Do I take computer science?
Can anyone that takes computer science or bio chem maths help me here? I am currently a year 11 and my choice deadlines are coming in quick. I want to do medicine potentially however the idea of dropping computer science at GCSEs makes me feel upset. I still want to continue with it and hopefully in the future I can integrate it with my job. Does anyone know if computer science would be a viable 4th a level? I understand it would be a lot of work, and I was thinking that I should do a coding based epq instead but I am very bad at writing essays so I’m not too keen on it. Does anyone that takes bio chem maths think that adding another chunky subject on top would be too difficult? For reference my sixth form has exceptionally long breaks (4 weeks for Christmas) which I feel like would help me to catch up in both year 12 and 13 if I am struggling. I just want to keep my options open! Thank you
Reply 1
Original post
by isastudyCan anyone that takes computer science or bio chem maths help me here? I am currently a year 11 and my choice deadlines are coming in quick. I want to do medicine potentially however the idea of dropping computer science at GCSEs makes me feel upset. I still want to continue with it and hopefully in the future I can integrate it with my job. Does anyone know if computer science would be a viable 4th a level? I understand it would be a lot of work, and I was thinking that I should do a coding based epq instead but I am very bad at writing essays so I’m not too keen on it. Does anyone that takes bio chem maths think that adding another chunky subject on top would be too difficult? For reference my sixth form has exceptionally long breaks (4 weeks for Christmas) which I feel like would help me to catch up in both year 12 and 13 if I am struggling. I just want to keep my options open! Thank you
If you’re thinking medicine, bio + chem are the non-negotiables, and maths is a really strong third, you’re already in a good position. Dropping GCSE Computer Science doesn’t close doors at all, and you absolutely don’t need it for medicine.
A 4th A-level (CS) is doable, but bio/chem/maths together are already very heavy. A lot of students start with 4 and then drop one in Year 12 after seeing the workload. That’s a totally normal route if your sixth form allows it.
If you love CS and want to keep that side alive, a coding-based EPQ can work well and doesn’t have to be essay-heavy if it’s a project built with a shorter write-up. Medicine students care much more about grades than overload.
Short version: don’t risk bio/chem grades to “keep options open.” You can always integrate tech later; loads of medics do. Starting with 4 and reviewing after a term is a sensible compromise.
Reply 2
Original post
by isastudyCan anyone that takes computer science or bio chem maths help me here? I am currently a year 11 and my choice deadlines are coming in quick. I want to do medicine potentially however the idea of dropping computer science at GCSEs makes me feel upset. I still want to continue with it and hopefully in the future I can integrate it with my job. Does anyone know if computer science would be a viable 4th a level? I understand it would be a lot of work, and I was thinking that I should do a coding based epq instead but I am very bad at writing essays so I’m not too keen on it. Does anyone that takes bio chem maths think that adding another chunky subject on top would be too difficult? For reference my sixth form has exceptionally long breaks (4 weeks for Christmas) which I feel like would help me to catch up in both year 12 and 13 if I am struggling. I just want to keep my options open! Thank you
Hi @isastudy I just want to say you are absolutely not alone in this and I think its a really good way that your thinking this early on in your career. In terms of medicine, universities often care more about you having high results in chemistry, biology and sometimes maths rather than you doing 4 A levels. Most med schools generally say to stick to three so you can focus more on important subjects and maximise your results to prevent you from burning out. Also, I think if your super passionate about about Computer Science then you can choose it as a 4th A level but only if your super organised and you manage your time effectively. Medical schools rate extra cirr because it shows both initiative and curiosity. I hope this helped and good luck with everything.
Kiran
.
Reply 3
Hey, I am currently a year 12 and I also want to study medicine at uni. I currently take biology, chemistry, maths and computer science.
For reference, in my December mocks, I got an A* in biology, A in CS, B in chemistry (2 away from an A) and B in maths (2 away from an A).
Honestly, biology is the one I find the hardest and chemistry is just understanding things and putting it into practice. Biology is more learning and remembering information. Maths comes to me a bit naturally (not to brag but that does mean I can spend all my free time on other subjects) and I do OCR CS, which requires coursework that's worth 20%.
I am also doing an EPQ on AI in medicine, for which I am currently just researching. This is only out of personal interest and if you can't handle 4 and a half subjects, don't do it.
