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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

A levels choices...Maths, Physics and Film Studies. What might they lead to??

31 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 30/06/2023 10:05

DS2 is doing an induction week at his chosen 6th form.
He was until very recently wanting to study Maths, Physics and Chemistry but has decided Chem is not for him (too hard).
Obviously, he gets to choose what he wants to study but Film Studies was a bit of a curveball!

What sort of degree might these choices lead to??
He isn’t sure what kind of degree (if any!) he wants to do.
He’s a bright boy, at a grammar, but following GCSEs I feel like he’s had enough of school!

OP posts:
ReleasetheCrackHen · 30/06/2023 10:08

Perhaps special effects? Stunt planning?

GlacindaTheTroll · 30/06/2023 10:13

Most forms of engineering

Computer Science, especially on a course that has good options for game design

XiCi · 30/06/2023 10:15

Unless he has a vocation in mind where he will definitely need a certain subject in order to further his study it doesn't really matter what A Levels he does. Better that he choose subjects he is interested in and good at. A Level choices often dont have a great bearing on your future career

Needmorelego · 30/06/2023 10:36

They feel a bit like “filler” choices rather than leading to a specific goal. Does he have a big interest in films?

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 30/06/2023 11:00

XiCi · 30/06/2023 10:15

Unless he has a vocation in mind where he will definitely need a certain subject in order to further his study it doesn't really matter what A Levels he does. Better that he choose subjects he is interested in and good at. A Level choices often dont have a great bearing on your future career

Thanks XiCi for your positive response.
It’s right and exactly what I needed to hear.
💐💐

OP posts:
parietal · 30/06/2023 11:26

He can look on
https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/

which shows what degree you can do for each combination of A levels

Informed Choices | Informed Choices

https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk

clary · 30/06/2023 15:42

Agree, he should choose what he will enjoy. Maths and physics could lead to engineering, or physics, or other science-based choices; film could spark an interest in that area (technical aspects maybe? Can study that at specific unis).

Or all the many subjects that need no specific subjects - psychology, criminology, philosophy, accountancy.

PerpetualOptimist · 30/06/2023 18:27

As mentioned above, the Informed Choices website can give a bit of a steer on what degree choices are ruled in and ruled out with the change of heart (plug in the old choice and then the new and compare).

Perhaps now is a good time for your DS to check what Film Studies A level specifically covers and how it is assessed (check syllabus online for relevant exam board), just to make sure he is picking it for what it actually is and not what he imagines it might be. Film Studies' close cousin is probably Eng Lit; did he enjoy the latter at GCSE?

Selecting Film Studies gives an opportunity for contrast and breadth in his subject selection but, as with any A level, he will need to enjoy it and work hard at it to do well. I am not sure how time intensive it is as an A level and I mention that as Maths and Physics often need the practice/study time to thoroughly embed learning. Two of mine chose Geog to complement Maths and a physical science so as to give variety and time balance.

PerpetualOptimist · 30/06/2023 18:27

As mentioned above, the Informed Choices website can give a bit of a steer on what degree choices are ruled in and ruled out with the change of heart (plug in the old choice and then the new and compare).

Perhaps now is a good time for your DS to check what Film Studies A level specifically covers and how it is assessed (check syllabus online for relevant exam board), just to make sure he is picking it for what it actually is and not what he imagines it might be. Film Studies' close cousin is probably Eng Lit; did he enjoy the latter at GCSE?

Selecting Film Studies gives an opportunity for contrast and breadth in his subject selection but, as with any A level, he will need to enjoy it and work hard at it to do well. I am not sure how time intensive it is as an A level and I mention that as Maths and Physics often need the practice/study time to thoroughly embed learning. Two of mine chose Geog to complement Maths and a physical science so as to give variety and time balance.

Piggywaspushed · 30/06/2023 21:07

The informed choices has built in bias ... pretty sure it doesn't have film studies.

Piggywaspushed · 30/06/2023 21:08

Oh, I stand corrected. They've added it!

