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Is this a crap college application combo?

8 replies

StuckAgain · 17/10/2026 12:02

Sorry, was hoping some of you could give your insights.

DD has chosen Business Studies, Psychology and Sociology for A-level.

She has no idea what she wants to do, be or what she wants to study later.

Is smart with autistic traits. Is hoping for the Holy Grail of a Higher Level Apprenticeship/Degree Apprenticeship after A levels but again, not sure of sector/sponsor.

Did retail work experience and enjoyed filing but not front-facing. Socially awkward.
But has expressed an interest in HR!

Is worried about getting into debt with a degree, doing a degree but ending up in min wage regardless, having a degree that is useless/AI replaceable.

Has picked those three subjects as excels in Business at the moment, is interested in psychology (but has not done it at GCSE).

Are psychology and sociology too similar?

Any advice please? I have no idea what to tell her.

OP posts:
StuckAgain · 17/10/2026 15:34

Hopeful bump!

So she's put down Business, Economics and Psychology for the other one.

Not sure psych fits but she is insistent, although I do know psych has more maths than some expect.

Anyone in Further Ed out there?

Thanks in advance Flowers

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 17/10/2026 15:40

Well, they are quite open subjects.

they do sort of say that she is not sure though - she’s ruling out maths and the natural sciences as well as languages.

presumably she doesn’t like eng lit or history or geography which are more traditional subjects.

is she interested in psych/economics/social science or is it more that she hated everything else?

HewasH2O · 17/10/2026 15:42

I would probably avoid economics and business studies, but definitely pick one of the two if that floats her boat.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Sunbringer · 17/10/2026 18:07

It all points her towards people facing roles… the study of selling to people, people’s minds and how people live together in a society.

But she doesn’t like being people facing in her work. I’d wonder why she’s choosing topics that direct her towards people instead of towards careers that can be more independent and back office.

SpanThatWorld · 17/10/2026 18:25

Psychology and Sociology aren't especially similar. There's an overlap but they are quite different. Business Studies and Economics have just as much overlap.

StuckAgain · 17/10/2026 19:44

Thank you for your replies.

She is not doing any languages and is only doing geography at the moment as a humanity.

Her options were business, geography and art.
And separate sciences.

She is on for a 5 in maths and I read on here never to do maths A level unless 7 or more.

She likes non-fiction, is just about managing eng lit, but not enjoying it so ruled that out.

She was interested in R.E., philosophy and ethics at one point but then dropped R.E. in favour of art (biggest mistake, complete time suck).

So yes, I have a slightly confused teen atm.
Had the option blocks been different, she would have gone for R.E. art and health/social.
But she did rule out ever teaching art therapy in prisons or care homes, so not sure what she would have done with those.

She loves Business studies. Her best subject. And her dad works for a company.
Not sure where the psychology/sociology or where the economics/psychology are coming from.

Apart from a taster day where psychology was enjoyed at both a college trip and a uni visit.
But not sure where she'd go from there. Whilst they are crying out for ed psychs, I know many psychology graduates who did not pursue and DD has seen how hard I find the education sector.

Does business/psychology/economics rule out uni later?
Does business/sociology/psychology rule out Russell Group?

But she has said no to trad uni route in any case.
And yes, I have pointed out that HR is front facing. As is psychiatry.

I don't know how to advise.
I think she is going on what is left after avoiding everything else.

Sciences, she got 7s in chem and physics on her mocks but 6 in biology.

Her mocks were
8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 6, 6, 5
Bus, art, geog, physics, chem, eng Lang, biology, eng lit, maths

🤷🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 17/10/2026 21:14

Agree not maths or physics or chem with a 5 in maths.

no languages at gcse so can’t do them at a level.

i mean they’re not the worst a levels in the world.
yes uni is still open to her but not traditional subjects - with that sort of combination probably looking towards business/economics/psychology.

some economics degrees need maths a level so not those.

StuckAgain · 22/10/2026 21:19

Bump for the night crowd/anyone not watching traitors! 😉

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