A-Level Choices thoughts?

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Does anyone have any thoughts on these A-Levels.
Wants to do human geography and ?? at university BUT for us to support him there will need to be a plan for a career after university as funding him will be a real struggle.

Choices
Definitely Geography.

Business Studies
Politics
Chemistry

Too vague, too odd, any thoughts really appreciated.

Why does he want to do it with something if he doesn’t know what that something is?

Economics? Is maths an option?

If he loves human geography, careers in environment or policy analysis might be a good option. You can study human geography + environment at a few places, maybe have a look at the subjects they ask for.

What does he want to do with the geography degree?

I would have though geography, chemistry and politics is a solid combination -

Or geography, politics and economics

But it would be good if he thought a bit ahead, to what he wants

The ?? is open to suggestions and equally suggesting nothing at all is really helpful.

We have talked about maths, his teacher would like him to do A level and he is predicted an 8 but he can't see that he is capable. Economics isn't an option at A level, and I assume too big a step up if not doing a level maths.

Lured that's the bit I think we are stuck on. With fees and accommodation it can not be a option to just broaden his knowledge, he needs to have a plan.

Geography chemistry and politics would give a good basis for lots of degrees and jobs. Business studies is a bit weak, economics instead if going down that route.

Economics a level doesn’t need maths A Level. Most economics degrees do though

If he’s up for an 8 in maths gcse he’d be fine doing economics A level. Main thing is to combine subjects he’s good at and enjoys.

What grades do the universities he fancies need. You have to play the game and play to your strengths to some extent to get the grades.
DS1 is doing a Human Geog degree and did Maths, Business and Geog A levels. His preferred unis mostly wanted AAB. He therefore chose Business as its relatively 'easy' and was more likely to get the required grade.
He struggled with the Maths. Got a 7 at GCSE and sweated blood and tears to come out with a B. So with hindsight, was pleased the other two A levels weren't as challenging as ABB may not have secured his place.
Ds2 does Chemistry A level. It's hard and a lot of maths involved. He does maths A level though and says it really helps.
DS1 doesn't have a plan. But Geography keeps all doors open and he enjoys it. Lots of graduates go into accounting or finance for example.
Can recommend Nottingham for the future btw, he's having a ball.

Geography, economics and chemistry? Or business/politics maybe. What kind of geography does he like-human or physical? At uni/for jobs he could look at town planning, social work, an engineering course with a geography link, sustainability of in business, surveying/building regulations, charity work, the navy or army in geography related area, geology, volcanology, meteorology etc etc.

Geography also goes well with other humanities such as history, RE and English if it is more the human side he is interested in. Or it goes with design technology if it's more the climate/innovation/engineering side.

I did Maths, Chem and Economics and did Chemistry at uni.

Tbh It seems pointless to me to do Chemistry without another Sciebce or Maths unless you really enjoy it.

But I don't know what the requirements for non Science degrees are.

To add, A Level Maths would help significantly with Chemistry.

Thé maths in Eco is pretty straightforward from what I remember. Certainly doable without A Level Maths. If anything, there's probably more overlap with Geography?

If it's Human Geography that he is thinking about, what about Sociology or Psychology at A Level.
Also, if he is definitely doing Human - not Physical - then he may not need the Chemistry. Check individual University's admission criteria.

I understand why you want him to have a plan, but unless he does a degree that naturally leads to a career (e.g. engineering) it seems very premature. He's over 5 years away from starting this career and he may change his mind along the way.
There are plenty of careers for which a geography degree is useful, and more where it doesn't matter what sort of degree you did. I worry you may be putting undue pressure on a 16 year old.

(One of DS's friends is currently doing a Human Geography degree. He took economics, maths and geography A levels, if that helps?)

Mine is in his first year of A levels doing chemistry, economics and geography. Looking at doing environmental economics as a degree.

Why?
Do you really expect him to have a full and deep understanding of the labour market, and himself at 16. You are being very unfair.
Geography is a good degree for a broad range of options. How is he supposed to ‘have a plan’ if his understanding of the subject is only at a very low level at the moment?

And won’t he be getting a loan?

Won't he be getting a loan like most other students?

I assume OP means that their family income is too high for him to get a full maintenance loan, so they will be expected to make a parental contribution and they will struggle to do so. It's a big issue with higher education funding for students from middle income families (or those with lots of similar age siblings).

OP mentions fees though which are fully findable by a loan. So yes agree with unrealistic to expect a 15/16 year old to have a career path mapped out - tbh I'd worry about a kid that age that did have a career map because it suggests a degree of rigid thinking which is unrealistic. Esp these days.

That aside, human geography suggests politics, economics, sociology, maths as coherent subjects.

Sociology would be a good fit for human geography.
OP I think you need to be mindful of pushing the fact that you feel he needs to have a "plan". If he gets a good degree or can open doors to many careers / professions. As someone has said, unless he does a vocational degree, it won't automatically lead on to a specific career, but he will be employable.
It's quite a lot of pressure for a 16yo to say a career plan must be in place already.

I don't agree that it's too early to have a career plan. You're much more likely to find success if you have a 10 year plan with the goals all mapped out. You can always deviate along the way if you change your mind but you have a fall back. Too many people drift. Then you example on graduating the decide only to realise they are disadvantaged in the job search as they haven't done relevant work experience, the best modules for the job etc etc

OP, have you looked at the UCAS course search webpage. It gives a list of "human geography and ..." courses. There are even places offering "human geography with a year in industry" for the career-minded.

Also, have you thought about deferring for a year (so that he can earn some money in the gap year) to help with finances.

Surely most students work as well, don't they? If their course doesn't allow them time during term-time, they can at least work in the holidays. That helps with funding.

I 100% disagree that a 16-year-old should have a 10-year plan, I think that's kind of sad unless you've always wanted to be a doctor or an architect or some other very specific profession. And even then you are unlikely to know exactly what sort of doctor you want to be.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to help my son (and me- I do find it a mind boggling thing that strangers are happy to take time to reply on such a specific thread just to help someone)

That website is excellent senua thank you.

He already is working and putting money away, he currently is very driven and I do understand those that think it is unreasonable for a 16year old to know what to do and in many ways I agree but it is such a large financial outlay I think it is reasonable to question if it makes financial sense.