How limiting is it to do Maths, Further Maths and Physics only for A levels?

No. Afaik 3 was the most usual number even before they were reformed. It may be the case that most who do FM do it as one of four (and hopefully always start out with 4).

I thought most people did 4 A-levels?

DS did Maths, FM, Physics and Economics

I think the fact that your DD will be balancing A levels with elite sport training makes a difference.

Most students who take FM, find single maths pretty easy. So for a person with “that sort if brain,” M, FM and Phys might look like a soft option. To take maths, more maths and physics would be an easy way out, and they would look less rounded than the competition with 4 A levels. But I think the sports side balances things out and she will have a chance to discuss balancing elite level sport with her A levels in her personal statement.

My partner did that, got a PhD in civil engineering but now works in an unrelated field he loves (still maths and science based)

As I understand that that’s not true about FM. If she is looking to do maths at uni, and wants to go somewhere higher ranking, for want of a better phrase, she needs to take FM if it is offered at her sixth form. The uni will not ask for it, but most students will have it as I and PPs have said.

I am talking here unis like Warwick or Bath or Leeds or UCL (and many others ofc). There will be unis which do not need FM for a maths degree or rather, where most students will not have it; but the OP’s DD sounds as tho she would be aiming high.

It is a sport that the UK is strong at so there is a decent chance that she will be able to make a career out it.

Even if she does, unless perhaps it's tennis and she is world top 40 level, she will probably not be making the kind of money that means she can retire at 32 and "dabble" with her accumulated earnings. So getting actual qualifications is still important.

Regarding the A-levels: Maths/Physics/Chemistry unless she is aiming for Oxbridge, in which case they will want to know why she isn't also doing Further Maths.

No you are definitely not being an idiot! I actually get where you're coming from. and i'm sure she's headed for.a great future, some good advice here

Ah thanks to those answering my query of @ScaryM0nster about which unis did not accept FM as a separate A level. So on @noblegiraffe's list, there are 11 out of 38 unis offering medicine which will not accept it. That's useful to know for sure.

But tbh even if the OP's DD ws thinking about medicine, there are still plenty of places that would be happy with FM (tho she would probs need bio or chem or both tbh anyway).

I am not aware of any other courses that don’t consider FM to be a full separate A level. Certs as others say, for engineering (or indeed CS or maths or anything related to those) FM, whether one of three or four A levels, can only be a positive.

The vast majority of unis accept FM as a third A-level, as do most medicine courses.

There's a list of medicine courses here: https://amsp.org.uk/medicine-entry-summary/
The ones with the yellow triangle have restrictions on Further Maths as a third.

However, the OP isn't looking to do medicine and it would be fine for engineering.

This is nonsense on stilts and the snark really isn’t needed. Try reading what I wrote. I never said it wasn’t a hard A level-it’s probably the hardest.

However, there are some universities/courses that do not count maths and further maths separately eg medicine would not accept maths and FM plus a science as the entry requirements. If you read my further advice it was to look on the ucas website/uni websites to have a look at requirements for the course you want and make choices following that. It is highly probably that for maths/physics/engineering it would be fine-that’s why you do due diligence and do your research, but there is probably a reason why most pupils who do further maths do it as a 4th….as @ScaryM0nster states above (who has worked in uni admissions) “not everywhere really counts further maths as a full a level, and that view varies across different institutions. It’s not a top tier / lower tier thing”

Is she going go have to be in a certain part of the country for her sport while at University? If so, look at the entrance requirements (subject wise) for the target universities for what shes interested in

What type of engineering? DD is now 25 and a civil engineer, she did maths, physics, chemistry.

Further maths does count as one of your 3 so that isn’t an issue but with engineering many will have 4 a levels, most did on my DD’s course (she did have 4 levels but not further maths) the current guidelines for her course is 3 or 4 levels including maths and physics and a*

Further maths does count as one of your 3 so that isn’t an issue but with engineering many will have 4 a levels, most did on my DD’s course (she did have 4 levels but not further maths) the current guidelines for her course is 3 or 4 levels including maths and physics and a*

Cambridge doesn’t make fm an absolute requirement because not all students can take it. If the school offers it they do expect you to have taken it. But if the student isn’t already familiar with the content by some other means they would be at a huge disadvantage.

My dd did engineering there a few years ago and it’s a lot of content, fast paced. She had ‘just’ physics maths and FM, plus an AS in CS and a relevant EPQ. Echoing what many others have said, for engineering the first three are the most valuable, and are sufficient. But starting a fourth is definitely a good idea in case FM turns out to be too hard. Plus also just to have learned more regardless of whether they get a bit of paper for it. CS is definitely useful for engineers (and scientists), DD said she would have benefitted from doing a bit more chemistry too.

My son did 3 A levels. Math, FM, and computer science. FM definitely not used as a 4 th A level. He missed quite a bit of school and managed to teach himself a fair chunk of it.

