Degree choices

[Chickenlicken15]

I’m after advice please . My younger son finishes his a levels tomorrow - physics maths and economics. He has applied for mech engineering and has places at uni but has still not confirmed his choices. He has really struggled through lockdown and is unlikely to do as well as he could - he is capable of A in economics and physics but possibly C/D in maths . He has continually said he would rather do an apprenticeship than go to uni and in many ways that would suit him better but we encouraged him to apply for uni as a back up plan. He likes physics so engineering always came up as a good fit but as there were no open days we had to rely on online open days and visiting uni towns etc . He has now woken up to the fact that it maybe much harder to get an apprenticeship his year and my be better to go to uni. My question is this he has struggled with maths and ended up hating it - partly because he didn’t work hard enough from the start howeve he says he is fine with the maths he needs for physics . Will he struggle with the maths in an engineering degree- he does like physics but I think from what I have read it is likely to be more maths than engineering- my husband and I are not science/maths people so can’t really advise . If not engineering any other suggestions ? Sorry for the long ramble thank you if you managed to get to the end !!

It’ll depend on the course and how it’s structured but as a general rule I would say someone achieving a D in Maths would struggle with an engineering degree.

What are his offers? Would a C/D get him in?

It really depends on the university. I did engineering at a Russell group and the presumption was that everyone had done further maths. However, it's likely that the expectation would be much lower for a course that would take your son with C/D at a-level. He may struggle, depending on the course. But an engineering degree is certainly worthwhile and has some of the best job prospects out of any subject. Apprenticeships can also be excellent - especially for those who struggle more academically.

Where are you based?

There are tons of engineering apprenticeships out there. We live near to Hinkley Point & they are crying out for young engineers.

Economics would be possible - this can be a BA or Bsc, as BA he would be able to cope with the maths content.

Thanks everyone his offers are BBB I think he is capable of AA in economics and physics but a C/D in maths which is the bit that worries me - but he is lazy because maths A level is the first time he has ever struggled with something which was a bad combination mixed with poor schooling over lockdown - he will probably accept offers at Coventry and Leicester so they are not Russell group. I was thinking he could always go for the Beng course and if going well see if they will accept him on the Meng or stick with Beng as at least he would come out with degree whilst things are so uncertain. He would still prefer apprenticeship but he says he has missed deadlines for now and the next round open up in September. We are based near Southampton
All and any advice very much appreciated thank you

I'd tell him to pull his finger out and make sure he gets the B needed to get to university if that's what he wants. If he doesn't get the grade then the choice is taken away from him. University is all about self study - if he can't do it now when he's looked after and encouraged at home then he will struggle. He can always start and then change his mind - he can switch courses or apply for an apprenticeship from uni if he thinks it's not working out.