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Original poster

Help, DD not happy with A-level choices, now wants to do psychology…

37 replies

IsNothingSacred1234 · 17/03/2022 21:21

DD is halfway through year 12. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she chose her A-levels. She was considering law or joining the police but did have an interest in psychology.

I steered her towards more facilitating subjects in order to keep her options open. She’s now doing history, English lit and sociology.

She’s become more and more interested in psychology. Some of the degree courses she’s looking at want her to have psychology A-level but her school won’t let her swap.

I feel awful for steering her away from the A-level and making it harder to get onto a degree course.

What could she do? An online A-level along side her current ones?

OP posts:
RB68 · 17/03/2022 21:53

We were advised NOT to do psych at A level

I think the selection she has is a good range - maybe she could do an AS level if they still do that?

I would refocus the course for degree that you are looking at. There are so many now and so many good colleges there will be something

Original poster
IsNothingSacred1234 · 17/03/2022 21:47

Thanks @smartiecake. She’s keen on Warwick, they seem to offer a more ‘humanities’ psychology degree whereas others seem to offer a more science based version.

OP posts:
Original poster
IsNothingSacred1234 · 17/03/2022 21:44

Thanks all, really appreciate the replies.

I’ll look into a foundation year and futurelearn. A joint honours sounds interesting. The school aren’t keen on retakes, I’ve tried every Avenue!

She got a 6 in GCSE maths, it’s not her favourite subject but she’s capable and doesn’t mind it.

OP posts:
smartiecake · 17/03/2022 21:43

I think you need to relook at UCAS and university entry requirements. I think there are plenty of Universities that don't require Psychology A level, and this includes RG Universities. She doesn't need to do the additional qualification, she would get offers with her three current subjects.

Anoooshka · 17/03/2022 21:39

She could possibly take a joint honours degree with psychology as a minor. What aspects of psychology is she interested in?

Neversaygoodbye · 17/03/2022 21:38

Would she consider retaking a year? I know one of the girls in my DD yr12 class is doing this due to similar issue. They are at a 6th form college though not a school sixth form. Interestingly my DD is doing English Lit, Sociology and Psychology and absolutely loving all 3 subjects.

bunnunk · 17/03/2022 21:37

Check out the admissions page for the universities she wants to apply to and see what requirements there are for the psychology course.

I did a BSc in psychology many many years ago but did not do A levels psychology. My A levels were in the sciences and maths, and my course mates took a wide range of other A levels.

springtimeishereagain · 17/03/2022 21:36

She is too late to swap; she has missed too much. I'd advise her to think about what she wants to do at uni and what she can do with her subjects. She could always do a FutureLearn or similar course in psychology - they offer a lot!

She may find thermos interesting and varied than A level psychology, which is quite maths-heavy...

Hellohah · 17/03/2022 21:33

Does she want to do Psychology at University?

DS has looked into this, and I think most universities in the UK require one of the sciences or Maths. But I'm not 100% sure on that, he mentioned it in passing.

LIZS · 17/03/2022 21:33

Many of them do not require Psychology A level though, so she could still apply to those or look at a foundation year for those which may. Is she prepared for the statistical element?

Original poster
IsNothingSacred1234 · 17/03/2022 21:28

Thanks, I don’t think the school would let her do it even with a tutor as they said she has 100 hours to catch up on. I could suggest it though, she does work hard.

OP posts:
WayDownInTheHole · 17/03/2022 21:26

Yes, or perhaps a tutor?