I don't have any A levels, I don't have any GCSES, but what I do have is a very particular set of skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. Do you reckon I should apply?
Yes! Absolutely loads of extra support is available. If you google 'oxford dyslexic support' the fourth link is a document that will tell everything you would like to know.
Joking , I got 10 A* at gcse including further maths and I've got 3 A* at alevel( relevant subjects ) and completed duke of Edinburgh , will I get in ?
My advice would be to definitely take further maths if you can - even the AS will be useful and demonstrates that you are passionate about the subject, quite apart from making your normal A-level maths exams easier!
I think that it's one of these things where if you can take it then you definitely should, but if your school doesn't offer it then it's not something to stress over too much. The material you cover at A level is much more important
Attending public lectures, reading books (or textbooks, if you're feeling adventurous!), maybe running an after-school club of your subject, tutoring... Pretty much if it requires (or encourages) detailed knowledge of your subject then it's good!
Well, what really counts is your ability to do your subject! So if you go to a school that gives you better resources and more opportunities to improve yourself then I can only assume, with the right motivation and a good amount of talent to start with, that you will stand a good chance!
You have a very strong application! Those are fantastic grades, and with a good interview you are well on your way to getting in. Seriously well done :)
Use the papers available on the Oxford physics website, physics Olympiad papers (available elsewhere) and senior maths challenge papers (also available online). Lastly, on the Oxvlog channel Dan is answering these questions on his most recent video, and seeing as he did the test more recently than me, you're best off asking him! As for the 80 thing, bear in mind that the marks aren't absolute - you are considered relative to everyone else's performance, not a number. So just do your best!
Ha, I think I can safely say that maths was my worst subject at school! Definitely at the start of secondary school I really struggled, and never would have thought that I would end up doing A level maths and further maths. The best way to improve is to practise, and to do a bit of reading around the subject (I highly recommend 'Alex's Adventures in Numberland' by Alex Bellos) and you'll eventually find that it starts to make a lot more sense! Hope this helps, Simon :)
Use the papers available on the Oxford physics website, physics Olympiad papers (available elsewhere) and senior maths challenge papers (also available online). Lastly, on the Oxvlog channel Dan is answering these questions on his most recent video, and seeing as he did the test more recently than me, you're best off asking him!
Difficult to say, I'd place it as being harder than the A-level physics exams for sure, and more along the lines of the more difficult senior maths challenge papers - those are certainly the best tests to revise from that I could find
(cont)... you can mark up what you've done, then turn ahead one week and mark that you need to review what you did, and the same again for one month's time. This means that you look at something and then 'topup' your understanding so that it stays relatively fresh. Combining this constant understanding with practise (especially towards the exams) is, IMHO, the best way to revise.
@spidernatclip Remember that Oxford compares your GCSE results with your school's average GCSE results, so as long as you perform above average you won't need to get all A*s! Getting A levels early is definitely a plus - it shows that you're obviously talented, but also that you can work off your own back and have the motivation to study. Which happen to be exactly the characteristics that Oxford are after :)
As you say I really do think this would be a long shot to get in, though you would most likely get an interview. You have absolutely nothing to lose by applying, though I would have to tell you again not to get your hopes up.
Pretty much anything! Finance, research, engineering, programming, teaching, anything that requires problem solving! Loads of people get a physics degree and then transfer to another profession e.g. law or medicine, as the physics degree shows people that you are capable of problem solving and absorbing large amounts of information quickly. Tim Berners-Lee did Physics at Oxford and invented the internet for goodness sake... :p
Yes and no - you need to show that you are passionate about your subject, and have taken your understanding of it further than the A level syllabus. One good way to do this, particular in the humanities, is to read texts from your field. You can then also talk about them at interviews, and discuss them in your personal statement. I would recommend that you read at least a few things - I started reading specifically physics books in about year 10 or 11 I think, and then more in 6th form.
Being good at your subject is the only way to get in, so if you are extremely good at it then that will definitely improve your chances! As for the IELTS test, if you google "oxford english language requirements" then you'll find an official university page that covers the many ways you can show profiency (IELTS being one of them).
Wow, this is something that I could probably (and hopefully will) make a whole video on! In short, I find reviewing the notes you've taken in class, then making notes from textbooks and then doing practise to be the most effective method. Do this for several modules at the same time, though not necessarily in sync (e.g. you could be making notes for circuits and practising mechanics at the same time). Also, keep a diary listing what you have done each day. This is most useful when... (cont)
Well extracurricular activities don't come into the application all of that much, but being involved in the debating society, and public speaking generally, certainly came in handy during interviews - teaches you to think on your feet and be confident in putting across an opinion.
Intelligent question. I think I'm right in saying that most offers are based on 3 As. In fact I think that I've only ever heard of two people getting 4-subject offers, both for Cambridge and not Oxford. Of course if you are only doing 3 subjects they can't give you a 4-subject offer, but by doing 4 subjects you have a better chance of getting an offer full stop. My advice would be to take 4 subjects and make the most of 6th form!
Yep, this thing called the PAT - there's a big section about it on the Oxford physics website (under 'Study Here', then 'Undergraduates'). Best way to practise I think is to do lots of senior maths challenge papers - the format and style of questions are very similar (plus if you practise lots of maths challenge papers you'll also do better in the senior maths challenge!) - and make sure your AS maths and physics are in good shape, and that you know everything on the syllabus.
Awh poor simon; answering un-neccary questions which one may find, if simply googled. Honestly thank you so much for your guide, I know how hard it is for you to make videos and stay top of the class in oxford. Therefore i highly command you.
A levels are undoubtedly harder, but you do fewer of them. The logic is that performance at GCSE demonstrates your ability to perform across a range of very different disciplines. Also I think there is an argument to be made that your exact marks at AS levels, beyond the grade classification, might not represent your actual ability but fluctuations in the condition you sat the papers in, e.g. if you got unlucky with the questions that came up, or had a cold, or were tired, etc.
I was head body, captain of the debate team, played alto sax in the school wind band, sang in the barbershop choir, played hockey for the men's and mixed teams and was a member of the scouts for ten years. I also did some volunteering for MENCAP in the hockey off-season. Yeah, I didn't have much time for a social life...
