Is this A level combo too random?

[WhatAlevel]

DS is Y11 and thinking about A levels - he has no idea what he wants to do for A levels or after. He is a G5 - G8 type student - he has done no revision so far, if he pulls his finger out hopefully towards the higher end.

His strongest subject is Maths and his weakest English Lit. Does well at German, Geography and DT.

He really wants my advice on what to do for A levels. I have said whatever you think will sustain your interest for two years.. and keep your options open. He is adamant he isn't doing double maths.

So he could go fully STEM - Maths, Physics, Chemistry probably 'easiest' for him.

He could take one essay based subject - he is interested in doing economics or politics.

I have a slightly random suggestion that he does Maths, Economics and Graphic Design. Is it too random? it would probably support most humanity type degrees but might make it hard to get on a physics course.

I work in public sector policy and I am surrounded by service designers and data visualisers which seems the direction everything is going as life becomes ever more digital and integrates AI. Also I just think he'd find it interesting. But should I just encourage an easier, more integrated set of A levels)?

What doors would math + physics + econ/politics open up the math + physics + GD wouldn't? I don't know of any degrees which would only be open to a student with the former set but not the latter set of subjects

Anything that requires an essay subject.

But this should really be up to the DS. there is no rush, the decision is 10 months away. That is a long time in the life of a teenager.

But tbh, while I agree it might help the student somewhat (as in, practising essay skills and showing if they enjoy politics or econ, as I suggested) neither subject is required for any degree. Degree subjects like sociology and criminology do not specify any subjects at A level. And if you want geography, or English, or history in a lot of unis, you need that specific A level.

@WhatAlevel I do think you need more input from your son. Some good ideas here of looking at A level papers and seeing if he can see himself being interested in answering that question in a couple of years' time; or looking at degree options and seeing how interested he is.

Small anecdote: DS2 (then aged 16) went with DD to a uni open day one time and was obsessed with a textbook on bones he found in the library. DD – Eng lit – not so interested! but DS has gone on to study biology (tho at the time he was leaning more towards maths).

I would encourage him to read the course contents to help him decide. Maths if that's his strongest subject makes sense and it is required for some degrees including some economics degrees. Economics and politics A levels are very useful for an Economics or PPE or similar degree, some of the more competitive BA courses will list an essay subject as required and some will give preference to candidates with an essay subject and these courses can attract very high numbers of applicants. Here is Manchester's (given preference) and Bristol's (required) https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2026/05134/baecon-economics/
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/economics/bsc-economics-and-politics/

Politics is very essay based and Economics also has a fair amount writing in though less than politics and more technical. Worth checking entry requirements, our school required a 6 in English for both but varies by school. Maths and science A levels have a lower standard of English required at our school for entry.

Courses don't list Economics or Politics as required as not all schools offer those subjects but on more competitive Economics courses majority will have Economics, think it's 93% at Cambridge. It also makes sense to check you like it.

That is my thought. Not that Humanities need an essay based A level but that it will scaffold him to taking one. I think going from STEM to humanities might be a big jump.

On timing - application deadline is Nov 28th. Though it's not irrevocable there will be a chance to change though they don't advertise it.

@SilkiePenguin thanks for that, that's interesting about Bristol and others – tho tbf my point that politics as such is not needed for a politic degree still stands. History or geography or Eng lit would be just as good and would keep other doors open. But yy for some top unis an essay subject is needed for some types of degree.

DD looked at class civ at some unis inc Warwick, where the subject talk lecturer said any combo was acceptable – but agreed they might look twice at someone taking three sciences. I guess if you are interested in an essay-based degree, chances are you will veer towards those A levels as well.

Any of the listed essay subjects will do but when I did my degree having done politics A level and economics A level meant I had covered some things being taught. History if it's modern political is similar for skills. English would not have been as useful. I have no idea why you would not take Economics if considering it as a degree. The choice being given by Muu I was responding to had no essay subject. It's not just getting on the degree, it's hitting the ground running helps the start of university be easier and less risk of dropping out.

