What do you think of these A'level subject choices

I think, Kitty, that is the whole point of the debate. Computer Science is good for (drum roll) Computer Science. Physics opens up a lot more doors - that is why it is facilitating. It does not mean Computer Science is not rigorous. There are lots of rigorous subjects that are not facilitating! Economics for example.

That's interesting Kitty. It's probably about time things changed really - computer science is a useful and rigorous subject, after all. I guess it's just taken the unis 30 years to catch up!

UCAS link www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/choosing-undergraduate-course

Russell group 'informed choices', if you've not already seen it russellgroup.ac.uk/for-students/school-and-college-in-the-uk/subject-choices-at-school-and-college/

Just found sacu-student.com/?page_id=5203 which might be handy - if you enter the proposed a level subjects you can see what courses people went onto with them in previous years. Huge amount of info.

Economics would have more sway than computing with more traditional universities - but without knowing what he wants to do it's hard to comment.

That's changing with the new Linear Computer Science A Level. A third of the RG unis were saying to my students this year that they would offer one grade lower if one of the subjects taken was Computer Science (on CS related degrees of course) when they didn't used to. This is set to increase according to BCS and CAS.

The UCAS website allows you to do some searches for different courses including joint honours I think! Otherwise individual uni websites are useful. Warwick does very well regarded range of maths related courses.

OP - you might find it useful to play with this website university.which.co.uk/courses to get some idea of entry requirements for different uni courses. Its pretty easy to find entry requirements for specific uni courses but at this stage you probably need something a bit wider like this.

Scaredyy - depends which subjects and what uni courses you're interested in. But if you don't know what you want to do, then starting 3 may close off choices.

Op - if its likely he'll be interested in software eng, I'm pretty sure the only essential subject in many places is maths - comp sci and economics would be fine with it for most I would think (though 'top unis' require high grades). Someone mentioned electronics... kind of my specialist subject this year and the best places would want maths and physics.

Economics would have more sway than computing with more traditional universities - but without knowing what he wants to do it's hard to comment.

I think because he's currently unsure what he wants, it makes sense to keep his options open by doing two facilitating subjects.

I believe what I said is correct in that the the Pre U is instead of A level but is more challenging, hence the requirement for the A at GCSE. I assume the school has enough children getting the A to run the course! Otherwise they would not run it. Universities are more than happy with it but it sounds like a real shame if he cannot do Physics at all unless he gets an A*. Most academic schools would want an A for A level the PreU is more demanding.

I also think not having Physics would put him on the back foot for Civil Engineeing and Structural Engineering. Design Technology is not really a substitute when applying for a competitive academic MEng course. There are building technology courses that would be better with this qualification.

It is not worth changing schools. If he is settled and has friends, stay put!

We had it drilled into us we must do 4 at AS, all dutifully did, no one used that fourth AS. Waste of time & energy.

Tbh there's no point in doing 4 and dropping 1 as 9 times out of 10 the dropped AS counts for fuck all.

Meant to comment - the point is that if someone starts 3 and then finds one too much of a step up from gcse or doesn't like it if its a new subject to them, they're a bit stuffed. And AS Further maths definitely does 'count' for quite a lot of numerate courses.

DD's school only allowed them to do 3 alevel subjects as 4 aren't necessary it makes the choosing process harder but with how the new alevels work and the difference in content it is wise doing 3. Quite a few of dds friends swapped economics after finding it hard.
DD's teacher started her on a pre-u for Religious studies but it was proving hard to source books etc so they swapped to an alevel. They are tougher than alevels and more like a degree their often seen as the bridge between alevels and degrees.

Oh, I see. Thats tough. If you don't mind me asking, as a reality check, what are his predictions for maths and computing?

Bojo - I know that the pre U exists, but nothing more - such as why the OP's DS can't do it. Physics is needed for or useful for so many things other than a physics degree, so I'm a bit baffled.

I have never heard of preU physics. Is this instead of an A level? If so why doesn't the school offer physics A level? It is a popular subject.

Sorry. x posted

Has he looked at alternative 6th forms, if he is interested in physics?

Software engineering might be a good fit for him with those subjects and an engineering interest. Swapping economics for Design tech would add civil engineering to his degree options.

Error - The PreU is mentioned in the adacemic requirements in most university course details! You must know it! The PreU is an academic exam which I think was called the Cambridge PreU when it started. A lot of academic independent schools like it and it is supposed to be harder than A level - although I am not certain about this.

So many Engineering courses like Maths and Physics apart from Chemical Engineering. I think if you read the advice on choosing A levels, there is nothing wrong with A levels that are not facilitating. People often think they prepare for a degree, but lots do not. Law is a poor A level for Law students and Economics is not required for an Economics degree!

What is best really does depend on his aspirations. Could he not consider the PreU if the syllabus is explained to him? Does he feel it is too challenging? Doing Physics Pre U, Maths and Economics or Computing would be fine and he only needs three.Lots of schools are now asking pupils to choose three not four with the new exam structure and I think the PreU is exams at the end.