A level choices dilema

[newtothis15]

My DS likes Maths
Physics

He is not sure if to do FM and what 4th subject A level

Further maths is hard unless you're really keen. What other subjects does he like?

Is he intending to take 4 A levels or drop one after the first year?

Most commonly people take computer science, chemistry or economics as part of a 4Maths choice. Depends what he's interested in. There are hundreds of posts about choosing further maths (or not). Worth a search.

What’s his GCSE PG for maths? FM probably not ideal with less than an 8. Also Yy you need to love maths.

Otherwise any other science is good with maths and physics, or CS, economics, PE, psychology, or just anything he enjoys.

Four A levels are not needed tho it’s common if one is FM.

What does he want to do afterwards? If he wants to go to uni then he needs to do some research about entry requirements for courses he likes the look of.

If he likes maths and physics and is looking for a similar subject then I would lNOT recommend chemistry.

I’ve taught chemistry at A level to many students who thought it would go well with maths and physics and found it ‘easy’ at GCSE and they hated it at A level.

I would only recommend A level chemistry to students who either really have a passion for the subject or for those who need it for further study (eg medicine). Don’t take it just because it ‘fits’ with ‘numbersy’ subjects. It doesn’t at A level.

Thank you for this advice
Economy i heared that if they go to study economy later then uni again covers what they did in A level

I don't think that's the case about Economics. It's a well-regarded A-level for an Economics degree? If he is interested in Economics at degree level then look at degree courses and see what they ask for.

Any ideas about what he wants to do at Uni? If not, and he is good at essay writing subjects, maybe do one of those. So Maths Physics, Further Maths and History/ English Lit. Keeps open a few more doors.

He should have a think about Uni choices / careers. My son went down a maths route and further maths was required for a lot of his choices.

FM is definitely good for maths courses at the best universities but is not required for some degrees like economics and engineering at some very good universities. Having FM gives more choice of courses though and is a good one to have if you are mathsy. For engineering you might not need a 4th subject either. Or maths degrees. So it’s worth thinking about what degree and where.

An essay subject is never wasted and economics degrees stretch way above A level economics.

I think if he likes maths and physics then I would encourage doing FM too. Statistically you're more likely to get higher grades in the other subjects if you take FM (check gov.uk for the stats) and I also think it is advantageous to get more offers on competitive courses at competitive unis if you take FM. As for a 4th A level, I think he should pursue whatever he really enjoys - computer science, economics, chemistry, these are all natural fits but also I don't see why any 4th subject really matters. I have two YP studying competitive STEM courses, both took FM and both are saying it is a huge advantage, especially in your first year as those that didn't take FM are finding it much harder.

I agree with the advice above. Furthermore, you elect the Mechanics modules in FM, Maths-FM-Physics integrate beautifully. Although not the easiest trio of A levels, for a talented mathematician this combination is less effort than the sum of its parts because of the mutual reinforcement.

However this only applies if @clary ’s criterion of Grade 8 at GCSE Maths was obtained.

I also agree the fourth subject should be whatever DC likes and will be motivated to study. An essay subject will impress STEM tutors and likely be a necessity for other subjects

Thank you so much for this insightful information. Please can I ask you from economics A-level is a sort of essay essay subject?
My ds is good at English but he does not want to take it

DC would need to check individual Entry Requirements of degree programmes that interest them. From a STEM admissions tutor’s perspective, the A level contains enough writing to be helpful.

I just checked briefly and one exam board, EdExcel, gives their Economics exam format as

Part A : Multiple Choice and Short Answers

Part B: Data Response

Part C: An Essay

If he plans on studying maths or physics at university then further maths is useful, it give a bit of a head start - although not as much as people will have you believe, I studied physics and we covered the whole of the FM curriculum in the first term. Chemistry is also very useful. Avoid economics at all costs unless he’s the kind of weirdo who actually enjoys writing essays.

You have to love Maths and Physics to do Further Maths.

I didn't, still did Further Maths and it was 2 years of agony.

DH loved both and so loved Further Maths and found it easy.

It really depends what he thinks he'd like to do at university and what his gcse predictions look like.

If he thinks he'd want to do maths he definitely should do FM. If he's more likely to go for physics/engineering or that sort of thing then FM is useful but not essential.

For both these options as a 3rd/4th A level another science would be a good idea, chemistry being the obvious choice or geography/biology/computer science

If he thinks he would enjoy economics/PPE type degree then he should do a more essay based A level like economics/philosophy/politics

Just to add my brother is an engineer and did maths, physics and chemistry for A level, no FM, then mechanical engineering degree.

Economics is quite essay-based at A-level, I think because the maths involved at undergraduate level and beyond is quite hard and beyond the scope of the course. Certainly when I did it many years ago the class was full of people who wanted to do maths and business type things but the students who got the best grades were those few of us who were good at essays.

I did A-level economics and it was handy for year one of my degree but we quickly moved onto more advanced stuff. I took history, economics, maths and further maths.

Most people with your son’s combination will pick chemistry, computer science or economics as the 4th subject.

@Mielikki It’s about time scientists could write essays and express themselves in accurate English. DH employed so many engineers who struggled to write reports or explain what they were doing to clients. It’s not wierd. It’s vital.

Economics is both essay and stats based. Many degrees have an element of revision in first year,

Yes, @LIZS

Some very good Economics programmes don’t even require Economics A level, preferring FM.

Ah, the old Mumsnet “my DH says…”

LSE does not require Economics for their Econimics degree. They don’t require FM either but say it’s desirable. They are happy with M, FM and an essay subject and they list suitable options: English, History, Economics and Government and Politics.