Thoughts on DD's A Level choices

I guess it would be sensible to check if there are other non maths A level students in the Physics classes. If your DD was the only one then she would be prepared to have to take a little extra care with making sure she keeps on top of the maths side of things. I don't see it as a problem though.

Yes yours is sensible advice of course BackforGood, but my DC are not unusual at their school. More than 50% of a large physics cohort do maths, but a significant minority don't. The maths required is explained for the non maths students while the maths lot simply have to do it twice. Of course it makes it easier for the latter, but it's absolutely fine not to have maths. Possibly not fine if you're weak at maths, but if you're reasonably able, then it's fine.

Anyhow, OP asked what the range of subjects is like for someone intending to read law, and my answer would be that it's good. I'd avoid law A level like a bargepole, but a combination of science and art is good. There's nothing mandatory about History, though it's a good solid subject to do, but it's important that the DD does subjects which interest her, or she won't enjoy sixth form and won't do her best. A few universities are a bit prescriptive about the third A level being 'academic' rather than creative, but no one cares two hoots about the fourth.

Molio - I didn't say it couldn't be done, I just suggested thinking carefully and getting advice from the people that know you and that will be teaching it.
Well done to your 3, but you have to agree it's statistically unusual, which makes you think there's probably a good reason behind it, hence, get as much of an idea as possible so you are choosing to do it with full knowledge.

As I said, at my dd's school a lot of kids do physics at least to AS as a 4th A level with completely unrelated other subjects because the department is so dynamic and exciting.

BackforGood to be honest if three kids in a single family (mine) can do physics without maths and not only stay the course but get good grades, then the notion that maths is pretty near crucial is likely no more than a myth. There are so many myths in education that's it's as well that some are debunked.

from my own perspective - I did Maths, English, Biology and Economics about 1,000 years ago. I regretted it because none of the subjects supported each other. They were all so totally different, except in that two of them were essay based.

is the AS Psychology an experimental lab-based syllabus or is it another essay subject? Physics looks like an odd-one-out in that list.

I would definitely suggest she talks to the physics dept about what they think of doing physics without maths - it's very unusual.
One of my dnieces is doing Economics at University and the other is doing Psychology. Both have commented on how much maths there are in their course, and how students without it are finding it more challenging.

Which university does she want to go to? Looking up the courses and seeing the A level requirements and choising A levels they will want is best way. Presumably she has been encouraged to do that. There are a lot of great law degrees around the country and there may be some variety of requirements. Many universities are interested in students who take a less traditiinal A level subject alongside the ones considered the traditional choices. Maths, Further Maths, English Literature, History, a MFL might have been the choices for Law once, but there are more courses to choose from now and not everybody goes to Downing to take their Law degree!

Cerisier, I'm not at all surprised that LSE want further maths - I didn't go to LSE, but it was definitely a major disadvantage not having FM when I studied economics 20+ years ago.

Humble pie - you get on the websites and check - a link to one of the Cambridge colleges requirements has already been posted.

Show me one university where Psychology a level would not be accepted.

It depends if she is absolutely set on Law and unlikely to change.

If she is definitely going to do Law, she subjects are fine. Economics at A Level is not very mathsy. Assuming she got a top grade at Maths GCSE the Physics will probably be okay too. If her GCSE in Maths is not a top grade, Physics will probably be very hard.

If she might change her mind and want to do Economics or Physics at degree, then Maths is a must at A Level.

The single subject which is probably most useful for doing Law, although not a requirement,is History, for the analytical skills and skills of evaluating evidence.

What did she get at GCSE?

Well get on the websites and check. I saw it there.

HumblePie. I've not heard of psychology A'level not being accepted by top universities. There are all sorts of courses that require certain A levels and certain A level combinations but I am not aware of psychology not being an accepted A'level in the way that General Studies etc can be.

THIS TRINITY COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE advice on Acceptable A-level Subject Combinations
Makes interesting reading and shows that psychology is a perfectly acceptable A level in combination with others......and you can't get more of a top university than Cambridge.

For law the choices look fine. For Physics or Economics she would have to justify the no Maths stance I suspect.

One of our Y13 students has just swapped into my Further Maths A level class on learning that to have a good chance of an offer to do Economics at LSE they will expect Further Maths as well as A level Maths. Apparently this info came from good sources.

Psychology may be her interest but even for studying it she doesn't need it.
Physics without maths would make her studying harder - had she spoken to someone who has done it?

Not sure what undulated subjects in my last post are- reeling, writhing and fainting in coils, probably. Should be unrelated subjects........

IMO And experience no one will care if your daughter's 4th subject is as long as there are 3 non-soft options - if infact Psychology isn't an ideal choice. LSE viewed A Level Law as a soft option but it became irrelevant because it was offered alongside 3 other A levels that weren't viewed as soft options.

As for economics, certainly don't need maths A level , though you do have to be numerate.

However many economics degrees require a level maths.

A lot of kids at my dd's very academic school do physics as a 4th AS and in some cases A2 without maths, and I with undulated subjects (cf my dd,below) it's because the school has an exceptional physics department and very exciting physics teachers.. It doesn't seem to have held them back!

Economics and English are a good base for law.

Universities are looking for good grades in at least one analytical essay based subject. Two even better.

The third matters less in terms of subject matter and for very selective courses there's a lot to be said for show casing a broad ability set - a science, maths, a language...

Look at the university entrance requirements for the courses she wants to follow.
Also look at their list of non-acceptable A levels.
Some top universities won't accept Psychology.

I agree that maths would have been nice though but as your DD is a dement she doesn't want to do it then what she has chosen is ok.

All four of my kids did/do Maths A'level as it keeps a lot of doors open.

They are absolutely fine. They show she is a good all rounder. I'm sure you have already looked at the Russel Groups INFORMED CHOICES (for what it's worth).

I wouldn't worry about her choices at all.