A-level choices to keep options open? (For architecture maybe..or finance..or who knows!)

[AmITwirly]

My DS (15) has to choose his A-level options now!

His school requires him to choose 4 subjects & he's certain about wanting to do Maths and Geography. He's waivering between the following other choices:

Economics (which he's never done before, but likes the sound of)
Geology (which he did for GCSE in Y9 so he knows he's good at it)
Physics (which he seems naturally good at, but he finds a bit dull)
Chemistry (which he enjoys a lot, but has to work hard at and probably won't get as high a grade as his Physics)

Last week, he did a week's work experience in an Architecture practice and absolutely loved it. Looking at Architecture courses, it seems that they are generally pretty unfussed about the specific A-levels you do, although Maths is considered helpful; but they do need high grades (AAA) which DS might not get.

He also quite likes the idea of finance / banking / business.

So - what to do to keep these options open?? (Or indeed to keep as many options open as possible, because he may well change his mind completely by this time next year!)

For enjoyment he would probably choose: Maths, Geography, Geology & Economics. Would he be better including Physics, because Maths & Physics I think would then keep other engineering / design-based courses open too?

Arrrgh! Anyone out there with any thoughts?
Thanks!

I'm not back pedalling. Try reading my post. I said physical geography first time round.

DS applied for Geography two years ago. We were told by several (?all the ones we spoke to?) Universities that he needed Chemistry for BSC Geography.

senua
Which ones? As I did a UCAS search before posting.
The top ten entry requirements courses of BSc - none of them require Chemistry.

Geography - yes
Maths - ideally
another science - good idea

Yes. I did the UCAS search too. They haven't put it in writing but it's what we were told verbally.

Thank you to everyone. It's been very helpful.

I'm an architect - I was the only one of my 120person first year that didn't have art a-level and I had Design & Technology with graphics as an option. Although it's not specified as an a-level choice you are expected to have a portfolio to show at interview and the easiest way to develop one is through an art a-level.
It is a bit of an all rounder subject - being able to express yourself verbally & visually is important.
I had A-level maths, physics, design & technology (graphics / electronics options), Gstudies, GNVQ manufacturing & a great portfolio & extra curricular list.
Architecture is in a state of flux at the moment as it's proving very hard for people to afford the courses & get the relevant work experience. It has a huge drop out rate from starting in yr 1 to becoming actually a registered architect but that does not mean that people aren't getting something out of it.
I started with 120 people & qualified with 25 of us becoming architects. BUT after the first 3 yr degree many friends went off to do a variety of non architect careers (of my friends they included banker, planner, archeologist, works in media, photographer) those that went on to do the 2nd degree (2 yrs + at least 1yr experience) & then left generally went into architecture related fields just didn't become fully qualified.
Those of us who qualified then did a final degree + more experience which allowed us to take professional exams - in all it currently takes a minimum of 7 years to qualify although many take longer.
I have a massive student loan and I wasn't even in the lot that pay all these fees. It's an expensive course with regards to materials, trips abroad & technology requirements.
It's not a career option that will make you loads of money, will take over your life and generally to make it work you really have to love it. Funnily enough I love it (most of the time)
It's something that if he's interested in he should research very carefully - the RIBA website has a section on education & some RIBA regions do education & mentoring schemes for kids interested in architecture.

Yes the unemployment rate for architects can be high especially in recession (as we are often the first to go & the building industry is hit quickly in these circumstances) . I wouldn't say they are needed less these days but the job has changed and architects do need to be quite adaptable.
However as I said in my 1st post the first degree is quite a good degree to open doors into a lot of other areas as it's generally about communication, a wide variety of skills(maths, physics, computer skills, law, art, English, geography etc) and selling yourself & your ideas.
Although it's a long slog to fully qualify there are break points at which you can walk away and still have qualifications.

Wonky or anyone else, Please can you site a source for employment rates by profession e.g architecture?

Sorry I only know about architecture due to the architectural press I subscribe to & active involvement in the industry - I don't know rates in other professions.

Www.archdaily.com has the 2013 statistics from the BD survey for the UK. You only have to google "unemployed architects statistics" to find the survey results. However, anyone who is employed in construction knows that the recession had a massive effect on employment, in all building professions and trades. It has picked up now but housing and construction is very sensitive to the well being of the economy. It is the first industry to collapse and then often shows green shoots of recovery first.

I would suggest googling any profession you are interested in to ascertain graduate prospects. Most professions produce employment statistics but you also have to factor in regional variations and whether a graduate is prepared to move to a more vibrant area.

A quick google though links to the higher education statistics agency which might give you some data.

Sorry here's the link
www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2071
It may give some idea but you'd be better looking up the individual professional bodies / publishers as they usually prodI've this kind of thing

Thank you very much Wonky and Milly. Very useful.