Oh yeah, there are literally hundreds of copies of RHB kicking around in Oxford - in my whole degree I've never had to buy a book. I applied for the 4 year course :)
I'm afraid I don't know all of that much about CompSci, though I would be surprised if you needed further maths for it. Whatever it says on the website is probably your best bet! As for a maths disorder, make sure that your teachers include a mention to it in your reference and it shouldn't be too much of a problem, though I'm sure that you understand that it could hurt your application slightly.
I brought it up in my general interview (that admittedly most people don't have) and they took it to read before giving back to me when I left, though I don't know how much of an impact it had. I did reference it in my personal statement for a line or two, talking about the skills that it taught me, such as independent study, and also how I relished the opportunity to further my study beyond the school syllabus. I wouldn't say that it was key to success, but I think it was a good thing to do :)
The very bottom equation is Hubble's law, then working up we have the Doppler effect, then Radio telescopes (angular resolution and the condition on the size of the mesh used) and then basic lens optics. Good eyes!
It wouldn't affect it at all. If you google "oxford undergraduate admissions statistics ethnic origin" then there is an official university page with the statistics from the past few years and their position on the subject. Tutors don't care about your background - they just care about how good you are at your subject!
Nothing specific I'm afraid - the IB program is absolutely fine, and in some cases actually gives people stronger applications than A-levels. The same basic advice applies as it does to everyone else - be passionate about your subject and nail your exams! Best of luck :)
At GCSE I didn't work as hard as I probably could have done, and certainly didn't work as hard as I did at A level (but still worked hard). In Physics and Geography I didn't have too many issues but in Maths and Further Maths I had to work really, really hard to get the grades I did. I don't have very much natural mathematical talent (my teacher didn't even think I should bother taking further maths at all) so the results I got were largely based on determination/sheer bloody minded-ness!
St. Peter's, of course! We have a reputation for the being the friendly, social college. But generally the social life in Oxford is nowhere near as bad as people seem to assume it is - there are loads of clubs in the centre (and a good night pretty much every night), bops are normally bi-weekly, bars (ESPECIALLY St. Peter's) are a source of cheap drinks and if you're into a sport or activity then you can almost be guaranteed that crew-dating is a possibility. In short, fun!
Hi, so first of all don't panic! Those GCSE results are still outstanding and better than an awful lot of applicants. If you do feel however that circumstances prevented you from getting all A*s then this can be explicitly mention in your UCAS reference by your teacher, and will be taken into account by Oxford. GCSEs only form part of your application (see the video on my channel for more) and you still have a solid base to work from. You're doing fine, and still have a good shot at a place :)
All the chemists I know really like the course, it seems to be challenging (but not insane) and enjoyable. I have heard that the fourth year can involve seriously long hours in the lab, but that's the only criticism that I've heard levelled against it. Also the new buildings look seriously cool :)
You can apply to Oxford with US qualifications - no need to take qualifications! To explain, GCSEs are the mandatory qualifications that everybody in the UK has to take at the age of 15. A levels are what we take at the age of 17 and at about the same stage as high school (I think).
I'm a weird superposition of graduate and undergraduate at the moment (being in 4th year), and as far as I can tell work as a graduate is not as planned as an undergraduate's, but the number of hours that you work is a bit higher. But, as a counterpoint, MCRs seem to be a lot more awesome (in terms of events put on) than JCRs, so I guess its a case of work harder, play harder!
@10tacle21 I'd check college websites - they might have some under the physics section, and maybe the department website? Other than that I think thestudentroom has had posts in the past where people lay out their interview questions. Also, try oxbridge-admissions . info. Just found it and it seems like a peach! If you wanted there are books available about Oxbridge entry as well, though I couldn't claim to know any good ones as I didn't use them!
@Cool2BCeltic I just looked this up, and it turns out that you pay a different amount as a Scot based on your household income: go on the Oxford website and then type /admissions/undergraduate_courses/student_funding/scottish_students.html as the URL. Glad you liked the video!
I wouldn't rule out applying until you have your overall AS grades - ultimately that is what the tutors will be basing your offer on. Ruling out applying at all is a very negative step to take so early on, and I would really recommend that you try your best in the May modules and see where that gets you. As for engineering streams, I honestly don't know (best to check the website if you haven't already) but I don't think you're tied to one stream straightaway
I think it would be wise to do a foundation year - personally I believe that the best way to learn maths is to immerse yourself in it, as you would do in a foundation year. As you say, it would be wise to practise and self teach up until then. Best of luck :)
People have got in to Oxford on similar GCSEs before! See Ed Grant's interview on the SPCOxford channel for example. I'm assuming you're applying for Maths or Physics? In which case I think that it would still be worth applying - you're going to get a good university place somewhere with grades like that, so you're not wasting a valuable UCAS slot. You'd have to understand that your odds would be on the slim side, but then if you didn't apply then they'd be non-existent! Best of luck.
At graduate level I don't think it academically shapes your experience that much other than library facilities in college - though by graduate level you'd most likely exclusively be working from central and faculty libraries anyway - as your teaching is centrally done by the department (rather than college tutors). The college choice more affects your social experience, as the standard of accommodation, food and MCR events will vary quite a bit. By which I mean you should apply to St Peter's :)
Biology isn't actually a necessity, though I would recommend you take it. Chemistry is the only one you absolutely have to have, and other than that maths and physics would be good bets, and then whatever you find interesting. A solid understanding of ethics is always helpful as a medical student so maybe philosophy or something similar would tie in well. Really though you should do what you find interesting
Further maths isn't as horrible as the name suggests - it should really be called 'additional maths' or something, as you spend twice as long doing maths, with the extra stuff not being especially more difficult than the normal A-level, though some of the further pure stuff is heavy going. As for an engineering subject at uni, I think you will be at an advantage to do further maths, but not at a crippling disadvantage if you do not. For physics at uni I heartily recommend it.
Cambridge will look at your UMS marks for AS levels, but as a trade-off will place less importance on your GCSE results. Oxford does the opposite, and puts more emphasis on your GCSEs but won't ask for your UMS marks. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages.
