Please or to access all these features

Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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.

OP posts:
bushhbb · 05/04/2020 12:09

Chemistry A-level is apparently very hard. I didn't take it, but most people I spoke to got As or Bs, even in grammars. Same with maths, quite hard.

Honestly, I don't think a biology degree is the best idea. I was considering it before. Maybe have a look around and see if there's any others, there are less common degrees that are equally interesting and have better job prospects.

TheFrendo · 05/04/2020 12:07

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

In 2019, 28% of students sitting chemistry got an 8 or a 9.

The GCSE is not that hard.

A level chemistry is properly hard. He will have to do a lot of work.

noblegiraffe · 05/04/2020 12:06

What I notice is that his two degree choices match exactly his two A-levels, biology and economics.

How much research has he actually done into university. It seems like he’s trying to pick his A-level and degree all in one go, based on what he likes at GCSE where the opinions are actually far wider. He would be better about thinking what interests him and what sort of job he can picture himself doing in the future. If he gets a biology degree can he see himself working in a lab, for example? Biology and economics lead to very different career choices.

Could he do a career quiz? Think long term then work backwards?

As an aside, if he is thinking of doing science A-levels then he should look into the Core Maths qualification. If he ends up doing a science degree, not having done any maths for 2 years will be a disadvantage.