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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Degree options for a non academic child

101 replies

SwissAlps9 · 01/11/2023 12:28

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

OP posts:
MrsMariaReynolds · 01/11/2023 20:41

SwissAlps9 · 01/11/2023 20:27

We are not pushing her anywhere or putting any pressure on her; we are just letting her get on with things but I am worried we have gone too hands off and that we need gentle push so She pases her GCSEs .

I know is still a few years but if she doesn’t start catching up now it may be too late in 2 years.

Yes, but her GCSEs are FOUR years away. FOUR. That's a lot of time for her to grow and mature and find her way. Like a third of her life away. Please don't write off your 12 (11?) year old.

mathanxiety · 01/11/2023 20:50

SwissAlps9 · 01/11/2023 20:31

She loves horses and animals in general and being outdoors.

She also loves drawing and have a great eye for detail.

I am sure she will find something she loves but need to make sure she has good english and maths foundation.

Show quote history

Medical illustrator?

Parakeetamol · 01/11/2023 20:52

Agricultural college for sure

ThankMode · 01/11/2023 21:14

Ignore the posters saying 'what?????? she is only in year 8????' It makes sense to have some tentative explorations and to be realistic about what options there may be with her strengths and weaker areas. with a good eye for detail, could she do graphic design, there are usually foundation course. I'd keep away from animal related jobs, if she likes animals and pets, let her love and enjoy them without the pressure of a job. Having a keen eye for detail and being good at are really useful skills especially in the era where technology can do maths and number crunching faster and better then the smartest people. Does you dd have good people skills, is she verbally articulate and confident?

Explore art and design options and if she is well spoken with good social skills, se will have some good opportunities.

Comefromaway · 01/11/2023 21:16

Yes, it’s good to have an eye on post 16 options but the OP was specifically asking about degree options!

CormorantStrikesBack · 01/11/2023 22:01

She might love horses but can she ride? I used to work as a groom and you’re expected to exercise the horses as part of the job.

Flyhigher · 01/11/2023 22:12

Agricultural college? Horses?

SheilaFentiman · 01/11/2023 22:14

Comefromaway · 01/11/2023 21:16

Yes, it’s good to have an eye on post 16 options but the OP was specifically asking about degree options!

The Op said in later posts that she wasn’t familiar with the UK system so I think she is generally trying to find things out

Original poster
SwissAlps9 · 02/11/2023 03:25

JesusWeptLady · 01/11/2023 14:41

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.

These are good options. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
SwissAlps9 · 02/11/2023 03:29

ThankMode · 01/11/2023 21:14

Ignore the posters saying 'what?????? she is only in year 8????' It makes sense to have some tentative explorations and to be realistic about what options there may be with her strengths and weaker areas. with a good eye for detail, could she do graphic design, there are usually foundation course. I'd keep away from animal related jobs, if she likes animals and pets, let her love and enjoy them without the pressure of a job. Having a keen eye for detail and being good at are really useful skills especially in the era where technology can do maths and number crunching faster and better then the smartest people. Does you dd have good people skills, is she verbally articulate and confident?

Explore art and design options and if she is well spoken with good social skills, se will have some good opportunities.

yes, I have always thought in something like graphic design for her or art related

OP posts:
WandaWonder · 02/11/2023 03:31

Does she actually want a degree herself?

sashh · 02/11/2023 03:59

I would suggest she does a level 3 course at college rather than A Levels, they are a qualification in their own right and can lead to jobs or uni.

A friend's daughter has just set up a business boarding animals, it helps that she lives on a small holding and the family have horses, donkeys and various more traditional pets.

A BTEC in Art would let her explore various types of art and design including photography and digital imaging.

TeenDivided · 02/11/2023 06:12

OP. What I would do at this stage is to

  • focus on GCSEs, explain that the better grades will give her more options, help her with her maths & science
  • talk positively about all routes post 16, not only A levels, but BTECs and apprenticeships
  • talk positively about all post 18 options: degrees, degree apprenticeships, work. Degrees aren't suitable or necessary for everyone
  • quietly yourself have a look at the variety of post 16 college options available so you have more awareness yourself
When she is choosing at y11 she needs to choose the best option for her, not just fall into A levels because that's what is expected, or because she feels she will let you down if she does something else.
CormorantStrikesBack · 02/11/2023 07:13

You could also see if there is an art and design Saturday Club near you, d did this for 4 years and loved it. Had loads of opportunities including a summer in China

Art&Design - National Saturday Club (saturday-club.org)