I went to look around before the open day took place, and I went on a summer school organised by the Sutton Trust, but never went on an open day. I would however recommend that you take as many opportunities as possible to have a look around, especially to look around colleges. You don't want to turn up to Oxford for the first term for your interview and decide that you actually don't really like the place! (not that that would happen :) )
I think you can change to the three years course mid way through the course - the first two years are identical anyway, and as long as you get a 2:1 in second year then it shouldn't be a problem. As for preparing before the course starts, if you want you could invest in 'Mathematical methods for physics and engineering' by Riley, Hobson and Bence - it's enough maths to see you through the course (bar the 4th year theory major option) and going through the first few chapters would be a good intro
Well basically the more maths you can do, the merrier! Maths and physics are the two courses that matter most at high school for a university education in physics or engineering. Get top grades in those subjects and you are most of the way there :)
As I understand it, Oxford care about your grades relative to your school's average student's grade i.e. if you do really well in a bad school it looks better than doing really well in a good school. If you do badly in a good school then obviously that will reflect badly on you! As for the TSA, yes you must do it, and it might be possible to do it at your school - give 'TSA oxford' a google and look through their website. Hope this helps! :)
@skulsaw As far as I know the only deciding factor in getting an interview is your score in the PAT, so you must have done well in that! Make sure you shore up your further maths (definitely calculus, expansions, thinking graphically and complex numbers) before the interview and the very best of luck! :)
I was actually part of a trial that my school signed up to, so I didn't do the extended project in the same way that most people do. But from memory I think that my school allowed you to sign up with it at the start of the year, rather than requiring you to put it on your application form. It probably varies from place to place though so I would check with your school to be sure.
I seriously doubt anyone doing physics at Oxford didn't do at least the maths a level, combined with a foundation course. To be completely honest applying to somewhere like warwick would be more realistic. When it comes down to it, the university will make a decision based on, among other things, your AS grades AND your A2 predicted grades. If you feel that you can mature in year 13 and do better then this will show in improved predicted grades. It's not the end of the world, certainly :)
It's not a cover story, it's what I genuinely think! Outside the two universities the rivalry tends to be blown way out of proportion, and people seem to think that it has these overtones of inferiority complexes on both sides. They're both bloody good universities in the end, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Well, if they're asking about examples of you displaying particular skills then I'd try and stick to your academic background where possible, though for certain skills it would be wise to combine both - e.g. if asked about time management you could talk about balancing your academic workload with personal hobbies like sport or music. If it's anything like physics though they won't care too much about your personal stuff - the focus will be much more on your academic side.
As far as I am aware, Oxford don't look at module scores at all so you wouldn't be at a disadvantage by not entering them. Couldn't say the same for all other unis though
As far as I know there is no minimum requirement for GCSE maths for all courses at Oxford, though if you're doing any subject that has a reasonably mathematical core (Maths, Physics, Chemistry, E&M...) then I would say that you would need to get at least an A
Those sound like very good grades to me! Some people get offers with no A*s at all, so really any you have are a bonus. Like I say, GCSE grades aren't looked at all of that much (beyond whether your did truly terribly, relative to everyone else in your school) and it's your A levels that really count. That's not an excuse to slack in your GCSEs mind, they will be useful elsewhere!
Because of a rather bizarre set of circumstances I actually didn't have any work experience relating to physics when I applied, but I don't believe that work experience has any bearing on your application. If you have it and gained something useful from it - e.g. a programming language or an interest in a particular area of physics - then great, but you're not at any loss by not having any really.
@olly342 I would definitely advice the EPQ over OU simply because it requires you to do more of your own research, and teaches you more about how to manage your time. For me at least (I did a module on planets) the OU module was so loosely structured that I don't think I really gained all of that much from it. EPQ has more structure, but you need to form your own pattern of work within that structure, which is more or less exactly how life works at uni.
1) No, I didn't have to take the TSA though I took the PAT instead, 2) Not to my knowledge. Even people that get unconditional offers get interviewed first.
Passion! They want people that love physics and are passionate about doing it. That's basically so they know you won't flake out on them when the going gets tough (and believe me, it does). Beyond that it's all the standard stuff about independent learning, gumption to carry the subject beyond the syllabus and motivation to do physics-related activities in your own time. And also that you're a person and not some equation-solving robot :p
Hmmm, interesting question. If I'm being completely honest then I'd have to say that not having an A* in the subject you're applying to uni for would hold your application back quite a bit, but if you're talking about just doing the A-level in that subject without necessarily taking it all the way to uni level then I don't think it will be /too/ much of a problem, but could still hamper your application slightly.
Oh my god the Further Maths thing just put me down so much 😩 I'm only doing maths, plus I'm not even doing mechanics as applied maths as my school wouldn't let me because of the timetable!
Work experience doesn't add all of that much to your application for physics I don't think - as long as you have done things that demonstrate your interest/passion for the subject, e.g. doing a taster course, then that's the best you can do I think
Ha! Didn't realise that was online. Yeah that was me with the other people that did the extended project trial in year 13 I think. Amazed you recognised me! :)
Nope, but they will look at your grades relative to the average grades for your postcode (i.e. they won't look at your family directly, but if you live in an area that isn't that well off then that will be a factor) - so if you are getting 5 A*s at GCSE (say) and everyone else in your area is struggling to get 5 Cs then that will look more impressive than if you got 10 A*s along with everyone else in Chelsea.
Hey Simon I'm a year 10 student at the moment and I'm really desperate to get into a good university like oxford. I was previously panicking about my gcse grades on whether they will be good enough or not but after hearing that they won't be as important as Alevels, it's provided me with a bit of relief. Thanks.
Like I say in the video, GCSEs/BTECs won't count all of that much. Compared to most students that will be applying to top unis your results are below average but then if you ace your A levels you should be able to make a competitive application. Of course, if you're just talking about any university then those results, combined with good AS results will certainly get you offers :)
I'm confused - are you attending an undergraduate course at McGill now then? Or are you staying out of university for another year? Your clearing number is part of a system that allocates unfilled places at universities to students who missed out on their initial offers (if they didn't achieve the required grades, for example). So I guess you simply need to list your preferred institutions (check their websites to see if they have clearing places though) and cross your fingers!
@10tacle21 I would recommend that you try and get some practise interviews so you know what to expect, and try and find as many past interview questions as you can. Each interview is different, but you can spot certain patterns that occur throughout e.g. some maths questions, normally calculus, test of physical intuition etc. I also highly recommend something to build your confidence like public speaking or drama - worked wonders for me!
Dear Simon Thank you for taking the trouble to post this vid. I am passionate about going to either Oxford or Cambridge but, I must admit, my results so far have not reflected my true ability. My teacher, underestimating my potential I think, has been directing me towards a course at Bradford Uni in David Beckham Studies or alternatively, a joint honours at Leeds Met, in horse husbandry and hairdressing. Are there any Oxford courses you can recommend in similar academic areas??
