Physics is common because its easy if you are good at Maths, and typically people are interested in both. But its absolutely not a requirement.

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/mathematics-ba-hons-mmath

Reply 2

Original post
by A Light Lilt
No, you don't need physics or chemistry to get into Cambridge Maths. The only subjects that matter are Maths (and Further Maths)
Taking Physics is common because its easy if you are good at Maths, and typically people are interested in both. But its absolutely not a requirement.
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/mathematics-ba-hons-mmath

Hi sorry if not clear. Ik its not a hard subject requirement I meant more of an informal requirement as (even though it may be correlation not causation), I havent seen anyone do econ WITHOUT phy/chem and get into Cambridge maths so I just wanna know if anyone knows if its been done before (hence the "basically make it impossible")
Original post
by Anonymous
Hi sorry if not clear. Ik its not a hard subject requirement I meant more of an informal requirement as (even though it may be correlation not causation), I havent seen anyone do econ WITHOUT phy/chem and get into Cambridge maths so I just wanna know if anyone knows if its been done before (hence the "basically make it impossible")

Absolutely not. People get in with a variety of subjects. I didn't do Physics (did Chem and French) and one of my friends did Maths, FM, Music and he got in and excelled.

Reply 4

Original post
by melancollege
Absolutely not. People get in with a variety of subjects. I didn't do Physics (did Chem and French) and one of my friends did Maths, FM, Music and he got in and excelled.

Oh wow! For Cambridge maths to be certain? (Sorry for being pedantic)
If so thats great news thank you, but chem is still quantitative and your friend may be an insane exception/case. Ofc ill still try but is there any more key info I ought to know like did your friend go to a state school, contexual etc?
Original post
by Anonymous
Oh wow! For Cambridge maths to be certain? (Sorry for being pedantic)
If so thats great news thank you, but chem is still quantitative and your friend may be an insane exception/case. Ofc ill still try but is there any more key info I ought to know like did your friend go to a state school, contexual etc?

Yeah for Cambridge Maths. I'd have to ask him but I think he was non-contextual state school.

The way I think it makes sense to frame it is that they care about your mathematical ability. Sure, Physics A-Level may have some Maths in it, but nothing compared to Maths, FM and STEP. The third subject doesn't need to be quantitative because they'll have ample evidence of your maths through those three.

Reply 6

Original post
by Anonymous
Hi! At the start of 6th form I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do in uni. Basically would doing economics A level instead of physics/chemistry (assuming you have A* in maths and furthermaths) basically make it impossible for a maths offer? Has anyone with econ A level without phy/chem ever gotten a Cambridge offer?

I've had students get in with History and English as well as double Maths. Cambridge don't care what your other A levels are ...

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