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Higher education

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

Original poster

Something a bit different

56 replies

stubiff · 24/11/2023 14:57

Well, maybe not different, as in very unusual/unique, but not as common/popular as the usual Economics, CS or Mech Eng.

DC has no idea on the future.
Any gems, to try to stir an interest or at least look at subject requirements?

Probable A-levels: Spanish, History and Maths
Possible A-levels: Economics, Business, Physics, Chem, CS, Drama
Not taking/interested in: English, Geog, Biol, Classics, Medicine/Health, Environment, Art, Psychology, Education, Agriculture, Politics.
Interests: Football, Basketball and Xbox!

TIA

OP posts:
Seeline · 25/11/2023 15:10

I still think the old fashioned hard copy uni prospectus is a great starting point just to have a flick through and find the range of subjects out there.

Order several from different unis and have a look through. You need to look at the websites for full course details but they give you a great start.

user1494050295 · 25/11/2023 15:23

A friends godson is a statistician at Chelsea fc. He read sports science and stats at st Mary’s

Original poster
stubiff · 25/11/2023 15:30

@user1494050295
Just asked DS where his ideal job would be and he said Arsenal. But he didn’t know doing what!

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 25/11/2023 15:36

A friend, years ago, did stats for M&S. It informs lots of business decisions. Any management degree with stats would help with this. It’s a bigger market than sports science stats. There are also jobs like surveying and land buying for housebuilders. Lots of that might be needed under Labour. House builders offer many other careers too.

Ceit · 26/11/2023 08:59

If the school have Unifrog, this had tools where you can put in subjects and also interests to get degree suggestions. Fast Tomato is also very good and I think you can still sign up independently for free.

sendsummer · 26/11/2023 09:22

I would probably take a step back here. Final choices for A levels don’t need to be made until the end of the school year or even just after GCSE results. He has already made a short list with 3 probables. Those may change over the next year. One relevant question though is whether he is capable of doing further maths as a 4th A level as that may change his main choices

Original poster
stubiff · 26/11/2023 12:51

@Ceit
They use Unifrog in Sixth form, not Y11, unfortunately.

They do the Morrisby career test in Dec.
Looks like Fast Tomato is now Morrisby!

OP posts:
Original poster
stubiff · 26/11/2023 12:56

@sendsummer
re FM, as mentioned, he doesn’t want to take FM. I don’t think he would quite be at that level either.
Will come back on the other bit.

OP posts:
poetryandwine · 26/11/2023 13:15

Yes, @TizerorFizz Statistics is hugely relevant to many fields. Medicine and Pharmacology is another big and growing one, for example; so is climate change. I was attempting to speak to the current interests of the DS.

TizerorFizz · 26/11/2023 13:34

@stubiff Loads of options are just happy with maths! MN likes FM but it’s ok not to do it. It opens up some elite unis but won’t stop careers in many areas at all.

Original poster
stubiff · 26/11/2023 14:11

@TizerorFizz
Yes, if he chooses Maths A-level, he will find his level after that with the appropriate Uni/tariff.
Certainly not going to advise against it purely based on ‘ideally also need FM’.

OP posts:
Original poster
stubiff · 26/11/2023 14:11

@TizerorFizz
Yes, if he chooses Maths A-level, he will find his level after that with the appropriate Uni/tariff.
Certainly not going to advise against it purely based on ‘ideally also need FM’.

OP posts:
CleverClogg · 26/11/2023 14:21

sports management?

Hellocatshome · 26/11/2023 14:23

If he doesnt know what he wants to do, does he actually want to go on to A levels and University.

Apprenticeships are not just for those not clever enough for A levels and Uni.

Plus he wouldn't be saddled with debt for a degree he doesnt even really want.

TizerorFizz · 26/11/2023 14:51

Degree apprenticeships are very competitive and few go to 18 year olds. Much more go to existing employees. So can be good but if you don’t know what you want at 17/18 how would you know what apprenticeships go for? You have very little thinking time at all. History and French (say) gives 3/4 years! Time to build a cv.