Tyrionapproach · 30/06/2023 21:13

E-learning developer with a scientific aspect?

I did a first degree in French and German as the penny hadn't dropped at 18 how much we hate other countries and their languages. My first degree and A levels bore very little relation to what I ended up doing, it was my postgraduate qualifications and work experience that made the difference. I might as well have studied a subject I really liked.

Besides, by the time he graduates the world is probably going to look very different.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 30/06/2023 21:17

parietal · 30/06/2023 11:26

He can look on
https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/

which shows what degree you can do for each combination of A levels

Thanks parietal I didn’t realise such a website existed!

He’s already got an entrepreneurial spirit and makes quite a bit buying and selling trainers. So, I’m that sense, not sure if Uni is for him. We shall see.

OP posts:
MarchingFrogs · 02/07/2023 16:03

Piggywaspushed · 30/06/2023 21:08

Oh, I stand corrected. They've added it!

Yes, I must admit that I sort of assumed it wouldn't be on there and was already muttering, Come on, it's an A level, fgs when I found it.

I'm going to hazard a guess that Accountancy comes up for almost any combination? I tried my Biology / German / Economics and it was the first thing that popped up, as well as in the second collection for DD's Eng Lit. / French/ Politics. I can safely say that she would run a mile, as would I, probably, although 'Forensic Accountancy' almost sounds worth a look.

Terryer · 02/07/2023 16:04

Just be careful- dds teacher told her it's actually really hard to get an A in film.studies. don't know how true that is.

Terryer · 02/07/2023 16:05

Business rather than Film

Piggywaspushed · 02/07/2023 16:12

Terryer · 02/07/2023 16:04

Just be careful- dds teacher told her it's actually really hard to get an A in film.studies. don't know how true that is.

A* , yes. A no.

Terryer · 02/07/2023 16:14

Piggywaspushed · 02/07/2023 16:12

A* , yes. A no.

Show quote history

Ah sorry maybe that's what she meant

Piggywaspushed · 02/07/2023 16:15

MarchingFrogs · 02/07/2023 16:03

Yes, I must admit that I sort of assumed it wouldn't be on there and was already muttering, Come on, it's an A level, fgs when I found it.

I'm going to hazard a guess that Accountancy comes up for almost any combination? I tried my Biology / German / Economics and it was the first thing that popped up, as well as in the second collection for DD's Eng Lit. / French/ Politics. I can safely say that she would run a mile, as would I, probably, although 'Forensic Accountancy' almost sounds worth a look.

Show quote history

Yes, it does seem rather invested in providing a nation of accountants!

Tenpintonpin · 02/07/2023 16:24

Piggywaspushed · 30/06/2023 18:05

Acoustic engineering. Film sound design.

This course at Surrey is super cool.

My son has his sights set on this course (although he's only 13). Do you know anyone who' has done / is currently doing it @Piggywaspushed?

Piggywaspushed · 02/07/2023 16:28

Sadly not, because maths A level with an interest in film/ film or media A Level is a rare thing. But Surrey really has a super reputation for acoustic design and film production.

illiterato · 02/07/2023 16:59

Accountancy doesn’t require any specific a-levels which is probably why it comes up.

Piggywaspushed · 02/07/2023 17:02

True but that's true of a huge number of degrees! It's pretty unlikely someone studying English, French and music wants to be an accountant...

PerpetualOptimist · 02/07/2023 17:51

To be fair to the Informed Choices website, Piggy and Marching, Accountancy tends to head up the various list blocks because it starts with A....and the subject lists are alphabetical...wasn't sure if you were being tongue in cheek in your observations!

I think that website does a reasonable job for what it is trying to do. For example, it does put people on notice that absence of Maths A level may close off Econ or CompSci degrees at Russell Group unis. Obviously there are options open to DC who don't have Maths but at least it is a flag...and the website is more nuanced than the facilitating subjects idea which it supercedes.