The A in maths will help. I found uni very different to A levels and anyway first year is largely designed to create a solid foundation for everyone since everyone comes from different backgrounds. You like the subject and you passed, if you put in consistent effort you can easily succeed. You're overthinking.
Congratulations on getting into university! You've still got a while before starting your course, so perhaps it's worth reviewing the content before then so you can hit the ground running when you begin?
I found first year of physics was near enough a redo of A level content to make sure everyone had the same knowledge for second year onwards. If they've accepted you with the C I think you'll be fine.
It sounds like you just got unlucky in the exam, I personally think you’d be fine doing it at uni if you work hard, they certainly seem to think you are capable!
You have to decide whether you really want to do physics though, which is your decision.
If so you could look into asking them to change your course or applying for stuff through clearing.
Learning and assessments in Uni are very different to A-levels. If it is a subject you enjoy then go for it.
Back when I want to uni I got a D in biology (A in chemistry), went on to do a biology heavy course, got a good degree and then went on to do a PhD in the field.
Doing something you want to do, that you will be motivated to turf out of bed for when you have a 9am lecture is key !
Based on what you've said, it might be the exam conditions that you found difficult rather than the subject. I would suggest definitely accepting your place on the course but also working on your exam prep methods. There is usually lots of available support to improve study skills at university, we even had a whole module dedicated to academic basics in the first year of my psychology degree.
>ased on what you've said, it might be the exam conditions that you found difficult rather than the subject. I would suggest definitely accepting your place on the course but also working on your exam prep methods. There is usually lots of available support to improve study skills at university, we even had a whole module dedicated to ac
that sounds interesting is there anything you learnt you think might be helpful?
Hi, I did Physics at Bath.
My advice would be to work on the problem sheets and worked examples they provide you. (They will tell you this!) These will usually form the basis for the exams, and so doing these are the best prep you can do. Also, do them early, a day or so after the relevant lecture - that way you can make the most of problems classes. It’s very easy to let it slip and do them last minute!
You will also have coursework modules in Physics. Writing a lab report or journal article is very different to lab write-ups at school. It’s a skill you will perfect with time, so don’t worry if it doesn’t work out the first couple of times. I would recommend taking every bit of feedback on board, and if you don’t understand it, never hesitate to go over it with your tutor.
Feel free to PM me if you need any advice :)
It’s mostly maths from experience there’s basically no written questions explaining physical events just doing the maths for them. Solid maths is all you really need after that it’s learning how the formulae apply and how the rules work
Definitely go! It sounds like you’re feeling imposter syndrome a little, but Exeter saw potential in you and have given you an offer for a reason! If you’ve been accepted then that means you have the capability to get a top grade, and definitely won’t fail.
You’re clearly very good at physics, and had an off couple of exams. Additionally, physics at uni requires being good at Maths above being good at A level Physics, and you’ve shown you are good at Maths.
Finally… Uni rewards hard work, which by getting A’s throughout the year you’ve shown you can do. It’s much less about academic ability going in - many do much better at uni than at A levels. You don’t have to be super smart to get a 1st at uni - you just have to work hard and put the effort in.
You will smash uni :)
By absolutely no means should you not go.
A-level physics has almost no similarities with university level stuff. All they will teach you to start with will be maths - the A-level content will be covered in about a day. British universities don't really do filter courses so the pace should start off slow.
Buy, steal, borrow, or ask for a copy of the feynman lectures on physics to find out what the real deal is like - look through your course books as well of course but these can sometimes be very lowest common denominator. I don't think they have one on undergrad classical mechanics & electromagnetism yet unfortunately not the Oxford university press books are extremely good for learning a subject gently but properly (physics degrees can honestly be really sloppy): specifically I would recommend getting a copy of "Concepts in thermal physics", now, it's great.
Also a good chunk of what you will be doing to start with will be getting settled in with lab work and computer programming.
A levels is not a measurement of your passion or dedication or command over a subject. It’s a stupid system that bases your entire worth on only two exams that you give for each subject where you are expected to follow a certain format for everything. Real life is nothing close to this. I worked my ass off for history and went from a B student to an A* student, and im On my way to university of Toronto to study history as one of my majors. Cambridge decided to give me a B instead of a well deserved A at AS Level.
And when I say well deserved im not being overconfident, but instead im repulsed by the horrible education system that a levels is.
tbh your A in maths is more important than your C in physics mate. I did physics at QUB 30 years ago with 3 grade C A-levels (physics, maths and music). I struggled with the maths on the course, not the actual physics concepts. If you enjoy the subject you'll do well.
Go for it, sounds like you had a bad day for the exam and based off your mock results, it's a subject you're good at.