DS did these A levels at a specialist 6th form. They did not allow students to study 4 A levels at this was in excess of uni entrance requirements. FM was not an add on and was the hardest A level to achieve a good grade. Perfect choice for engineering degree at a good uni. DS achieved A star, A star, A. Choice of unis and courses. Not at all limiting. At one point he wanted to swap FM for computing because it was easier to get a good grade. But unis know it is easier too so rate an A in FM higher than A star in computing.

If I’m really honest I also worry that only 3 A levels will make her look a bit rubbish in comparison to other applicants who will probably have more.
OP, in 2024 about two thirds of 18 year olds sitting A levels in England and Wales "only" sat 3 A levels. Just over 5% did 4 or more. And of that 5% very few will be simultaneously performing at national or international level in a sport. Your DD will not "look a bit rubbish" if she achieves 3 good A level grades. If anything, I'd be more worried about her potentially overstretching herself and reducing achievement across the boardif she attempts 4. 3 higher grades will almost always trump 4 lower ones.
It's often said on here and it's very true, but do not underestimate the increase in workload between GCSE and A level. Plus I would imagine that the intensity of her sporting training will ramp up post 16 too. 3 A levels is plenty in the vast majority of situations, even without an international sporting career thrown into the mix.

Cambridge engineering requires FM if your school / sixth form offers it. In practice so many applicants have it that anyone without will struggle (this was me in physical sciences natsci).

Minimum offer levelA level: AAA
IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Other qualifications: Check which other qualifications we accept.
To apply to any of our Colleges for Engineering, you will need A levels/IB Higher Levels (or the equivalent) in:
mathematics
physics
further Mathematics to AS or A level if your school offers it. Check the guidance on this page
If you’re studying IB, we ask for Analysis and Approaches for this course. If this isn’t an option at your school, please contact your shortlisted College(s) for advice.
Colleges usually require A in Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics. Colleges may also require an A/7 in specific subjects (likely Chemistry or Physics) as part of your offer. Please review the webpages of your shortlisted College(s) before applying.
If you apply to Peterhouse, you may also be asked for grade 2 in STEP II.
Further Mathematics A level and additional maths If your school offers Further Mathematics to AS or A level, you should take it. Additional mathematics is helpful. All candidates are strongly encouraged to take up opportunities to develop their skills.
If Further Mathematics is not available to you, or you’ve recognised its desirability too late, we’d advise you to take as much additional pure maths and mechanics as possible. You could study AS Further Mathematics content independently or by use online resources covering advanced material. If you would like further guidance, please contact your shortlisted College(s)

M, P and FM sounds like a good plan to me tbh but if she has a view on where she’d like to apply, I would look at those engineering departmental websites, and maybe she could call them. I find it really hard to imagine that most departments wouldn’t want to snap her up but I accept that for these A levels there are a lot of kids out there who will be predicted (and will get) 4 A*.

Ds was doing 4 and did find FM a jump up but with a single tutor session in the second term for the Algorithm module he settled in to it. Chemistry was a heck of a (boring) workload.

Does she know what kind of engineerIng she wants to study, or does she want to start general and specialise later?

Not everywhere really counts further maths as a full a level

Where doesn’t count it and for what course , out of interest @ScaryM0nster ?

I agree that unis do not demand FM but that’s often bc not all sixth forms offer it. For a maths-heavy degree at a highly ranked university, research on MN suggests many or even most will have it.

Nonsense on stilts - love that @Escapefrom1984

@Mumofteenandtween very few students take more than three A levels now. Yes, a god number taking FM will take four, but not all, and the vast majority of unis will offer on three.

Yes she is limiting herself re uni, but that’s always the case with A levels. Those choices could lead to maths, physics or engineering degrees, or comp science, probably other science based options. There’s not really a way to keep all uni options open. Dd took Eng lit, geog and French so could have done degrees in those - yes, but not any science, not engineering, nor maths (which was fine btw).

Coming from the angle of being an engineer, who has worked in university admissions, and graduate recruitment.

Maths, F Maths and Physics is slim, and Further Maths is hard.

It’s definitely worth looking at admissions requirements and preferences for courses that she might be interested in (look at the stretch targets, the likely level and the back up plan). Not everywhere really counts further maths as a full a level, and that view varies across different institutions. It’s not a top tier / lower tier thing.

Even Cambridge don’t rely on people having done further maths. It makes first year easier but it’s not a must have. Some courses may require something that involves writing to show that breadth that’s ultimately needed for professional body accreditation.

I don’t think any of what you’ve said is limiting, but I do think it’s going to be a lot of intensive subjects with no let up.

if she’s interested in engineering then a complementary lighter subject for her to do could be Design & Technology

Engineering, maths, comp sci/ data, engineering, physics - all possible with the combination you mention including at top universities. It’s actually a good combination with some overlap between physics and maths.