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Original poster

A level dilemma; please advise

78 replies

Suki2 · 05/04/2020 11:52

DS has chosen three A levels; history biology and economics. Seemed reasonable until he started looking a little deeper into degree options. He's veering towards a biology degree and found that the vast majority want a second science, which he wouldn't have. His other possible avenue would be an economics degree but most require maths A level.

He's adamant he doesn't want to do maths A level; he feels it's just too difficult. He's an average student who doesn't like to exert himself too much, but he does ok. DH and I think he should swap economics for chemistry to facilitate a biology degree. He's a bit nervous that chemistry will be too difficult. He quite likes chemistry; he's not passionate about it but he's laid back about all his subjects. I"m not a scientist so find it quite hard to give advice.

His plan was to wait until results day and if he gets a 7 in chemistry he will take the A level; he's borderline 6 and 7. Now though he's obviously not taking the exam and not doing any revision for it; we feel he should decide now, especially as his school will start an introductory course to the A levels in the summer term.

Please advise.

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Original poster
Suki2 · 05/04/2020 14:35

Bunnylove83 that's exactly right; none of his subjects gel together, so I feel that he's making life quite difficult for himself.

He has chosen biology and history because he's genuinely interested in them, so they seem sorted. He has no idea if he will enjoy economics or not as he hasn't done it before; he quite likes the sound of it but it's impossible to say if he'd enjoy it or not. So clearly chemistry could be a good third choice because it would help with some parts of his biology course and be a second science to get into a university biology course. He's also thought about geography and PE but doesn't want to do them.

Re summer reading I completely agree and I'll suggest it to him but I fear that he won't be keen and ultimately at his age it's up to him. I wish that he didn't have to choose to study three subjects in such depth at his age; he's not ready for it.

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Original poster
Suki2 · 05/04/2020 14:15

Shadowboy thanks for your input. DS has said he particularly likes the area of biology that deals with genetics; maybe that would influence his degree choice if he's still interested after a year of the A level.
When DS chose biology the teachers were pointing out that it can open up the whole area of environmental jobs. He's not interested at the moment but there's every chance he may become so over the next year, at least it gives him more options. I'll mention it to him.

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Ginfordinner · 05/04/2020 14:12

I would say that borderline 6/7 is not a very promising start for A level chemistry

I agree. DD got an A* at GCSE and found chemistry A level very hard. Fortunately, she had an excellent chemistry teacher and did well in the end, but it was a struggle.

If he is serious about a science degree it makes sense to do science A levels, otherwise he will struggle at university

I agree with this ^^. DD is doing biomedical sciences at university, and has said that she felt sorry for the students who only did biology at A level because there is a lot of chemistry involved. She said that there is an element of chemistry in A level biology as well and it helped her achieve a better grade than her peers who didn’t study chemistry.

StillGardening · 05/04/2020 14:12

This is useful :

What degree courses do a level combos typically lead to (based on current student data):

sacu-student.com/?page_id=5203

Also stuff on how to chose a levels :

www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/a-levels/choosing-your-a-levels-what-you-need-to-consider

Bunnylove83 · 05/04/2020 14:06

Head of 6th here.
Most importantly he should not choose A Levels that he thinks may be easier than chem and maths because bio, economics and history are every bit as difficult. However, if they are genuinely his three passions then he should follow them.

The issue he will have though is that none of his subjects really strengthen one another - history benefits from English, Politics or RS, Economics from maths (although there is always more writing in the macro section than students expect) and Bio from Chem and Maths. Geography or PE also have an overlap with Bio which seems to help students, and some universities will consider either of these subjects as an alternative to a second science although he’d have to look at specific courses.

I guess I haven’t really said much (sorry!) but I have found that students benefit from doing things they really enjoy, all sciences and maths require a huge amount of dedication to be successful in, and grouping subjects rather than keeping it broad does tend to help students.

Finally, If he is not a 7+ student I would recommend he spends a lot of his summer strengthening his skills in the hardest parts of the GCSE syllabus for Bio, Chem and Maths (regardless of whether he takes them all as they will help him in Bio) to help bridge the gap for when he starts his A Levels.

Shadowboy · 05/04/2020 14:05

What is it he likes about biology? Could he do it alongside environmental science? This opens up environmental consulting, oceanography, and other biology/environmental jobs.

Chemistry is incredibly difficult at A level- I did it and I got an A at GCSE and at A level got a D. I found the maths of it very difficult. Biology I was good at though and found it much more manageable to learn.

Original poster
Suki2 · 05/04/2020 13:57

Lampan thanks for the input. I'm sorry you found limited options after studying biology. DS may want to do lab work; very vague I know; he hopes biology would help with that. I anticipate all my children having to do more studies after their degree to secure a job. I wish it wasn't like that, it seems that a degree isn't enough any more.

