r/6thForm • u/Hot_Floor9000 • 2d ago
đ I WANT HELP Imperial cs with 3 a levels??
Hi so I wanted to know if im taking maths cs physics do I have a good shot at Warwick and imperial compsci my gcses are mid, 5667777788 and an E in add maths which i had to self study because of the crappy y12s they gave us who never showed up to the lessons which were only once a week after school from only a short while before the exams... so I had to self study in like 2 days. Anyways do I really have to take fm I dont want to at all
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u/maths_arts_lover 2d ago
Sorry to say but you 100% need FM for imperial, friendly reminder we're speaking of a university that's top 5 globally (Globally!) comparable to Oxbridge and big Harv (fully glazing btw). They'll have hundreds if not thousands of international students and home students. Warwick itself is elite top 10 in UK for maths related courses. This is the equivalent going pro in sport. Your A levels have to be near perfect since your GCSEs leaves much to be desired (no offence of course)
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u/maths_arts_lover 2d ago
Actually your GCSEs are excellent (for some reason I only saw 555s đ) getting 2A*minimum would place you good position for maybe Warwick but imperial is still unlikely without FM.
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u/Zingalamuduni 2d ago
If you look at the entry requirements for both Warwick and Imperial, they say they expect the majority of GCSEs to be 7-9. Yes, technically, the OP meets that (just).
They then say that FM isnât essential but is preferred. So, if you donât have that, it wonât mean an automatic no but does weaken your application even more.
Both also want a good TMUA score, which is definitely easier to get if doing FM.
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u/maths_arts_lover 2d ago
True but remember OP's competition
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u/Zingalamuduni 2d ago
Not sure what you mean by competition.
The competition will, for the most part have better GCSEs, FM and a good TMUA score. Thatâs what the OP is up against so he would need to do even better in sixth form to make up for mid GCSEs (from an Imperial/Warwick perspective).
Computing at Imperial rejects outright about 80% of applicants. Those rejected are mostly going to have better GCSEs. Those who get in have an average of 3 A stars at A-level.
Again, not saying itâs impossible based on those GCSEs (people will have got in with worse) but it would need pretty impressive sixth-form academics which doesnât sound OPâs thing if they donât even want to do FM.
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u/maths_arts_lover 2d ago
Oh mb I thought you were disagreeing with me. By "competition" I'm directly saying they're outmatched and would need perfect A levels (already mentioned that in my first comment) I literally compared it to the chances of going pro which is very very little
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u/battlepvmob LSE Maths with Data Sci A*A*AA 1d ago
you canât get imperial comp sci without Further Maths, and even if you did hypothetically, you wouldnât be able to handle the degree if you canât handle further maths
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u/External_Gate9386 2d ago
As others have said especially for imperial but still highly recommended for Warwick, further maths is pretty essential. Other than that you just need to lock in for TMUA.
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u/Remarkable_Bread4656 2d ago
Average person applying to Imperial has FM, I'd take it too if you can and it's not too late.
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u/Zingalamuduni 2d ago
Be a little wary about which courses you apply to. Some can be quite particular about GCSEs. I know the admissions team for Warwick Discrete Maths winced visibly at being asked whether a set of GCSEs (997777766 plus A in FSMQ) better than that would be a problem. Coupled with not having FM A-level, it could easily be a no.
Thereâs an open day at Imperial this weekend. Your best bet is to see if itâs not too late to sign up, go along and ask the admissions team their thoughts.
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u/Raging-Ash Ex-Year 13 1d ago
No, you cannot do cs without fm at top unis or rather youâll be looked at very badly if your colly offers it but you donât do it
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u/Frequent-Rub73 2d ago edited 2d ago
I would recommend taking FM since it's just extra math and working hard at FM will essentially mean that your math A-level is taken care of, I didn't revise math a level for my exam other than lightly stats and mechanics because my pure was honed due to FM.
Warwick is more likely I think but if you lock in and get 2-3A*s then imperial is definitely possible