Which A Levels for Computer Science degree eventually?

[Gunnersforthecup]

DC wants to do either Computer Science or Music at University.

He likes the idea of Music, but also really enjoys, and is good at computing, and sees that it is a more reliable lead into decently paid employment.

He wants to do A levels in Music, Maths and Computer Science.

At one open evening, the sixth form tutor was not very encouraging about Further Maths, saying that most unis did not insist on it; if you were down as attempting Further Maths, you might well get an offer demanding an A*; and as this was difficult to achieve, it could then become a liability.

However, I have just been watching a video about uni application (high end) where the must have is Maths, the desirable is Further Maths, and other options are left open.

I have also seen a very highly selective sixth form (not one he is applying to) insisting in their criteria that people wanting to do Computing Science have to take Computing Science, Physics, Maths and Further Maths.

Can anyone shed any more light on this?

Hi, you might find you get more answers if you post in the Higher Education section. I found this article there recently:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/5016694-double-maths-a-level-for-computer-science-degree

It seems as though it is a tough degree to get onto and the maths is really important. As for the other subjects I’m not so sure but hopefully someone will be able to help.

Many thanks. So it looks as though Further Maths is essential for Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and possibly Warwick.

I have rummaged around Mumsnet and found SACU Student https://sacu-student.com/?page_id=5203 and Informed Choices https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/universities which are tools for looking at the effects of different A Level combos on course options at different unis.

DS is in Year 12 and wants to study Computer Science so we have done the rounds of Uni Open Days.

Most of the top tier unis want Maths and FM IF your school offers FM. Newcastle does not stipulate Maths as they spend the first year teaching the necessary maths that is required for Yrs 2/3.

I think Music, Maths and Compsci is a perfect combination and leaves lots of options open for the future.

I spoke to one Compsci student at York Uni and he did A Level Drama.

Where does your son want to go?

Each uni department lists the A level requirements for the courses so you’ll get a feel for what is needed.

Might be of use
https://www.ucas.com/explore/courses?subject=Computer%20science&filterBy=all&studyYear=current&page=1&filters%5B0%5D=Degree~qualification

We are considering doing some open day visiting after his GCSEs in the summer.

I thought that Open Days might be a good way of exploring which options look like they might be most useful, as well as having a look round unis and a nice day out.

Both his sixth form options offer FM.

He is potentially able enough to apply to Oxbridge.

He does have ADHD/ASD and is strongly considering applying to a RG closer to home, however.

I think London might be out and out too stressful.

@YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME

Many thanks for the link. Can you explain what "Tariff points 96/96" means, please?

Further Maths would be very useful for Computer Science.
If he takes both he is likely to get a higher mark in maths because he's doing so much maths.
University admissions tutors know that further maths is tough and will take account of that and are also likely to prioritise a candidate with further maths over other, all other things being equal.
BUT
He should really want to do it to take further maths.

The tariff points are a guide to the A Level equivalent, ie Warwick asks for 160 which is 3A*s.

Thank @Mathsbabe , that is a useful consideration re upping his game for Maths A level too.

Does anyone know whether the more demanding colleges might see Music as an indication of an interesting and creative mathematical mind, or whether they'd be liable just to go for someone with physics?

@VanillaSugar2024

Thanks. So what does the tariff equation mean then, eg

"Computer ScienceUniversity of Leeds
BSc (Hons) · 3 Years · Full-time · Leeds · 2024-2025
Tariff points: 144/160"

Could he do four and drop either music or FM if he's struggling?

I would presume that would be the min/max offer.

I know a remarkable young person who is currently studying Computer Science at Oxford who did A level Music. But also with Maths, FM, Physics and CS. And achieved 5A*s.

The best thing is to book onto a few Uni Open Days for this June/July, talk to the department staff, see what happens on GCSE results day and then decide.

DS did Computer Science, Economics, Maths, Higher Maths. Later dropped Economics.

Maths teacher here. For comp sci degrees, ideally a student will have done both maths and further maths at A-level. Good universities will make allowances if a student was at a school which does not offer further maths, but this is not your case. So a good university would priorities students with further maths over your son if he chose not to take it.

