Degree options for a non academic child

[SwissAlps9]

I have started to think what options are there for DD2 who loves animals and is also very creative, has good long term memory and an eye for detail; however is behind academically, especially in maths and sciences.

How important is that she passes her GCSES and does A levels.? she said she would like to go to university.

She has an educational plan due to a speech and language disorder which is not severe but impacts the way she learns.

I have been thinking in something like graphic design, zoology, vet nurse?

She has mentioned actress, singer, interior designer, fashion designer; but I think these are jobs/careers which are competitive and difficult to get jobs

How old is she?

You need good science A levels to do Zoology or be vet nurse. Has she looked at apprenticeships?

If she takes a student loan, she will pay an extra 9% tax her whole life on her earnings. If she’s not academic, is it worth it? Why does she not find a nice vocational apprenticeship?

My friend is a vet nurse. I know she needed 5GCSEs at C (including maths, English and science) to be accepted onto the course. The wages aren't great.

If she's interested in arts then the key there is good grades in creative subjects and a portfolio other subjects matter less. You will also need to watch out for minimum requirements for maths and English language GCSE often grade 4 but could be 5.

If she's interested in being a veterinary nurse I think apprenticeships would be the thing to look at rather than university

I would think Zoology would be a struggle if she is weak at sciences

If she's really not academic then look at vocational courses and traditional (i.e., non-degree) apprenticeships.

That's not quite right. If in England, once she earns over a certain amount (£26K ish at the moment I think) she will pay 9% on her earnings above that limit. Only when she is earning above that limit.

Zoology is an academic science, it doesn't really fit with 'vet nurse' (no offence meant to vet nurses, they are very different career paths). I wouldn't recommend it as a course for students behind in maths and sciences. She will be required to have at least biology at A level, probably also Chemistry. There is also some maths involved in terms of use and interpretation of statistics and statistical software, as well as maths for science (powers and the like).

Its' worth finding out about vocational courses and colleges which can lead onto degree level courses after BTEC or whatever they are replacing them with. Or apprenticeships. Nothing stopping her going to drama or music college or doing a a fashion/textiles course, she will probably love it.

Main thing is to make sure she gets the bare minimum 5 or 6 GCSE passes. If she doesn't pass Maths or English GCSE she will be forced to re sit.

Most, if not all, university courses will ask for maths and English GCSE at either 4 or 5.

Plus, she talks about arts and creative jobs and you are talking about STEM/science-adjacent careers for her. Why? Where have you got that idea from?

Like most kids, she probably doesn't realise the range of jobs available in the industries she likes and so just thinks about the 'big ones'. There are plenty of creative careers she could be involved with that don't have the niche issues of 'fashion designer' or 'singer'. What about something in the fashion industry? A marketing degree on a course with a focus on fashion merchandising, perhaps?

As a creative arts teacher I am wondering why you'd want to encourage your non-academic child to go to university to study a degree? Is it just 'because'. If they are genuinely not academic then degree education isn't for them and they are likely to be miserable trying to shoehorn themselves into something they aren't cut out for. There is far too much stigma attached to not having a degree but we aren't all designed to be that way. We should be recognising this, following the pathways that are right for us as individuals and celebrating our successes even when it doesn't involve a degree. Neither an actress or singer require a degree!

Uni is massively overrated and isn’t for everyone. Sounds like she should skip it and do a vocational course or an apprenticeship.

Have a look at what FE colleges in your area have to offer. There's one near us which does super 'family fun' open days, looks like they've all sorts of interesting courses.

If she feels she must have a degree, would she consider a degree apprenticeship?

Degree apprenticeships are hugely competitive, party because they are still quite rare. They require the same entry levels as straight degrees, often more.

A lower level apprenticeship may be better for the OPs daughter.

Uni Entry to some creative subjects like Art and Drama are predominantly portfolio/audition based rather than academic. However you still need gcses and level 3 passes to be considered. Art, drama, music etc all have written papers and assessments as well as practical at gcse and A-level.

I think zoology will be a stretch for a non academic DC who isn't good at science. If she's interested in animals and wants to go to uni, have a look at Hartpury and also RAU.

For example this course at RAU needs grades of CD at A level:

www.rau.ac.uk/courses/foundation-degrees/fdsc-wildlife-conservation-and-countryside-management

Good long term memory and an eye for detail - she could work in museums, arts centers, as a curator or performer, or at a theatrical agency. I only say this because that description jumped out at me as "like me" and those are the sort of things I did. I also got an academic degree first because I was under pressure to do it and sort of needed it for my own sense of worth (nuts, I know) but if she likes the arts there are plenty of them.

I agree with others, zoology and vet nurse might be a big ask for someone who’s not great at sciences.

Your suggestions and hers don’t seem to have much in common - does she want to be a vet nurse?

The crossover on both lists is (graphic) design - certainly careers to be found here.

She needs to pass her GCSEs and do some kind of post-16 education to go to uni but not necessarily A levels.

But why does she want to uni? It sounds as tho it might be a challenge.

Actress and singer - does she do these things now? It’s a tough gig. Fashion design or marketing might be more feasible.

I would focus on helping her get her best grades at GCSE and look at local colleges to see if there is anything vocational that might suit.

Passing at least English and maths is important because she will need to resit them.

Post 16 there are options for courses that may suit her learning style better. Rather than worrying about a career now. Also try to let her decide, it is her life

Something like this? https://northumberland.ac.uk/courses/detail/advanced-technical-extended-diploma-in-animal-management/

Thank you everyone.

I am not encouraging anything at the moment just looking for ideas.

She is year 8.

A vocational course or apprenticeship may be the way to go. It is probably important she still passes her GCSES

I am not from the UK and didn’t even know reg vocational courses.

Year 8 and you are thinking about degree choices now????? really????

Yes it is important she passes her GCSE's or at least maths and English. My nephew is having to resit his in order to do a plumbing apprentiship.

Beyond that once she gets to around Year 9/10 start to look at post 16 options that might suit her. Either a Btec (if they are still in existence or an apprentiship.

My academic child ended up studying dance/theatre and hasn't gone to uni. She's currently working as a performer. My non academic child who I never thought would go to uni did a Btec and is currently doing a music degree!

So much changes between now and then.