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Further education

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

Original poster

Having to do four A levels if studying further maths

64 replies

user1471443411 · 02/02/2022 20:23

My daughter is in the process of applying for A levels and wants to do further maths. It turns out that of the three places she wants to apply to, two only let you study further maths if you do four A levels. There aren't any other subjects she really wants to do as she dislikes writing essays.
Does anyone know if, in general, schools will let you drop your fourth subject at an early date? Is this requirement put in place in case people struggle with further maths, so that they have something to fall back on?

OP posts:
Original poster
user1471443411 · 02/02/2022 21:26

Thanks all I didn't see all these replies when I posted. Yes, I thought physics would be an obvious one but I think she's been put off by some of the physics teachers, I agree it is a good overlap with the mechanics side of things.

OP posts:
MotherOfCrocodiles · 02/02/2022 21:22

Ok she should also check entry requirements for her preferred degree course.

FusionChefGeoff · 02/02/2022 21:22

When I did them, physics and maths were basically 1.5 A levels as there was so much cross over. Felt like a little secret when everyone was saying 'oh wow that's a lot' as 2 of the modules (out of 8) were basically identical and another 2 were very similar.

Original poster
user1471443411 · 02/02/2022 21:20

She wants to study maths at university (obviously this could change) and eventually become a police officer. Subjects maths, further maths, chemistry. DD recently went for an interview and was told she would have to do a fourth, and the teacher suggested a social science like psychology, cue much upset! I might suggest Economics, thanks Georgie8, but not sure offhand if it's offered at the place's she's applied to.

OP posts:
MotherOfCrocodiles · 02/02/2022 21:20

She should do a 4th for balance and because some people bomb further maths.

Math, further maths, physics and chemistry is the classic combo and is less work than any other 4 (assuming she is good at maths of course!). If she is already doing maths, further maths and chemistry, physics won't add much work as the overlap is considerable,

AnnaMagnani · 02/02/2022 21:17

If she's already doing Chemistry I'd strongly recommend Physics.

There's masses of overlap and Physics will make the Mechanics aspect (which I never really understood) of Further Maths a lot easier.

CloudPop · 02/02/2022 21:16

Isn't further maths always a 4th A Level ?

MaizeAmaze · 02/02/2022 21:16

Physics would sit very nicely with Chem, Maths and FM......

Georgie8 · 02/02/2022 21:14

Sorry, this crossed over with @user1471443411

Georgie8 · 02/02/2022 21:12

What A levels is she thinking of doing alongside maths? Does she want to go to uni? If so, what would she want to study?

Commonly students who do maths will also do further maths and two other subjects, which don’t necessarily need to be essay based. Another science?

Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Business Studies, Economics etc. are all good.

Original poster
user1471443411 · 02/02/2022 21:12

Third subject is Chemistry. She thought about Biology but found out there was a long essay question in one of the exams which put her off.

OP posts:
MaizeAmaze · 02/02/2022 21:02

Agree with the above - it is as much about breadth as anything else.
Physics is about half maths, and Chemistry is pretty low on essays too. What is her third subject?

Original poster
user1471443411 · 02/02/2022 20:51

Thanks for replying - yes, I see your reasoning, in that if she goes to university to study maths, she will probably need to write essays, so it is important to develop these skills? I think she is going to (grudgingly) go for either BTEC IT or Criminology as her fourth options depending on which sixth form/college she decides to go to.

OP posts:
OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 02/02/2022 20:29

It is understandable really, otherwise you are doing maths and maths and one other subject which isn't particularly well rounded at all and doesn't leave any wriggle room if ideas about start to do at uni etc change (I'm assuming uni here due to the subject choice). Narrowing down your life options so much at age 16 doesn't seem like the best idea.

Not the question you asked i realise.