Personally, I would suggest that you start with 4 (bio, chem, maths and CS) and then drop one if you really need to. I know people suggest bio, chem and maths is a good combination but if you really want to keep CS too, then I suggest you could either drop maths (which wouldn't be my first choice because it's advantageous to both chem and CS) or you could get a head start on maths during your summer break.
Let me know if you have any more questions. I'd be happy to help. 😁
For reference, in my December mocks, I got an A* in biology, A in CS, B in chemistry (2 away from an A) and B in maths (2 away from an A).
Honestly, biology is the one I find the hardest and chemistry is just understanding things and putting it into practice. Biology is more learning and remembering information. Maths comes to me a bit naturally (not to brag but that does mean I can spend all my free time on other subjects) and I do OCR CS, which requires coursework that's worth 20%.
I am also doing an EPQ on AI in medicine, for which I am currently just researching. This is only out of personal interest and if you can't handle 4 and a half subjects, don't do it.
Personally, I would suggest that you start with 4 (bio, chem, maths and CS) and then drop one if you really need to. I know people suggest bio, chem and maths is a good combination but if you really want to keep CS too, then I suggest you could either drop maths (which wouldn't be my first choice because it's advantageous to both chem and CS) or you could get a head start on maths during your summer break.
Let me know if you have any more questions. I'd be happy to help. 😁
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 4
Original post
by isastudyCan anyone that takes computer science or bio chem maths help me here? I am currently a year 11 and my choice deadlines are coming in quick. I want to do medicine potentially however the idea of dropping computer science at GCSEs makes me feel upset. I still want to continue with it and hopefully in the future I can integrate it with my job. Does anyone know if computer science would be a viable 4th a level? I understand it would be a lot of work, and I was thinking that I should do a coding based epq instead but I am very bad at writing essays so I’m not too keen on it. Does anyone that takes bio chem maths think that adding another chunky subject on top would be too difficult? For reference my sixth form has exceptionally long breaks (4 weeks for Christmas) which I feel like would help me to catch up in both year 12 and 13 if I am struggling. I just want to keep my options open! Thank you
4 a levels is A TON of work especially with these demanding subjects. Either do bio, chem, CS (most unis don’t require maths) or do bio chem maths + CS epq
Reply 5
isastudy
OP
2
Original post
by HannsLaneHey, I am currently a year 12 and I also want to study medicine at uni. I currently take biology, chemistry, maths and computer science.
For reference, in my December mocks, I got an A* in biology, A in CS, B in chemistry (2 away from an A) and B in maths (2 away from an A).
Honestly, biology is the one I find the hardest and chemistry is just understanding things and putting it into practice. Biology is more learning and remembering information. Maths comes to me a bit naturally (not to brag but that does mean I can spend all my free time on other subjects) and I do OCR CS, which requires coursework that's worth 20%.
I am also doing an EPQ on AI in medicine, for which I am currently just researching. This is only out of personal interest and if you can't handle 4 and a half subjects, don't do it.
Personally, I would suggest that you start with 4 (bio, chem, maths and CS) and then drop one if you really need to. I know people suggest bio, chem and maths is a good combination but if you really want to keep CS too, then I suggest you could either drop maths (which wouldn't be my first choice because it's advantageous to both chem and CS) or you could get a head start on maths during your summer break.
Let me know if you have any more questions. I'd be happy to help. 😁
For reference, in my December mocks, I got an A* in biology, A in CS, B in chemistry (2 away from an A) and B in maths (2 away from an A).
Honestly, biology is the one I find the hardest and chemistry is just understanding things and putting it into practice. Biology is more learning and remembering information. Maths comes to me a bit naturally (not to brag but that does mean I can spend all my free time on other subjects) and I do OCR CS, which requires coursework that's worth 20%.
I am also doing an EPQ on AI in medicine, for which I am currently just researching. This is only out of personal interest and if you can't handle 4 and a half subjects, don't do it.
Personally, I would suggest that you start with 4 (bio, chem, maths and CS) and then drop one if you really need to. I know people suggest bio, chem and maths is a good combination but if you really want to keep CS too, then I suggest you could either drop maths (which wouldn't be my first choice because it's advantageous to both chem and CS) or you could get a head start on maths during your summer break.
