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.

OP, my DD has chosen Maths, Music and an MFL and she has received some 'those are a bit random' comments and 🤔faces. Well, they just are the things she likes best and is best at, so that's what she's doing!

That's actually a great combination. Maths and music go together & a language is always useful for a musician.

Well I agree, but I think some people just think, well that's one Art, one STEM and one Language and it's therefore 'all over the place'.

Nothing random about Maths and Music as a combination.

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/series/maths-music

(As for HBS only offering those lovely traditional subjects, does the word 'demographic' spring to anyone's mind...?).

Yeah, all those three can work together in various ways. Afaik there's plenty of decent maths degrees which require maths and any 2 others, similar with music and MFL. Sure there's a small number of 'top' maths courses that want fm but they're a minority and definitely not for everyone.

We should be encouraging interdisciplinary knowledge and thought for the future.

I have always liked the idea of Liberal Arts degree or Natural Sciences degrees which achieve some interdisciplinary knowledge, but you will always need the in-depth experts too. I also like the Oxbridge college system where they take a small number of students for a variety of subjects, a friend who went to Oxford and studied Chemistry said she had some great conversations over formal dinners that she wouldn't have had without that system.

OP doing RE or Philosphy and Computer Science would be fascinating (to some), I attended a lecture on the ethics of AI and use of data for example and I am sure it is an issue that is only going to get more complex.

French and Maths are highly valued academic subjects which can lead to a variety of degrees, eg law, business, economics, management and many others. Music is the third subject but it could have been art, RE, CS or drama. It wouldn’t remotely matter.

I think looking so far ahead snd saying go down the AI route with philosophy as an expert is a step too far. Pre A levels is nowhere near that type of decision making and you have got to get the job that makes you an expert in the first place. How does that work unless you are an academic? It’s not remotely clear how this career would unfold.

I think looking so far ahead snd saying go down the AI route with philosophy as an expert is a step too far. Pre A levels is nowhere near that type of decision making

Yes - I think this idea should be viewed as merely illustrative of one of the areas where interdisciplinary skills may be useful, I hinted at a completely different type of role. Who knows what there may be in 5 years time?

Edinburgh is also introducing a post grad degree in data and AI ethics.

https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&edition=2023&id=1093

Current entrance qualifications is a 2:1 honours degree in any subject.

They should do what they enjoy and what they’re good at. I’ve lost count of the amount of sixth formers I’ve worked with who took Maths because they thought they should, who neither wanted to nor were they particularly good at it. I promise you, unless there’s a very specific Maths requirement, an A or A* in Drama is going to be better for your University prospects than a C or D in Maths.

I would gently suggest that this thread demonstrates the fact that Sixth Form teachers and the Unis themselves are far less rigid than they once were in considering A level choices and being open to interesting combinations, whereas a lot (not all) of parents still approach subject choices and Unis in a way that reflects their experiences 20-30 years ago.

Also worth noting that studying A Level Drama and Theatre is not the same as being in the school play. The written components - which makes up 70% (more written work than than A Level Music) - are rigorous and not at all easy. To study A Level Drama is to also have to consider Language, Literature, History, Psychology, Sociology (the focus on Socio-Political, Cultural and Historical contexts is enormous) and requires lots of research, independent study and a number of long-form essays and pieces of long-form coursework. That’s why it’s far more common to see it featuring in Oxbridge and Russell Group offers. Because the subject has changed and has a much greater academic focus. It’s not just doing a bit of acting.

A number of my ex-students - including those studying Maths, Physics, Chemistry, History and languages - have regularly told me it was their hardest A level.

I think that taking the subjects she enjoys most and does best at is the right route. 3 A’s or A*’s in an unusual combination will surely be better than lower grades in a more traditional combo?? Plus, if she enjoys her studies and is enthusiastic about them, that will show in any personal statement / interview (and of course her mental wellbeing).

@Slippersandshakes
This thread interests me because my DS will be picking A-levels in 6 months or so and he has no idea, apart from not Eng Lang. He could choose any of the 9 others he's doing plus 4/5 that are new at A-level or weren't chosen at GCSE.

