Are these good A-levels to do?

[lovesunshine247]

Can I ask for advice about these A-levels - ICT, Economics and Politics.

What courses and careers can these lead to?

I think ICT is the odd one out. I would be tempted to choose something like Geography, which is also a demi-science but has the human/social sciences aspect and fits with Politics and Economics. Otherwise History or a language would be a good fit, maybe philosophy or similar.

I would be tempted to choose something like Geography, which is also a demi-science but has the human/social sciences aspect and fits with Politics and Economics

My son's just done Politics, Economics and Geography and they were a good fit with some overlap.

Downside is that they're essay heavy and it creates a risk in the exams. If you go slightly off at a tangent, particularly for Politics, which is based around long essays, your grade can dip unexpectedly. My son went from consistently getting A stars to a C in his mocks as one Politics essay went a bit awry. Made for a slightly nervous wait for his A level grade!

It's also a lot of work during the two years in terms of essay writing. Maths and science are different challenges, shorter style questions but more difficult content. Geography also has a coursework element which may suit some kids.

The Subject Matters leaflet Post 16 published by Cambridge University gives the best advice. Obviously, @lovesunshine247 they are looking at subjects from an academic standpoint but it’s still excellent advice.

In a nutshell, some subjects keep options open, others are specific. Some pairs or even triples of subjects work for many degrees. IT is not a great A level. Economics is limiting without Maths. Both Politics and Economics are subjects that are good to have for those courses at university but not always essential without others. Hence Economics and Maths; History and Politics. So I would see if History can be substituted for IT. This keeps a lot more doors open. A 6 at maths gcse is not really good enough for A level.

Read the leaflet about subjects because it does illuminate which are keeping doors open and which cOmplement each other.

There are plenty of economics degrees that do not require maths albeit there are a fair few that absolutely do! From what I’ve seen of computer science degrees, maths is essential.

Two of my daughters achieved an 8 at GCSE maths. One got an A at A level but has a natural affinity for maths AND worked bloody hard for it. The other? no way on this planet would she have coped at A level maths. It’s a huge jump to A level maths from GCSE. It’s a very very different skill set. Despite a grade 6 being admirable ; A level maths is a different ball game.

like others have said, what does it prevent him from taking further? Would Economics, politics and a science (psychology) or social science (sociology, philosophy) or something traditional like history, geography appeal? what are his best GCSEs? There is some truth in getting the best grades you can.

There are virtually no Economics degrees at higher rated universities that don’t want maths A level. Some don’t at lower rates ones but even a 6 at GCSE would be a struggle. It’s sensible to pair subjects that complement each other for the best universities, not just ad hoc pairings.