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Further education

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

Original poster

A level dance for Physiotherapy at Degree?

34 replies

RunWalkSwim99 · 22/09/2022 12:35

DD is doing GCSEs this summer and thinking at the moment of doing A’level PE and Biology as firm choices but struggling with the third choice. She’s interested in Physiotherapy or a sports science route at university which will need high grades. She’s predicted a high grade in GCSE dance and could get a high grade at Alevel so she’d like to do it but I’m unsure how it will be ‘viewed’ at application for a science based degree. Any idea? We’ve suggested Psychology or Sociology A-level maybe better but she didn’t like the lead teacher…she’s good at maths but lacks confidence to take further and the lack of girls doing physics would put her off unfortunately. (Frustratingly as maths & physics I think could be in her highest gcse grades).

OP posts:
NoNotHimTheOtherOne · 23/09/2022 15:00

Will she not be doing 4 subjects in first year of 6th form? Or has everything changed again?

Changed about 5-6 years ago. Most schools don't offer AS-Levels. AS-Levels are stand-alone qualifications that don't contribute to A-Levels. Most schools/college in England have 3 A-Levels over 2 years as standard. (Different in Wales.)

endofthelinefinally · 23/09/2022 13:06

Will she not be doing 4 subjects in first year of 6th form? Or has everything changed again? I would suggest physics as a good science subject. What a pity there is still a lack of girls doing physics. Perhaps that is a problem with the school. She could do biology, physics, PE and dance in the first year and then review her choices.

Original poster
RunWalkSwim99 · 23/09/2022 12:49

Thanks that’s useful insight, her Dance teacher wants her to do it but she was set on PE & Biology. We were trying to steer her into a maths/ science one as she’s good at these and it’s her choice of a physio career. I have looked at some university entry requirements and it just suggests Biology & PE plus high grades that’s the dilemma she’d get a high grade in Dance.

OP posts:
WildfellAnne · 22/09/2022 21:34

I probably wouldn’t do dance alongside PE, but dance itself is fine as an A level subject. I would say, however, that every young person I know who did physiotherapy at university had very traditional A levels -maths, chemistry, biology, or biology, chemistry, psychology- that sort of thing.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 22/09/2022 21:25

Biology, Chemistry, maths, PE

physics would be good for forces topic.

Dance, no!

NoNotHimTheOtherOne · 22/09/2022 21:20

An A level in dance is worth nothing in the job market or the academic market unless she wants to go to an arts school

This is incorrect.

I am a medicine admissions tutor and have taken students with dance A-Level, as long as they met other subject requirements (two scientific/numerate subjects). Unless the entry requirements page for the course says an A-Level subject isn't accepted, it is.

See, for example, entry requirements for physiotherapy at Manchester:

Grades ABB at A-level, must include a biological science (Biology, Human Biology, Sports Science or Physical Education are acceptable).

A-level Reforms - From September 2015, applicants undertaking A-levels in England in Biology, Chemistry or Physics will be expected to pass the Science Practical assessment.

We do not accept Extended Project or A-level General Studies.

DDD in BTEC Extended Diploma in any of the following: Sport and Exercise Science, Applied Science, Applied Science (Medical Science), Health and Social Care (Health Studies), Health and Social Care (Health Sciences).

We do not accept the following:- Sport, Sports Therapy Sports Development, Coaching and Fitness, Performance & Excellence.

Please note that we do not accept Applied Science as a single BTEC Award as it does not contain sufficient Biological content for this course.

The only thing I would query is whether they accept biology and PE in combination, but as they don't state explicitly that they don't they would be on very shaky ground legally if they rejected someone on that basis.

I would also question why universities keep referring to A-Level human biology and general studies, neither of which exist any more.

Original poster
RunWalkSwim99 · 22/09/2022 12:45

Thanks but she hates chemistry 😂we’d have more luck getting her to do physics I think but there’s still such a culture in her peer group against it I think which is bloomin annoying as she’d do well I think.

OP posts:
3WildOnes · 22/09/2022 12:38

I think I would also advise against taking both PE and Dance, I think choosing one of them would be fine.
Has she considered chemistry?

kewinsurreylass · 22/09/2022 12:37

An A level in dance is worth nothing in the job market or the academic market unless she wants to go to an arts school

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