A Level Options - Advice please!

I suspect that the GCSE/A-level transition for maths depends a lot on the individual - students who are good at mathematics may enjoy it more at A-level because it's not got lots of boring repetitive arithmetic etc.

DS is doing Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Philosophy and Geology. The FM is a twilight subject done at lunchtime and after school so is an extra, but DS enjoys it more than Maths. Its definitely worth thinking about doing.

I think Further Maths is always viewed as good for any engineering course. Automotive engineering is not offered at so many top class universities, so putting yourself in the best possible position is always good but if FM is not on offer, what can a student realistically do?

It is a great shame the academic Engineering A level has more or less disappeared. My DH said he did so much on his A level course that would stand most engineering students in good stead because it covered lots of basics found on 1st year degree courses as well as practical engineering. Linear induction motor and monorail constructed in school grounds was his pride and joy. DH actually went on to do Civils but he could, actually, have applied for most engineering courses except Chemical.

DS took Maths, Further Maths and Physics and Philosophy. He dropped Philosophy at A2. He did take a some engineering course instead of EPQ. He has offers for RG mechanical engineering courses

Yep -- but Cambridge was only on DS's radar because of rather unexpectedly splendid AS levels (100% in some of them!), by which point it was a bit late to go back and pick a different set.

He's been asked at uni interviews why he didn't take further maths, and in fact Cambridge cited it as a reason for rejecting him.

The (in)famous Trinity A-levels guide - which obviously does not apply everywhere! - was what first made us realise that DD might want to think about doing FM.

In general if you aren't sure whether your DC is planning on the right combination for a particular course, you may want to get them to contact a few admissions tutors and ask. DD did this - it's fairly easy to find the contact details o line, she contacted about half a dozen and I think they all sent helpful replies.

DS did Maths, DT, Physics and Geography -- but dropped the geog for A2 as he really didn't enjoy it.

He's been asked at uni interviews why he didn't take further maths, and in fact Cambridge cited it as a reason for rejecting him.

Is he thinking of a degree or an apprenticeship ? My nephew was keen on an apprenticeship with one of the car companies (can't remember which) but he is not likely to get the grades needed :(

I think he has picked a good combination - and can review in a years time to decide if he should drop one and concentrate on 3 core subjects.

Good luck to your DS. It sounds like he is really motivated to be an engineer and it will be this that will see him through when the going gets tough.

DS1 is in his final Masters year studying Aeronautical Engineering. He took A level: Maths, Further Maths, Physics and (something like) Electronics.

I believe it's the maths & physics that are the important subjects

DT is a far better choice if he wants to do Automotive Engineering. Physics and Maths are vital, FM would be good but lots of students do 4 A2 subjects when it includes FM. Looking at Warwick for Automotive Engineering, their course has a variety of electives which might also inform his choices. They are one of the top universities for Automotive Engineering and also look at the MEng course, not BEng.

So I did geography rather than Chemistry when I did my A-levels and tbh unless your son likes essays I'd have thought Geography would be MORE work! There is a step up between GCSE and A-level, particularly in maths but if his mind is that way inclined he should be fine. I say this because I was that way inclined, I'd have found chemistry much easier than geography, but I chose to do geography as I found it interesting, even though for me it was a lot more work/harder. I'm aware that other people find it the other way round with different subjects.

FM is useful for engineering but not all schools offer it, hence why it's not a requirement.

But as others have said, pick what you enjoy if you can - I'd have never got through my geography A-level if I hadn't found the subject fascinating.

My nephew did this combination (he is taking A levels this year). He struggled with chemistry and ditched it after AS (but really gave up before that and didn't pass it). I think the step from, GCSE to A level is large in maths, so might take proportionately more time.

He has had a lot of family problems that haven't helped (very bad timing for him) - but he is loving DT, and struggling a lot with the other two.

All of those I know who have started chemistry in recent have dropped it - not sure why (personally chemistry was my favourite subject). I wouldn't think geography is particularly useful for engineering.

I would have thought maybe start all of them, with a view to dropping chemistry (assuming he doesn't really want to do chemical engineering - physics/maths/DT will open more doors to engineering).

As others say - double maths, and physics are normally a good route into engineering.

But remember - pick what you enjoy most if you can.

It is a pity to do A-levels in Maths and Physics and not do Further Maths because many quantitative degree courses (Engineering, Economics etc) will look favourably upon FM when selecting candidates for offers and students who have done FM will be better prepared for their courses.

If you look at AutoEng at Oxford Brookes they recommend "Mathematics, Physics and a third subject, preferably Chemistry or Design Technology" so they think your DS is spot on!
Is he going to do all four subjects throughout sixth form? If he drops one, then the subject is not so important (with the caveat that sometimes things don't pan out the way you expected and the subject that you drop is not the one you expected).

A lot of schools treat Maths+FM as being more like one-and-a-half subjects instead of two subjects. Would Maths, FM and Physics plus ano (Chem or DT) suit?

Have you considered Further Maths? Only really suitable for A* pupils or A grade pupils with excellent Algebra skills. I am a maths teacher with a son about to study aerospace engineering and all the universities say mechanical engineering is very maths based. Some students get an A for Maths with quite poor algebra as they get marks on Shape and Space, Data handling and Number, which (surprisingly for some) is actually pretty meaningless as a indicator of A level success. Algebra is the essential skill here.

Why not drop Chemistry after AS? Isn't that usual way, to drop one subject?

Go with heart, for sure.
Further maths is the other option (do they still offer?). DH is an engineer & did further maths.

Your son needs to choose subjects that he enjoys and is motivated to study OP. He needs to talk to his Chemistry teachers to find out more about this subject.
It is useful for Engineering courses but only critical for Chemical Engineering.
Hope that helps

Look up relevant degree courses and take careful note if the entry requirements - this will tell you what is absolutely necessary for the next stage. Then choose whichever subject he is likely to get the most UCAS points for at AS (assuming of course his school is continuing with AS and not just doing the new 2year linear courses)

OP - does he know what sort of engineering he wants to do yet? (my DD is leaning towards electronic/electrical, possibly mechatronics and definitely not chem or civil).

Given that an engineering degree is hugely demanding (but fantastic choice) I would stick with his current pick. Also, what if he decides he wants to be a chemical engineer??

(there was an extraneous 'the' before 'good choices' in that last sentence).

My DD wants to be an engineer too, and is planning on Maths, Further maths, physics and computing. She wanted to do DT (systems and control) but there wasn't enough take-up so they're not running it this year.

I'm very surprised that the school thinks geography would be less work than chemistry - I did Chemistry a-level many moons ago along with double maths and physics and that seemed absolutely fine to me. Wouldn't geog have more essay-type work (which seems like more work to me - probably depends how your brain works!)

I think the DT may be more workload because of the coursework aspect (certainly if GCSE Electronics is anythign to judge by!)

I guess your DS needs maths for engineering
Er, yes! Maths and physics are the two essentials, and everything we've heard suggests that Further maths is a really good idea. We've looked at the syllabuses and were quite surprised at the way some of the topics are divided up - there are some parts quite important for some branches of science and engineering which are only in the FM.

It depends on your DS's strengths and preferences and what sort of engineering, but workload wise and from the POV of engineering admissions requirements, the combination of double maths and physics (which have a bit of overlap) and then either the Chemistry or DT would be reasonable workload and the good choices.