A level choices (poss looking to physics at uni)

My younger daughter graduated in Physics and is now working in Medical Physics.
I remember in her first year that she felt at a disadvantage in not having studied Further Maths at A Level. In the long run it was not an obstacle, but at the time she felt she was having to run to keep up with those who had done it. She also found the Maths content far more demanding than the actual Physics content in the first two years.
She had a placement in nuclear fusion research as part of her MSc year, and taught herself coding at that point, as a prerequisite for what she was doing. Again, one of the things she learnt as part of her university experience was how essential computing was in Physics.

So, yes - Further Maths is the way to go, definitely.

Everyone has offered great ideas above. I'm a 'yes' for Further Maths also if Oxbridge is involved and, even more importantly, if she would enjoy it! Why not review the syllabuses online for each - Maths and Further Maths? They are easily found via Google. Which is more stimulating?

NB it's not just what Universities list publicly as requirements that needs to guide students (in relation to A levels) - but also what their competitors/peers will have - for Oxbridge, many will have plumped for Further Maths as it is well respected. I'd ask Admissions what percentage of students had Further Maths that applied last year for any key universities you are interested in.

Please also see the following which advocates Computer Science ...depends on which area she is interested in, clearly! Essential =Maths, Physics but also valuable = Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Computing/Computer Science ...see
russellgroup.ac.uk/media/5686/informed-choices-2018-1-6th-edition-final.pdf

I'd ask her to perhaps consider her future careers thoughts a little more closely...(any research and time she spends doing this will always yield fruit!)....

To look at Physics linked careers more closely - see www.prospects.ac.uk and go to 'careers advice' then 'what can I do with my degree' and select Physics and other STEM degrees - which roles seem interesting? Which companies offer roles in these fields?

Then go to Linked In and look up current professionals in these roles - which degree did they do (placement year? Where? Which country did they study in that had money (especially post Brexit) for this area of research- US or elsewhere?).

I'd then look at work experience - which organisations would be her top ten (based on jobs she's interested in- where are they based geographically - can she reach any easily)? If yes, could she gain some work experience over the summer holidays with them? This could help her to identify areas of interest career-wise also.

Perhaps consider gaining a STEM mentor - physics linked obviously- there are hundreds of STEM experts that give time to mentor - she'll need to understand which overall areas of physics interest her and then find someone (through LI or via Google) whom will help her to explore areas and perhaps open work experience or internship doors for her.

Doing this research and work experience might help her to fine tune A levels but more importantly, it will help her to get excited about ideas for the future, which helps motivate during hard study!
Good luck!

A lot of content in the current A level further maths used to be in A level maths 30+ years ago.

And even more recently than that. The content was shuffled from Maths to Further Maths in about 2004 to improve uptake of Maths A-level which was seen to be too difficult. Universities still haven’t really caught up with the changes and while it might be tempting not to take Further Maths because it’s not required by universities for Physics, and even for many maths degrees, it’s still a really good idea.

Cambridge
www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences

Imperial
www.imperial.ac.uk/study/ug/courses/physics-department/physics-bsc/#entry-requirements

Warwick
warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses-2018/physicsbsc/

They all stress the need for maths. I'd favour Further Maths over Biology.

DD didn't have the option of FM, so took the 3 sciences and maths to AS level. She then dropped the biology and a small group of them self studied FM at AS level in year 13 with some group private tuition. DD is now doing engineering and said the FM maths helped a lot in 1st year (they concentrated on mechanic modules). 2 of the group are doing Physics at uni and 1 is doing natural sciences at Cambridge.

Months too late, but yes, he loves his course

Further maths is really useful if doing physics, I did physics at uni without doing further maths and it was a big jump. Chemistry is generally more useful than biology, or at least it used to be.

DS1 is currently in his second year studying MPhys in Theoretical Physics. He did Maths/FM/Physics/Geology/Philosophy to AS, then dropped Philosophy.

The Maths/FM/Physics is less of a workload than 3 completely different subjects so I'm told. And it gave him a headstart at uni..

I recall Cambridge natural scientists who had not done double maths to full A level were at a serious disadvantage. You should advise to do Further Maths if at all possible especially given how Noddy single maths has become.

DS has just had an offer from Cambridge for NatSci; A* in both physics and further maths, A in both maths and chemistry. He has applied for physics/theoretical physics at other unis. Not sure if this helps at all, as we have no idea what would have happened if he had not done FM even though school offers it.

In my view further maths is very useful for a degree in physics. A lot of content in the current A level further maths used to be in A level maths 30+ years ago.

Maths A level has had most of the maths removed from it. Back in the day, you used to have to use calculus in A level physics (in e.g natural decay, electromagnetic induction, mechanics and gravitation). This has gone. Also, there used to be long derive questions (derive the pressure of an ideal gas or centripetal acceleration etc), these have been replaced by noddy describe questions.

DS is doing Physics, Maths and Chemistry this summer with the aim of doing Physics at Exeter or UCL. - he loves physics and maths but admits he find chemistry harder and in fact wishes he'd done politics instaed as this wouldn't have been a barrier to the offers he's had ( and is his hobby - odd boy!) Some of his friends re doing economics as well so I guess as long as physics and maths are included ( obviously!)the third isn't quite so important. *Disclaimer - I failed maths O level 3 times and am solidly English/drama so it may all as well be a language from another planet to me

DD1 studying Nat Sci (Physical) took Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths (and English Lit). Chemistry was always her first interest but in her 1st year now she is studying Maths (compulsory), Physics, Chemistry and Materials. There are Maths groups: one for those who got an A* in FM, one for those who didn't, and one covering Maths for Biologists. She is in the middle group and coping well. The Biology course is more geared towards statistics from what she understands.

No problem sadik what your dd isn't interested in is also important.
Do the Welsh Science AS/A2 levels still contain controlled assessments (ISAs)? The disadvantage of taking all 3 Sciences in Y12 is the large amount of time that preparing for these ISAs takes. Whereas for Maths and further maths this won't be an issue.

Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths is the best option.
Biology isn't particularly relevant to Physics.

I did physics at uni without further maths (also now working in Medical Physics). The further maths stuff was covered in the first year of the degree, would have been easier if I'd already covered it but it was fine. Don't know about applying to Cambridge though - I applied to oxford but the entrance exam contained maths questions that would only have been covered by that point in the year if you were doing further maths, despite further maths not being a requirement. She could always do some self study of course though.

I'd also like to add that it would be really great if more people took physics at degree level and especially more girls! We're in desperate need in this country of physicists and engineers.

DS2 is thinking about this at the moment.

The Physics courses he looked at require Maths & Physics

He also looked at Natural Science courses which split into Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences. The Biological Sciences pathways require Chemistry (not Biology).

He is applying to do Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Further Maths A-level courses.