How I Got Offers to Study Computer Science at Top UK Universities

[@user-ei4ve7mh8h]

This channel is extremely underrated

[@codedbyjade]

:)

[@yashinstar9257]

Hey im currently thinking of taking Further Maths As in Year 13 whilst im currently in Year 12 alongside A levels Maths, Computer Science and Chemistry do you think that it would disadvantage me in not taking the full a level since i've already got Computer Science and am planning to apply to Oxford for Computer Science and Philosophy 😅😅

[@codedbyjade]

If you're planning to apply for Oxford with this course, I recommend swapping compsci or chemistry out with the full Further Maths A Level. I would also recommend either Philosophy AS if that's available, an EPQ or equivalent.

[@topfaris4490]

Hey, I am currently at the end of year 12 and considering studying comp sci or software engineering at uni. I am doing Chemistry Maths and Physics at A level. My question is will it be possible for me to apply to uni without an A level in computer science/will I be at a disadvantage?

[@codedbyjade]

It depends. Sometimes universities reduce offers if you do have Computer Science A Level. The most important thing is to know how to code and understand the basic Computer Science principles and demonstrate your understanding in your personal statement

[@xoon127]

Hi, I'm considering going to Cambridge for a computer science degree, I've already done some preparation on tmua but I havent had the opportunity to learn coding, I've learnt some supercurriculars liike PVSNP, the halting problem and the diffie helman key exchange/ RSA and have attended lectures/ taught myself Markov chains and also wish to talk about machine learning, but I'm not sure if this is too passive to speak about? Since I haven't done some active learning and I feel like it's too basic.

[@dustdukk2832]

Hi you mentioned that admission officers will take into account your grades to your schools average. Do you know which universities do this as i cant find anything abt this online.

[@codedbyjade]

I know for sure Oxbridge does, I assume other unis do as well but it's probably less important there as the courses are less competitive. I got this information during events I attended back in Year 12 and don't have online sources per se.

[@dustdukk2832]

@@codedbyjade Ok thank you! hopefully warwick does something similar...

[@theograham1667]

I'm about to start Sixth Form and I also chose Business, Maths and Computer Science (and am thinking about taking CS at Uni). Have you got any advice? Thanks

[@codedbyjade]

I'll break it down subject by subject. Business: Keep up with essay practice and the news (I recommend reading/listening to the Financial Times and BBC News). Taking The Biz and Tutor2u are also good resources. Computer Science: Make sure your coding skills are at a standard ready for the NEA in year 13. Maths: Make sure this is really strong, as Computer Science at uni is quite maths heavy. For more in depth advice, check out my latest video :)

[@theograham1667]

@@codedbyjade Thanku :)

[@kovesthe4th394]

@@codedbyjade hello I’m going to be doing computer science but I haven’t had any maths practice since gcse. What tips do u have for me to catch up?

[@codedbyjade]

Do you mean a computer science degree? If so, the level of preparation required depends on the course syllabus

[@chary9407]

Hello , just finished y12 , A* in mocks for maths physics and computer science , are there any extra admissions tests that Manchester need ?

[@codedbyjade]

You can check on their website for clarification

[@MrWorzel86]

I'm only starting to look at Comp Sci now, do you think I have enough time to do activites to make my personal statement competitive? A levels are Maths, Further maths, Physics. Predicted A*A*A*. I was thinking of reading 2-3 books from oxford's reading list, teach myself to code while doing a few projects and make a reinforcement learning bot if I have enough time once I've learned to code. This means I'll probably be working 6 hours a day when combining TMUA prep however I'm worried I won't have enough super curriculars as the only super curricular I've already done is STEM SMART phase 1 & 2.

[@codedbyjade]

I would say TMUA -> learn to code -> reinforcement learning bot in terms of priority. I assume you have a strong maths ability so I would look into mathematical topics such as the thoery of computation, ml algorithms etc and read some books on the side, noting what you have gained from them and how they made you more interested in CompSci

[@MrWorzel86]

@@codedbyjade Ok. thanks

[@Sam-qs4vx]

Hi. Similar to the person who wrote a comment 3 days ago, I am thinking of doing further maths AS level by self studying in year 13. I am currently nearing the end of year 12 with the options Maths, Bio and CS. My predicteds will be at worst 2 A stars and an A, but will most likely be 3 A stars. I understand that these grades are good, but from what ive seen online, no further maths = i probably wont get into a good uni such as warwick, kcl or UCL (oxbridge without further is apparently impossible) You mentioned in that other comment that the person should drop one of their A levels and do the full further maths a level in year 13. Do you think i can do that aswell? Im not sure how it would work - would i have to self study it, as my classmates would be doing year 2 content, or would i be joining the then-year 12s? Also, do you think i have a chance at the top unis with my A level choices? Sorry for all the questions. Ive been stressing alot due to me seriously regretting not picking FM

[@codedbyjade]

If you are already about to start Year 13, I would focus on spending this summer doing a maths course etc instead to boost your application rather than pciking up Further Maths. I know that kcl don't mind not having FM. Even if you pick up FM, you may not have a predicted grade for the subject for unis to see anyway and in my case, none of my offers included my potential AS FM grade.

