Rate these A level choices

[Justbecausesomethingexisted]

Dd thinking of choosing Art, Psychology and Mathematics...her 3 favourite subjects at gcse. No idea she wants to do after A levels.

Wierd combination or good combination?!

My niece is at medical school with Biology, Chemistry and Art a levels.
Art is not a problem - anyone who had studied it will know it's a demanding and time-consuming qualification which requires sustained effort over a long period to do well at.

My dd does psychology a level. She hates science but loves that.

It is useful I think in that it cross humanities / science and counts as both.

The Psychology courses at Oxford want sciences and that includes Psychology. No other course mentions it but of course as a third A level, it’s fine. Cambridge make it clear it should be a third subject if studying social science and humanities courses.They prefer two from a list of more traditional subjects they publish. For science courses, they don’t mention it at all. Nor Art for any degree. However other unis won’t worry at all.

You need to look at those in context. Lots of kids will do math even if they aren't amazing at it and it's a difficult subject. Does your school offer functional maths (or whatever the easier math A level is called). Psychology and art can both been seen as easier subjects.

If you can look at trends with the results as a whole in the school it may flag up issues.

@Hahahe They aren’t sen as easier subjects everywhere. It wholly depends on course and uni. Art is clearly useful for architecture and art. Therefore breadth is given by the other subjects. Psychology is also better as a third subject so is in the same boat as Art if looking for an elite university. If not, it won’t matter and maths is a good choice. GCSE results tend to determine A level outcome for maths. So I would guess the 40% getting A-B (no A stars?) are dc getting 8 or 9 at GCSE. If DD isn’t likely to get that, maths A level will be hard.

I didn't mean they are seen by unis etc as easier subjects but by students.

Students who need a science might (might!!) take biology because they see as a softer science than physics or chemistry etc.

@Hahahe Isnt it horses for courses? Biology isn’t much use for engineering and neither is psychology. So people take A levels that fit with possible career ideas. Some dc don’t find some subjects hard if they like them. My DD did two MFL A levels. Lots of DC recoil from them but she did not find them that hard.

I do think it’s harder when DC don’t know what to do. Probably two from the Cambridge list keeps most options open! Then add in the third which can be Art, Psychology or anything else really. However it’s also true that some unis and some courses where they need bums on seats, won’t care a fig.

Enjoy = higher grade potential than subjec t you hate
So she should choose what she enjoys

But you also need to consider if that limits options at university. That could matter if you do not know what you want.

How about swapping Maths for Business Studies? It fits well with Psychology and Art in that it can lead to careers in HR or Marketing.

No!!! Don’t take out the maths. It’s the best one for access to many courses. Including Business or management. Marketing has some maths in it. HR can be done by nearly everyone. Maths is a truly versatile subject. You do not need BS to do management or HR.

I doubt business would be an option for her...she said the gcse sounded boring.

What about biology rather than maths?

Not if she doesn’t enjoy science.

has she looked at university websites and explored courses to see if anything takes her fancy?

She doesn't mind biology...hates chemistry and physics!

She hadn't seen anything that really grabs her......maybe she won't go to uni..thats fine.....its just about keeping doors open

I will be honest and say while she has looked...I think she is overwhelmed at the choice and not knowing where to begin