@methadon2000 I don't think that would be a problem, I know one girl who reapplied after a gap year and got in to Trinity, Cambridge so it's certainly possible but I don't know how common it is - probably more than you might think! As long as you get A*AA or better then I personally can't see a problem.
@methadon2000 She applied to do English at Oxford and was rejected for that, then applied to Trinity, Cambridge. I don't know why she was rejected first time around, it wasn't because of her results. Might have just been interview performance.
@tomhoy94 I didn't get asked about them at all, and neither did most people I talked to. I think that as a rule of thumb they matter more for humanities than for sciences, though that's a sweeping generalisation! I think one or two practical hobbies (preferably ones that you can swing in an interview to demonstrate something about either your passion for your subject, or your character) would be sufficient :)
Greetings from Bulfaria. :D Do you think that international students have a disadvantage when applying to Oxford? I am almost positive that I will meet my country's requirements, stated on the Uni's site for computer science(I am predicted to have ~5.95/6 overall grade with a 6/6 in Maths, Physics, Informatics and English, compared to the minimum requirement of 5.75/6 and a couple of medals in national competitions in Maths/Informatics). Despite that I am still not certain if there will be better or equal(or maybe worse) candidates, who will have a higher chance of getting an interview just for living in the UK? If I do get an interview, I will be visiting the college for at least a week prior to it, just to see what it's like. I am much less scared of the interview itself than the chances of not getting said interview... I'm simply curious and cautious about my chances...
@laura111294 I do know several medical students, though I don't know of their GCSE results. 4 A*s and 6As sounds good to me though. Obviously there will be applicants with better results, but they're not exactly bad! I know that Oxford don't really care about GCSE results from talking to an admission tutor, and from some information on the Oxford website. The physics department make it quite clear on their admissions page. Hope this helps :)
Very odd position! I think there are two things that you should do: 1) Contact the university admissions office, or the medical admissions people, and see what their advice is. 2) Be sure that your referee on your UCAS form mentions the situation and clarifies exactly why you only did 5 GSCEs. I am however not an official representative of the university so get their advice to be sure!
@kuskuse666 UCAS only allows you to apply for one or the other - it's built into the application form. It's actually impossible to apply for both at the same time for undergraduate, so don't panic!
@mevidek Welcome :) Oxford is good but tiring! In a way it makes it worse because I'm doing all of this really, really cool stuff but because you HAVE to do it, and you have to so A LOT of it, it kind of makes it a chore. Still, I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing. Well, maybe a dinosaur stunt-rider.
If you're still confused: GCSEs are essentially what you do in your Freshman & Sophomore years in high school. A-Levels are the Junior and Senior years. I don't know if you're an AP student or an IB student, but I'm IB so I'll explain as follows: it's like the Pre-IB (GCSE) courses, followed by the Diploma Courses (A Level). But no, you shouldn't need to take these exams if you meet the appropriate requirements (GPA, SAT Scores, IB Diploma/AP Courses).
@302sqn13594 1. I imagine so, but with less emphasis on maths. 2. I think that would be a good idea - the more information you give them, the better. 3. That revision sounds like a good idea, I would recommend looking at c4 before your interview. If you haven't done them, complex numbers would be a useful thing to revise, and any practise of integration/differentiation would be very useful too. If you have the time I think looking at the mechanics and pure options in further maths would be good
@MorrisseyMarr95 What I think happens in these cases is that it really comes down to your interviews - they will have picked up on the fact that your results aren't spectacular and will most likely ask you why this is. I think your answer to that question, and your interview performance generally, will then play a large part in whether you get in or not. Basically, make sure that you get A*A*A and do really well in your interview and you still have a shot!
From memory it is for students in the summer of their year 12, though I don't know if it still runs. I don't think it improves your chances of getting in to Oxford, though it would demonstrate motivation in applying for it etc etc.
@laura111294 As an extension to what I said before, I just finished talking to a medic friend of mine and he only got 3 A*s, 6 As and a C in short course PE. What he said was that because you did less well in your GCSEs your BMAT mark will count for much more (he estimated about two thirds of the total that they judge you by), but as he demonstrated it is clearly possible to get in even with results like those!
Hey Simon, right now I'm in year 10 and I'm wondering by any chance, for your GCSE English, if you studied creative pieces of writing and analyzation work from extracts. I'm really amazed how you aced it and got A* and would really like to know, from advice, how you achieved such high grades. From basics, I know you have to include terminology, authors intent, readers effect, quotations for evidence, structural features etc but what makes A* work stand out? I'm sitting on a 6(B-A) and It seems like I'm struggling at the moment so what things do I need to make my English piece more of an A grade material?
No offence but I doubt he'd be able to help you out really. Remember he's in his third year at a PhD level, so it's been ages since he last did his GCSE English; I doubt he can remember anything! I'd recommend some other RUclipsrs, for me Mr Bruff and Mr Salles were extremely helpful and if I'm honest I would've probably got a B in the exam without them, much like the grade you're on. But instead after vigorously watching their content I managed to get and A*, even achieving full UMS in one paper, so I wholly recommend them. Best of luck!
Those GCSEs will be below the average that Oxbridge applicants have, but Critical Thinking won't be important in applying. If I were you I just wouldn't put it on your UCAS form. If you ace the rest of your AS subjects then you still stand a chance!
@rb4k2011 This is something that I mentioned in the comment below (about 5 seconds ago, to be fair!) but I think doing an A level early - provided you do well in it - can only be a good thing. It shows skill and gumption! As for going to a school that does a lot of BTECs that won't count against you at all - if anything it will work in your favour, as I imagine you will perform significantly above your school's average, more so than if you were at another school.
Remember if u dont get into Oxford or Cambridge it's not the end of the world there are so many other good universities
I don't have any A levels, I don't have any GCSES, but what I do have is a very particular set of skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. Do you reckon I should apply?
...
Yes! Absolutely loads of extra support is available. If you google 'oxford dyslexic support' the fourth link is a document that will tell everything you would like to know.
My gcse results spell FUDGE is that good ?
Joking , I got 10 A* at gcse including further maths and I've got 3 A* at alevel( relevant subjects ) and completed duke of Edinburgh , will I get in ?
What DofE did you pass?
silver
Gripper Nice I just started my Bronze
honestly , mine was terrible, I hated it , but it's worth it for future employment
Focus on your grades! Make sure that you get the best grades that you can and then in a few years you can start thinking about more specifics.