[@docgraal485]

How did you integrate Computerphile into your personal statement

[@codedbyjade]

Hi, I didn't mention them just used their videos to broaden my knowledge of fields in Computer Science

[@osaigbinoba6528]

I changed from medicine to comp sci but I’m studying Chem bio and maths entering yr 13 is it possible to still get accepted into comp sci by good uni’s

[@codedbyjade]

Hi, maths A Level is the obly requirement for Computer Science at uni usually so you'll be fine. It'll be your predicted grades that matter

[@InstaQuips]

Hi im in the same position as you but in year 12. How did everything work out ?

[@craaza4233]

Do you have to do computer science GCSE to do computer science A level?

[@codedbyjade]

No but it would help narrow the learning curve

[@kosisochiamobi-oleka566]

Is CIE a level IT, math and Econ a good combination for studying computer science

[@codedbyjade]

I would recommend doing A Level Computer Science as opposed to IT

[@kosisochiamobi-oleka566]

@@codedbyjade my school doesn’t offer CS

[@codedbyjade]

Do they offer further maths or physics?

[@kosisochiamobi-oleka566]

@@codedbyjade they offer physics but I’ve already picked the combination, should I change it

[@codedbyjade]

It's difficult to give a definitive answer. The general advice would be if you want to increase the competitiveness of your application then switch to physics or further maths but that doesn't always guarantee a successful application. I recommend having a look at the unis you want to apply to and see their requirements.

[@cb-cs7td]

im considering self studying a level maths (im in year 12) and working on further maths modules in my gap year. do you think its possible and have any advice?

[@codedbyjade]

Hi, what makes you not want to study maths in school, is it not available?

[@bullseye3054]

You think i will regret doing computer science? i am heavily interested but i am not suupper good with maths and 0 exprience with coding but i plan to do foundation course

[@codedbyjade]

It will definitely be a stepping stone, but if you're genuinely passionate then you'll get through it. Do you mean for A Level or degree level?

[@osaigbinoba6528]

Hey what’s the real difference between computer sci and software engineering and which do you think is better

[@codedbyjade]

Hi, Software Engineering is a lot more practical and focuses on industrial skills whereas Computer Science dives deeper into theoretical topics such as the theory of computation and computer architecture as two examples. Both offer programming modules but Computer Sciences talks more about the nuances of each language (i.e. how its compiler manages memory) and software engineering focuses more towards you mastering a programming language/ web framework and project management. As for which is better, it really depends on what you want out of the degree. I chose Computer Science bc I was interested in the theoretical aspects and planned to learn the practical aspect via internships. If you don't want to do a lot of maths / more interested in the practical aspects, I would opt for Software engineering otherwise Computer Science is a better fit. I hope this answered your question and let me know if you have any more.

[@osaigbinoba6528]

Thanks . Also for Ai building and other topics wouldn’t comp sci be better

[@codedbyjade]

Yes, definitely

[@iamacat1237]

I am starting year 10 in 2022. What programming languages would you recommend I should learn? I am currently at an intermediate python level. Edit : I have just been binge watching your videos, thank you, they have been really helpful. I might learn Java or C# next! new subscriber :)

[@codedbyjade]

Thanks! I also recommend you check out C/C++ :)

[@drfarhanshaikh9409]

hi. I am a doctor (pediatric Intensivist in India). My daughter got offer from 1-University of Sheffield for MSc in advance computer science and also 2- from Queen Mary university for MSc in computer science She also 3- got offer for MSc in Artificial Intelligence from Royal Halloway university near London and 4- MSc in computer science from university of Liverpool . Can you guide whether to choose Sheffield because it’s ranked higher and my cousin stays in Sheffield with his family so would be safer for my daughter ? Or choose Queen Mary because it’s in London and that will have advantage of getting jobs and brand London ? Or shall we choose Royal Holloway, although not from Russel group, it’s ranked 32 in computer science in UKGuardian ranking. Or choose Liverpool because , compared to Sheffield it may have more exposure to industries. Which may help for internships and jobs Please guide.

[@codedbyjade]

Hi, I would say Sheffield is the best out of these 4, with Liverpool next, with London uni's, it's not just about the proximity to London and jobs there, employers perfer certain unis (i.e. UCL) so there is not too much of an advantage is choosing Queen Mary/Royal Holloway

[@drfarhanshaikh9409]

@@codedbyjade Thanks a lot. We have decided to go for university of Sheffield.

[@foodplaceofwork6995]

Hey, I am at end of year 12 and considering doing computer science at university. My a levels are Computer Science, Biology and Electronics. My question is without picking maths as an a level choice will it affect my application to uni?

[@tobi4812]

It definitely will. Math is the most important subject when it comes to computer science. Almost all unis require math

[@codedbyjade]

As @Tobi said, not having at least A Level maths will stop you to applying to many of the top universities for Computer Science and some of the top even implicitly require Further Maths as well. However there are unis that don't require maths. The university of Nottingham or university of Leicester first come to mind

[@tobi4812]

@@codedbyjade what do you think of computer science and mathematics as a course rather than just computer science? Is It worth it?

[@codedbyjade]

It depends on the career path you want to take really, do you have an idea so I can guide you further?

[@tobi4812]

@@codedbyjade well I don't have a rigid career path but I'm thinking of doing something with AI and machine learning