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.

Yes very aware of this and have looked through lots of degree options.

I am more concerned that all three are considered a bit soft or odd in combination and this would deter good unis or employers

As LSE has been mentioned...
On their 'preferred' list is RE and Computing (is that computer science)? Drama is on their non preferred list, but not on their excluded list. But it also says two on their preferred list are desired. So RS and Compsci seems to fit that.
But LSE is a competitive university- many good unis would ask for an essay based subject and another related to the course and one other - my daughter is planning to apply to Cambridge for HSPS (human sciences and politics) with History, Psychology and Art (the latter is on LSE's excluded list).
I'd have her consider what general subject area she might want to do as a degree, and then look at what a few unis require, and other than programming (which I would have thought would need Math, but that where her research comes in), her subjects seem fine.

I think the main thing to concentrate on is the 'preferred' or 'accepted' list, which prob means trawling through some Uni sites to see what they say.
For me, as long as DC can get into all/many Unis (for the type of courses they are thinking of), then it shouldn't matter what the combo is. Obv some need Maths, or a science, or 2 sciences.
And you're aware of ruling some out with not having Maths.
There may be employers who look at A-levels (as well as degree classification) but guess they'd be looking at the grades first.

Psychology is an option, as it fits a bit with CS.

If you look at A levels a top state school offers here - and pick from those A levels shown if you scroll down (which will be similar to most leading fee paying schools) you cannot go far wrong https://www.hbschool.org.uk/sixth-form/

Instead non traditional soft subjects are proposed for 100% of the A levels here which I think is very risky even it technically okay.

I think he should do two traditional ones and then philosphy as the third as the better schools recommend doing at least 2 of the older facilitating subjects. Eg my youngest sons did History and Geography and in one case economics and in the other case classical civilisation. I did English lit, history and German. All 3 of us are lawyers (the twins qualify next year).

@Xenia
Not sure about your advice, here.
OP mentions CS is a given (which is obv not on the HB list).
And it would rule out Psychology, which is one of the most popular A-levels.

Why do you say the choice is very risky?

As someone who studied sciences alongside English at A level, I'd recommend swapping Drama for English. It really does help your writing skills and eloquence, which helps you get higher marks on exams. It also helps you to be a critical reader.

I'm wondering if, given the possible interest in programming and communication, no interest in maths but doing well in CS, and the unusual mix of subjects, whether your DC might find a degree apprenticeship in IT to be more to their taste, than going to university?

I wouldn't say it's a specialist uni as it does offer wide range of subjects. It is however a highly competitive uni so anxious parents can be assured that if they will accept that A level subject combination for for admission to courses not requiring specific subjects like Maths, so will other unis.

Computing is Computer Science by another name and RS/RE is an essay based subject.

They describe themselves as such "We're a specialist social sciences university"

Not if she enjoys them.

ok you got me there although they do offer a wide range of subjects.

Use the Sheffield uni link I provided earlier if you want to get a different uni's perspective on the sort of A level subjects that good unis will consider "preferred" but it will be largely the same subjects.

The point is, RS and Computer Science will be accepted by all unis as sufficiently academic to prepare students for undergraduate level studies. Drama is not "preferred" by LSE but Sheffield think it's ok when combined with Theatre studies.

Both unis will consider the combination of subjects the OPs daughter has chosen as fine for most of their courses. The only reason OPs daughter really would need to swap Drama & Theatre studies for English would be if she might want to do an English degree.

This is just my personal opinion but for someone with 10 9s @ GCSE it’s quite a silly combination.

If she likes drama she could do it as a 4th A level, or she could be in the school plays in 6th form or join an am dram group to give her lots of experience without using up an A level.

Equally, the kids I know were warned off computer science at A level as maths, chemistry or physics are much more respected even for a computer science degree. CS isn’t required for any CS degree in the U.K. Moreover the A level is effectively the same syllabus as the first year of the uni degree, so you will repeat the same knowledge and end up in the same place at the end of the first year as students who didn’t do CS A level.

RE is fine.

What is her school advising?

When people say A level Drama, they really mean "Drama & Theatre" as that is the full name of the qualification (for AQA, OCR, Edexel & WJEC)

This is 10 years old now, but I doubt that much has changed. It makes an interesting read.

https://cfey.org/2013/09/what-a-level-subjects-do-russell-group-universities-prefer/#:~:text=No%2Done%20would%20ever%20advise,around%20the%2060%25%20mark).

Interesting - I guess LSE must be referring to International A level Drama

https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-drama-9482/

Well, she’s already said that she doesn’t want to do a Computer Science degree, so the lack of maths isn’t a problem.

Drama is considered a ‘soft’ A level, unless she’s wondering about a possible arts/communications career. Which, it seems, she is.

It is, however, also very useful in teaching lots of non-arts skills - presentation, team work, meeting non negotiable deadlines. The sorts of post sixth form directions she seems to have in mind would be better served by Drama than English - they sound like she prefers practical applications to theory and wants to do subjects where she can work out what she thinks as well as how to write essays.

This is all really interesting thank you.

@Mirabai
Re 'silly combination' - that's a bit harsh. Are we saying that 'really bright' students should be doing Maths, Physics, etc?

The OP mentions possible degree subjects. Of those, it's probably only Programming, which more accurately may be Software Engineering or Games Programming, which, at the highest level, would require a specific subject choice, i.e. Maths.

And, as mentioned, they don't want to take Maths or do a CS degree.

She clearly hasn’t decided what degree to do yet, so it’s best to choose subjects that keep options open.

She is certainly considering a degree in programming/CS just not the pure maths CS degrees - but who knows - she might change her mind on that.

She said she might want to do a degree with programming or CS in it.

From the OP - '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.'
So, based on 'programming' assume they really like the coding side.

Keeping options open - I agree with, if DC has no idea. But where do you start - Maths, Physics, Chem. What about Biology, History, a Language, etc.
There is some idea here, not totally starting from scratch.

Another thing to look at is your daughters schools past results for different A levels. They are not always a great predictor of the future but can be useful to look at.
My kids went to a sixth form college and the results for some A levels were shocking but for other subjects were strong.

If she got 10 grade 9s at GCSE she should consider adding a 4th A Level IMO. English would be ideal.