Need advice - philosophy and physics or just physics

10

So I've applied to a do a straight physics degree at Edinburgh, Lancaster, Warwick, Baths and Queens Belfast with offers from all except Edinburgh. I do alevels in 3D design, Maths, Physics and an AS in further maths with A*A*AA predicted. No I'm doing my alevels, I wish I swapped the 3D for another alevel like philosophy or politics etc. the only reason I didn't was I had undiagnosed dyslexia, and so even though I was really good at essay subjects in high school, I could never finish the exam. So when it came to alevels, I knew I wouldn't do aswell as I would've liked. Having said this and now getting the support and exam arrangements I need, I'm not sure I've made the right degree choice. I've seen a degree that I love which is philosophy and physics, but only 6 unis offer it and it's too late to change my ucas form now. I need advice. Should I just do the straight physics degree, try clearing for the 6 unis, who have really high entry requirementsor take a gap year to do a essay alevel. I'm really not sure what to do. I don't want to limit myself as I love both humanities and sciences

Reply 1

Talkative Toad

22

Original post

by Spaghettilegs

So I've applied to a do a straight physics degree at Edinburgh, Lancaster, Warwick, Baths and Queens Belfast with offers from all except Edinburgh. I do alevels in 3D design, Maths, Physics and an AS in further maths with A*A*AA predicted. No I'm doing my alevels, I wish I swapped the 3D for another alevel like philosophy or politics etc. the only reason I didn't was I had undiagnosed dyslexia, and so even though I was really good at essay subjects in high school, I could never finish the exam. So when it came to alevels, I knew I wouldn't do aswell as I would've liked. Having said this and now getting the support and exam arrangements I need, I'm not sure I've made the right degree choice. I've seen a degree that I love which is philosophy and physics, but only 6 unis offer it and it's too late to change my ucas form now. I need advice. Should I just do the straight physics degree, try clearing for the 6 unis, who have really high entry requirementsor take a gap year to do an essay alevel. I'm really not sure what to do. I don't want to limit myself as I love both humanities and sciences

Have you compared both degree programs to see which one you prefer more?

It looks like you prefer physics and philosophy more than straight physics which in that case I’d recommend taking a gap year if you can to properly think about this and apply to the university course that you actually prefer.

Have you checked the entry requirements for physics and philosophy to see if your current subject combination meets the requirements?

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

Muu9

14

Edinburgh and Warwick would let you take humanities subjects as extra courses (Only in the first year for Edinburgh)

Reply 3

UniofLawStudent4

Official Rep

5

Original post

by Spaghettilegs

So I've applied to a do a straight physics degree at Edinburgh, Lancaster, Warwick, Baths and Queens Belfast with offers from all except Edinburgh. I do alevels in 3D design, Maths, Physics and an AS in further maths with A*A*AA predicted. No I'm doing my alevels, I wish I swapped the 3D for another alevel like philosophy or politics etc. the only reason I didn't was I had undiagnosed dyslexia, and so even though I was really good at essay subjects in high school, I could never finish the exam. So when it came to alevels, I knew I wouldn't do aswell as I would've liked. Having said this and now getting the support and exam arrangements I need, I'm not sure I've made the right degree choice. I've seen a degree that I love which is philosophy and physics, but only 6 unis offer it and it's too late to change my ucas form now. I need advice. Should I just do the straight physics degree, try clearing for the 6 unis, who have really high entry requirementsor take a gap year to do a essay alevel. I'm really not sure what to do. I don't want to limit myself as I love both humanities and sciences

Hello, I hope you are well.

First of all, you have done exceptionally well to secure those offers. Your predicted grades and subject combination show real academic strength, and it’s important not to lose sight of that. It’s also understandable to question things now that you have the support and exam adjustments you need.

Many students with later-diagnosed dyslexia look back and wonder how different earlier choices might have been, but that does not mean you made the wrong decisions at the time; you made the best ones with the information you had.

A few things to keep in mind. A straight physics degree does not close the door to philosophy. Many universities allow optional humanities or philosophy modules, and philosophy of science is something you can explore alongside physics through electives, reading, or even joint projects.

You can also move into philosophy-related postgraduate study later if that’s where your interests develop. Clearing into a philosophy and physics degree with very high entry requirements is possible, but it is risky. Those courses are competitive, and places are limited, so it’s important not to rely on Clearing as your only plan unless you’re comfortable with that uncertainty. A gap year to take an essay-based A level is a valid option, but only if you genuinely want time to reflect and are confident that delaying university is right for you, not because you feel you’ve “made a mistake.”

Given your current offers and strong profile, you are already in a perfect position. It may also help to remember that many students change direction during their degree. Transfers between related courses, joint honours switches, or combining subjects in later years are more common than people realise, especially when interests evolve. My strongest advice would be to speak to the admissions or course teams at the universities that have made you offers.

Ask about module flexibility, joint honours transfers, and interdisciplinary options. You might also want to talk to the support team at your school or university for advice specific to the dyslexia support you are receiving. This could be a student counsellor or the special needs support team. You are not limiting yourself - you are clearly competent in both sciences and humanities.

What matters most is choosing a path that keeps options open and supports you now, not trying to make a “perfect” decision under pressure. You’re asking the right questions, and there isn’t a wrong choice here, different routes to where you want to go.

Kind regards,

Faith

MA Law (Conversion) student and ULaw Ambassador

Reply 4

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Spaghettilegs

So I've applied to a do a straight physics degree at Edinburgh, Lancaster, Warwick, Baths and Queens Belfast with offers from all except Edinburgh. I do alevels in 3D design, Maths, Physics and an AS in further maths with A*A*AA predicted. No I'm doing my alevels, I wish I swapped the 3D for another alevel like philosophy or politics etc. the only reason I didn't was I had undiagnosed dyslexia, and so even though I was really good at essay subjects in high school, I could never finish the exam. So when it came to alevels, I knew I wouldn't do aswell as I would've liked. Having said this and now getting the support and exam arrangements I need, I'm not sure I've made the right degree choice. I've seen a degree that I love which is philosophy and physics, but only 6 unis offer it and it's too late to change my ucas form now. I need advice. Should I just do the straight physics degree, try clearing for the 6 unis, who have really high entry requirementsor take a gap year to do a essay alevel. I'm really not sure what to do. I don't want to limit myself as I love both humanities and sciences

Hi Spaghettilegs!
This can be a tough choice, but I'm glad to see that you now have the sufficient exam provisions to support your needs. I was in a somewhat similar position when applying for university, I was undiagnosed autistic, struggling to decide on my course and ended up applying for something which I later realised I really didn't want to do any more. I chose to go through clearing to get onto the course I wanted to at Lancaster, and I'm so glad I did because it is exactly what I want to do now.
My advice would be to thoroughly research all options for you, maybe attend offer holder days/open events or try to engage with students/academics from the relevant departments at your chosen universities. Admissions teams at your chosen universities can also be great to help you navigate these problems.
If you do choose to go through clearing, I'd recommend having a document/note of all the potential universities you may call, making note of the UCAS course code for the code you may want to apply for and getting your results from your college as early as possible to give you the most clearing options. My personal clearing experience was relatively smooth, but its definitely best to call the universities as early as possible to give maximum chance.
I hope my advice can help you a little with your decision and wish you the best of luck!
Beth- 2nd year Law with Criminology

Need advice - philosophy and physics or just physics

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