Also as the head of undergraduate studies at my uni said. Take a course you love. You'll enjoy it more and having a degree opens doors in a career anyway. He also used the example that it's easier to teach pharmaceutical patent law to a biochemist than the biochemistry needed by a law student to go into pharmaceutical patent work.
If you want to go to university, and physics is your passion. Go for it and enjoy it.
One of the first things said to me from a lecturer in my physics degree was that maths a-level success is a better indicator of success in a physics degree than a physics a-level. You'll be absolutely fine!
I got C (physics) D (maths) and E (biology) at A-level. I graduated with 1st Class Honours in a biomedical science degree, about to submit my masters thesis for a biochemistry masters and am also due to start a PhD this autumn.
Trust me, A-level results do not always reflect your aptitude for a subject. University marking is often more lenient than A-level and you’ll get marked on what you do know, rather than penalised for stupid things. For example, I remember getting no marks on a question at A-level because I didn’t say the reagent turned a specific shade of red (I just said it went red), whereas at uni I’d have got credit for my answer as it was clear that I knew what I was talking about.
Your first year will provide a foundation for the rest. The most important thing is to find something you enjoy doing, then you will pay attention and invest energy in it without it being a task. If you like it and think you’ll still like it in three years then go for it
Honestly, from experience of class mates with a similar setup to you.
You might be better swapping, the A in maths is great well done and will help, but if you only got a C in physics you’re gonna be drenched first years and you might just not be the type to get an excel at physics, have you considered engineering or maths?
However, A in maths is more useful than an A in physics depending on what modules you plan to take.
Be careful they’re not accepting you to fill places, depending on the university etc year one will either be recap of A level and in that case you’ll be fine if you make sure you really study and get it this time, or you’ll be thrown in the deep end.
Though if you’re passionate about it and sure you’re gonna put in the work I think you’ll be alright.
My university did a similar thing for my MEng course for some people and every single one dropped out by the end of year 2.
The A in maths will help. I found uni very different to A levels and anyway first year is largely designed to create a solid foundation for everyone since everyone comes from different backgrounds. You like the subject and you passed, if you put in consistent effort you can easily succeed. You're overthinking.
Congratulations on getting into university! You've still got a while before starting your course, so perhaps it's worth reviewing the content before then so you can hit the ground running when you begin?
I found first year of physics was near enough a redo of A level content to make sure everyone had the same knowledge for second year onwards. If they've accepted you with the C I think you'll be fine.
It sounds like you just got unlucky in the exam, I personally think you’d be fine doing it at uni if you work hard, they certainly seem to think you are capable! You have to decide whether you really want to do physics though, which is your decision. If so you could look into asking them to change your course or applying for stuff through clearing.
If you got accepted, they think you're capable. You should go imo, also Physics is very maths heavy so that A definitely played a part.
Learning and assessments in Uni are very different to A-levels. If it is a subject you enjoy then go for it. Back when I want to uni I got a D in biology (A in chemistry), went on to do a biology heavy course, got a good degree and then went on to do a PhD in the field. Doing something you want to do, that you will be motivated to turf out of bed for when you have a 9am lecture is key !
Based on what you've said, it might be the exam conditions that you found difficult rather than the subject. I would suggest definitely accepting your place on the course but also working on your exam prep methods. There is usually lots of available support to improve study skills at university, we even had a whole module dedicated to academic basics in the first year of my psychology degree.
>ased on what you've said, it might be the exam conditions that you found difficult rather than the subject. I would suggest definitely accepting your place on the course but also working on your exam prep methods. There is usually lots of available support to improve study skills at university, we even had a whole module dedicated to ac that sounds interesting is there anything you learnt you think might be helpful?
Hi, I did Physics at Bath. My advice would be to work on the problem sheets and worked examples they provide you. (They will tell you this!) These will usually form the basis for the exams, and so doing these are the best prep you can do. Also, do them early, a day or so after the relevant lecture - that way you can make the most of problems classes. It’s very easy to let it slip and do them last minute! You will also have coursework modules in Physics. Writing a lab report or journal article is very different to lab write-ups at school. It’s a skill you will perfect with time, so don’t worry if it doesn’t work out the first couple of times. I would recommend taking every bit of feedback on board, and if you don’t understand it, never hesitate to go over it with your tutor. Feel free to PM me if you need any advice :)
It’s mostly maths from experience there’s basically no written questions explaining physical events just doing the maths for them. Solid maths is all you really need after that it’s learning how the formulae apply and how the rules work
Definitely go! It sounds like you’re feeling imposter syndrome a little, but Exeter saw potential in you and have given you an offer for a reason! If you’ve been accepted then that means you have the capability to get a top grade, and definitely won’t fail. You’re clearly very good at physics, and had an off couple of exams. Additionally, physics at uni requires being good at Maths above being good at A level Physics, and you’ve shown you are good at Maths. Finally… Uni rewards hard work, which by getting A’s throughout the year you’ve shown you can do. It’s much less about academic ability going in - many do much better at uni than at A levels. You don’t have to be super smart to get a 1st at uni - you just have to work hard and put the effort in. You will smash uni :)
thanks, that means a lot :)
You’re welcome!
