STEM degrees (without A level chemistry)

Does he like coding?
as there is A LOT of coding in degrees like physics and engineering
(a lot a lot a lot)

Love the fractions tale. You can see how that would happen.

Can your DS talk to a friend about the exercises? DS sometimes does maths homework with a friend on speakerphone. They talk through the question and are both working on it. I was a bit dubious but it's no different to sitting next to someone in a 6th form common room and they are both contributing thoughts (DS studies downstairs so I have overhead bits).

But by the end he was integrating away happily and racing me to find the answer.

Hurray! Well done him - and you!

Any of the biology/environmental science degrees don't need chemistry you do a chemistry module first semester which used to be the equivalent of a C/D A level chemistry
Other suggestions would be renewable energy degree there are a few places which offer this. Very much about the industry but also trying to improve designs or new designs.

One very much not considered by teenagers but almost a sure job after is environmental health there is a serious lack of EHO in the country!

The British were actually the pioneers in the nuclear civil industry, so there is a hell of a lot of knowledge still remaining, and with the new EDF/CGN input, there are a significant number of training courses, degree apprenticeships etc.

There will be guaranteed, high paying work for the next 15-20 years minimum in the UK, opportunities to travel & work abroad.

Could be one to consider as an MSc after another engineering bachelors.

Sadly the Brits are not world leaders in nuclear engineering. I think the French are! So opportunities might be limited not to mention courses.

I did have further thoughts though. A very great friend of ours owned a landscape achitecture company. Sheffield is a great university for that. There is also surveying. Often a fist degree in something relevant is needed but there are lots of branches of surveying. Also quantity surveying. Planning might be of interest too. That makes a big difference to the environment.

Nuclear engineering is going to be an interesting field to get into for work over the next 20 years, with Hinkley & Sizewell.

Ladyvimes is probably right (how could I possibly disagree with her?!) - I think the main use of this thread to the OP and her DS is to know that there are a load of different options with his subjects other than physics in general or space physics in particular. The summer vacation can be a good time to dive into the details - usually of course there are uni open days, this year they may be virtual but that probably makes it easier to sample more (both different unis and courses).

My son is studying for an M.Eng in Mechatronics at Lancaster. He did not take chemistry A level. He did chemistry in his first year at university though (they studied all aspects of engineering).
He was offered an internship interview at AMG in his second year but couldn't attend due to personal reasons.
He spent a year in industry with Airbus, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He should have had a summer internship studying robotics in the nuclear fuel industry but Covid stopped that.
There are options without chemistry. He should follow his interests if he can. The first year of a STEM degree is a baptism of fire according to my sons. (The middle one did Physics at Lancaster and he loved physics).

I wouldn’t be thinking about university yet as it sounds like it’s just extra pressure that he can’t deal with at the moment. You’ve plenty of time, especially if he takes a gap year. You need to focus on right now, getting him caught back up and back on track. Is it the work he’s struggling with or more his mental health?
I would leave worrying about it for now and focus on it this time next year when you’ll have a better idea of what his grades will be.

You also have to factor in that lots of engineering grads end up in finance or the City. It can be big headache for SME's to get the right people. Engineers are solutions people and can do very well outside engineering. Only one of DD's friends who did engineering at university is actually an engineer. Very many do not do Engineering after Oxford, for example. It is a very flexible degree but as the best ones are 4 years you have to prefer it to, say, Management.

There are a few Energy and Environmental Engineering or Civil and Environmental BEng degree courses.

Friend with an aeronautical engineering degree is now a safety specialist, friend with a mech eng degree works as an environmental / renewables specialist.

Of course, Aeronautical or Aersopace Engineering by no means has to lead to a career in the aviation industry!

I have found that an engineering degree from a good university can get you a job in a completely different industry to your degree title. So even the niche sounding ones can be quite general - Aeronautics for example will include some mechanical modules, but also electrical, materials, group design projects, etc. These will be relevant to a range of different industries.

A good engineering (or other stem) degree can get you onto some amazing graduate programs in non-engineering industries.

So if your son's interest is piqued by a certain area, then I would say go for it. Most Engineering degrees are by no means a commitment to a specific career, and my experience has been that an engineering degree keeps options open.

Renewables might be another growth area to consider - although I don't think there are many undergraduate degrees that specialised in renewable engineering yet. There are some post graduate masters courses appearing though, which could be done after completing a different BEng.

I think there may be some good apprenticeships in the renewable energy industry, perhaps wind in particular if you think your son would be interested in an alternative to a degree. (Would he like the opportunity for hands on work, sometimes outdoors in the elements? Does he like heights?)

Also aeronautical engineering will take years to get back on track due to Covid. Could be a risk

There will probably be a load of graduates from last year and current aero students marking time with MScs and PhDs wanting jobs in the next few years too.

On a different slant - one of the great things about STEM degrees is that you may develop an interest in some branch while you're doing it which you wouldn't know about at school, or which maybe doesn't even exist yet! I've been doing a job for over 30 years which really wasn't a thing when I was at school. A degree can be a stepping stone on a defined path, but more likely it opens out to lots of different destinations.

The Life Scientific episode with Prof Chris Jackson is worth a listen.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000r3n0

My DH is a civil and structural engineer. Civil also looks at drainage and environmental solutions. You could also look at Environmental science. There is a great demand for environmental design in this country. Also aeronautical engineering will take years to get back on track due to Covid. Could be a risk. Civil engineering isn’t overly competitive at lower ranking RG universities.

There is also building services design. Air conditioning etc. None of these are discovering anything but they are solutions to problems. Particularly environmental engineering.

Geology is a good shout too. Plenty of work for them. I sometimes think young DC see Brian Cox and think that’s what they want without realising the hoops they go through to get to his specialism.

He clearly has great support at home, which is an excellent start in itself. Best of luck to him.