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Original poster

A-level combination: History, Maths & Biology?

57 replies

TheSecondOfHerName · 22/02/2016 22:58

A reasonable combination? Or a ridiculous one?

My son wants to do 3 A-levels and needs to finalise application this week. Definitely sure about History, fairly sure about Maths, less certain about Biology.

The only other subjects on his shortlist are Psychology
Economics
Government & Politics

Other subjects aren't under consideration, either because he doesn't enjoy them or because he has little aptitude for them.

He would like to go to university. His potential career interests include nursing, teaching, psychology, social sciences.

He is procrastinating with the decision, and I have spent too much time thinking about it and can no longer see the wood for the trees.

Are History, Maths & Biology too unusual a combination? Would they look bizarre on a university application?

OP posts:
derektheladyhamster · 23/02/2016 07:38

My ds has chosen maths chemistry & biology, with history as his 4th subject. One is dropped after a year which at the moment is the history pre u, but he is very good at history and enjoys it, so I can see a possible shift. His chosen degree asks for biology & 1 subject from chemistry or maths so the option is there

History is a very well regarded essay subject and would fit nicely with the other facilitating subjects

Original poster
TheSecondOfHerName · 23/02/2016 07:36

He will probably get A* at Maths GCSE but is not especially able at the subject. I did Maths A-level and was quite concerned about the jump from GCSE to A-level, so I asked his Maths teacher if he was a feasible candidate. He thinks that my son would be fine if he works steadily at it. The sixth form has about 150 students sitting Maths A-level each year, and they mostly get very good grades.

I think he won't find the Maths easy (I did Maths A-level and it was a jump from GCSE) but he seems to be motivated to work hard at it.

OP posts:
slebmum1 · 23/02/2016 07:31

I don't think history particularly goes with the science and maths - what does he want to do after a levels?

Coconutty · 23/02/2016 07:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

louisejxxx · 23/02/2016 07:24

What makes you think it's a bizarre combo?

Looks good to me - a nice mix of Science subjects and 1 "writing-based" subject. Universities will like it.

Original poster
TheSecondOfHerName · 23/02/2016 07:21

Thank you. A lot of the courses he is interested in don't have specific subject requirements.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 22/02/2016 23:48

The advice I've heard over and over is to do the subjects they will get the best grades in, if they don't know what they want to do (usually equates to the subjects they enjoy).
If they do know what they want to do, then look up some courses and see what the entry requirements are for that University course. So, I'd look up a few Nursing courses, social science courses, etc., and see what they are asking for.