Maths, Physics and Biology combination?

[DataColour]

Does this limit DS's Uni options? He can't do Chemistry as his 6th form is oversubscribed and he has no place. He chose Geography and Biology but has since decided on Physics rather than Geography, and wanted to change to Chemistry from bio but he can't (unless someone drops out).
He did get a higher GCSE grade in Biology however.

He doesn't know what he wants to do after his A/Ls - probably Maths degree, maybe architecture, but he really has no idea or passion for anything really. So it's difficult to advice him and we though that doing Chemistry alongside Maths and Physics would have given him the most options as he's not really into the arts and humanities. But he did like Geography, but he can't do it alongside Physics in his 6th form.
Thanks in advance.

What does he want to do at university?

Probably maths, but like I edited to add, no firm plans.

If he's interested in maths, presumably he likes very quantative subjects, so engineering, physics, statistics none of which need chemistry. Lack of chemistry only obviously rules out chemistry, materials, pharmacy and biochemistry. Only you can say if that's a problem. If he doesn't have any other options, there's not a lot you can do about it anyway

With that combination he could also do psychology

As for options, he could also do A/L economics, business studies, psychology, FM, sociology, art and computer. Of these only FM would be worth doing imo for his profile but he failed his FM GCSE so although good at maths, not THAT good presumably.

DS did this combination of A levels. Three sciences will get you on to a maths degree. You haven't mentioned further maths? Another option with good grades would be natural sciences. DS considered that but the Cambridge open Zoom (covid times) kept repeating 'and maths' and his view was it sounded too much like a maths first year by another name.

DS has just completed a biological sciences degree and is going on to a grad scheme in the food sector which, as he told them at interview!, would not have been on his radar even two years ago. He kept his options open doing a variety of modules including plants, climate change, human ageing (Parkinsons), animals (predators) and crop development. The point being there doesn't have to be a fixed path to find your interest.

DS extremely unlikely to want to do anything biology related for Uni, unless he has a complete change of view.
My 6th form teacher DH keeps saying that the 3rd subject doesn't matter. Although he himself is an A level chemistry teacher and was wanting DS to do chemistry to keep his options open.

A level FM will probably be too hard for him as he struggled with it in GCSE and failed it. Will this be a hindrance for him if he wants to do a maths degree?

Maths physics and biology is fine cos most maths / physics / engineering type options only care about maths and physics, plus another. My son has history as the third. Though he’s also doing further maths.

Def worth looking at possible uni options and what sort of maths / physics grades he might have. A level maths is tough and it’s maybe a bit worrying that he failed fm gcse, though it does v much depend how it was taught.

I think you've got to look hard at what grade he got in maths, the failure at GCSE further maths and get a sense from school what grade maths A level he can reasonably aspire to and whether a maths degree is a good idea. This thread has useful information https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/5343664-correlation-between-gcse-grade-and-subsequent-a-level-grade

He got a 8 in maths GCSE.

He had undiagnosed ADHD ( finally officially diagnosed after his GCSEs) and found it hard to focus on most subjects. He had very high CAT scores and was top 20 in his 11plus score at school, so difficult to engage whether his performance in the future will be better, he's hoping to get ADHD meds soon.
I mean he very likely underperformed in his GCSEs.

Makes sense. Maths and physics pairing leaves loads of options open. Computer may be something that pairs particularly well, or economics - but unless he has a particular interest in any of them, going with a third in which he’s likely to get a good grade and which he likes is a good bet.

He needs to do FM. It’s bizarre you think FM would be too hard but that degree level would be achievable.

If your school is anything like ours places will likely come up in chemistry within a couple of weeks. It's quite hard and several students always drop it within a few weeks where we are. So he may get a place.

@DataColour I think a decent combination is maths and physics because this would feed into surveying, engineering, architecture, and most building type degrees. The next best subject is geography. This could lead to environmental science, environmental engineering, architecture, town planning or landscape architecture. Maybe have a look at these degrees? What about a technology A level?

Id swerve the idea of a maths Degree: sounds a step too far. Maybe a practical subject would be better at university? Decent enough job prospects.

Psychology is taken by loads and isn’t really career specific nor helpful for the careers I suggested.

If FM is too hard then he shouldn’t be considering a maths degree, which will be much harder.

Yes fair point about the FM and possible maths degree.
He's also got the option of DT, which might be a better option for him than biology. I feel like he's got the skills set for a architecture related career. He did a week's work experience in an architectural firm and seemed to like it.

It only limits his options in the way that any combo will (and less so than some!). Yes with that combo he can't do a degree in French or English lit. Well, obvs. But in fact it leaves more options open than (for example) politics, sociology and psychology (fine A level choices tho those are) as it includes subjects that are required for some degrees.

So with those choices he could do a degree in bio, physics, engineering, medicine or even maths. Ideally for a maths degree he would also take FM tho. But certainly maths degrees in some unis are accessible without.

Yes without chemistry he cannot do chemistry or related degrees. And medicine would be limited but there are a number of unis that accept bio without chem.

<reads thread> I see he failed his GCSE FM. I'm no expect on that, but does that mean a maths degree is maybe not a good idea? Actually there is no GCSE in FM so I guess he scored too low in the L2 certificate to get a 4. An 8 in GSCE maths is a good predictor for A level but I agree with those who say failing the L2 FM suggests a maths degree is not the right way. Would he look at engineering? Physics and maths support that.

@clarythere is a GCSE in further maths - mine took it year before last, and another is taking it this year. But it’s often done in extra time at the end of the school day etc.

@DataColourDT would be an excellent combination, from a uni course perspective especially architecture. It is a course that varies hugely between diff sixth forms / colleges though - some are quite engineering / architecture ish, and others are much more art and sculpture. Usually lots of coursework too.

It’s not actually a GCSE - it’s a Level 2 certificate. As such the lowest possible mark is a 4 which would explain how the OP's DS actually failed it. If it was a GCSE you could get a grade 1-2-3.

Scroll down to the bottom of the 21 August list https://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/results-days/grade-boundaries

Ha, fair enough! Though it’s referred to everywhere as gcse further maths. Possibly unless you’re a maths teacher!

@Talipesmum agreed, and ofc it's the same level as a GCSE at grade 4 or above, ie L2. I referenced it bc as it's L2 you can't get a grade below a 4 (GCSE grades 1-2-3 are L1). So OP's ds didn't get a U in GCSE but (predumably) a U in a L2, so not quite as bad. In a way. If that makes sense.

(MFL not maths here btw, tho i did get a request today for my fees for maths tuition haha nope you don't want me)

Yeah unfortunately he was 1 mark off a 4 in FM.
He got a 5 in both mocks so didn't expect it to be lower than that so it was a surprise.

If he doesn't want to do Biology, then could he switch to Economics or Business? They'd be new subjects, but if he finds them interesting could spark some different ideas for University including joint honours while not ruling out Maths, Physics, Engineering degree?

If he enjoyed architecture work experience then DT sounds good suggestion.