5 subjects??
Right now I'm doing maths further maths physics and computer science, along with an EPQ - i just want to ask if this is worth it.
we start further maths in year 13 so im effectively doing three right now (Y12) and we finish the EPQ by Easter Y12 so i thought it would be good just in case i drop one a level later.
i want to apply to oxford for maths and computer science (and therefore would do my epq on a linked topic to one of these subjects - probabaly computer science) - is it worth it or should i just stick to 4??
im finding the workload okay so far, but im sure itll get harder
thanks!!!!!!
we start further maths in year 13 so im effectively doing three right now (Y12) and we finish the EPQ by Easter Y12 so i thought it would be good just in case i drop one a level later.
i want to apply to oxford for maths and computer science (and therefore would do my epq on a linked topic to one of these subjects - probabaly computer science) - is it worth it or should i just stick to 4??
im finding the workload okay so far, but im sure itll get harder
thanks!!!!!!
Reply 1
coming from a year 13 student who's just applied to Oxford and still studies 5 A Levels (i do welshbacc instead of an EPQ but welshbacc is 2 years long), my advice would be just stick with all 4 for as long as you can until you either don't enjoy one subject anymore or can't cope with the workload. it's incredibly reassuring knowing you have a backup to meet a 3 grade university offer. i also did maths in year 12 and am studying FM right now, and you definitely need to work hard, but i think this structure is much more manageable since it only really feels like you're studying 3 subjects each year. wishing you the best of luck!
Reply 2
Original post
by user204729193745Right now I'm doing maths further maths physics and computer science, along with an EPQ - i just want to ask if this is worth it.
we start further maths in year 13 so im effectively doing three right now (Y12) and we finish the EPQ by Easter Y12 so i thought it would be good just in case i drop one a level later.
i want to apply to oxford for maths and computer science (and therefore would do my epq on a linked topic to one of these subjects - probabaly computer science) - is it worth it or should i just stick to 4??
im finding the workload okay so far, but im sure itll get harder
thanks!!!!!!
we start further maths in year 13 so im effectively doing three right now (Y12) and we finish the EPQ by Easter Y12 so i thought it would be good just in case i drop one a level later.
i want to apply to oxford for maths and computer science (and therefore would do my epq on a linked topic to one of these subjects - probabaly computer science) - is it worth it or should i just stick to 4??
im finding the workload okay so far, but im sure itll get harder
thanks!!!!!!
How does your school do further maths? Would you be sitting A-level Maths in Y12 then A-level FM in Y13 or would you be sitting the exams for both subjects in Y13?
There’s no benefit to doing more than 3 A-levels or more than 3 A-levels + EPQ in most contexts especially if you’d be taking those 3 A-levels in one sitting (all in Y13 or all in Y12).
4 A-levels + EPQ/Welsh bacc is the big recommended max from me but honestly I wouldn’t advise doing this if you can avoid it. The only common scenario that can think of where it’s unavoidable as if your school has this misinformed policy that FM can only be taken as a 4th A-level and not a 3rd plus you being required to do an EPQ or the Welsh bacc.
Reply 3
Original post
by Talkative ToadHow does your school do further maths? Would you be sitting A-level Maths in Y12 then A-level FM in Y13 or would you be sitting the exams for both subjects in Y13?
There’s no benefit to doing more than 3 A-levels or more than 3 A-levels + EPQ in most contexts especially if you’d be taking those 3 A-levels in one sitting (all in Y13 or all in Y12).
4 A-levels + EPQ/Welsh bacc is the big recommended max from me but honestly I wouldn’t advise doing this if you can avoid it. The only common scenario that can think of where it’s unavoidable as if your school has this misinformed policy that FM can only be taken as a 4th A-level and not a 3rd plus you being required to do an EPQ or the Welsh bacc.
There’s no benefit to doing more than 3 A-levels or more than 3 A-levels + EPQ in most contexts especially if you’d be taking those 3 A-levels in one sitting (all in Y13 or all in Y12).
4 A-levels + EPQ/Welsh bacc is the big recommended max from me but honestly I wouldn’t advise doing this if you can avoid it. The only common scenario that can think of where it’s unavoidable as if your school has this misinformed policy that FM can only be taken as a 4th A-level and not a 3rd plus you being required to do an EPQ or the Welsh bacc.
both in y13!
