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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Maths with German - can't decide!

19 replies

hibiscus71 · 16/09/2019 06:44

DS1 intends to do Maths with German, ideally as a Combined Major, so this limits his options to just a few Unis.
He's looked at a few and settled on Exeter or Lancaster - but which one?
He preferred Exeter City Centre but Lancaster Campus.
He preferred the way the course was sold at Lancaster by both Departments; he loved the German Department at Exeter but Maths just came across as not very with it.
His predicted grades are AAA
Any advice very gratefully received! He's always been more into Maths than German if that helps.

OP posts:
MarchingFrogs · 16/09/2019 06:52

Is this trying to decode on a fifth choice for his UCAS application? Surely he hasn't already applied, got offers and is trying to decide which to make his Firm and which his Insurance?

Maggiemoothecoo · 16/09/2019 06:54

I did German with economics. Look at the German subject choices as we did alot of literature which I personally didn't enjoy. We didn't get any business German which would have been more practical. German dept was small and friendly so they knew who you were. When I came back from my year abroad I was obviously a year below those I started with so had to start again in my economics class getting to know people.

At job interviews you stand out as doing a unusual combination of subjects!

Some Scottish unis will offer this subject combination.

Original poster
hibiscus71 · 16/09/2019 06:54

MarchingFrogs no, but there are only a few Unis that offer the Course he wants to do so he hasn't got 5 to put down. Maybe he's jumping the gun a bit. Would Lancaster be a disadvantage for not being Russell Group? That's one of his queries.

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Original poster
hibiscus71 · 16/09/2019 06:57

Maggiemoothecoo thanks, yes we've looked at the Literature, not his favourite either, and they've both said he can drop the Literature in Year 2. We'll look more closely at Year 2 and 4 modules then, that might help him.
I've mentioned St Andrews to him but he doesn't want to commit to the 5 year course Scottish Uni system.

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Anerak · 16/09/2019 07:00

I was accepted to Maths with German at St Andrews so know they offer them together

Piggywaspushed · 16/09/2019 07:07

If he has always been more into maths than German, why is he carrying on with the German into degree level, out of interest?

Original poster
hibiscus71 · 16/09/2019 07:10

Piggywaspushed he's exceptionally good at German. Just totally gets it. It's not his first love but he doesn't want to give it up and it provides him with different stimulation. Plus he's like me, he likes talking to people, and likes being able to do so in more than one language!
If he didn't continue with it, he'd miss it.
No option of him not continuing with Maths though.
I think also he hopes it will make him quite niche and marketable when it comes to job hunting.

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Needmoresleep · 16/09/2019 07:42

No expert, but my first thoughts are:

  1. Well regarded maths courses will cover more ground than lower tariff ones. This can become important if he wants to continue in the field. He probably should be aiming for as good a course as he can.
  1. Some Universities offer the chance to study a language along with non language degrees. UCL and Warwick are ones that spring to mind. Warwick gave course credits and allowed you to sit for recognised European language qualifications. Both allow students in a range of subjects (dont know about maths) to study abroad. Might it be worth checking with Universities whose maths courses have entry requirements around his level to see which offer the chance to also study language, and perhaps the option to take a year out to study abroad. I suspect several do even though uptake may not be high. The advantage then is that the German would be more language than literature.
LaMarschallin · 16/09/2019 07:48

Universities whose maths courses have entry requirements around his level to see which offer the chance to also study language, and perhaps the option to take a year out to study abroad.

My daughter did German and Maths at Birmingham and they offer this a year abroad.
Sorry - perhaps not much use if he's plumped for other universities already, but may be of interest if anyone else is checking out the thread.

noblegiraffe · 16/09/2019 07:51

What about Maths with a year in Europe? I did an MMath/Eur and had language lessons without the bother of studying literature before spending my third year abroad studying maths. Fantastic degree and it would open up his choice of unis.

YobaOljazUwaque · 16/09/2019 07:54

Some universities - including Durham but I am sure there are more - have a completely modular system so you can study any combination. You just have to take 6 modules a year so he can do 3 Maths and 3 German each year. Or he could do 4 of one and 2 of the other if he prefers. He doesn't have to limit himself to just the universities who have specifically thought of this combination

Does he have a specific career plan in mind? I would expect a combined honours in Maths and German to be aimed primarily at those intending to go and do a PhD at a university in Germany, or those intending to become a teacher.

Out of Lancaster or Exeter I believe Exeter is the more prestigious.

LIZS · 16/09/2019 08:01

Lancaster and Exeter are quite different, has he visited? Agree you need to look beyond the advertised joint honours. Scottish unis and Leeds are also among those offering modular options beyond the chosen degree course. Does he enjoy studying literature as many languages at that level focus on that rather than language.

Abetes · 16/09/2019 09:34

Manchester has a fantastic Maths department and they do Maths with German. Four year degree with the third year abroad. Typical offer is A star AA.

summerflower2 · 16/09/2019 12:19

Just my thoughts. AAA is good enough to get him into a good university for Math, it would be a pity that because the combination for German that only leave him with limited options. I think if math is his future career, then it's better to study in a math strong university, then he can find ways to keep his interest in German going.

WheelDecide · 16/09/2019 15:00

I went to the language talk at Warwick and was impressed. It's exceptional for maths too, so he could do a maths degree with German added in as PP said.

What does he want to do eventually and are you sure whatever it is won't require a maths degree as such?

WheelDecide · 16/09/2019 15:02

I agree with @summer that with those grades he could be aiming for a better course. Warwick's requirements seem to be:. A level: AAA + STEP (grade 1) or AAA or AAAA to include A in both Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

WheelDecide · 16/09/2019 15:03

^^ sorry that's wrong as the stars made it bold but I'm sure you'll Google.

whiteroseredrose · 16/09/2019 15:43

Was also going to suggest maths with a year abroad. Imperial in London does Physics with a year in Spain. You learn your language alongside your course. I'm sure that Maths with a year in Germany would be a possibility.

Original poster
hibiscus71 · 16/09/2019 20:31

You guys have genuinely all been really helpful. You're absolutely right, he needs to major in Maths. I can see this clearly now. With a minor and year abroad in Germany so that he focuses on just the language.
I know it's him applying but I can't give him advice if I keep going round in circles lol!!
THANKS GUYS

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