Maths, Music and Chemistry/Physics - the possible impact on university/career choices...

FM, Maths & Music would be incredibly limiting. Not that many degrees say FM is essential and some universities only count FM or maths and not both. If FM is taken it’s ideally a 4th.
For engineering the combo of Maths, physics, music is great.
For economics or finance then maths and 2 others is the general consensus (top economics universities like another stem)
I’m flabbergasted his current school don’t offer a core science subject such as physics! Is it clashing with music or just not offered?

Chemistry, as I said, does narrow down Engineering options. If you think about the major strands of engineering: civil, mechanical, automotive, nautical, aeronautical, electronic and electrical, chemical - the only one that requires Chemistry is the last one. Don’t take Chemistry if he really wants Engineering in the traditional sense.

The higher ranking Engineering courses (MEng) are easier for students if they have FM. For plenty of BEng courses it’s not obligatory. I would also check MEng ones from other than top 10 universities because they may not either. They know not all schools offer it.

Few universities require FM for Economics. Only a few. However for the more mathematical courses it’s useful. It really won’t stop him doing economics or engineering with no FM. Unless you were wanting him to go to a top 5 university of course.

I would look at further maths. Not necessary perhaps but very useful for getting into and thriving in maths/ engineering type degrees. Plus if you son is a bit of a high flyer I think its better to be in the double maths class as you know you are with committed students.

It is possible to get onto engineering degrees without A level physics. Electrical and chemical seem to be more open to maths + chemistry for example.

Dc is doing A level Chemistry, Maths, Biology and an epq. A level Music and A level History were dropped fairly swiftly after 1 half term (swapped history for Biology). They are also doing an arsm music diploma outside of school after doing grade 8 last summer.
Is he thinking of taking the music further or is it more that it’s a very enjoyed subject? Does he need to be doing it in school for A level too?
Dc is a good all rounder and found it hard to decide on A levels. They picked their favourite ones at first but actually it proved tricky once we started to think about the next step and potential degree courses.
I would recommend visiting a few universities open days now or September time. We did this . Once dc narrowed it down to course subjects, it made sorting A level choices a lot easier

chemistry alevel is very dull. physics is both more interesting and a better fit with music - there are even some joint-honours physics and music degree courses. the kind of brain with a natural affinity for music tends to also have a natural affinity for physics.

I would move schools to one that can timetable the maths, music and physics.

At my many schools Maths and Further Maths are regarded as one subject so pupils who are good at maths take both as well as 2 further subjects for A level.

In your ds's case I would definitely recommend not just Maths/FM and one more subject. I'd recommend Chemistry or another Science to keep his options open.

Music Technology or Sound Engineering has fairly good graduate prospects as long as you research which courses are thought well of in the industry.

Surrey’s Tonmeister course is the best in the UK and possibly Europe and requires A level Physics, Maths & Music. Performance to Grade 7 is desirable but not essential.

He does need to look at the various branches of engineering. Maths and Chemistry only leads to chemical engineering. Mechanical, electronic, civil, automotive, aeronautical, marine will require maths and physics. I can also assure you many top grade engineering grads (MEng) get city jobs in finance and similar. They certainly don’t all stay in engineering these days.

If he wants Chemistry and Maths he’s a bit more limited but Economics, Maths, Chemistry and other hybrid degrees are possible. Also psychology and similar. He could look at PPE if he had History instead of music (ideally but not necessary). With an essay subject Law would be possible. So lots of doors would be open but not much in the engineering sector.

Many universities have very many opportunities to get involved in music. Would this be an option?

My dd wants to study Economics, but with her A levels she could have done lots of subjects actually.

@magnaconcordia There's lot of good advice about this online. It's a tough decision, but worth thinking about.

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/a-levels-and-highers/choosing-a-levels/which-subjects-should-i-choose

Try this. I hope it helps!

My dd is currently doing A levels in Maths, Chemistry, Music and French. She's enjoying them all but finds Music the easiest (predicted A star), so if your ds loves music and composing, it would be a good option.

However if he is considering Engineering I would strongly encourage Maths, Further Maths, Physics and possibly Chemistry or Computer Science.

I'm not a fan of A levels for that reason- 16 is too young to specialise imo.

Very few people these days have an accounting or management degree who go onto train as accountants. I know of recent graduates working for the Big 4 with degrees in history, aeronautical engineering, physics, maths, economics, theology....the list is endless.

My DD is taking maths alongside humanity subjects at A level. She has found some aspects of the course harder than others because she isn't taking physics or FM and there is a general assumption that you will be taking one or the other of these.

My advice would be to apply to both 6th forms, then decide after GCSE. A lot may change over the next few months and your DS may prefer to keep his options open.

According to maths teacher friend it makes a lot of sense to do maths and physics a levels together due to there being a crossover in both subjects. She said that its basically easier and equivalent (in terms of how much learning/revision they have to do) of achieving 2 A levels for doing the work of less than 2. I think she said 25% of the physics course is also covered in maths.

I truly believe that doing the A levels your child is interested in and wants to do is more important than anything, particularly if there's no specific and definite career aim

I'm surprised that he can't take physics instead of chemistry at his current school. Is it a very small school?

DH is Chem Eng. He, plus most of his course mates, are generally in industry, working as chemical engineers, process engineers or process safety engineers.
Me, who did Chemistry, is currently a SAHM. But previously I was in the research labs for a massive company you've probably never heard of - we made raw materials for other companies to use. Several went into accounting or financial fields. Several did some years in the lab and moved into project management. Others did PhDs and now are uni researchers or working in drug research.

IMO engineers go into engineering jobs. Straight scientists go into a broader range of jobs -but that might just be my experience, and not a general picture.

I dont think maths, phys, music would be too limiting. I think maths, chemistry music could be constraining.

The Imperial/RCM 4 year degree might suit him then as he would get the performance element of the RCM BMus degree as well as a physics degree and really keep his options open