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Further education

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

Original poster

A-level subjects - Maths and what? Advice needed...

61 replies

sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:03

Maths is a definite subject my DS is going to do for A-levels, but not sure what to do for the other two.

Going through a list of A-level subjects, he has shown interest in Music, Biology, Computing, Psychology, PE and Physics but he's not doing PE/Physics for GCSEs so he may not be allowed to pick Psychology, PE and Physics... I like to avoid saying the reason why he didn't do Physics and PE for GCSEs but it's not because of his academic performance. He is very academic - mostly 8/9 expected for GCSEs.

He doesn't know what he likes to study for a degree yet so it's so hard to narrow down his choices... Could I borrow your knowledgable brains here...? Is there any good combination that would keep his choice of a degree more open and wide...?? I didn't get educated in this country so no clue.... Any advice would be very much appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 22:07

But I don't know what I am talking about. I'm just saying what I heard or read somewhere in the past. Not sure what is the best...

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Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 22:05

I posted halfway through, sorry... So... I would rather like him to choose a subject that's more needed to do for A-levels, just so that he has more choices when it comes to thinking of uni.

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Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 22:03

Meredusoleil, DS is actually interested in Economics. But then similar to physiology/Computing, it's not required to apply for uni..? You can study Economics after that.

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Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 22:00

Thank you so much for all the incredible advice. I thought he would stay at the current school until 18 but he just dropped the news that he would like to change school after GCSEs and then went to an early bed leaving me panicking about the thoughts of being thrown into the unknown admission process... All your inputs are so encouraging and now I start to feel we can handle it!!

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Meredusoleil · 11/07/2022 21:57

I started my A Levels with French, Maths/Stats and Computer Science. Hated the latter after 1 lesson, so dropped it and asked for Business Studies instead. Was put into Economics which I also hated!

So basically, I just came on to say how about Business Studies or even Economics, as that goes very well with Maths?

Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:53

PublicServicesNotTaxCuts, oh wow. That's so encouraging. Because I know he will enjoy Maths biology computing. He's brilliant in languages yet has no interest in doing them academically. Music is the same. He's great - he's got a full mark for GCSE composition, deeply understands the theory, harmony etc yet has no interest in doing it for A-level...

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parietal · 11/07/2022 21:52

for someone with wide interests and undecided in topic, it is a good idea to have one numbers subject (here - maths) and one writing subject and one other that he enjoys.

So psychology would be a good option as a writing subject. other options might include Politics or Economics? But doing only Maths / FM / computing would be very narrow.

Does he read 'popular science' books? Lots of those can give good inspiration for A-level / university choices. Here are a few examples but I'm sure there would be a section in your bookshop with lots of choices

www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Changing-Magic-Numbers-Bobby-Seagull
www.amazon.co.uk/Hello-World-Being-Human-Algorithms
www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman

Isthisjustnormal · 11/07/2022 21:51

For ref, most computer science degrees don’t ask for comp sci a level as few places do it - maths & further maths for that super top tier) are more important. My Ds did comp sci as he loves it and is doing it at uni but I do t think the a level made a big difference. He did psychology too abs loved it. As others say, the best choice is the options your son wants to do…!

Lottsbiffandsmudge · 11/07/2022 21:48

All 3 of those look good to me. Agree with PP go with the combination that gets him most excited. Can he have 'taster'lessons?

PublicServicesNotTaxCuts · 11/07/2022 21:46

Maths biology computing : is a mega growth area, rare combo. Highly in demand.

Linguistics can have a lot of math in it, I wouldn't rule out 2 languages + math.

Best combo is one that he'll enjoy most.

Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:46

Lottsbiffandsmudge, oh so that's true... If he really really wants to do it then I won't stop him, but I would rather like him to pick a subject that would keep his choices more open so maybe better;

Biology, PE, maths,
Maths biology computing
Maths, biology, music

???

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Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:42

Yes if he does FM, I guess it would be the 4th A-level.

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Lottsbiffandsmudge · 11/07/2022 21:40

sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:39

I do think he will enjoy Maths and Computer Science. But I heard doing Computer Science (as well as Phycology) for A-levels would be kind of waste as they won't be required for uni entry and that you can study them at uni if you want. Not sure where I heard it from and how true it is though...

Def do not need psychology A level for a psychology degree

Lottsbiffandsmudge · 11/07/2022 21:40

waltzingparrot · 11/07/2022 21:34

When we did the college rounds, we were told by the Heads of Science depts that Chemistry on its own, is no use to anyone. You either have to do a second science or abandon it.

Maths and Computer Science go very well together.

Maybe times have changed then as I did maths, FM, geography and chemistry.... and did a chemistry degree!!!!!

Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:39

I do think he will enjoy Maths and Computer Science. But I heard doing Computer Science (as well as Phycology) for A-levels would be kind of waste as they won't be required for uni entry and that you can study them at uni if you want. Not sure where I heard it from and how true it is though...

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Lottsbiffandsmudge · 11/07/2022 21:38

Some thoughts.....
Maths, FM, computer science.....very narrow....
Others all seem good...if he is v bright I would ask the college if he can do FM as a 4th A level if he fancies it. It would seriously help if he wants to do a maths degree.

Lovemusic33 · 11/07/2022 21:37

DD chose computing, maths and English, her plan was to do computing at uni but after a year she changed her mind and wanted to do English (she’s starting uni in September). I guess it depends what route he wants to go down at uni, computing could be good as could physics, biology or chemistry.

TeenDivided · 11/07/2022 21:35

Contact the school and ask re psychology. If he had dropped a different science I could see it could be an issue, but I struggle to see how the content of physics would be particularly relevant. Worth asking surely.

Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:35

Chemistry used to be his favourite subject but his passion is a bit cooled down recently....

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Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:34

So....
Maths, further maths, computer science
Biology, psychology, maths
Biology, PE, maths
Maths biology psychology
Maths biology computing
Maths, biology, music
They all sound great as I can see he would enjoy any of those combinations. I just want to make sure the doors are wide open when it comes to applying for uni...

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waltzingparrot · 11/07/2022 21:34

When we did the college rounds, we were told by the Heads of Science depts that Chemistry on its own, is no use to anyone. You either have to do a second science or abandon it.

Maths and Computer Science go very well together.

Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:31

The school he is considering applying for the sixth form says double science is required to study Phycology hence we thought it might be out... Though we can possibly explain why he didn't Physic and that he is academic enough to do the subject..

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Lottsbiffandsmudge · 11/07/2022 21:26

Hi OP don't rule out music. It's an excellent and very rigorous A level. My DS2 is doing Maths, Biology, music and chemistry. But leaving chemistry out of the list would keep a lot of degrees open to him incl psychology (no A level in psychology needed) and sports science. A fair few biology type degrees need chemistry but not all. Maths degrees would be open but the best unis often ask for further maths has he considered that if he loves maths? Often it is done as a 4th A level if his schools offers that.
Chemistry would be a great fit tho why has he ruled that out?

Seeline · 11/07/2022 21:24

He wouldn't need physics to do A level psychology. Bio and chemistry at GCSE should be fine.

TeenDivided · 11/07/2022 21:23

I can't for the life of me see why physics would be needed for psychology. If he has biology and chemistry that would be sufficient. It just won't be specified as these days dropping a whole science subject is pretty unusual