i intend to enter university in september 2008. i have 2 options for the next 2 years.
1) Have 3 A'levels and 1 AS qualifications
2) Have 3 A'levels qualifications and 1 year industrial work experience.
what do you think is better? I am planning to apply to universities like Cambridge and Imperial. Thanks
2006-09-30 03:38:58 · 7 answers · asked by Als 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
i'm planning to study engineering
2006-09-30 03:45:20 · update #1
Depends on the kind of course you intend to take. If industrial, a year's experience with professionals would give you a head start. Otherwise, get the best out of your education first. Good luck!
2006-09-30 03:44:04 · answer #1 · answered by artleyb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would advise you to contact the universities which you are interested in and find out what their requirements are for the course you want to do. Don't forget, different unis might want different qualifications, so make sure you call them all.
Personally, I would think 1 year industrial work experience would count a lot more on the scale of things. You can't beat hands on experience.
However, it's not me who's going to say whether or not you can go to the university, so I really would speak to them directly.
Good luck, whatever you decide to do.
2006-09-30 03:50:33 · answer #2 · answered by SL 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Industrial work experience is very good, for two reasons:
1. It means that you can find out beforehand whether you are actually interested in that field of work, and so you can ditch it if you don't like it.
2. If you've done and do still want to do it: it shows that you really are interested in that line of work, and you've also got off your back and done something about it.
So the work experience should help you to get a uni place, and will also help you once you leave uni. Universities pay no attention to AS levels anyway.
2006-09-30 03:49:19 · answer #3 · answered by Steve-Bob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you do really well in your A levels, the industrial experience might help to set you apart from the all A crowd a little bit, in a way that one more AS probably would not. It would also be a good way to make sure engineering is really the way you want to go.
I'd lean towards the work experience myself, but ask your careers/university advisor at school for their thoughts too.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
2006-09-30 03:48:24 · answer #4 · answered by lauriekins 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing is to do some research. It will depend on the course you want to do. Contact university departments and ask which they recommend. The contact alone can help support your application. Most offers are based on three A-levels. Your UCAS personal statement is going to be your selling point - which ever option you choose, ensure that you make use of it in your personal statement - what skills it has provided you with, how it helped develop you personally, how it will be of value to you on a university course etc.
2006-09-30 03:49:44 · answer #5 · answered by Karen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely go with the AS, it's more academic so for places like Cambridge and Imperial definitely better. Be warned, you've chosen one of the hardest courses there is though, you do have to be seriously good to get in for that.
2006-09-30 03:48:38 · answer #6 · answered by THJE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All you need is a healthy bank balance and the ability to drink `till yuo puke!
2006-09-30 03:43:39 · answer #7 · answered by Christ 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