A Levels for Engineering

[Northerner7777]

Hi all,
My Ds wants to become an engineer after sixth form but is unsure which A Levels would be the best to take. Ds is definitely taking Maths and Physics but is undecided between;

Ones he likes; Further Maths, History, Philosophy
Ones people say are useful; Chemistry, Design Technology, Geography

I was just wondering is anyone has had a dc choose A Levels for engineering and what they chose. Or any advice off people who are engineers.


Thank you

[MillyMollyMama]

The University of Bath strongly recommends decision maths for computer science. German A level is a bit superfluous for Engineering as you can take language classes at University to allow students to do a year abroad at a German University. GCSE is good enough for this.

[MillyMollyMama]

I also meant to say that it is best to contact the information pages of the "Engineering" faculty at suitable universities because it will depend on what type of "Engineering" he is considering. You have to narrow it down and then you can make a sensible decision. Bath, for example now likes 4 A2 subjects for Civil Engineering and Architecture. Often Universities will highly recommend Further Maths, so you really need to do your homework regarding likely offers, eg Bath AAAA, and whether you are looking for BEng or MEng. MEng is best but he may find he has to do extra classes without FM. As in most subjects, there is a pecking order of universities, so take out the ones wanting FM, eg Imperial, and see what their recommendations are regarding modules. You can always contact the faculties and go to open days. I assume you are doing this because this will inform his choices.

[Whyjustwhyagain]

Seimum, I think M2 is a great fit fit engineering, specially as your DS is also studying Physics.
However, if he is considering computer science, then D1 or S1 might be more appropriate.
Sorry that's not more helpful!
If your DS iS planning to drop down to 3 subjects at A2, then perhaps he could sit in on one of the other maths options, timetable permitting. Even if he doesn't take the exam, the extra knowledge would certainly be helpful.

[seimum]

Thanks Milly and Why.

DS thoughts are currently either computer science, electronic engineering or chemical engineering. He will be dropping the German after AS, so I will get him to enquire at school whether he can do more maths modules.

[captainbarnacle]

Geology. I am teaching Geology at a 6th form college and the course is 1/3 engineering issues.

[BasicallyaGod]

Seimum, M2 would be the best option. Decision maths isn't usually favoured by universities [it's considered to be too easy] and M2 for Edexcel isn't much of a step up from M1 either. The reason being that mechanics applies the knowledge learnt in core modules and decision maths and statistics doesn't.
I'd recommend picking up 3 extra modules for another AS if you think i will help his uni application for engineering. M3, FP1 and FP2 would be a good set.