Art&Design - National Saturday Club

Art&Design Saturday Clubs provide members with an array of transferable skills that are greatly sought after by employers in the…

https://saturday-club.org/subject/art-design/

PhotoDad · 02/11/2023 07:20

@SwissAlps9 I know it's a long way away, but it's good to learn about the system! @CormorantStrikesBack has given great advice already. If you have any questions about university/careers in art/design, there are some lovely helpful people on this thread I started a while back.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/4795276-art-and-design-at-university-for-past-present-and-future-students-and-parents

My DD is in her second year of an Illustration degree. She was also an arty wildlife lover! Her hobby throughout secondary school was wildlife photography; is that something which might appeal..?

baileybrosbuildingandloan · 02/11/2023 07:25

Has she explained why she wants to go to Uni when she doesn't know what she wants to do? If she's pre GCSE does she really understand what she's saying? Is it more because she thinks it's what people do?
If she's not academic she will struggle at Uni. There is academic work to do regardless of what she chooses.
Apprenticeships could be a much better choice. She will still get quals, but they are supported and the progression is there too.

WrittenOrf · 02/11/2023 07:30

It’s too early to tell. DD failed the phonics test in primary, then failed the 11+ and is now predicted 3 As at A level and has applied to all RG/RG+ unis.

Wait and see how she’s doing in Y11!

PersephonePomegranate23 · 02/11/2023 07:42

But degrees ARE academic - or they're supposed to be, anyway. There are plenty of vocational courses. Maybe think about some summer work experience suited to her interests in yr 9 or 10.

PhotoDad · 02/11/2023 07:46

Yes, even art/design degrees require (some) fully referenced academic essays. Unfortunately, the vocational-style courses in the field all got turned into degrees, as art-schools were almost universally absorbed by universities with the massive expansion of the sector since the '90s.

Copasetic · 02/11/2023 07:46

A degree is not for everyone. In fact A levels are not for everyone. I would say that they are for the most academic and to be avoided otherwise. My daughter's non-academic daughter is training to be a veterinary nurse quite successfully.

PinkRoses1245 · 02/11/2023 08:10

She’s year 8. Honestly let her enjoy learning and make decisions when necessary-her own decisions

Muddle2000 · 02/11/2023 08:40

Send her to a careers advisor

Original poster
SwissAlps9 · 02/11/2023 08:46

PhotoDad · 02/11/2023 07:20

@SwissAlps9 I know it's a long way away, but it's good to learn about the system! @CormorantStrikesBack has given great advice already. If you have any questions about university/careers in art/design, there are some lovely helpful people on this thread I started a while back.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/4795276-art-and-design-at-university-for-past-present-and-future-students-and-parents

My DD is in her second year of an Illustration degree. She was also an arty wildlife lover! Her hobby throughout secondary school was wildlife photography; is that something which might appeal..?

Thank you.

Illustration and wildlife photography are things that she would love too.

Some good ideas and I think is not too early to start doing those things, trying things out as a hobby and maybe find her passion

OP posts:
PhotoDad · 02/11/2023 08:58

@SwissAlps9 Unfortunately, wildlife photography is one of the few types of photography where a phone camera isn't great (sports photography too...). If she does want to try, and you have a local wildlife reserve (RSPB or WWT are the best) and you're looking for a Christmas present for her, feel free to send me a DM with a rough budget and I'd happily give some advice. It's actually why I joined the site in the first place, hence my username! (DD won various national and international kids' photo competitions, which boosted her self-esteem beyond belief. I knew nothing about photography or wildlife at the time but learned alongside her.)

Alternatively, if she loves art and has a laptop, getting her a Graphics Tablet or iPad could be a great way to try things out. Also happy to advise depending on the computer set-up in your house!

Original poster
SwissAlps9 · 02/11/2023 18:33

PhotoDad · 02/11/2023 08:58

@SwissAlps9 Unfortunately, wildlife photography is one of the few types of photography where a phone camera isn't great (sports photography too...). If she does want to try, and you have a local wildlife reserve (RSPB or WWT are the best) and you're looking for a Christmas present for her, feel free to send me a DM with a rough budget and I'd happily give some advice. It's actually why I joined the site in the first place, hence my username! (DD won various national and international kids' photo competitions, which boosted her self-esteem beyond belief. I knew nothing about photography or wildlife at the time but learned alongside her.)

Alternatively, if she loves art and has a laptop, getting her a Graphics Tablet or iPad could be a great way to try things out. Also happy to advise depending on the computer set-up in your house!

Edited

Thank you PhotoDad. I appreciate it; I think there are good Christmas and birthdays presents. I will speak to DD and pm you.

OP posts: