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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

DS struggling with 1 A Level

32 replies

UserAtLargeAgain · 11/09/2021 19:53

Year 13 DS is really struggling (as in, got U on Year 12 exams, not seeming to have made much progress despite revision and tutoring over the summer).

I'm wondering if he might be better to drop it, but that will only leave him with 2 A Levels and I'm not sure if that is allowed? Or useful for future opportunities?

Can anyone advise on what his options might be?

OP posts:
Original poster
UserAtLargeAgain · 11/09/2021 21:57

It's maths. A huge motivation for taking it was because he is interested in study in computer science (or something related) at university and maths is a key entrance requirement for many courses. A Level Computer Science wasn't offered. It looks like he would be able to get onto Computer Science with a foundation year without maths, but most places still seem to need 3 A Levels (or equivalent) so he can't just drop it without a replacement.

He is insistent he wants to go the university route rather than looking at something like apprenticeships. I've also wondered if this may not be the best route for him.

An added complication is that he's also taking physics and in theory you have to take A Level maths if you're taking Physics in his sixth form (the other reason he took it). But he finds the maths in physics fine for some inexplicable reason.

I had a vague idea you had to take 3 A Levels (or equivalent) for funding. Is this not the case?

OP posts:
tiredanddangerous · 11/09/2021 20:22

It completely depends on what he wants to do afterwards

Hellocatshome · 11/09/2021 20:18

What is he planning to do after A levels?

mayblossominapril · 11/09/2021 20:16

Which a levels is he doing?
He could pick up another and also stay another year to finish it and possibly take 3 years to do the one he is struggling with.

hellsbells99 · 11/09/2021 20:13

Is it maths, physics or chemistry? They are difficult A levels and not everyone will get a good result in them.

stripedbananas · 11/09/2021 20:10

Is he interested in it? Can he try another A level

Mintjulia · 11/09/2021 20:07

Have you talked to him? What does he want to do?

Does he need the exam for any future course? Would something more technical, rather than academic suit him better?