I'm going to go through a similar process (and I will share in due course, if it helps others).
In your case, starting with Trinity College Cambridge link
It suggests 'generally a good idea to be taking at least two A levels that give you a good general grounding in a field of knowledge.' and 'If you are interested in arts and humanities, then taking two out of English Literature, History, Geography, a language, a Sciences subject and Maths is usually a good idea.'.
But 'these are not eligibility requirements for admission to this College, and we will consider seriously applicants who are high-achieving but not taking a combination as listed' (would be happier if they said 'equally consider'!).
There are subject combinations for some degrees, obviously, e.g. 'English: applicants need to take either English Literature or combined English Language and Literature at A-level.'.
But, there doesn't appear to be a general accepted/not accepted list.
Looking at the Philosophy course, as you mention it as a possible, then -

'No one A-level subject is a prerequisite for those hoping to study Philosophy at Trinity. Entrants in recent years have arrived with A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, English, French, German, Greek, History, Latin, Mathematics, Music, Physics, and Religious Studies. Some also take A-level Philosophy but it is not essential. The only essentials are a wish to get to the bottom of things and an ability to think long, hard, and clear in doing so.'.
So, short answer, there, the combo is ok (for courses that don't require a specific subject).

Other Unis, obviously, have different lists/criteria, so as mentioned before it will be a matter of trawling through data to get a better picture.

On the Bristol website, they have a list of subjects which meet their criteria of (as they call them) essay-based subject, maths-related subject or science subject. Both Drama and RS qualify as 'essay based'.

On the Leeds website I couldn't find anything re general subjects apart from General Studies and Critical Thinking being excluded.

Thankyou @stubiff that’s really helpful

‘taking two out of English Literature, History, Geography, a language, a Sciences subject and Maths is usually a good idea.' is a bit worrying as RS doesn’t seem to be in that list.

DD is now minded to drop drama and take chemistry but that list suggests RS might not be considered a robust essay subject and Comp Sci remains a bit precarious to be considered as a science so still leaves her with two that don’t always hit the lists.

She likes the look of broad based degrees eg anthropology and innovation at I think Manchester or Bristol really got her interested.

Why is this all so hard?!

OP, you might find this useful:

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/undergraduate/admissions-statements/2023/archaeology-anthropology.pdf

‘taking two out of English Literature, History, Geography, a language, a Sciences subject and Maths is usually a good idea.' is a bit worrying as RS doesn’t seem to be in that list.
But, it does say usually a good idea, and it's only guidance (and one Uni).

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2024/innovation/marts-anthropology-with-innovation/#entry-requirements
Doesn't have any subject requirements, but check
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/uk-qualifications/#a-levels
although I think any combo will do for that one.

Would suggest more of the same with other options.

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2024/00676/bsocsc-social-anthropology/entry-requirements/#course-profile

Says RS is fine (as is Chem).

I can't see what chemistry brings to the party in the light of the sorts of things she thinks she might be interested in doing vs drama.

Do remember, while the trinity college list is in some ways informative, it's the suggestions for Trinity College Cambridge which is probably just about the most selective institution you can find in the U.K. - it's not necessarily representative of what pertains elsewhere.

Outside of Oxbridge LSE has one of the highest ranking Philosophy courses. This is what they say

• We consider the combination of subjects you have taken, as well as the individual scores. We believe a broad mix of traditional academic subjects to be the best preparation for studying at LSE and expect applicants to have at least two full A-levels or equivalent in these subjects
• There is no ideal subject combination, however selectors like to see that you possess both analytical and writing abilities. Given the focus on logic and scientific method, it is common and desirable to see students offering a mix of arts and science/mathematics A-levels.
• Other subjects commonly studied at A-level include Economics, English, Government and Politics, History, Languages, Mathematics, Philosophy, Sociology, Religious Studies and the natural sciences.
• Students offering Mathematics, Further Mathematics and one other subject will be considered.
• There is no requirement for students to have formally studied Philosophy. Subjects where the content is deemed to overlap, such as Economics and Business Studies, or English and Media Studies, should not be taken together. Critical Thinking A-level will not be included in our standard offer, but success in this subject can be an indicator of your aptitude for following lines of reasoning and argument.

however selectors like to see that you possess both analytical and writing abilities. Given the focus on logic and scientific method...

I'd think that if she can get a high grade in CS that should demonstrate analytical abilities and logic! And RS other aspects of analytical abilities and writing.

And this is the LSE, which I'd forgotten about when saying Trinity was about the most selective...

Also that's just one of their philosophy degrees. If you choose for example Politics & Philosophy the list of common A levels includes the much maligned sociology.

Computer Science, RE & Drama would be fine for both these LSE degrees.

pressed send too early....

as Computer Science & RS are both listed on another page as traditional preferred academic subjects and you only need two of those.

Good, hopefully that may quash some of the odd notions about these subjects.