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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 21:21

Spindelina, cross post also, sorry!

OP posts:
Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:20

Spindelina, sadly no Physics at all. It's a long story and I would rather not talk about the details... The fact is that he is very academic yet he does only two separate sciences - biology and chemistry...

OP posts:
catsonahottinroof · 11/07/2022 21:19

What about further maths and computer science. Has your son done double science - if so that should be enough for physics A level - that is what my dd might be doing (depending on what school she goes to). PE it might not matter if he hasn't done the GCSE, if he already does lots of sports and has good marks in biology.
He could study languages as a hobby, and maybe take the DELF type qualifications to keep some more options open.
Maths, further maths, computer science
Maths, further maths, physics
Biology, psychology, maths
Biology, PE, maths

Spindelina · 11/07/2022 21:19

Cross post, sorry!

Spindelina · 11/07/2022 21:18

When you say he's not doing physics at gcse, do you mean he's doing combined science rather than separate sciences? If combined science, single or double award? Or is he really not doing any physics at all?

UnbeatenMum · 11/07/2022 21:16

I'm not sure how my keyboard corrected 'would' to 'egotistical' there, sorry 🤔

Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:16

heavyistheheed, yes we are aware of it so probably no Physic. But just mentioned it as at least he showed interest in the subject. PE would probably be out too as he is not doing PE for GCSEs. Psychology would also be difficult as it says it needs double science and although he is getting two grades from science, it's just chemistry and biology so the contents are different from double science... His expected grades are 8/9 across the subjects he's doing - he has already done two and probably gets 9 for both subjects.

OP posts:
UnbeatenMum · 11/07/2022 21:15

If he's undecided about favourite subjects or a career then I would definitely rule out Physics. I think any other combination would work well together although a second STEM subject egotistical probably be required for STEM courses. I.e. Biology or Computing from his list. Which is he likely to do best at for GCSE?

titchy · 11/07/2022 21:12

Maths biology psychology looks like a good combination. Maths keeps computing degree open, and others keep science and sports degrees open.

Original poster
sixthformsubjects · 11/07/2022 21:09

He isn't interested in History and English so they are definitely out. He is very good at languages - fluent in two languages and grade 8/9 for the third one and can speak OK for the fourth one. But so far he has no interest in doing them for A-levels...

OP posts:
heavyistheheed · 11/07/2022 21:05

If he hasn't done any physics at GCSE definitely steer him away from the idea of doing that for A level! In fact, his sixth form/college shouldn't even consider him for that course.
What's he excelling at? His predicted grades?