A level maths psychology and geology

[Ticktocksaystheclock]

My dd is looking at doing maths, psychology and geology a level in college

At the moment she doesn't have a clue what she wants to do as a career (possibly a maths teacher)

As I never did college/ uni myself I don't know if these are good subjects to do together
Any advice?

[MrsBertBibby]

Maths and psychology make sense. Geology sounds fab!

[RomaineCalm]

All good subjects but it really depends on a) what sorts of results will she get in her GCSEs and b) what might she want to do and whether those subjects facilitate that career path.

[Ginfordinner]

I would be wary of trying too many untried subjects. DD was convinced that she really wanted to take psychology A level, but ended up hating it. fortunately she had started with 4 subjects and could drop psychology.

Therefore I would suggest that your DD has a look at the syllabus for geology and psychology and some past exam papers before comitting to those subjects.

[MarchingFrogs]

Is this her choice, staying on at her current school? If so, could she have a chat with current sixth formers studying Psychology and Geology about how they find the courses (if she hasn't already done so)?

[Shadowboy]

Maths and geology work incredibly well together as the geology paper has stats and maths on it. Geology and maths as a career could work too as there are a shortage of geologists and the maths gives her access to engineering-geoenginering is very interesting!

[bintang]

Maths, chemistry, geol or maths, chemistry, psych would likely be better, just in terms of keeping options open.
Does she like chemistry and geography at GCSE? If so, she'll enjoy geology.
Psychology has a lot of essays and debating and if she's good at GCSE history or Re she'll enjoy that.

[SurpriseSparDay]

Has she investigated any university courses - to establish which subjects would actively support both her application and her degree study?

Psychology often seems to be chosen by people who haven’t had the best possible advice.

[Limer]

Maths and geology are excellent choices, but psychology has a bit of a reputation as a soft subject. How about geography or biology instead?

[MarchingFrogs]

Why doesn't she contact a few universities and ask them whether, despite Psychology not featuring on their list of discounted subjects along with (usually) General Studies and Critical Thinking), studying it as a third A level would in fact reduce her chances of being offered a place to the point where it wouldn't be worth her while applying?

[crazycrofter]

Why are people talking about Psychology alongside General Studies as being useless?! My daughter's school is a highly academic selective independent with the best A Level results in our (very large) city - they only offer academic subjects, as you'd expect, but they do offer Psychology and it's very popular. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't offer a 'soft' subject - if such a subject exists now.

Universities have dropped the facilitating subject thing anyway now, but Psychology wouldn't rule you out of anything, unless you ended up wanting to do a Chemistry or History degree - but that's not really a problem with Psychology! Or Medicine of course - but again, that's more a case of having to choose particular subjects.

Also, having looked at a few degree courses for my daughter, most of them only specify one or maybe two A Level subjects (and often these are just broadly a humanity or a science). I don't think the options suggested by the OP should be a problem.

[crazycrofter]

e.g. Maths at Birmingham University - just requires an A in Maths and says that General Studies isn't accepted (unless it's an A and you've failed to meet your offer!).

[bintang]

2019Summer was the final season one could sit A Level General Studies, as it didn't get reformed, and will not be accepted by universities.

Psychology is a hard degree (depending which course options and institutions you study at. Clinical courses require a good deal of maths and science skills). It is still looked down upon by many, as akin to sociology or media studies. Not sure why really. Perhaps it's because we still know so little (as a species) about how our brains work, and so it's seen as non-rigourous? But there is plenty of empirical work done in psychology. Who knows?

OP, what does she want to do after A level, that's the key. Maths and non-specialised subjects will keep her options wide open.

[MarchingFrogs]

Even Cambridge suggests that depending on where one's particular interests lie, Sociology A level might be a suitable choice for those applying for HSPS.

(Presumably not at the one college that keeps getting trotted out as the example of what, and only what, from a rather restricted list one should take if one intends to study specifically there, though).

[GoodwithRocksandGems]

I’m a geologist. The maths/geology combination is a good one. How about chemistry instead of psychology?

[BubblesBuddy]

Or if she might like Engineering, do Physics instead of Psychology. What about FM? Psychology is great for Psychology but other subjects are better for a wider range of subjects and careers. All the alternative subjects mentioned by posters, Geography, Chemistry, Physics, are facilitating subjects. If she is interested in Geology and Maths, I would choose one of the three above as doors will be wider.