My advice would be to definitely take further maths if you can - even the AS will be useful and demonstrates that you are passionate about the subject, quite apart from making your normal A-level maths exams easier!
I think that it's one of these things where if you can take it then you definitely should, but if your school doesn't offer it then it's not something to stress over too much. The material you cover at A level is much more important
Normal-gets more than 7A*s
Attending public lectures, reading books (or textbooks, if you're feeling adventurous!), maybe running an after-school club of your subject, tutoring... Pretty much if it requires (or encourages) detailed knowledge of your subject then it's good!
Well, what really counts is your ability to do your subject! So if you go to a school that gives you better resources and more opportunities to improve yourself then I can only assume, with the right motivation and a good amount of talent to start with, that you will stand a good chance!
You have a very strong application! Those are fantastic grades, and with a good interview you are well on your way to getting in. Seriously well done :)
Use the papers available on the Oxford physics website, physics Olympiad papers (available elsewhere) and senior maths challenge papers (also available online). Lastly, on the Oxvlog channel Dan is answering these questions on his most recent video, and seeing as he did the test more recently than me, you're best off asking him!
As for the 80 thing, bear in mind that the marks aren't absolute - you are considered relative to everyone else's performance, not a number. So just do your best!
Ha, I think I can safely say that maths was my worst subject at school! Definitely at the start of secondary school I really struggled, and never would have thought that I would end up doing A level maths and further maths. The best way to improve is to practise, and to do a bit of reading around the subject (I highly recommend 'Alex's Adventures in Numberland' by Alex Bellos) and you'll eventually find that it starts to make a lot more sense!
Hope this helps, Simon :)
Use the papers available on the Oxford physics website, physics Olympiad papers (available elsewhere) and senior maths challenge papers (also available online). Lastly, on the Oxvlog channel Dan is answering these questions on his most recent video, and seeing as he did the test more recently than me, you're best off asking him!
Difficult to say, I'd place it as being harder than the A-level physics exams for sure, and more along the lines of the more difficult senior maths challenge papers - those are certainly the best tests to revise from that I could find
(cont)... you can mark up what you've done, then turn ahead one week and mark that you need to review what you did, and the same again for one month's time. This means that you look at something and then 'topup' your understanding so that it stays relatively fresh. Combining this constant understanding with practise (especially towards the exams) is, IMHO, the best way to revise.
@spidernatclip Remember that Oxford compares your GCSE results with your school's average GCSE results, so as long as you perform above average you won't need to get all A*s!
Getting A levels early is definitely a plus - it shows that you're obviously talented, but also that you can work off your own back and have the motivation to study. Which happen to be exactly the characteristics that Oxford are after :)
As you say I really do think this would be a long shot to get in, though you would most likely get an interview. You have absolutely nothing to lose by applying, though I would have to tell you again not to get your hopes up.
Pretty much anything! Finance, research, engineering, programming, teaching, anything that requires problem solving! Loads of people get a physics degree and then transfer to another profession e.g. law or medicine, as the physics degree shows people that you are capable of problem solving and absorbing large amounts of information quickly.
Tim Berners-Lee did Physics at Oxford and invented the internet for goodness sake... :p
Yes and no - you need to show that you are passionate about your subject, and have taken your understanding of it further than the A level syllabus. One good way to do this, particular in the humanities, is to read texts from your field. You can then also talk about them at interviews, and discuss them in your personal statement. I would recommend that you read at least a few things - I started reading specifically physics books in about year 10 or 11 I think, and then more in 6th form.
Being good at your subject is the only way to get in, so if you are extremely good at it then that will definitely improve your chances! As for the IELTS test, if you google "oxford english language requirements" then you'll find an official university page that covers the many ways you can show profiency (IELTS being one of them).
Wow, this is something that I could probably (and hopefully will) make a whole video on!
In short, I find reviewing the notes you've taken in class, then making notes from textbooks and then doing practise to be the most effective method. Do this for several modules at the same time, though not necessarily in sync (e.g. you could be making notes for circuits and practising mechanics at the same time).
Also, keep a diary listing what you have done each day. This is most useful when... (cont)
Well extracurricular activities don't come into the application all of that much, but being involved in the debating society, and public speaking generally, certainly came in handy during interviews - teaches you to think on your feet and be confident in putting across an opinion.
Intelligent question. I think I'm right in saying that most offers are based on 3 As. In fact I think that I've only ever heard of two people getting 4-subject offers, both for Cambridge and not Oxford. Of course if you are only doing 3 subjects they can't give you a 4-subject offer, but by doing 4 subjects you have a better chance of getting an offer full stop. My advice would be to take 4 subjects and make the most of 6th form!
Yep, this thing called the PAT - there's a big section about it on the Oxford physics website (under 'Study Here', then 'Undergraduates'). Best way to practise I think is to do lots of senior maths challenge papers - the format and style of questions are very similar (plus if you practise lots of maths challenge papers you'll also do better in the senior maths challenge!) - and make sure your AS maths and physics are in good shape, and that you know everything on the syllabus.
Awh poor simon; answering un-neccary questions which one may find, if simply googled.
Honestly thank you so much for your guide, I know how hard it is for you to make videos and stay top of the class in oxford. Therefore i highly command you.
*commend ? LOL
Bat-Amgalan Bat-Erdene
My bad lmfao. I commend your correction, sir.
Medical Student unnecessary****
A levels are undoubtedly harder, but you do fewer of them. The logic is that performance at GCSE demonstrates your ability to perform across a range of very different disciplines. Also I think there is an argument to be made that your exact marks at AS levels, beyond the grade classification, might not represent your actual ability but fluctuations in the condition you sat the papers in, e.g. if you got unlucky with the questions that came up, or had a cold, or were tired, etc.
I was head body, captain of the debate team, played alto sax in the school wind band, sang in the barbershop choir, played hockey for the men's and mixed teams and was a member of the scouts for ten years. I also did some volunteering for MENCAP in the hockey off-season. Yeah, I didn't have much time for a social life...
Oh yeah, there are literally hundreds of copies of RHB kicking around in Oxford - in my whole degree I've never had to buy a book. I applied for the 4 year course :)
I'm afraid I don't know all of that much about CompSci, though I would be surprised if you needed further maths for it. Whatever it says on the website is probably your best bet!
As for a maths disorder, make sure that your teachers include a mention to it in your reference and it shouldn't be too much of a problem, though I'm sure that you understand that it could hurt your application slightly.