Hellocatshome · 26/11/2023 15:15

TizerorFizz · 26/11/2023 14:51

Degree apprenticeships are very competitive and few go to 18 year olds. Much more go to existing employees. So can be good but if you don’t know what you want at 17/18 how would you know what apprenticeships go for? You have very little thinking time at all. History and French (say) gives 3/4 years! Time to build a cv.

I wasn't talking about degree apprenticeships as from what I understand OPs son is still doing GCSEs. He could do an apprenticeship in a field he thinks he might like and either branch out from there or if he decides its not for him he hasn't lost anything and will actually be financially better off to fund whatever he decides to do next.

Original poster
stubiff · 26/11/2023 16:24

@Hellocatshome
Understand what you’re saying.
Def wants to do A-levels.
As Tizer says, he’d need to decide on an initial profession which is the bit that is totally up in the air.
Picking A-levels will be easier by comparison!

OP posts:
Original poster
stubiff · 26/11/2023 16:28

@CleverClogg
Yes, def an option.
Coincidentally, his best friend wants to do Sports Management at Loughborough (although not sure if at that level), prob choosing Business, Classics and Spanish.

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 26/11/2023 17:43

I’d swap maths for classics if he can for management.

Original poster
stubiff · 26/11/2023 20:29

@TizerorFizz
Not sure he favours Maths as much.
No subject requirements for that course, although guess Maths would help.
Anyway, will leave it up to them, and concentrate on own dilemmas!

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 26/11/2023 20:45

@stubiff Ha! Yes. DDs did Morrisby test and one was pretty accurate. One less do! It can be useful though as it works through likes and dislikes. I think it works best for dc who are clear about what they don’t like though. Possibly less good for creatives.

I know so many of DDs friends who worked out at uni what direction to go in. Scientists work it out earlier. Humanities people take more time but if you are open to various careers, I would stick to fairly broad degrees. Further study can drill down into what you really enjoy after the degree or do a professional qualification.

sendsummer · 26/11/2023 22:09

Loads of options are just happy with maths! MN likes FM but it’s ok not to do it
A teenager who is not even contemplating FM is unlikely to favour statistics as a career. Hence my question.
As he does n’t know what he wants to do as a career give him sone time. He may not be ready ti decide until after his degree when he has more experiences on which to base his decision. His ‘probables seem entirely sensible for a wide range of degrees and careers apart from those in pure science or maths.

Original poster
stubiff · 27/11/2023 08:35

@sendsummer
Re stepping back. Although it doesn't look like it I'm not 'stepping in'.
I have done a lot of reading about stuff. DS knows < 1% of what's on here/what I have looked at.
His probables and possibles are his choices. I have not said he should do this subject or that subject.
Once mocks are over I will help advise.
We have briefly discussed Maths and, as per the 'options open' thread, it being hard but opening up (at the higher level) lots of options. That is the main thrust of my research, and it will probably boil down to taking Maths or not.
A-level choices (at his school) are made in Feb (after mocks in Jan). Option blocks are derived from their choices, not the other way around.
True, he could change his mind (like anyone could), after taking exams, or on getting results, but I think it's best to have your best idea at the point of initial choice. As, in his case, he's guaranteed to get to take those choices.

OP posts:
sendsummer · 28/11/2023 07:01

Stuffbit Everything in your most recent post sounds very sensible. Of course his option choices need to be his best idea. However the below does make it sound as though you want him to have made an initial career choice for him to have that best ‘idea’.
As Tizer says, he’d need to decide on an initial profession which is the bit that is totally up in the air. Picking A-levels will be easier by comparison!
IMO pushing a premature career choice that he is not ready for (from his response to you) risks making him feel that his life is mapped out rather than opening up possibilities. His A levels choices should allow the latter whilst acknowledging that, for example STEM careers such as engineering or medicine or quant, are not for him.

CormorantStrikesBack · 28/11/2023 07:06

Not every school offers FM and I’d have thought that unis would be aware of this. My maths genius nephew was told he couldn’t do FM as it clashed with his computer A level. They’ve begrudgingly agreed to enter him for the exam and he’s teaching himself. Think they’ve only agreed because he’s a better mathematician than his teachers 😁