Thoughts on these A levels

[Slippersandshakes]

DD wants to do computer science, drama and RE at A level.

Got mainly grade 9s at GCSE so capable academically.
Will absolutely not consider taking maths and doesn’t want to do a comp sci degree so not worried about the fact maths is a requirement for that.

Would like to do some form of communication, programming, philosophy, ish type degree but not at all sure yet.

Would English be considered a more robust choice than drama? Would that help keep the doors open for certain unis?

Would appreciate thoughts as school not helping.

RE is always an acceptable A level (or RS or Philosopy and Ethics, it goes under different names). So is computer science.

Drama isn't considered a preferred A level subject by all unis, see the link to Sheffield unis preferred A levels, though Theatre Studies normally is.

English would be more widely accepted than Drama but as your daughter already has 2 "preferred subjects" in her list, that will be enough and she doesn't really have to worry about the third.

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/levels

Two of those A levels are an absolute waste of time. I'm saying that as someone who studied RE.

That's just personal opinion and not objective. Look at the degree subjects that OPs daughter is interested in - programming (computer science very useful) & Philosophy (RS very useful).

You may think RE is a waste of time but every uni in the UK accepts it as an A level subject (or the other names it sometimes is called like RS).

You may think Drama is useless but it isn't for people who love it or for people who want to go to Drama school. Not every A level that people do has to be the most academic in the world, sometimes people choose subjects because they genuinely enjoy them which means they are likely to get a high grade. And unis are perfectly happy to accept applicants with 1 more practical subject.

Waste of time how? And which do you mean?

Yes I think it’s drama and theatre studies.

It very much depends where she wants to go and what she wants to do. Computer Science and RE are both preferred subjects so fine there. The Russell Group universities tend to state that Drama must be WJEC specification. However, only 2 subjects need to be from the preferred subject list so she’d be fine anyway.

That's incorrect. If the OPs daughter is good and them and enjoys them then they are not a waste. Maybe you dont understand that for most (not all) degrees there is no requirement to have studied a particular subject for some or all of your A levels.

The OPs daughter should look at lots of courses at the Unis she thinks she might be interested at and see if her subject choices are ok.

The op has specifically said that her daughter won't consider Maths which is a subject that's often required for certain courses.

There is no such thing as the Russel group facilitating subjects (or preferred subjects) anymore. It was scrapped years ago so I'm not sure what posters are referring to when then say 'preferred subjects'

Each Uni and or course may have there own list of preferred subjects but I didn't think there was a general list.

Preferred subject list aside does it look like soft subjects. I know that’s a difficult word and causes a lot of defensiveness.

But with 10 grade 9 GCSEs I don’t want her to sell herself short but equally I want her to enjoy her studies.

That’s nonsense. RE these days is rigorous and usually has a philosophy/ethics component. All three of my own kids did it and all attended RG unis. I also teach in a top 100 independent school where it’s a popular subject. OP - it’s actually the Computer Science I would query in this lot. Another essay subject such as English or History might be better.

Comp sci the one subject she loves the most and got near to 100% in her gcse so this would be non negotiable

and why do they need to be all essay subjects? People regularly seem to have one science in amongst arts subjects or vice versa.

and if she wants to do a degree with some form of comp sci or comms in it albeit not the pure comp sci maths degrees, then it will be useful won’t it?

Theatre Studies is accepted for social science degrees at Sheffield.

Previous posts are all very focused on getting into uni and the subjects being good enough for that, but what about after? Will your Dd be getting into uni for a course that she wants?

Yes they are soft subjects and I say that as someone who did all soft subjects, including philosophy and ethics which was incredibly interesting but amounted to zip when I was looking at jobs and careers.

However, I was pushed away from the GNVQ that I wanted to do because my family said it was soft, for girls who were not very clever and I must do a levels. I wasn't invested and it was the wrong path for me so if DD has a plan and wants to do those subjects, perhaps she should.

I'd be swapping drama for English.

If they are her preferred subjects then she should do them. It sounds like a good mix to me.

Your DD's combination is unusual but that does not make it 'bad'. To me it shows a breadth of ability and interest. The dropping of CompSci in favour of a more 'conventional' cluster of arts subjects, as a PP suggests, feels limiting to me.

None of the subjects are soft and each brings something different to the A level experience and may well stretch and interest your DD in ways that a more usual set of A levels may not.

Her selection (assuming these lead to excellent grades) would be a great combination for Management degrees at competitive unis and for many (though not all) degree apprenticeships in the technology and general management areas.

No one said there’s a general list. Yes, each university publishes their own lists- the RG ones are virtually identical but no one is going to go on a Mumsnet post and list for every individual university 🙄

No, but you must have looked at quite a few to be able to assert that RG universities tend to stipulate that they only accept the WJEC Drama and Theatre A level - perhaps you could point us all, and the OP in particular, to those universities and for which degree courses, you discovered this? Just in case her DD's school is doing AQA or Edexcel and the DD accidentally sets her heart on applying for one of those degrees.

For what it's worth, I've looked at the entry requirements for many universities / degree courses for three DC just out of curiosity (usually when people say that 'the top unis won't accept <insert name of perfectly mainstream A level subject>, full stop') or and the most common subjects which will not be included in any offer are the now defunct General Studies and Critical Thinking.

I've never seen, 'We only accept Board X's version' for a subject, but I'm always willing to be educated.

Sheffield uni have a list of A level subjects they call "acceptable", LSE have a similar list they call "preferred".

Drama is missing from some lists though Sheffield include it where combined with Theatre Studies. And in any case, no uni will be asking for all 3 A levels to be "acceptable" or "preferred" as Sheffield explain in the link I posted and as LSE explain also in their section on preferred/non preferred subjects. The relevant section is in "subject combinations".

https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/Prospective-Students/How-to-Apply/Admissions-Information

Drama is an excellent A level that is valued by many leading universities (its a few years old now but a freedom of information request backed this up)

It also might be worth pointing out that LSE is a specialist university so their preferred subjects is likely to be slightly different because of the specific subjects that they offer. (even so drama is still accepted as preferred by some departments)

Many universities state which subjects are 'preferred' or 'not-preferred' it doesn't mean they won't accept them, but it can mean they look less attractive compared to other applicants, e.g. LSE has a list of non-preferred subjects here https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/Prospective-Students/How-to-Apply/Admissions-Information

I have been a sixth form teacher for many years. It is an unusual combination but that in itself isn't an issue. She just needs to be really sure she won't need maths for university options. Your daughter is lucky her school still offers both computer science and drama, two of the subjects many other sixth forms have lost. Does her school offer EPQ? If so, that would be a great way for her to stretch herself while pursuing her interests. She sounds like a strong personality who knows what she likes - good for her.

I agree with this, your daughter sounds like a smart girl and she can probably make having an unusual combination her selling point when it comes to UCAS and indeed job applications further down the line. Many employers would welcome an employee who can do statistics, presentation and essay/report writing. Few candidates can evidence all three.

Aside from that I think it's rarely a good idea to talk a young person out of studying what they want to, I was one of those young people and it was wrong for me, I ended up hating what I was doing, dropping out and starting again.

So refreshing to see a highly academic student choosing subjects that don’t lead to a traditional (boring?) career path, and having a parent that supports her in that choice. They sound like really interesting A levels, and I think provide her with many options for degrees/jobs in social sciences and comms and even some tech paths.

Good luck to her, OP!

@Slippersandshakes
Am going to pick up on the 'Would like to do ... programming ... type degree'.
Am sure you're already aware that (and based on DC's GCSE ability) that Maths A-level would be required to get onto the 'top' CS/Programming degrees.
With just Comp Science/non-Maths, they'd be looking at a 'lower' (but possibly acceptable) level.
I.e. the 'opportunity' to do anything (or one of the degree types mentioned) is reduced slightly.

Psychology might be a good one to throw in the mix - especially if your DD is thinking about programming? Could be good for ML / AI and has a stats element that could be interesting and useful.