Reply 4
Original post
by user204729193745thank you so much that's great advice! i think i'll try and continue with 5 for now as i'm never really doing all 5 at once - best of luck for your application and exams!
Are you from England by any chance? If you are, then it needs to be noted that the user that you’ve responded to is likely doing their A-levels in Wales (based on them doing the Welsh bacc). Wales follows a more modular format and the exams for each subject are done over 2 years module, by module (each paper you’re assessed on one unit at time) with them being more spread out.
This is my view makes things incomparable with England where we follow a linear system with all exams being sat together in one sitting at the very end of Y13 and you’ve got to remember everything/several modules/units simultaneously in each exam.
So it’ll likely be easier or more manageable for someone to do 5 subjects under a modular system compared to a linear one.
Reply 5
Original post
by user204729193745Right now I'm doing maths further maths physics and computer science, along with an EPQ - i just want to ask if this is worth it.
we start further maths in year 13 so im effectively doing three right now (Y12) and we finish the EPQ by Easter Y12 so i thought it would be good just in case i drop one a level later.
i want to apply to oxford for maths and computer science (and therefore would do my epq on a linked topic to one of these subjects - probabaly computer science) - is it worth it or should i just stick to 4??
im finding the workload okay so far, but im sure itll get harder
thanks!!!!!!
we start further maths in year 13 so im effectively doing three right now (Y12) and we finish the EPQ by Easter Y12 so i thought it would be good just in case i drop one a level later.
i want to apply to oxford for maths and computer science (and therefore would do my epq on a linked topic to one of these subjects - probabaly computer science) - is it worth it or should i just stick to 4??
im finding the workload okay so far, but im sure itll get harder
thanks!!!!!!
I don't see it as a problem as you wont be doing 5 at the same time.
For EPQ - i would suggest something around AI.
Reply 6
Original post
by user204729193745both in y13!
In that case, yep definitely no point in doing 5 subjects or 4 A-levels (as you’d still be sitting 3 A-levels in one sitting).
I’d even drop down further and just do 3 A-levels (and nothing else) or do 3 A-levels + EPQ (if you’re that interested in the EPQ). Absolutely keep Maths and Further Maths though, do not drop these subjects as they’ll be the most important ones.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/course-listing/mathematics-and-computer-science
Reply 7
Original post
by user204729193745Right now I'm doing maths further maths physics and computer science, along with an EPQ - i just want to ask if this is worth it.
we start further maths in year 13 so im effectively doing three right now (Y12) and we finish the EPQ by Easter Y12 so i thought it would be good just in case i drop one a level later.
i want to apply to oxford for maths and computer science (and therefore would do my epq on a linked topic to one of these subjects - probabaly computer science) - is it worth it or should i just stick to 4??
im finding the workload okay so far, but im sure itll get harder
thanks!!!!!!
we start further maths in year 13 so im effectively doing three right now (Y12) and we finish the EPQ by Easter Y12 so i thought it would be good just in case i drop one a level later.
i want to apply to oxford for maths and computer science (and therefore would do my epq on a linked topic to one of these subjects - probabaly computer science) - is it worth it or should i just stick to 4??
im finding the workload okay so far, but im sure itll get harder
thanks!!!!!!
I'm doing 5 (maths fm phy comp sci chem) and as long as you're confident your grades won't suffer, it seems fine. Since you're doing epq in y12, it'll be equivalent to most people who are doing your 4 in y13, and if you're very confident, that's fine. If the epq is hindering your other subjects don't do it.
Reply 8
Original post
by star.girlcoming from a year 13 student who's just applied to Oxford and still studies 5 A Levels (i do welshbacc instead of an EPQ but welshbacc is 2 years long), my advice would be just stick with all 4 for as long as you can until you either don't enjoy one subject anymore or can't cope with the workload. it's incredibly reassuring knowing you have a backup to meet a 3 grade university offer. i also did maths in year 12 and am studying FM right now, and you definitely need to work hard, but i think this structure is much more manageable since it only really feels like you're studying 3 subjects each year. wishing you the best of luck!
thank you so much! best of luck to you as well 😇
Reply 9
Original post
by Talkative ToadIn that case, yep definitely no point in doing 5 subjects or 4 A-levels (as you’d still be sitting 3 A-levels in one sitting).