I brought it up in my general interview (that admittedly most people don't have) and they took it to read before giving back to me when I left, though I don't know how much of an impact it had.
I did reference it in my personal statement for a line or two, talking about the skills that it taught me, such as independent study, and also how I relished the opportunity to further my study beyond the school syllabus.
I wouldn't say that it was key to success, but I think it was a good thing to do :)
The very bottom equation is Hubble's law, then working up we have the Doppler effect, then Radio telescopes (angular resolution and the condition on the size of the mesh used) and then basic lens optics.
Good eyes!
It wouldn't affect it at all. If you google "oxford undergraduate admissions statistics ethnic origin" then there is an official university page with the statistics from the past few years and their position on the subject. Tutors don't care about your background - they just care about how good you are at your subject!
Nothing specific I'm afraid - the IB program is absolutely fine, and in some cases actually gives people stronger applications than A-levels. The same basic advice applies as it does to everyone else - be passionate about your subject and nail your exams! Best of luck :)
At GCSE I didn't work as hard as I probably could have done, and certainly didn't work as hard as I did at A level (but still worked hard). In Physics and Geography I didn't have too many issues but in Maths and Further Maths I had to work really, really hard to get the grades I did. I don't have very much natural mathematical talent (my teacher didn't even think I should bother taking further maths at all) so the results I got were largely based on determination/sheer bloody minded-ness!
St. Peter's, of course! We have a reputation for the being the friendly, social college. But generally the social life in Oxford is nowhere near as bad as people seem to assume it is - there are loads of clubs in the centre (and a good night pretty much every night), bops are normally bi-weekly, bars (ESPECIALLY St. Peter's) are a source of cheap drinks and if you're into a sport or activity then you can almost be guaranteed that crew-dating is a possibility.
In short, fun!
Hi, so first of all don't panic! Those GCSE results are still outstanding and better than an awful lot of applicants. If you do feel however that circumstances prevented you from getting all A*s then this can be explicitly mention in your UCAS reference by your teacher, and will be taken into account by Oxford. GCSEs only form part of your application (see the video on my channel for more) and you still have a solid base to work from. You're doing fine, and still have a good shot at a place :)
All the chemists I know really like the course, it seems to be challenging (but not insane) and enjoyable. I have heard that the fourth year can involve seriously long hours in the lab, but that's the only criticism that I've heard levelled against it. Also the new buildings look seriously cool :)
You can apply to Oxford with US qualifications - no need to take qualifications!
To explain, GCSEs are the mandatory qualifications that everybody in the UK has to take at the age of 15. A levels are what we take at the age of 17 and at about the same stage as high school (I think).
If you go on the Oxford website there is a section you should read - 'English language requirements' - which should answer your question
I'm a weird superposition of graduate and undergraduate at the moment (being in 4th year), and as far as I can tell work as a graduate is not as planned as an undergraduate's, but the number of hours that you work is a bit higher. But, as a counterpoint, MCRs seem to be a lot more awesome (in terms of events put on) than JCRs, so I guess its a case of work harder, play harder!
@10tacle21 I'd check college websites - they might have some under the physics section, and maybe the department website? Other than that I think thestudentroom has had posts in the past where people lay out their interview questions. Also, try oxbridge-admissions . info. Just found it and it seems like a peach!
If you wanted there are books available about Oxbridge entry as well, though I couldn't claim to know any good ones as I didn't use them!
@Cool2BCeltic I just looked this up, and it turns out that you pay a different amount as a Scot based on your household income: go on the Oxford website and then type /admissions/undergraduate_courses/student_funding/scottish_students.html as the URL.
Glad you liked the video!
I wouldn't rule out applying until you have your overall AS grades - ultimately that is what the tutors will be basing your offer on. Ruling out applying at all is a very negative step to take so early on, and I would really recommend that you try your best in the May modules and see where that gets you.
As for engineering streams, I honestly don't know (best to check the website if you haven't already) but I don't think you're tied to one stream straightaway
I think it would be wise to do a foundation year - personally I believe that the best way to learn maths is to immerse yourself in it, as you would do in a foundation year. As you say, it would be wise to practise and self teach up until then. Best of luck :)
People have got in to Oxford on similar GCSEs before! See Ed Grant's interview on the SPCOxford channel for example. I'm assuming you're applying for Maths or Physics? In which case I think that it would still be worth applying - you're going to get a good university place somewhere with grades like that, so you're not wasting a valuable UCAS slot. You'd have to understand that your odds would be on the slim side, but then if you didn't apply then they'd be non-existent! Best of luck.
At graduate level I don't think it academically shapes your experience that much other than library facilities in college - though by graduate level you'd most likely exclusively be working from central and faculty libraries anyway - as your teaching is centrally done by the department (rather than college tutors). The college choice more affects your social experience, as the standard of accommodation, food and MCR events will vary quite a bit. By which I mean you should apply to St Peter's :)
Biology isn't actually a necessity, though I would recommend you take it. Chemistry is the only one you absolutely have to have, and other than that maths and physics would be good bets, and then whatever you find interesting. A solid understanding of ethics is always helpful as a medical student so maybe philosophy or something similar would tie in well. Really though you should do what you find interesting
Further maths isn't as horrible as the name suggests - it should really be called 'additional maths' or something, as you spend twice as long doing maths, with the extra stuff not being especially more difficult than the normal A-level, though some of the further pure stuff is heavy going.
As for an engineering subject at uni, I think you will be at an advantage to do further maths, but not at a crippling disadvantage if you do not. For physics at uni I heartily recommend it.
Cambridge will look at your UMS marks for AS levels, but as a trade-off will place less importance on your GCSE results. Oxford does the opposite, and puts more emphasis on your GCSEs but won't ask for your UMS marks. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages.
I went to look around before the open day took place, and I went on a summer school organised by the Sutton Trust, but never went on an open day. I would however recommend that you take as many opportunities as possible to have a look around, especially to look around colleges. You don't want to turn up to Oxford for the first term for your interview and decide that you actually don't really like the place! (not that that would happen :) )
I think you can change to the three years course mid way through the course - the first two years are identical anyway, and as long as you get a 2:1 in second year then it shouldn't be a problem.
