AIBU to ask for guidance around DC and A levels with university in mind - I'm clueless

[Tomorrowtodaynever]

I didn't go to university traditionally, I ended up doing it as a mature student and his dad didn't go. I am helping Year 11 DC think about A level choices but with university in mind. Can anyone input?

So, in short: DC is bright and could do well across all subjects, but when it comes to choosing A levels they really can't decide. There are definite Nos - and these are a lot of the traditional subjects. I really want him to keep his options open and go to a good uni, if that can happen. Obviously if it doesn't, that's fine too. But I read that the Russell Group universities tend to favour facilitating vs non facilitating - I grabbed this (there are a few missing but you get the giste). Is this right? Should I be guiding him towards at least two of the facilitating subjects? What matters at A level? What you love to do or what (with one eye on the future) keeps things broad?

Any advice would be really welcome.

Psychology requires a good level of maths because statistical analysis of experiments and investigations is a key part of the course.

Geography also makes use of statistics.

Both subjects are known for requiring -and developing - both literacy and numeracy skills. They both cover subject matter which is traditionally seen as a humanity and subject matter which is seen as a science. They both use scientific method as part of investigations.

Psychology definitely has maths. Not overly challenging maths but you need to be able to analyse data and they carry out statistical tests. As others have said psychology and Geography bridge the sciences and humanities so useful subjects and they go well with nearly all other subjects.
plus if you take essay subjects, they keep your maths up and if you go science route, they develop your essay skills.

lastly, in year 11 he will get the opportunity to go to open evenings and speak with staff and often current 6th form students about the courses. Then in the summer they often offer taster days. Even if they put down certain subjects they can change their mind after they get their results. So lots of time to make a decision.

Yes psychology needs a certain level of maths ability. It's often taken IME with maths A level but for sure that's not essential. You do need a decent maths knowledge and facility though.

What subjects is he looking at @Tomorrowtodaynever? You say he is undecided but in fact there are a number of subjects he has said no to, which leaves I guess science and maths, drama and other creatives (does he do art or music or DT?) and untried subjects such as psych, sociology, phil and ethics, politics (these are often untried before A level anyway).

Which way is he leaning?

You said he enjoyed drama. But if he doesn't love reading and fiction I'd avoid a drama a level with analysis of various plays

He seems fine with and enjoys analysing plays and loves drama - he has a great teacher

we are going to talk to him this weekend and start the ball rolling properly - thanks to everyone for their input

They don’t really, a good grade at GCSE maths will be fine, same for biology. They will contain some maths such as statistics but definitely don’t require maths A level (I have a PhD in cell biology and no maths A level)

Maths A level is considered helpful for a psychology degree, because of the statistical part