Predicted Grades / entry requirements for Unis

[confusedyear13mum]

Hello, DD is predicted AABB at A'level (the A's are in Maths and Further Maths and the B's are in Physics and Computer Science). She doesn't really know/hasn't decided what she wants to do as a job or at uni. This is fair enough/understandable as she is only 17!!! Her favourite subjects are maths and also computer science. Particularly maths. She is less keen on physics. I have therefore suggested she studies maths and computer science at uni as she likes both and this keeps her options open. My question is, if she applies to a uni where the entry requirements are AAA will they accept her with AABB? Also, is my suggestion of maths and computer science a good idea or is she getting half a degree in each and would a whole degree in just maths or just computer science be a better option? She has said she would like to go to a campus university which I think will suit her. What would be her best choice of uni with her predicted grades? I'm thinking one she can aim for, one she can get in with the predicted grades and one back up in case she doesn't achieve what has been predicted? I have mooted taking a GAP year however I'm not really pushing that as I think it will be another year of her saying "I'm not sure/I don't know...." and nothing happpening. I feel we are a bit behind (bereavement) and I have wanted her to come up with options however the reality is nothing has happened. We are going to an open day at the weekend. All advice gratefully received thank you

Just ask your DD to email her teacher explain her preferred Uni requires AAA and she is willing to do extra work/ revision courses to obtain this grade. They usually will upgrade predicted from a B to an A. We did this for our DC. Spent a couple of thousand on revision courses and DC got the A’s needed for their preferred course. Apply to a Uni with B grade requirements too just in case.

Universities generally don't like gap years for maths students as the skills can decay if not used.

There are a few universities that do joint courses - I think Keele is one of them - where she would be able to do computer science and maths but in general this isn't something that U.K. unis encourage.

With predicted AA at maths and further maths she has a lot of options.

Maths degrees are very different from computer science degrees.

Maths and CompSci joint degrees are very common across all levels of university in the UK and I have not seen anything to suggest they are discouraged.

There tend to be fewer optional modules available in joint degrees, so it is more about covering core units in both subjects. It is not a lesser degree as a result of being joint; there can be a lot of maths, depending on the course, in compsci and compsci is an applied aspect of maths, so they can work well together.

However, there can be a lot of variety in course structure so do look at each individually. Maths degrees (ie not joint with CompSci) will have programming modules/elements in them anyway, so your DD may find the CS box is ticked in that way.

A campus universities like Lancaster sprang to mind when reading your post (AAB inc FM for both Maths BSc and Maths & CS BSc).

No -AABB is not equivalent to AAA

she might still get the offer from a university asking for AAA but unless they have gaps to fill she would then need three As plus her other grade.

This is why four ALevels are generally a bad plan. The fourth gains you nothing but spreads you too thinly.

Id also suggest she looks at Lancaster. It’s a top ten university and very highly regarded. It’s a really good choice with that grade profile.

And perhaps discuss with them if she should drop the physics to increase her chances of high grades in the remaining 3? My dd did these 4 subjects and was advised to drop one before yr 13 for this reason (though that was a while ago so she got an AS)

This is why four ALevels are generally a bad plan. The fourth gains you nothing but spreads you too thinly.

It's absolutely a good idea to start with 4 especially if they include double maths! Otherwise kids can get caught by the 'step up', or be too limited if they're undecided about what they want to do next. But by the time they're applying to unis it's hopefully clear which one, if any, they should drop. And of course they don't 'gain nothing' - my dd found the CS she learned in yr 12 useful during her degree, education isn't just about getting bits of paper.

The grades will vary by uni and course. If she applies for Comp Sci they may specify A in that and Maths, for example,

I would be minded to drop the physics and concentrate on getting the best grades on the 3 she likes ( no real advantage to 4 but more work so less time for hobbies )

Loads of maths+comp sci courses at respected universities

York - a lovely campus - will take AABB according to their web site

She needs to push her predicted grades up to at least AAAB. Unfortunately schools are having to over predict so that pupils can just apply and see if they get an offer. This year many students at DC school dropped grades but still got their places.

Thank you so much everyone - I really appreciate all of your feedback - very helpful and many useful things raised that I hadn't considered/didn't know. I have also looked at Data Science and Actuarial Maths degrees - she is very logical and calm and I can see her being well suited to these. Primarily I want her to be happy and study/work in something she enjoys. However I do also want her one day to be able to support herself financially. To be blunt if you have a degree in maths is your potential earning the same / greater or less than if you have a degree in computer science? I am not motivated by money and work in the caring profession however I do want her to earn a decent enough income to support herself. Will her choice of degree (maths, computer science, or combined maths/computer science) influence earning potential or is it impossible to say with so many other factors at play. She is also interested in a degree with a year in industry (4 years) which I think is a good idea. I am less keen on her doing a degree which includes a year abroad (seems like a bit of a jolly!) however would welcome others views on this.

I would seriously consider dropping a subject in order to try and get the remaining three up to AAA.

It is worth bearing in mind that there are three broad elements to mathematics: 'pure' which can be very conceptual and often has applications in programming and computer security; 'statistics', which has applications in economics, actuarial science, data science etc; 'mechanics', the maths behind forces and movement, which has applications in engineering.

A maths degree allows you to continue to develop skills across these areas (with some specialisation in later years). Certainly students with maths degrees can successfully secure roles as trainee actuaries or in data science or in computer science-related roles. The link below gives some detail.

By contrast, actuarial mathematics degrees or data science degrees or computer science degrees will potentially narrow options as they will focus on the 'bit' of maths that is relevant to that area. This can be fine if the student is certain that is the path for them.

If your DD is currently unsure as to her future path and, as you observe, really likes her maths and has the highest predictions for maths/FM, then perhaps it is a good idea to run with that. A more general maths degree keeps options open and plays to her strengths.

www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/mathematics

@confusedyear13mum You think a year abroad is a bit of a jolly? Really? I think many students mature immeasurably by doing them and often only the brightest get to go as places can be limited. Just to let you know, DDs friend did mechanical engineering. He did a year abroad in France at a Grande Ecole. These are the elite French unis. He was taught in French. You think that is a jolly? A year abroad studying in another culture is always worth it. Employers like it.

Apologies - wrong choice of phrase - yes, I agree a year abroad is a fantastic opportunity. We are going to a uni open day tomorrow so I am looking forward to learning more about a year abroad and year industry. I think I meant it more in terms of a year abroad sounding more exciting in comparison however I / we need to find out more about what both entail and offer.