For sure i agree with most of that. But tbf, the op I asking about keeping options open a d other subjects will do that better, that's all.

Wrt not taking economics if thinking aboit it as a degree - yes useful I am sure if you are set on it, but if not sure it uses up an A level choice. Also lots of settings don't offer it - my dcs' school doesn't.

They should chose what they are interested in but bear in mind course content and check if subjects are required or preferred. Some economics courses attract 20-25 applications per place so if that's what they decide on its important to try and make their application as competitive as possible. Showing interest in economics and related subjects (plus Maths A level for BA and Maths and sometimes FM for very maths based courses) should help.

My DD having presumably listened to someone with a keep all doors open approach started with a keep all doors open approach and the best A levels for that are Maths, FM and 2 sciences but there's no point doing that if you aren't interested in the doors that opens and not keen on the subjects. She had never shown any interest in science and maths was something she was amazing at but not passionate about whereas you would see her light up talking about humanities subjects. She ended up having to switch subjects at the end of year 1 which is not ideal. All worked out in the end but if she had done what she enjoyed plus Maths it would have been a lot smoother and would have given her more of a head start on her course. They do normally allow changes for a few weeks but after that they are blocked.

Absolutely @SilkiePenguin agree totally with you. No use keeping doors open if they are not doors you are interested in going through! Glad it worked out for your dd.

Thank you @Clary It does depend a bit on how your DC would react if say 70% of their course had studied a relevant subject before and so were ahead especially courses that build on previous knowledge rather than new. If they would study hard, stay confident and try and catch up its less of an issue than someone less confident who might be at risk of giving up or someone who thinks stuff this I'm off down the pub / to the sports club.

I think at this stage it doesn't matter too much as should be able to switch but as the year goes on hopefully will become clearer what his interests are.

If he's interested in human geography, he may also be interested in sociology as an alternative?

Dd1 is also interested in doing architecture but most seem to ask for maths or physics or art/design. She's thinking of Maths, German & Economic/English but may also switch to art/drama depending on the day.

I should know my DS better. Just because he isn't talking about something doesn't mean he is not thinking about it.

So last night he announced he is going for Maths/Physics/Economics combo and he is going to target 9s in his Maths and Physics GCSEs. 7s in other sciences, German and DT. And passes in English, Geography, Media Studies. So he's on it!

I have long standing position if he gets less than a 5 in English mocks. I'm helping him revise. So he might not quite get away with this. But good to know he has goals.

No I think you need two that kind of fit but the third could be anything, shows they’re an all rounder. DC does maths, Econ, Spanish and EPQ

@WhatAlevel He’s not really a humanities person then with targeting 5s in Geography and English. Economics might be a good enough fit but check essay content. His English might be a barrier to good essays. There’s always the standard fall back of Psychology!

Maths and Physics will leave opportunities for plenty of degrees. Then he can do DT and maybe an essay subject or a language if he enjoys those. Should give him a good variety of options for uni and stuff he enjoys.

@WhatAlevel Did he consider DT at A level. Also Maths and Physics are needed for Engineering degrees. DH is a civil engineer and this job isn’t about designing lofts. Actually most of our architect friends get much better work than this. With an Engineering degree you don’t have to stay in Engineering and roles in finance become available. I think it’s got more branches and alternatives available than architecture. There are also degrees allied to Engineering and architecture and a university like Sheffield has many options. I would take a look.

What did he choose op?

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/design-ba-hons-mdes

I know you said not top unis, but this a
is a relatively new course that I find exciting and think it’s worth knowing about. He’d need his maths, but then DT looks useful too.

@Catwalkhorsewalk It’s a slightly random mix of disciplines! Looking at the requirements, they want a portfolio and mention artwork, paintings, sculptures etc. That’s very difficult without art A level. Art is also good for architecture and this course is mostly about the built environment. It also (somewhat bizarrely in my view) mentions structural engineering. Most architects/designers are not structural engineers and they don’t say that this course is an approved engineering course. So not sure how grads become structural engineers.Or architects for that matter. It’s a bit of a sampler course but what profession beckons at the end of it? Probably City finance (as they suggest!)