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.

Lottsbiffandsmudge, oh so that's true... If he really really wants to do it then I won't stop him, but I would rather like him to pick a subject that would keep his choices more open so maybe better;

Biology, PE, maths,
Maths biology computing
Maths, biology, music

???

Maths biology computing : is a mega growth area, rare combo. Highly in demand.

Linguistics can have a lot of math in it, I wouldn't rule out 2 languages + math.

Best combo is one that he'll enjoy most.

All 3 of those look good to me. Agree with PP go with the combination that gets him most excited. Can he have 'taster'lessons?

For ref, most computer science degrees don’t ask for comp sci a level as few places do it - maths & further maths for that super top tier) are more important. My Ds did comp sci as he loves it and is doing it at uni but I do t think the a level made a big difference. He did psychology too abs loved it. As others say, the best choice is the options your son wants to do…!

for someone with wide interests and undecided in topic, it is a good idea to have one numbers subject (here - maths) and one writing subject and one other that he enjoys.

So psychology would be a good option as a writing subject. other options might include Politics or Economics? But doing only Maths / FM / computing would be very narrow.

Does he read 'popular science' books? Lots of those can give good inspiration for A-level / university choices. Here are a few examples but I'm sure there would be a section in your bookshop with lots of choices

www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Changing-Magic-Numbers-Bobby-Seagull
www.amazon.co.uk/Hello-World-Being-Human-Algorithms
www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman

PublicServicesNotTaxCuts, oh wow. That's so encouraging. Because I know he will enjoy Maths biology computing. He's brilliant in languages yet has no interest in doing them academically. Music is the same. He's great - he's got a full mark for GCSE composition, deeply understands the theory, harmony etc yet has no interest in doing it for A-level...

I started my A Levels with French, Maths/Stats and Computer Science. Hated the latter after 1 lesson, so dropped it and asked for Business Studies instead. Was put into Economics which I also hated!

So basically, I just came on to say how about Business Studies or even Economics, as that goes very well with Maths?

Thank you so much for all the incredible advice. I thought he would stay at the current school until 18 but he just dropped the news that he would like to change school after GCSEs and then went to an early bed leaving me panicking about the thoughts of being thrown into the unknown admission process... All your inputs are so encouraging and now I start to feel we can handle it!!

Meredusoleil, DS is actually interested in Economics. But then similar to physiology/Computing, it's not required to apply for uni..? You can study Economics after that.

I posted halfway through, sorry... So... I would rather like him to choose a subject that's more needed to do for A-levels, just so that he has more choices when it comes to thinking of uni.

But I don't know what I am talking about. I'm just saying what I heard or read somewhere in the past. Not sure what is the best...

If he has no interest in music A level he shouldn't take it! It's incredibly hard and he needs to 89want to do it!

You are right.

To give him more choices at uni, he needs to do a broader range of subjects at A Level so that they are not too similar and narrow his options down afterwards. Business Studies/Economics are both quite general subjects and perfect for someone like me (and perhaps your ds), who didn't know what she wanted to do. Great combo for a Maths fan too 😉

Biology, PE, maths,
Maths biology computing
Maths, biology, music

+FM to any of the combinations sounds like great choices for DS. Though they all lead to different degrees/careers I guess. Where will that combination usually take people to...? Just generally...?

I was going to suggest looking at Economics.

Maths, Computing, Economics work well together. Or Maths, Computing, Business.

RomainingCalm, Meredusoleil, I do see DS enjoys Economics. He's obsessed with numbers, and statistics and an occasional reader of The Economist, though not sure if that can be any relevant/helpful to study the subject...

However, don't you think Economics/Business are not necessary to study at A-levels...? You can study at a uni or even after uni...?

There are limitless options!
Seriously the only careers he is ruling out are medicine/vet .... many 'careers' are not v subject specific....banking, accountancy, poss law. He could go into maths based degree (esp if he added FM to any of those combos), Biology based psychology, computer science, economics, sport science, etc etc.
Then other things like forensic science (with a chemistry add on course).

But again don't let him do music if he isn't interested

I would be tempted to advise him to stick to core subjects; maths, sciences, languages, music (if he enjoys it) rather than Comp Sci. If he wanted to go that at degree level then a really strong Maths A level will be important. The CS A level isn’t often needed.

Ultimately, he’s got to be super happy with what he chooses as it’s a big step from GCSE.

Looking back to your original list, physics has ruled itself out. The only other one that he'd need at A level in order to study at university is biology. Economics, music, computing, psychology, sports science can all be studied to degree level without having done the subject at A level.

So that's really his next decision - does he want to rule out a biology degree (followed by bioinformatics at postgrad as a pp suggested?) at this point? If not, then biology plus any of the others as a third.

PE is an odd choice given that you keep stressing how academic he is.

if he wants maths, he should probably be doing FM..
so Maths, FM, Biology and something that he'll find easier..psychology?

I've got 2 at uni.
eldest did Maths, Biology and Chemistry and just graduated with a first in Economics

youngest did maths, FM, Physics and History and he's taking maths with physics

So I guess Maths, FM, Biology then something a bit less heavy for the 4th... Is phycology lighter than others...?

EvianBaby, I totally agree with you. So I secretly wish he picks language or music... But I know he has to love to do it... If he wants to do cs, psychology or economics then that'll be it. At least he does maths and biology...

He just quickly looked through the syllabus and said PE sounds interesting. But he isn't doing PE for GCSEs so I guess it's very unlikely he does it for A-level...

www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer

This is a useful website to see what degree subjects might be 'closed' if you don't take certain A-Levels. There are surprisingly few though. Not a surprise that a Biology degree is unlikely without biology A-Level but you could do Finance and Accountancy without maths or a Geography degree without geography.

If he's really uncertain about what he wants to do next he can still do subjects he enjoys and should do well in without closing too many doors.

My sons both studied A level maths

son 1: A levels - Maths, Advanced Maths, German, Chemistry, Physics - Degree - Maths - Masters - AstroPhysics - career - Actuary
He didn’t need the Physics for his Maths degree and he chose AstroPhysics because he wanted a change.

son 2 - A Levels - Maths, Chemistry, Law, History - Degree - Business and Accounting - career - Finance

I Have an A’level in Psychology, it’s not a rigorous subject at A’level. I don’t think my sons would have had the life experience at that age to really understand some of the perspectives.