Music or Music Tech for a Computer Science degree

[OuiOuiMonAmi]

DS wants to do some sort of Computer Science degree at uni (not sure what one yet). He is choosing his A levels and will do Comp. Sci. and Maths, but he wants to do Music Tech (or possibly Music) as his 3rd choice. Do people think that's a sensible choice? He's not looking at Oxbridge but would like to aim for a RG uni (I know, I know 😀). I know Music is a well-respected subject but I'm not sure if Music Tech is...? He's not looking for a career in the music industry so I'm not sure it's the best A level to pick.

I feel for him though, because he obviously wants to do subjects he enjoys and he already doesn't want to do Maths but he knows he has to, to get onto a Comp. Sci. uni course.

Any thoughts gratefully received!

Yes, if he has Maths and CompSci then it doesn't really matter what the third is, so he should choose the one he genuinely likes better.

FM is also useful, but only the most selective courses expect it

I feel for him though, because he obviously wants to do subjects he enjoys and he already doesn't want to do Maths but he knows he has to, to get onto a Comp. Sci. uni course.

If he doesn’t like maths, is he going to like Comp Sci? Might need to be quite selective with the course as some of them have quite a bit of maths.

On the music vs music tech, do whichever he’s likely to get the best grades in!

Yes agree, third subject won’t matter. FM is asked for by some courses for CS so do check that out.

I do wonder tho - if maths is needed for a CS degree, will the degree then not include a good deal of maths? If so, is CS for him if he doesn’t like maths?

Ah x post @BassoContinuo

Caveat - I know nowt about CS degrees so the maths content may be minimal and they just need to know you have the ability?

I did a degree in Music Tech and didn't realise how much physics it entailed - it's certainly not a doss.

Thanks everyone, that's a relief that a 3rd doesn't really matter (will look into FM caveat). He does Comp.Sci. at GCSE and is happy with the maths there but I will mention it. I think that he won't mind the maths in Comp. Sci. as long as it's not the main focus - he is very good at Maths, just find it a bit boring - very good point to check that with him though, thanks.

TBEITBN, yeah, I know it's not a doss subject, just didn't know if it was respected outside of that niche (ie. is a transferbale subject).

@OuiOuiMonAmi The attached is what the Complete University Guide says you might study on this degree. As maths is required it’s a maths heavy degree. Subjects they suggest to go with what he’s already chosen are FM, Engineering, Physics, Economics, electronics, business studies or statistics. I would think the music tech was more suitable but would he consider any of the others. He does need to find a greater interest in maths though.

Either would be fine so I’d just look at what they’ll study in each and see which interests him more, but I would guess music tech might be a bit more of interest

Another thought. I don’t know about Music Tech but Music A level is really time-consuming, so if it’s not what he wants to go on and do, I’d be inclined to choose something else.

I spoke to him about it and he says he doesn't mind the maths for Comp Sci. as it's not 'Maths maths' 🤔 He is very good at maths (is predicted a 9 at GCSE) so he won't have any problem ability-wise, but I am concerned about how much he will enjoy it. I'll look into it some more. Thanks for your advice, everyone.

@OuiOuiMonAmi I really would look into the details of courses. He might not realise the breadth of maths required because he’s not done his GCSE yet! So no experience of a degree at all. I would also suggest he should have a broad view of maths and not close off his mind to what’s useful and what he perceives to be less useful when he’s got 2 years of A level ahead with topics he might be less keen on, For many CS uni courses, a high grade at A level is required and courses are competitive.

DS is doing music tech a-level. It goes hand in hand with maths and physics. If your DS is picking a subject he likes as his third then I would say go for music rather than tech if he doesn't enjoy maths.

My DS is doing music and music tech A level. The music is essay based for the appreciation as well as the performance and composition element. I liken it to writing essays about English poems.
Music tech has a lot of physics in it, and the coursework elements are composition and recording. It's quite a different A level to the music. I think it would go well with the CS and maths.