As for preparing before the course starts, if you want you could invest in 'Mathematical methods for physics and engineering' by Riley, Hobson and Bence - it's enough maths to see you through the course (bar the 4th year theory major option) and going through the first few chapters would be a good intro
Well basically the more maths you can do, the merrier! Maths and physics are the two courses that matter most at high school for a university education in physics or engineering. Get top grades in those subjects and you are most of the way there :)
As I understand it, Oxford care about your grades relative to your school's average student's grade i.e. if you do really well in a bad school it looks better than doing really well in a good school. If you do badly in a good school then obviously that will reflect badly on you!
As for the TSA, yes you must do it, and it might be possible to do it at your school - give 'TSA oxford' a google and look through their website. Hope this helps! :)
@skulsaw As far as I know the only deciding factor in getting an interview is your score in the PAT, so you must have done well in that!
Make sure you shore up your further maths (definitely calculus, expansions, thinking graphically and complex numbers) before the interview and the very best of luck! :)
I should think so - I never actually did the physics olympiad but from what I've heard it should be good preparation
I honestly don't know, but they do make all admissions statistics available on the central oxford website - might be worth a look.
I was actually part of a trial that my school signed up to, so I didn't do the extended project in the same way that most people do. But from memory I think that my school allowed you to sign up with it at the start of the year, rather than requiring you to put it on your application form. It probably varies from place to place though so I would check with your school to be sure.
I seriously doubt anyone doing physics at Oxford didn't do at least the maths a level, combined with a foundation course. To be completely honest applying to somewhere like warwick would be more realistic.
When it comes down to it, the university will make a decision based on, among other things, your AS grades AND your A2 predicted grades. If you feel that you can mature in year 13 and do better then this will show in improved predicted grades. It's not the end of the world, certainly :)
It's not a cover story, it's what I genuinely think! Outside the two universities the rivalry tends to be blown way out of proportion, and people seem to think that it has these overtones of inferiority complexes on both sides. They're both bloody good universities in the end, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Well, if they're asking about examples of you displaying particular skills then I'd try and stick to your academic background where possible, though for certain skills it would be wise to combine both - e.g. if asked about time management you could talk about balancing your academic workload with personal hobbies like sport or music. If it's anything like physics though they won't care too much about your personal stuff - the focus will be much more on your academic side.
As far as I am aware, Oxford don't look at module scores at all so you wouldn't be at a disadvantage by not entering them. Couldn't say the same for all other unis though
As far as I know there is no minimum requirement for GCSE maths for all courses at Oxford, though if you're doing any subject that has a reasonably mathematical core (Maths, Physics, Chemistry, E&M...) then I would say that you would need to get at least an A
Depends on what you got instead! You need to have a good standard overall to be considered for interview.
Those sound like very good grades to me! Some people get offers with no A*s at all, so really any you have are a bonus.
Like I say, GCSE grades aren't looked at all of that much (beyond whether your did truly terribly, relative to everyone else in your school) and it's your A levels that really count.
That's not an excuse to slack in your GCSEs mind, they will be useful elsewhere!
For Oxford no, but for other universities that don't interview the personal statement is very important.
Because of a rather bizarre set of circumstances I actually didn't have any work experience relating to physics when I applied, but I don't believe that work experience has any bearing on your application. If you have it and gained something useful from it - e.g. a programming language or an interest in a particular area of physics - then great, but you're not at any loss by not having any really.
@olly342 I would definitely advice the EPQ over OU simply because it requires you to do more of your own research, and teaches you more about how to manage your time. For me at least (I did a module on planets) the OU module was so loosely structured that I don't think I really gained all of that much from it. EPQ has more structure, but you need to form your own pattern of work within that structure, which is more or less exactly how life works at uni.
1) No, I didn't have to take the TSA though I took the PAT instead, 2) Not to my knowledge. Even people that get unconditional offers get interviewed first.
It would be worth contacting the admissions department directly - if it's not on the website then I wouldn't know!
Passion! They want people that love physics and are passionate about doing it. That's basically so they know you won't flake out on them when the going gets tough (and believe me, it does). Beyond that it's all the standard stuff about independent learning, gumption to carry the subject beyond the syllabus and motivation to do physics-related activities in your own time. And also that you're a person and not some equation-solving robot :p
Hmmm, interesting question. If I'm being completely honest then I'd have to say that not having an A* in the subject you're applying to uni for would hold your application back quite a bit, but if you're talking about just doing the A-level in that subject without necessarily taking it all the way to uni level then I don't think it will be /too/ much of a problem, but could still hamper your application slightly.
Oh my god the Further Maths thing just put me down so much 😩 I'm only doing maths, plus I'm not even doing mechanics as applied maths as my school wouldn't let me because of the timetable!
Work experience doesn't add all of that much to your application for physics I don't think - as long as you have done things that demonstrate your interest/passion for the subject, e.g. doing a taster course, then that's the best you can do I think
Ha! Didn't realise that was online. Yeah that was me with the other people that did the extended project trial in year 13 I think. Amazed you recognised me! :)
Nope, but they will look at your grades relative to the average grades for your postcode (i.e. they won't look at your family directly, but if you live in an area that isn't that well off then that will be a factor) - so if you are getting 5 A*s at GCSE (say) and everyone else in your area is struggling to get 5 Cs then that will look more impressive than if you got 10 A*s along with everyone else in Chelsea.
There's about this very subject on the SPCOxford channel - my college's youtube channel
@mevidek Sounds good to me! The Bs are obviously a bit of a pain, so make sure that you do bloody well in your A levels!
Good luck :)
Hey Simon I'm a year 10 student at the moment and I'm really desperate to get into a good university like oxford. I was previously panicking about my gcse grades on whether they will be good enough or not but after hearing that they won't be as important as Alevels, it's provided me with a bit of relief. Thanks.
Like I say in the video, GCSEs/BTECs won't count all of that much. Compared to most students that will be applying to top unis your results are below average but then if you ace your A levels you should be able to make a competitive application. Of course, if you're just talking about any university then those results, combined with good AS results will certainly get you offers :)
I'm confused - are you attending an undergraduate course at McGill now then? Or are you staying out of university for another year?
Your clearing number is part of a system that allocates unfilled places at universities to students who missed out on their initial offers (if they didn't achieve the required grades, for example). So I guess you simply need to list your preferred institutions (check their websites to see if they have clearing places though) and cross your fingers!
@10tacle21 I would recommend that you try and get some practise interviews so you know what to expect, and try and find as many past interview questions as you can. Each interview is different, but you can spot certain patterns that occur throughout e.g. some maths questions, normally calculus, test of physical intuition etc.
