Further Maths for Computer Science degree?

[OnthePisteAgain]

Hi DS is off to sixth form college and plans to study maths, computer science and economics with a view to doing a CS degree eventually. He's now debating doing further maths as someone has told him it will give him the edge when applying to uni. He is not considering Oxbridge but maybe a RG in the south.

From what I can see, FM is not required and will have no benefit. He got a 9 in his GCSE maths so could be capable but I am aware the drop out rate is high. Has anyone got any adivse I can give him?

He could start with 4 and then drop FM if it is too much.

He/you need to look up entrance requirements and see which courses he'd be ruling out.

CS is massively competitive, more so than you might think - the top 10 courses or so all want top grades and the collective hunch seems to be that most would prefer FM even if they don't specify it. There's another thread on the Higher Ed board at the moment about a DC choosing A Levels for CS, might be worth having a look. If your child got a 9 in maths they should be ok with FM.

Other thread here: Computer Science - Which Uni with these grades? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4877898-computer-science-which-uni-with-these-grades

In my experience the best computing students take further maths

My DC is in third year at a RG university doing Comp Sci. He had further maths as a GCSE but not A level. It didn’t seem to affect him-he got offers from everywhere he applied to.

Do it - he can always drop it if it turns out to be too much. Remember it's not just a case of what will get him accepted on a degree course - there has to be a reason why some universities like it, and that will be because what they have learned will help them do well in the degree.

Thank you to those who have responded-that's very helpful. DS has to register at college on Wednesday and confirm his subjects so will be speaking to the teachers about it. He thinks he may well take it and then if he finds it too much, drop it and concentrate on doing maths over 2 years rather than 1.