Let me know if you have any more questions. I'd be happy to help. 😁
Reply 6
Original post
by isastudyThank you so much ! Do you find yourself struggling compared to your peers due to the workload? And also advice to balance each subject would be appreciated
You're welcome!
Sometimes, it's definitely harder. But it's also about mindset and as long as you believe you can do it, you will be able to do most things. I know it sounds cliche, but if you can convince yourself you can do it, you can. I guess being stubborn about something like this is good.
I think if you stay ahead from the start it's easier. As in, you could use your GCSE summer to do half of the AS maths course. The first 10 chapters or so are building on GCSE knowledge and they aren't that hard to revise. If you do that, then that's one less subject for you to focus on when school starts.
I'll list what I do or find useful for each subject. My school is heavy on retrieval so flashcards on every subject are really good, especially for biology because sometimes it's just a whole bunch of information that is just facts. I've realised that I remember something quicker if I write it down, so I have book where I just write the flashcards I got wrong (as in the answers) so that I can try to memorise it.
I do flashcards for chemistry too but I prefer doing exam questions, especially before I have a test. It sort of puts in the right state of mind.
Maths is all about practice so I guess more exam practice (as I said before, I don't really revise or spend too much doing it out of lesson).
The only test we have done for CS so far is the mock and I was too focussed on biology and chemistry so I didn't spend too much time revising for it. I am starting flashcards forces too, but tbh, it seems like I'll be doing coursework for the next year until around Easter, so I'm not really sure how to revise for it yet. My teacher suggests making mindmaps and then blurting the information until you can draw the mind map off by heart, if that helps.
That's all I can think of rn, but I'll reply again if I remember something else.
I hope this helps! Let me know how it goes; I'm lowkey invested now. 😁
Reply 7
isastudy
OP
2
Original post
by HannsLaneYou're welcome!
Sometimes, it's definitely harder. But it's also about mindset and as long as you believe you can do it, you will be able to do most things. I know it sounds cliche, but if you can convince yourself you can do it, you can. I guess being stubborn about something like this is good.
I think if you stay ahead from the start it's easier. As in, you could use your GCSE summer to do half of the AS maths course. The first 10 chapters or so are building on GCSE knowledge and they aren't that hard to revise. If you do that, then that's one less subject for you to focus on when school starts.
I'll list what I do or find useful for each subject. My school is heavy on retrieval so flashcards on every subject are really good, especially for biology because sometimes it's just a whole bunch of information that is just facts. I've realised that I remember something quicker if I write it down, so I have book where I just write the flashcards I got wrong (as in the answers) so that I can try to memorise it.
I do flashcards for chemistry too but I prefer doing exam questions, especially before I have a test. It sort of puts in the right state of mind.
Maths is all about practice so I guess more exam practice (as I said before, I don't really revise or spend too much doing it out of lesson).
The only test we have done for CS so far is the mock and I was too focussed on biology and chemistry so I didn't spend too much time revising for it. I am starting flashcards forces too, but tbh, it seems like I'll be doing coursework for the next year until around Easter, so I'm not really sure how to revise for it yet. My teacher suggests making mindmaps and then blurting the information until you can draw the mind map off by heart, if that helps.
That's all I can think of rn, but I'll reply again if I remember something else.
I hope this helps! Let me know how it goes; I'm lowkey invested now. 😁
Sometimes, it's definitely harder. But it's also about mindset and as long as you believe you can do it, you will be able to do most things. I know it sounds cliche, but if you can convince yourself you can do it, you can. I guess being stubborn about something like this is good.
I think if you stay ahead from the start it's easier. As in, you could use your GCSE summer to do half of the AS maths course. The first 10 chapters or so are building on GCSE knowledge and they aren't that hard to revise. If you do that, then that's one less subject for you to focus on when school starts.
I'll list what I do or find useful for each subject. My school is heavy on retrieval so flashcards on every subject are really good, especially for biology because sometimes it's just a whole bunch of information that is just facts. I've realised that I remember something quicker if I write it down, so I have book where I just write the flashcards I got wrong (as in the answers) so that I can try to memorise it.
I do flashcards for chemistry too but I prefer doing exam questions, especially before I have a test. It sort of puts in the right state of mind.
Maths is all about practice so I guess more exam practice (as I said before, I don't really revise or spend too much doing it out of lesson).