Less prestigious universities are more relaxed about further maths.

For other A-level choices, comp sci is helpful, but not strictly required at lots of universities. No need at all to take physics (and students with physics are not prioritised over those with music, provided he does maths and further maths).

FM is certainly helpful but not essential for some RG uni CS courses. Birmingham, Southampton, Cardiff, Exeter etc don’t require FM (and I’d certainly advise your son to have a good look at the Southampton courses).

Bath (popular course) wants A levels in CS and / or FM, Lancaster might also be a good back up as lower grades, doesn’t need FM and likes CS at A level.

Would school offer FM to AS level? That would give him a good grounding.

He could also boost his applications by learning coding - Python would be a good place to start.

(I’ll add that my DC has had offers from a good range of RG unis with CS, Maths and Physics at A level and FM at AS level).

My DD is currently deciding on A-levels but can’t decide whether to do CS or engineering for university. She has settled on maths, Further maths, DT and physics.

She can do CS at pretty much any university with just the two maths and no CS at A-level. She can’t do engineering without physics though. She is also going to do an EPQ on “something CS based”. Most universities actually don’t have CS at A-level as a requirement.

For CS at the top universities, if your school offers FM at A-level then they expect you to take it.

Is he likely to get a 8/9 in maths GCSE? If not, I wouldn't consider further maths. I think the tutor you spoke to is right in that it's a double edged sword. If you take it and get e.g. a D, it won't help you.

I would also consider whether he could start further maths alongside his other A-levels, and drop it if it becomes too much. Some sixth forms may be more supportive of this than others.

He will have lots of options for CompSci, even without further maths, and I don't believe it's a degree where going to a "top" uni necessarily makes you lots more employable.

He ought to get a 8/9 in Maths- he got 9 in his last mock paper, he tells me.

He has always been good at Maths - usually gets gold in the Maths Challenges, starting from year 6 and got to Kangaroo level a couple of times. While not doing a blind bit of preparation.

BUT has been very annoying in not doing homework etc.

Yes, both his sixth form options (applied for so far) do FM,

He likes the idea of Southampton and it might be a practical choice, for various reasons.

Southampton is in a strange situation.Some courses have come out as very highly rated, just below Oxbridge (or even top in the country). Presumably because of good research? or good teaching?

However, the entry requirements seem to be relatively undemanding.

Not sure why that is.

I have not idea where the axolotl came from

As he's kangaroo-ing, the I think maths/FM and 2 further of his choice (assuming school will allow 2x maths plus 2 others.

If he might be thinking of Oxbridge or the other high tariff courses the FM will be expected unless it's not offered by the school. And someone who can kangaroo should be up to it. And it's worth having because those courses are very mathsy and although they will cover the FM ground it's typically done at a very fast rate, and those who are learning rather than re-capping will have quite a different experience in their first term

Music is fine as the final choice, and I think it's good for sixth formers to study a subject because they love it, rather than everything being utilitarian means to an end

Dd is going to do a degree in computer science and her A levels are maths, further maths and computer science. No universities ask for computer science A level but I have heard some like it. Another option would be maths, further maths and physics. Your son could start off with maths, further maths, computer science and music and then drop one if necessary when he sees how he gets on.

You don't need physics for a computer science degree but I think some do it to keep their options open eg if decide to do engineering instead.

Southampton is typically asking for A star A A for CS for 2024 entry, so it depends on your definition of undemanding. Warwick is typically A star A star A, as is Bath for 2024 (was A star A A for 2023).

Personally I think Southampton is generally underrated, and it performs well for CS in various rankings (Complete Uni, Times, TES, QS etc).

But if your son is aiming at COWI then he will need FM for CS. Imperial, for instance, recommends FM, CS and physics in addition to maths, and Warwick pretty much expects FM.

Maths is essential, Computer Science is not.

However if he wants to keep music as an option that is also pretty essential

If he can only do 3 subjects (lots of schools offer FM as a 4th A level) then why doesn’t he do Maths, Further Maths & Music.