Y13 - Complete change of degree / career choice?

[bottersnikes]

For the last couple of years, ds1 ( just about to start Y13) has been clear that he wants to study Physics at university, and then go into research. Based on that, he's doing Maths, Physics and Further Maths A levels.

Today, however, he announced that while he likes his subjects and "wouldn't mind" (!) studying Physics at uni, he'd rather be a writer...
He reads and writes all the time, so this is not a complete surprise, but we had always thought that it was more of a hobby than a potential career path.

I'm really pleased that he's confident enough to tell us this, and so far we've simply said to continue with his chosen A levels, do as well as he can, and any major degree decisions can be made later, but in the meantime we will help him look at alternative degree options / taking a year out / doing an extra A level at some point / creative writing courses etc.

Do any Mumsnetters out there have any advice to offer? Anyone been in a similar situation?

Could he perhaps do an EPQ alongside his A levels that covers his interest in creative writing?

He's already doing an EPQ on a physics-related topic, and it's got to be submitted by the end of September, so there's very little time to change his mind now!
It does at least show his ability to write an essay, though.

Los of unis have opportunities, whether via societies, student newspapers, or other groups, for creative writing extra-curricular- regardless of degree choice.

But if he is keen to do a CW degree, some unis do not specify which A levels (only UCAS points) but might look for a portfoilo or other evidence of commitment to the subject. He could email admissions tutors for a chat? Most will be happy to talk to him!

That's encouraging, tryingmybest
He's got a portfolio of his recent writing, so we'll suggest that he builds it up and keeps an open mind about writing opportunities if he does do a physics-based degree.

He might like to consider a course like this
www.ucl.ac.uk/basc/
where he could do at least part of his degree on modules like creative writing and allied subjects despite his present A level subjects.

Or pick a Scottish university which will allow greater flexibility. Even Imperial has a choice of Horizons courses in addition to the main degree.

Would he consider science communication as a future? So many people want to write full time but don't make it, at least with a science degree and reasonable written skills he can earn some money while he writes.

www.chstm.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/

Sorry, trying to read phone screen in the wide blue sky excess illumination of my allotment, but I think this says something like can be combined with most major subjects...

Those modular courses look like they might be just what he's after! I'll take a look and see what he thinks.
Thank you!

Isn't he missing an ALevel? In previous threads posts seem to suggest that Further Maths is the additional fourth as an extension to Maths, not part of the core three? Does that limit him in his choices of Uni?

Not everywhere counts Maths and FM as only one subject and some places count them together (not suitable as 2 of 3) for some courses and as two separate subjects (and acceptable as 2 of 3) for others - LSE springs to mind here, from the last time I had a 'rummage'.