The only test we have done for CS so far is the mock and I was too focussed on biology and chemistry so I didn't spend too much time revising for it. I am starting flashcards forces too, but tbh, it seems like I'll be doing coursework for the next year until around Easter, so I'm not really sure how to revise for it yet. My teacher suggests making mindmaps and then blurting the information until you can draw the mind map off by heart, if that helps.
That's all I can think of rn, but I'll reply again if I remember something else.
I hope this helps! Let me know how it goes; I'm lowkey invested now. 😁
Reply 8
Original post
by isastudyCan anyone that takes computer science or bio chem maths help me here? I am currently a year 11 and my choice deadlines are coming in quick. I want to do medicine potentially however the idea of dropping computer science at GCSEs makes me feel upset. I still want to continue with it and hopefully in the future I can integrate it with my job. Does anyone know if computer science would be a viable 4th a level? I understand it would be a lot of work, and I was thinking that I should do a coding based epq instead but I am very bad at writing essays so I’m not too keen on it. Does anyone that takes bio chem maths think that adding another chunky subject on top would be too difficult? For reference my sixth form has exceptionally long breaks (4 weeks for Christmas) which I feel like would help me to catch up in both year 12 and 13 if I am struggling. I just want to keep my options open! Thank you
If you really enjoy comp sci then stick with it! If you love a subject then youll find studying for it so much easier. Theres lots of ways you can integrate comp sci skills into a healthcare type role so it definitely wouldnt be a wasted choice 🙂 Comp sci has a lot of coursework, a lot of writing, so isnt a good idea as a fourth because it takes up a lot of time when youre doing your NEA.
If youre not big on writing essays then dont take EPQ, even if you did an artefact EPQ youd still need to write quite a lot and it would need to be research based which people often find it tricky to work into artefacts effectively (it definitely is doable but its often not done very well according to my school!)
If you would ever consider doing a comp sci related degree at uni then maths is really great to have. Chem is needed by most med schools, often bio too. If youre set on med then maybe take all 4 and drop to one after a few weeks or the first term- you might find that one subject just isnt for you at a level, or the dept might be quite bad for example.
I do bio and maths so lmk if you have any questions about them 🙂
Original post
by isastudyCan anyone that takes computer science or bio chem maths help me here? I am currently a year 11 and my choice deadlines are coming in quick. I want to do medicine potentially however the idea of dropping computer science at GCSEs makes me feel upset. I still want to continue with it and hopefully in the future I can integrate it with my job. Does anyone know if computer science would be a viable 4th a level? I understand it would be a lot of work, and I was thinking that I should do a coding based epq instead but I am very bad at writing essays so I’m not too keen on it. Does anyone that takes bio chem maths think that adding another chunky subject on top would be too difficult? For reference my sixth form has exceptionally long breaks (4 weeks for Christmas) which I feel like would help me to catch up in both year 12 and 13 if I am struggling. I just want to keep my options open! Thank you
I wouldn't suggest doing 4 in that combination, that would be an unreasonable amount of work.
That said you don't need all three of biology, chemistry, and maths to apply to medicine. Any two of those plus CS would give you some options of medical schools (bio/chem/CS would give you essentially all medical schools save Cambridge as an option). CS/chem/maths would also give just over half of UK medical schools as an option.
Reply 10
Original post
by isastudyYou’ve been an actual blessing thank you very much ! It so nice to see someone doing the same subjects as I want to do that’s doing really well! Do you use digital flashcards or physical? I’m not sure whether to learn how to use anki in summer or stick to gizmo. I’ll be coming back for updates in September onwards!
Hi!
I use physical flashcards because I find that when I do digital, I have a tendency to get distracted really easily. If you have good self-control (unlike me), then feel free to use digital. Of course, consider how you learn the best as well. I learn by writing stuff down so writing flashcards also reinforces that.
If you're already using Gizmo, then stick with it. You'll already know the ins and outs and the best way to use Gizmo to your advantage. There's no harm in learning how to use Anki either, but only do that if you think it will help you more than Gizmo will right now. I've never used Gizmo and I only used Anki for a short amount of time but I quite liked how it would give me reminders on when to do my flashcards again. If you're comfortable with Gizmo, then consider just using that efficiently.
Good luck for GCSEs if we don't talk again! And yes, do let me know how it goes!
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