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Physics at A level, but no Maths?

31 replies

Sybill · 16/08/2024 16:33

DS is going into sixth form - on track for 7/8/9 across the board and is definitely planning on doing Biology and Geography for A level. From looking at entry requirements for some uni courses, it looks like an extra science subject would be helpful in keeping options open (he doesn’t know what he wants to do at uni yet but more likely to be science-y than humanity). Could do Chemistry but it’s a really tough A level and not sure if it’s his strongest. He does really well at Physics, always gets 8/9 and does enjoy it, but then he’d be doing it without Maths - that’s a really bad idea at A-level, right? He doesn’t like Maths enough to replace Bio or Geography with it. His current plan is either Psychology or Economics as a third, but that will knock out potential uni options that require 2 science subjects. Anyone done Physics without Maths, and it worked out ok? Will ask at school when he’s back, just want to think about it a bit first!

OP posts:
SonicTheHodgeheg · 16/08/2024 16:57

Psychology is a science for some unis. You don’t need maths to study it at uni but need to be confident enough to handle statistics.

You don’t need econ A-level to do it at uni but A-level maths is definitely preferred. I studied economics at uni and most of us had further maths too.

My dd studied biology at A-level and she said that not everyone did maths as well. Like psychology there’s some statistical stuff but it’s not as maths heavy as I imagine physics to be.

Sorenlorrenson · 16/08/2024 16:54

I didn't think the GCSE results were out yet.

CrochetMadRosie · 16/08/2024 16:51

For some unis, psychology is counted as a science I think.

It might be worth looking at a few courses at different unis and seeing if it does for the ones that he might be interested in.

StewardsEnquiry · 16/08/2024 16:44

I did physics A level years ago, with no maths. I'd say the mechanics module was a bit tricky and I had to sit next to a friend who was really good at maths to help me a bit. However, I finished with a A in physics (no A* in those days) and overall it wasn't a massive problem.

Newusername345 · 16/08/2024 16:40

I would strongly encourage him to do Maths A level too as Physics is basically applied maths and is so much easier if he is already doing Maths.
IMHO workload of Physics A level alone = 1.3 A levels
but Physics and Maths = 2 A levels for workload of, say, 1.8
So it is much more efficient to do both (that might convince him!).

Goldenthigh · 16/08/2024 16:35

It's many years ago that I did Physics at A level but Maths was an absolute essential for it then. Physics is very maths-heavy. I went on to do a Physics degree and maths A level was a pre-requisite for that too, if he might want to take it further.

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