I also highly recommend something to build your confidence like public speaking or drama - worked wonders for me!
Dear Simon Thank you for taking the trouble to post this vid. I am passionate about going to either Oxford or Cambridge but, I must admit, my results so far have not reflected my true ability.
My teacher, underestimating my potential I think, has been directing me towards a course at Bradford Uni in David Beckham Studies or alternatively, a joint honours at Leeds Met, in horse husbandry and hairdressing.
Are there any Oxford courses you can recommend in similar academic areas??
Lool golden comment
@methadon2000 I don't think that would be a problem, I know one girl who reapplied after a gap year and got in to Trinity, Cambridge so it's certainly possible but I don't know how common it is - probably more than you might think! As long as you get A*AA or better then I personally can't see a problem.
@methadon2000 She applied to do English at Oxford and was rejected for that, then applied to Trinity, Cambridge. I don't know why she was rejected first time around, it wasn't because of her results. Might have just been interview performance.
@tomhoy94 I didn't get asked about them at all, and neither did most people I talked to. I think that as a rule of thumb they matter more for humanities than for sciences, though that's a sweeping generalisation!
I think one or two practical hobbies (preferably ones that you can swing in an interview to demonstrate something about either your passion for your subject, or your character) would be sufficient :)
Greetings from Bulfaria. :D
Do you think that international students have a disadvantage when applying to Oxford? I am almost positive that I will meet my country's requirements, stated on the Uni's site for computer science(I am predicted to have ~5.95/6 overall grade with a 6/6 in Maths, Physics, Informatics and English, compared to the minimum requirement of 5.75/6 and a couple of medals in national competitions in Maths/Informatics).
Despite that I am still not certain if there will be better or equal(or maybe worse) candidates, who will have a higher chance of getting an interview just for living in the UK?
If I do get an interview, I will be visiting the college for at least a week prior to it, just to see what it's like. I am much less scared of the interview itself than the chances of not getting said interview...
I'm simply curious and cautious about my chances...
@laura111294 I do know several medical students, though I don't know of their GCSE results. 4 A*s and 6As sounds good to me though. Obviously there will be applicants with better results, but they're not exactly bad!
I know that Oxford don't really care about GCSE results from talking to an admission tutor, and from some information on the Oxford website. The physics department make it quite clear on their admissions page.
Hope this helps :)
Very odd position! I think there are two things that you should do:
1) Contact the university admissions office, or the medical admissions people, and see what their advice is.
2) Be sure that your referee on your UCAS form mentions the situation and clarifies exactly why you only did 5 GSCEs.
I am however not an official representative of the university so get their advice to be sure!
@kuskuse666 UCAS only allows you to apply for one or the other - it's built into the application form. It's actually impossible to apply for both at the same time for undergraduate, so don't panic!
I was wondering if it's too early to be thinking about university at age 13?
Molly Forbes youre early and thats good
Not at all. I started thinking about it when I was 14 and it just makes you feel less anxious and more prepared.
@mevidek Welcome :) Oxford is good but tiring! In a way it makes it worse because I'm doing all of this really, really cool stuff but because you HAVE to do it, and you have to so A LOT of it, it kind of makes it a chore. Still, I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing.
Well, maybe a dinosaur stunt-rider.
If you're still confused:
GCSEs are essentially what you do in your Freshman & Sophomore years in high school.
A-Levels are the Junior and Senior years.
I don't know if you're an AP student or an IB student, but I'm IB so I'll explain as follows: it's like the Pre-IB (GCSE) courses, followed by the Diploma Courses (A Level).
But no, you shouldn't need to take these exams if you meet the appropriate requirements (GPA, SAT Scores, IB Diploma/AP Courses).
@302sqn13594 1. I imagine so, but with less emphasis on maths. 2. I think that would be a good idea - the more information you give them, the better. 3. That revision sounds like a good idea, I would recommend looking at c4 before your interview. If you haven't done them, complex numbers would be a useful thing to revise, and any practise of integration/differentiation would be very useful too. If you have the time I think looking at the mechanics and pure options in further maths would be good
@MorrisseyMarr95 What I think happens in these cases is that it really comes down to your interviews - they will have picked up on the fact that your results aren't spectacular and will most likely ask you why this is. I think your answer to that question, and your interview performance generally, will then play a large part in whether you get in or not. Basically, make sure that you get A*A*A and do really well in your interview and you still have a shot!
From memory it is for students in the summer of their year 12, though I don't know if it still runs. I don't think it improves your chances of getting in to Oxford, though it would demonstrate motivation in applying for it etc etc.
@laura111294 As an extension to what I said before, I just finished talking to a medic friend of mine and he only got 3 A*s, 6 As and a C in short course PE. What he said was that because you did less well in your GCSEs your BMAT mark will count for much more (he estimated about two thirds of the total that they judge you by), but as he demonstrated it is clearly possible to get in even with results like those!
Hey Simon, right now I'm in year 10 and I'm wondering by any chance, for your GCSE English, if you studied creative pieces of writing and analyzation work from extracts. I'm really amazed how you aced it and got A* and would really like to know, from advice, how you achieved such high grades. From basics, I know you have to include terminology, authors intent, readers effect, quotations for evidence, structural features etc but what makes A* work stand out? I'm sitting on a 6(B-A) and It seems like I'm struggling at the moment so what things do I need to make my English piece more of an A grade material?
No offence but I doubt he'd be able to help you out really. Remember he's in his third year at a PhD level, so it's been ages since he last did his GCSE English; I doubt he can remember anything! I'd recommend some other RUclipsrs, for me Mr Bruff and Mr Salles were extremely helpful and if I'm honest I would've probably got a B in the exam without them, much like the grade you're on. But instead after vigorously watching their content I managed to get and A*, even achieving full UMS in one paper, so I wholly recommend them. Best of luck!
Those GCSEs will be below the average that Oxbridge applicants have, but Critical Thinking won't be important in applying. If I were you I just wouldn't put it on your UCAS form. If you ace the rest of your AS subjects then you still stand a chance!
@rb4k2011 This is something that I mentioned in the comment below (about 5 seconds ago, to be fair!) but I think doing an A level early - provided you do well in it - can only be a good thing. It shows skill and gumption!
As for going to a school that does a lot of BTECs that won't count against you at all - if anything it will work in your favour, as I imagine you will perform significantly above your school's average, more so than if you were at another school.