I’d even drop down further and just do 3 A-levels (and nothing else) or do 3 A-levels + EPQ (if you’re that interested in the EPQ). Absolutely keep Maths and Further Maths though, do not drop these subjects as they’ll be the most important ones.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/course-listing/mathematics-and-computer-science
I’d even drop down further and just do 3 A-levels (and nothing else) or do 3 A-levels + EPQ (if you’re that interested in the EPQ). Absolutely keep Maths and Further Maths though, do not drop these subjects as they’ll be the most important ones.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/course-listing/mathematics-and-computer-science
i have to do four anyway if i'm doing further maths, but thanks!
Reply 10
Original post
by Wired_1800I don't see it as a problem as you wont be doing 5 at the same time.
For EPQ - i would suggest something around AI.
For EPQ - i would suggest something around AI.
yeah i was thinking that - thank you!
Reply 11
Original post
by AltAccount00I'm doing 5 (maths fm phy comp sci chem) and as long as you're confident your grades won't suffer, it seems fine. Since you're doing epq in y12, it'll be equivalent to most people who are doing your 4 in y13, and if you're very confident, that's fine. If the epq is hindering your other subjects don't do it.
thank you!
Reply 12
Original post
by user204729193745i have to do four anyway if i'm doing further maths, but thanks!
In that case (daft policy from your school btw), it’s maybe worth thinking if it’s worth doing an EPQ. I honestly wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re confident that you’re interested and can manage it.
Reply 13
Original post
by Talkative ToadIn that case (daft policy from your school btw), it’s maybe worth thinking if it’s worth doing an EPQ. I honestly wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re confident that you’re interested and can manage it.
i see thank you for the help!
Reply 14
Original post
by user204729193745i see thank you for the help!
Out of curiosity, especially if you’re school isn’t making you sit A-level Maths in Y12 then FM in Y13, is there any reason why they have the policy that FM can only be done as a 4th A-level and not a 3rd?
I often find that it seems to be based on the misconception that universities don’t like to see Maths+FM as 2/3 of your subjects when only doing 3 A-levels. Or that they count Maths and FM as one A-level. This misinformation (unless the course or university themselves states otherwise) that schools keep perpetuating and can unnecessarily hinder students.
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 15
Original post
by Talkative ToadOut of curiosity, especially if you’re school isn’t making you sit A-level Maths in Y12 then FM in Y13, is there any reason why they have the policy that FM can only be done as a 4th A-level and not a 3rd?
I often find that it seems to be based on the misconception that universities don’t like to see Maths+FM as 2/3 of your subjects when only doing 3 A-levels. This misinformation (unless the course or university themselves states otherwise) that schools keep perpetuating and can unnecessarily hinder students.
I often find that it seems to be based on the misconception that universities don’t like to see Maths+FM as 2/3 of your subjects when only doing 3 A-levels. This misinformation (unless the course or university themselves states otherwise) that schools keep perpetuating and can unnecessarily hinder students.
i'm not really sure to be honest, i think it may be that misconception, although i've heard of a few alumnae that did maths fm and one other subject after a lot of debate with staff members (eg. if they were doing a maths based course i think they convinced the school to only let them do three)
Reply 16
Original post
by user204729193745i'm not really sure to be honest, i think it may be that misconception, although i've heard of a few alumnae that did maths fm and one other subject after a lot of debate with staff members (eg. if they were doing a maths based course i think they convinced the school to only let them do three)
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s based on that or funding.
That being said if it’s a policy and you don’t have an issue with doing 4 A-levels then do 4 A-levels (it wouldn’t benefit you in your application though).
A*A*AA or 3A* for example looks better than say A*AABB or AABB.
