Design Engineering - which A levels

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DD is considering this course at uni.

Is anyone able to advise which A levels would be most suitable? We're thinking maths and physics for sure, but undecided between Further Maths, DT or Comp Sci for the 3rd A level. DD enjoys and is good at all 3.

TIA.

Look at the uni courses (not many do it) and see what they say. I'd be tempted to suggest starting with maths, physics, FM and DT abd drop FM or DT (probs DT as FM v useful for engineering degrees) if it was too much. Not unusual to take four if one is FM. Wouldn't say CS would be needed.

Lboro for example wants maths and either physics or DT. That is PD engineering tho - DT may not be needed for a more general design eng. Make sure the course us accredited.

Meant to add that unis will not specify FM as some settings do not offer it; but you can find out how many students on the course typically have it – as this will indicate whether it is a good idea (so if 80% have taken FM then not having it might be a big disadvantage).

Thanks Clary, that's useful info.

You might ask MN to move this to Higher ed as you may get more views there

I'm inclined to DT as design engineering is very applied (from seeing a nephew go through it). But FM just as good. Can 4 A levels be done? I did maths and FM, the FM was so challenging the Maths A level was relatively easy by comparison, because you've covered most of it to a higher level. I appreciate it could be completely different now.

At the Imperial open day the only requirement for Design Engineering was an A star in maths. Bristol require an A star and A in maths and another STEM subject (in any order). DT is included in their list of STEM subjects. Most other courses list maths is required.

My DC had her heart set on Design Engineering until they went to open days and found it had too much of a creative slant and actually preferred aerospace. Was a bit of a curve ball none of us saw coming.

They are taking maths, further maths, physics and DT and don’t plan on dropping one. There’s a lot of overlap on the first three so it feels like two and a half A-levels really. They like the “downtime” DT gives them and whilst you need to be organised to manage your time the workload for four isn’t horrific.

It’s a really good combination of subjects as it keeps doors open to studying all branches of engineering (apart from chemical), maths, computer science, physics and design at university.

I would say not to do FM unless DD is excellent at maths. Not required for most courses and much harder to get A* in. It is also a lot of independent work, which some 6th formers struggle with if they get ‘stuck’.

It’s true that FM is not required, but that is bc not all settings offer it so unis cannot really require it.

But a lot of engineering courses, especially at more popular unis, will have the majority of students having FM – which might put a student without it on the back foot. I agree tho you do need to be excellent at maths – maybe so good that the basic A level seems a walk in the park, like DS2's mate who went on to do maths at Cambs and used to get 95% in all his A level maths tests.