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Original poster

Dd A Levels - Psychology- how much to advise?

53 replies

Treelines · 28/08/2022 07:53

DD will enrol at college on Tuesday. She’s thinking Psychology (what she wants to read at Uni), Biology and Philosophy. As a background, she is very passionate about social justice (got a distinction on her speaking element for Eng.lit on sex work), and got 9s in both English exams and History.

However, I’m concerned about her choices - especially Philosophy, which unlike the other A levels has two three hour exams rather than three two hour exams. Anecdotally it’s very challenging and I think it won’t be ‘real world’. enough for her. I also don’t think Biology is a good fit - I hear studying sciences at A level is a while different ball game to GCSE. She did okay in maths and quite well in her sciences (all 7s), but, again, not peopley enough.

I’m looking at the courses, and think that Psychology, Sociology and Religious Studies would be a much better combination for her. She LOVED RS at GCSE (her favourite subject), and these would fit with her interest in the justice-based worldview that she’s got (she’s autistic and that brings a huge interest in what makes people tick).

Could anyone please advise on how we approach this with her? Would these subjects fit for a Psychology degree? I wish someone had chatted with me properly about my choices when I was her age.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
CallmeMrsPricklepants · 28/08/2022 08:02

I'm a psychologist, agree about keeping biology and philosophy is fabulous for uni as it helps you construct arguments.

If you're worried I'd talk it through but dont let one assessment put you off, and don't say "you won't like/get on with". My DM did that and I changed courses as a result and never really forgiven her. Instead say "have you considered this might be tricky? How would you deal with this situation?"

Twizbe · 28/08/2022 07:59

If she wants to do a psychology degree I'd advise against doing psychology a level. The first year of the degree is basically the a level. This is what everyone told me before doing a levels.

I wanted to do a psychology degree and did biology, geography, maths with stats (AS) and classics.

I changed my mind during my a levels and applied to do classics at uni.

lydiangel83 · 28/08/2022 07:56

Definitely she should stick with biology as it complements psychology at degree level well and also a more traditional red brick university will strongly favour it over RS. As an aside noone gave me any career advice and whilst I sort of wish they had, just make sure you approach it in the right tone. FWIW I studied psychology maths and English, went to a top 5 university and then studied a masters in organisational psychology once I had a few work under my belt and now have a career I love :)