Computer Science: without advanced maths in A level, Uni suggestion

[annaseal]

Hello, DS is doing ALevel without advanced maths and will be studying computer science going forward. He has Maths, physics, computing and Economics at A level and is predicted high grades, all A* and A
Oxbridge has gone out of the window as he do not have advanced maths. Their maths test at entrance is not so doable as per my ds if you do not have advanced maths
Can I ask very good uni s for computer science apart from oxbridge?

I think without an advanced level of maths he will struggle a lot to keep up with lectures even if the uni doesn't require advanced maths to enrol. There is an enormous amount of maths at a very difficult level in CS. Maybe information technology would better suit him.

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/computer-science

You can look at the entry requirements for the universities online. Not all schools offer further maths - does his school?

Only a handful of the very top Uni’s require FM. DS1 applied to Warwick, Birmingham, Bath and Southampton. He dropped FM as his fourth A level and wrote to them all before doing so and none of them said it would be a problem as long as he had A/A* in Maths.

I also don’t believe it will be an issue for undertaking the course although some, notably Warwick, are more maths based than others. If he is concerned he could always look at some of the FM modules or maths based CS MOOCS before starting the course.

My DS is at Manchester and having a great time. He did a Foundation Year as he didn't have the right grades for CS but now he's on the course he's flying. He doesn't have FM (but there is a lot of Maths on the course).

Definitely further maths is not needed in most unis. Seems like he is doing good as predicted good grades. How is he in computing? Does he have lot of interest? He will need to show he has very good interest in the subject.

Yes he has lot if interest in coding and other aspects of computer science. His teacher said he is very clever and working independently. So hopefully he will get into good unis.
How is Manchester uni? That other good uni he can target?

my son has applied for CS this year :
A levels - Maths, Physics
AS level Further Maths
BTEC ICT
He has offers from uni of Leeds, York, Lancaster and Sheffield . most have 2 options - either straight 3 'A' grade offer on the A levels and BTEC OR 1 grade reduced if A in the AS further Maths. so they acknoledge it but not vital ( no A level IT or FM offered at his 6th form )
advice - read the prospectus, look at google for league tables, watch the open day things.

Manchester very good - my son didnt want to apply as thats where his brother is!

I think he’s struggle with Oxbridge, Imperial and Warwick. But be OK with the others (it’s not just a case of who will offer without- it’s also how mathsy is the course, because it’s not much fun to have to cover maths at pace in your first term especially when fellow students already have it)

Yes, Manchester is fine - has he looked at Loughborough?

@Cormoran

I think without an advanced level of maths he will struggle a lot to keep up with lectures even if the uni doesn't require advanced maths to enrol. There is an enormous amount of maths at a very difficult level in CS. Maybe information technology would better suit him.

I wonder why on earth do people come out with unsubstantiated information like this? It’s OTT, negative and very final.

OP, actually Unis requesting further maths for CS are in the minority so your DS can definitely find a good uni to go to - Southampton, Bath, Birmingham only ask for Maths. Some don’t even require Maths at all e.g Reading, Leicester, Sussex and Cardiff. Of course doing further maths would give an advantage for the Maths intensive Computer science courses but it’s not an insurmountable mountain. It depends largely on the modules which vary widely, my DS it at one of these universities doing very well in his 2nd year with no further maths.

Agree totally with Tonty and iVampire. Manchester is very highly regarded for CS (I'm not sure why my DS disregarded it). It does have v high grade requirements but it sounds like your DS may be ok on that front. Bristol is another good option along with those mentioned above

Agree that on a number of courses, even straight Maths isn't a requirement, though I imagine it would be advantageous. No FM might be seen as a negative at certain universities if it's offered by the school/college, but there are plenty to choose from otherwise.

Many thanks for all your advises. Manchester will be DS’s first choice. But we need to decide for rest of the choices. Seems like there are quite a few. DS has registered interest for virtual tours with some

Good luck!