Original post
by user204729193745Right now I'm doing maths further maths physics and computer science, along with an EPQ - i just want to ask if this is worth it.
we start further maths in year 13 so im effectively doing three right now (Y12) and we finish the EPQ by Easter Y12 so i thought it would be good just in case i drop one a level later.
i want to apply to oxford for maths and computer science (and therefore would do my epq on a linked topic to one of these subjects - probabaly computer science) - is it worth it or should i just stick to 4??
im finding the workload okay so far, but im sure itll get harder
thanks!!!!!!
we start further maths in year 13 so im effectively doing three right now (Y12) and we finish the EPQ by Easter Y12 so i thought it would be good just in case i drop one a level later.
i want to apply to oxford for maths and computer science (and therefore would do my epq on a linked topic to one of these subjects - probabaly computer science) - is it worth it or should i just stick to 4??
im finding the workload okay so far, but im sure itll get harder
thanks!!!!!!
I wouldnt do 5 unless you really want to.
If you are finding it ok so far, then you could carry on for now to see how you go. But its not really advisable.
I do know someone who did 5 (1 was general studies). She smashed it and did really well. But i think she was the minority.
Reply 18
Original post
by user204729193745thank you so much! best of luck to you as well 😇
thanks
i've read some other replies on the thread and i'd like to add that despite being in wales, i didn't end up sitting my maths a-level exams in year 12 due to some extenuating circumstances, so i'll be in the same boat as you and i still think keeping all 5 is the way to go because you can always drop one at a later date if you change your mind, but you can't pick one back up. your 4th can be a lifesaver e.g. if have some bad luck during exams for one of your subjects, your 4th could be the reason you don't miss your offer. as such, i strongly think you should just carry on as you are for now.Reply 19
Original post
by star.girlthanks i've read some other replies on the thread and i'd like to add that despite being in wales, i didn't end up sitting my maths a-level exams in year 12 due to some extenuating circumstances, so i'll be in the same boat as you and i still think keeping all 5 is the way to go because you can always drop one at a later date if you change your mind, but you can't pick one back up. your 4th can be a lifesaver e.g. if have some bad luck during exams for one of your subjects, your 4th could be the reason you don't miss your offer. as such, i strongly think you should just carry on as you are for now.
i've read some other replies on the thread and i'd like to add that despite being in wales, i didn't end up sitting my maths a-level exams in year 12 due to some extenuating circumstances, so i'll be in the same boat as you and i still think keeping all 5 is the way to go because you can always drop one at a later date if you change your mind, but you can't pick one back up. your 4th can be a lifesaver e.g. if have some bad luck during exams for one of your subjects, your 4th could be the reason you don't miss your offer. as such, i strongly think you should just carry on as you are for now.This isn’t always good advice in my opinion (on the backup point).
One might not necessarily have a back up. Some universities might see that one is doing 4 A-levels and instead give them a 4 A-level offer with no alternative (I’ve seen Cambridge and Imperial do this). This puts pressures on one needing to do well/meet a grade requirement in all 4 subjects with no backup scenario or slacking.
Or ask for X grades in three specific subjects of the 4 that one has chosen, effectively leaving them with no back up. Think an Engineering or Physics applicant doing the A-levels that OP is doing, I wouldn’t be surprised if certain universities (especially competitive) disregard CS and simply make the offer based off of Maths+FM+Physics. So no back up option here.
Or the uni be like: You’re doing Maths + FM + Chem and Econ and are applying for an economics degree. Congratulations you now have an economics offer of A*AA but you must achieve A*A in Maths + FM. So if the student were to get A*AA but in the wrong subjects (e.g A* in Maths, A in Chem, A in Econ, B in FM), they could quite easily not have their place accepted due to not meeting the specific subject grade requirements. Another example of de facto no back up.
Also doing 3 A-levels over 4 means that you can channel more time into your subjects or have more free time (which is important too) which can mean getting better grades.
That’s why I wouldn’t recommend doing 4 levels unless you genuinely enjoy and can manage all four subjects or your school like the OP’s one has a daft policy. Or unless you have no choice (my case). Because it’ll give you no advantages beyond maybe potential flexibility in terms of degree options.
The other points that I made on units still stand however. In England you’re unlikely to be assessed unit by unit in each exam (1 unit per paper), you need to know several units at once. You need to know both AS and A-level units in every exam. You can’t in my opinion compare doing 4/5 subjects under a linear system vs a (more) modular one regardless in my opinion due to the other reasoning. And you can’t resit individual papers, you’d have to resit every paper/component.
I personally find the English system to be extra stupid and wish that we had stuck to a modular format but that’s another story.
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