A-level subjects - Maths and what? Advice needed...

[sixthformsubjects]

Maths is a definite subject my DS is going to do for A-levels, but not sure what to do for the other two.

Going through a list of A-level subjects, he has shown interest in Music, Biology, Computing, Psychology, PE and Physics but he's not doing PE/Physics for GCSEs so he may not be allowed to pick Psychology, PE and Physics... I like to avoid saying the reason why he didn't do Physics and PE for GCSEs but it's not because of his academic performance. He is very academic - mostly 8/9 expected for GCSEs.

He doesn't know what he likes to study for a degree yet so it's so hard to narrow down his choices... Could I borrow your knowledgable brains here...? Is there any good combination that would keep his choice of a degree more open and wide...?? I didn't get educated in this country so no clue.... Any advice would be very much appreciated.

If he hasn't done any physics at GCSE definitely steer him away from the idea of doing that for A level! In fact, his sixth form/college shouldn't even consider him for that course.
What's he excelling at? His predicted grades?

He isn't interested in History and English so they are definitely out. He is very good at languages - fluent in two languages and grade 8/9 for the third one and can speak OK for the fourth one. But so far he has no interest in doing them for A-levels...

Maths biology psychology looks like a good combination. Maths keeps computing degree open, and others keep science and sports degrees open.

If he's undecided about favourite subjects or a career then I would definitely rule out Physics. I think any other combination would work well together although a second STEM subject egotistical probably be required for STEM courses. I.e. Biology or Computing from his list. Which is he likely to do best at for GCSE?

heavyistheheed, yes we are aware of it so probably no Physic. But just mentioned it as at least he showed interest in the subject. PE would probably be out too as he is not doing PE for GCSEs. Psychology would also be difficult as it says it needs double science and although he is getting two grades from science, it's just chemistry and biology so the contents are different from double science... His expected grades are 8/9 across the subjects he's doing - he has already done two and probably gets 9 for both subjects.

I'm not sure how my keyboard corrected 'would' to 'egotistical' there, sorry 🤔

When you say he's not doing physics at gcse, do you mean he's doing combined science rather than separate sciences? If combined science, single or double award? Or is he really not doing any physics at all?

Cross post, sorry!

What about further maths and computer science. Has your son done double science - if so that should be enough for physics A level - that is what my dd might be doing (depending on what school she goes to). PE it might not matter if he hasn't done the GCSE, if he already does lots of sports and has good marks in biology.
He could study languages as a hobby, and maybe take the DELF type qualifications to keep some more options open.
Maths, further maths, computer science
Maths, further maths, physics
Biology, psychology, maths
Biology, PE, maths

Spindelina, sadly no Physics at all. It's a long story and I would rather not talk about the details... The fact is that he is very academic yet he does only two separate sciences - biology and chemistry...

Spindelina, cross post also, sorry!

I can't for the life of me see why physics would be needed for psychology. If he has biology and chemistry that would be sufficient. It just won't be specified as these days dropping a whole science subject is pretty unusual

He wouldn't need physics to do A level psychology. Bio and chemistry at GCSE should be fine.

Hi OP don't rule out music. It's an excellent and very rigorous A level. My DS2 is doing Maths, Biology, music and chemistry. But leaving chemistry out of the list would keep a lot of degrees open to him incl psychology (no A level in psychology needed) and sports science. A fair few biology type degrees need chemistry but not all. Maths degrees would be open but the best unis often ask for further maths has he considered that if he loves maths? Often it is done as a 4th A level if his schools offers that.
Chemistry would be a great fit tho why has he ruled that out?

The school he is considering applying for the sixth form says double science is required to study Phycology hence we thought it might be out... Though we can possibly explain why he didn't Physic and that he is academic enough to do the subject..

When we did the college rounds, we were told by the Heads of Science depts that Chemistry on its own, is no use to anyone. You either have to do a second science or abandon it.

Maths and Computer Science go very well together.

So....
Maths, further maths, computer science
Biology, psychology, maths
Biology, PE, maths
Maths biology psychology
Maths biology computing
Maths, biology, music
They all sound great as I can see he would enjoy any of those combinations. I just want to make sure the doors are wide open when it comes to applying for uni...

Chemistry used to be his favourite subject but his passion is a bit cooled down recently....

Contact the school and ask re psychology. If he had dropped a different science I could see it could be an issue, but I struggle to see how the content of physics would be particularly relevant. Worth asking surely.

DD chose computing, maths and English, her plan was to do computing at uni but after a year she changed her mind and wanted to do English (she’s starting uni in September). I guess it depends what route he wants to go down at uni, computing could be good as could physics, biology or chemistry.

Some thoughts.....
Maths, FM, computer science.....very narrow....
Others all seem good...if he is v bright I would ask the college if he can do FM as a 4th A level if he fancies it. It would seriously help if he wants to do a maths degree.

I do think he will enjoy Maths and Computer Science. But I heard doing Computer Science (as well as Phycology) for A-levels would be kind of waste as they won't be required for uni entry and that you can study them at uni if you want. Not sure where I heard it from and how true it is though...

Maybe times have changed then as I did maths, FM, geography and chemistry.... and did a chemistry degree!!!!!

Def do not need psychology A level for a psychology degree

Yes if he does FM, I guess it would be the 4th A-level.