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Original poster
Suki2 · 05/04/2020 13:53

BlueJava thanks but of course DS is making his own choice. I just want to make sure it's an informed choice .

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Original poster
Suki2 · 05/04/2020 13:52

CatherineCawood thanks; agree that chemistry sounds really hard; some students at DS's school think it's the hardest A level. DS is clear that if he does it it will be just to support any further biology studies; he would have to work very hard at it.

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Lampan · 05/04/2020 12:53

I would advise him to think VERY carefully about what he plans to do with his biology degree. A love of the subject is just not enough. I speak from experience. I enjoyed my biology degree so much but ended up doing a second degree as I found that unless I wanted to do teaching or research, my options seemed limited (also taking into account earning potential too).

BlueJava · 05/04/2020 12:53

I have DS who would ha e done A levels this year. One.did chemistry- really hard and he for 8.ar GCSE. Please let him choose his own subjects.ar.A.level.

CatherineCawood · 05/04/2020 12:45

My friend is head of sixth form
She says that chemistry is the alevel most.kids dump because it's just so hard.

okiedokieme · 05/04/2020 12:43

If he is serious about a science degree it makes sense to do science a levels otherwise he will struggle at university. To do a PhD they often now require maths by the way because it's essential to have the underlying knowledge

Original poster
Suki2 · 05/04/2020 12:43

cakeisalwaystheanswer; many thanks!

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cakeisalwaystheanswer · 05/04/2020 12:37

See attached for Business Eco career options.

www.ashford.edu/online-degrees/business/careers/economics

Original poster
Suki2 · 05/04/2020 12:33

Thanks Luckymarmite lover but his school doesn't offer psychology. It 's a shame as it sounds really interesting.

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Original poster
Suki2 · 05/04/2020 12:31

cakeisalwaystheanswer thanks; we'll have a look at business economics degrees. I know DS will be wondering what jobs are available with this degree; do you have any idea? It seems to me that if he goes down the economics route he will be disadvantaged by not having maths A level, just as he will be disadvantaged by not having chemistry if he decides to pursue biology.
Interesting that your DD thinks biology A level is harder than maths. DS enjoys it the most so it's a definite for him.

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TheFallenMadonna · 05/04/2020 12:28

I do find it odd that psychology a level is viewed as a science. But yes, it often is.

LuckyMarmiteLover · 05/04/2020 12:25

My DD is going to study marine biology at university and it seems that lots of universities take psychology as a second science. Would he consider that? She was taking biology, psychology and English language. She had five university offers of which 2 were RG.

Pamlaaaa · 05/04/2020 12:24

Would he like A level psychology?

helpmum2003 · 05/04/2020 12:24

If he doesn't want to do Maths A level then a degree in Economics is an odd choice. I agree to working backward from what he may like to do.
Would a non degree option fit him better?

cakeisalwaystheanswer · 05/04/2020 12:22

DS1 is studying Economics at uni and DD is now looking to study Biology. There are some Economics courses available without A level maths but your DS will be limiting his options. A friend's DS tried to start an Economics degree without maths and changed courses after a year because the maths was too difficult. DS1 regrets not taking FM at A level because thise who did have had a very easy time in the first year maths based modules. Why not look at something like Business Economics which is much less maths based?
DD is sitting maths and Biology A levels and thinks Biology is much harder. We did warn her it wasn't an easy option but it is the subject she enjoys most.

Original poster
Suki2 · 05/04/2020 12:22

Agree noble giraffe I think he is trying to pick A levels and a degree all at once. I'm beginning to really dislike the A level system for almost forcing him to do that. Three options are too specialized for him at this stage.

For job options he is clear that he doesn't want to work in an office. He thinks forensics sounds interesting; obviously he'd need chemistry for that. Other than that he doesn't have a clue. He did do a career profile at school; we'll go back and look at it again.

Thanks for the tip re core maths, I'll look into it.

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TheFallenMadonna · 05/04/2020 12:19

Not all biology degrees require two sciences, but it does limit your options. Second noblegiraffe's Core Maths recommendation. I would love my DD to do it (she's planning on English Lit, Film Studies and Psychology, and I think it would be helpful if she decided to run with the Psychology) but she is adamant that she is giving up maths and is doing an EPQ instead. Sad

Piggywaspushed · 05/04/2020 12:14

I don't think it is true that most unis require maths for an economics degree any more (core Maths is indeed a good idea if your school offer it) and history and economics is a good combination. Actual economics is quite mathematical, though : has he looked online at exam papers? They might put him off!