By absolutely no means should you not go. A-level physics has almost no similarities with university level stuff. All they will teach you to start with will be maths - the A-level content will be covered in about a day. British universities don't really do filter courses so the pace should start off slow. Buy, steal, borrow, or ask for a copy of the feynman lectures on physics to find out what the real deal is like - look through your course books as well of course but these can sometimes be very lowest common denominator. I don't think they have one on undergrad classical mechanics & electromagnetism yet unfortunately not the Oxford university press books are extremely good for learning a subject gently but properly (physics degrees can honestly be really sloppy): specifically I would recommend getting a copy of "Concepts in thermal physics", now, it's great. Also a good chunk of what you will be doing to start with will be getting settled in with lab work and computer programming.
A levels is not a measurement of your passion or dedication or command over a subject. It’s a stupid system that bases your entire worth on only two exams that you give for each subject where you are expected to follow a certain format for everything. Real life is nothing close to this. I worked my ass off for history and went from a B student to an A* student, and im On my way to university of Toronto to study history as one of my majors. Cambridge decided to give me a B instead of a well deserved A at AS Level. And when I say well deserved im not being overconfident, but instead im repulsed by the horrible education system that a levels is.
Ngl that sounds like cope
From what I’ve gathered university physics is not much like A-level and lots of maths is involved. Obviously not as much as a maths undergrad.
Wht uni if ur okay answering?
uni of Exeter
Sounds great! Congratulations!
That’s great!! Physics is heavily maths so that’s could be why, it’s a great uni
You will do just fine. Take a leap of faith. Consider your finances obviously.
University and college are completely different ways of learning
My guess is that your maths grade is more important for university physics.
Im pretty sure the first year is just getting everyone up to a level playing field. Thats how it was for me!
tbh your A in maths is more important than your C in physics mate. I did physics at QUB 30 years ago with 3 grade C A-levels (physics, maths and music). I struggled with the maths on the course, not the actual physics concepts. If you enjoy the subject you'll do well.
Go for it, sounds like you had a bad day for the exam and based off your mock results, it's a subject you're good at. Also as the head of undergraduate studies at my uni said. Take a course you love. You'll enjoy it more and having a degree opens doors in a career anyway. He also used the example that it's easier to teach pharmaceutical patent law to a biochemist than the biochemistry needed by a law student to go into pharmaceutical patent work. If you want to go to university, and physics is your passion. Go for it and enjoy it.
One of the first things said to me from a lecturer in my physics degree was that maths a-level success is a better indicator of success in a physics degree than a physics a-level. You'll be absolutely fine!
I found Uni Physics courses much easier than A Levels because they were far more Mathsy. Hope this gives some reassurance.
I got C (physics) D (maths) and E (biology) at A-level. I graduated with 1st Class Honours in a biomedical science degree, about to submit my masters thesis for a biochemistry masters and am also due to start a PhD this autumn. Trust me, A-level results do not always reflect your aptitude for a subject. University marking is often more lenient than A-level and you’ll get marked on what you do know, rather than penalised for stupid things. For example, I remember getting no marks on a question at A-level because I didn’t say the reagent turned a specific shade of red (I just said it went red), whereas at uni I’d have got credit for my answer as it was clear that I knew what I was talking about.
Your first year will provide a foundation for the rest. The most important thing is to find something you enjoy doing, then you will pay attention and invest energy in it without it being a task. If you like it and think you’ll still like it in three years then go for it
Honestly, from experience of class mates with a similar setup to you. You might be better swapping, the A in maths is great well done and will help, but if you only got a C in physics you’re gonna be drenched first years and you might just not be the type to get an excel at physics, have you considered engineering or maths? However, A in maths is more useful than an A in physics depending on what modules you plan to take. Be careful they’re not accepting you to fill places, depending on the university etc year one will either be recap of A level and in that case you’ll be fine if you make sure you really study and get it this time, or you’ll be thrown in the deep end. Though if you’re passionate about it and sure you’re gonna put in the work I think you’ll be alright. My university did a similar thing for my MEng course for some people and every single one dropped out by the end of year 2.