A-level combination: History, Maths & Biology?

[TheSecondOfHerName]

A reasonable combination? Or a ridiculous one?

My son wants to do 3 A-levels and needs to finalise application this week. Definitely sure about History, fairly sure about Maths, less certain about Biology.

The only other subjects on his shortlist are Psychology
Economics
Government & Politics

Other subjects aren't under consideration, either because he doesn't enjoy them or because he has little aptitude for them.

He would like to go to university. His potential career interests include nursing, teaching, psychology, social sciences.

He is procrastinating with the decision, and I have spent too much time thinking about it and can no longer see the wood for the trees.

Are History, Maths & Biology too unusual a combination? Would they look bizarre on a university application?

[bojorojo]

The list I am referring to is the list of A level subjects that UCL say are their preferred subjects for studying Psychology. They would like to see, preferably, two out of a very short list of 5 subjects! Exeter's list for Psychology contained 13 A level subjects. Neither are lists of facilitating subjects and Exeter's includes PE for example. The OP's DS has chosen two of the subjects listed by UCL for their Psychology degree so keeps his options open in that direction.

However, I think the list of facilitating subjects I have seen (lots of universities have it on their web sites) does not include Economics or Politics. This is because you can study these subjects at university without an A level in Economics or Politics. It does not mean they are not worthwhile and academic subjects. They just prefer these subjects combined with other A level subjects such as History, Maths, etc. However, advice is important and born is correct about looking at all possibilities for the future.

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

I don't think that's true if the list you are using is the RG facilitating subjects list. That's not what they mean by 'facilitating subjects'. It's not the same as the trinity college list and isn't used in the same way.

[bojorojo]

I think that to get into a really competitive university such as UCL, a candidate would increase their chances by doing two of the A levels on their list, not just one. This is why students need guidance around the wording used by universities. It is the difference between better and best regarding the right A levels!

Media studies would rarely be offered by a grammar school - at least not where I live! Politics and Economics are widely offered and Psychology is also offered at some. Most schools offer A levels that compliment the facilitating ones. Academic schools will try and offer well respected ones but Business Studies is offered by a lot of independent schools and a wider variety of arts subjects than I mentioned above. Talented artists often have better facilities and are encouraged in independent schools.

[borntobequiet]

He's probably made the best choice then, keeping all options open. Best of luck, I hope he enjoys his A levels and embarks on a good career.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

Thanks borntobequiet he has applied to do regular voluntary work at the local hospital, which is organised through the school. If he does go down the Nursing route, then the courses he is looking at require BBB.

Thank you to the PP who suggested speech therapy. He is also looking at Occupational Therapy as a possibility.

He is passionate about History, and my gut feeling is that the A-level course will encourage this interest enough that he might want to pursue it further. He can always move to a healthcare career later on.

[borntobequiet]

Oh, I see your problem more clearly now. BTW a nursing degree I just checked out lists Mathematics as an accepted science and only requires 2 A levels with a C in the science. (Psychology is also accepted so perhaps worth looking at a few courses for their requirements.)
I do a little remedial Maths tuition for mostly older prospective Nursing students and entry is very competitive - used to be pretty competitive for school leavers as well, not sure if this is still the case. Some voluntary work/ work experience is probably a good idea if heading down this route.

[RalphSteadmansEye]

I did repost to say art and music (and often theatre/drama) would always be available, despite being non-facilitating. They are, of course, crucial for an art or music degree.

Ds school (independent) does not offer politics or law or media. They do offer economics and psychology.

Two state grammars I know well do not offer economics, politics or law. One does offer psychology but not media, the other media but not psychology.

Psychology and politics are not crucial for psychology or politics degrees.

[bojorojo]

Ralph - Show me ANY decent independent school that does not offer Art, Music or Politics! Even Economics is not facilitating I believe! Two facilitating subjects is fine, 3 is a bonus. Independent schools are all about breadth.

[thatsn0tmyname]

When I was at college 25 years ago I chose Biology, history and English because I enjoyed the GCSEs. I decided to do a Biology degree and wasn't allowed because I only had one science. I had to stay a third year and take A level chemistry in a year which was tough.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

borntobequiet I see what you mean, and he did consider a couple of those combinations:

History, Maths, Economics
He almost put this. Pros: it's a cohesive combination. Cons: not v.useful for nursing or health-related careers.

Biology, Psychology, Maths
Again, this was considered as a possibility. Pros: great for nursing or health-related careers. Cons: not so useful if he wants to do a History degree.

[borntobequiet]

Main reason: my experience, in many years of being an A level teacher and Sixth Form tutor, was that stand alone sciences caused students the most problems. Few chose Physics as a stand alone, but quite a few chose Chemistry or Biology because they enjoyed it/liked the teacher/their friends were doing it, and in many cases - not all, but quite a few - they struggled. Perhaps this was because they weren't really interested in/suited to scientific thinking and methods. Others may have had different experiences, but that's mine.
Secondary reason: again, in my experience, it helps to have common/complementary content in a set of A levels. The combinations I listed I think have more coherence in this respect. History is surely richer if it can be seen from the perspective of Economics. Maths and Economics are a traditional combination for good reasons. History and Psychology perhaps not so good but both are essay subjects involving some research and Psychology has some good scientific content as a social science. I think Psychology is an excellent, wide ranging and demanding A level. You don't need any more than good GCSE Stats to understand and apply the stats for Psychology, but anyone capable of A level Maths should probably do it if only to demonstrate they can. Biology and Psychology overlap considerably and (again in my experience) students studying both gained extremely useful insights and understanding from the combination. Finally, History, G&P and Economics are fairly obviously a complementary set of A levels.
So, though the original combination is neither bizarre nor lacking in facilitating options, I would advise a rethink, choosing from the other shortlisted subjects.

[PurpleDaisies]

Those subjects are absolutely fine. If there aren't specific requirements for uni courses, (within sensible limits) kids should just choose what they like best because that's what they'll work hardest at and get the best results in.

borntobequiet care to offer a justification for your choices beibg"better"?

[annandale]

I think he should also look at speech and language therapy as a possible career. But psychology or anthropology look like good routes for him.

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

But most independents and grammars do offer them and get their pupils into university. And psychology and economics A-levels are in the top 10 most popular subject choices among students accepted into Russell group unis.

They aren't needed to get onto those specific courses but not offering them because you don't think they are worthy seems to be cutting down children's A-level choices in something that might interest them slightly pointlessly.

The Russell group list is not a list of the subjects seen as acceptable/not soft by RG unis.

[RalphSteadmansEye]

(Garrr... When I say only facilitating subjects, obviously they do offer music/art etc, just not sociology /economics/psychology /media/law/politics...)

[RalphSteadmansEye]

Sorry - so did comprehensives.

[RalphSteadmansEye]

And, forgive me for saying, but some private and grammar schools only offer facilitating subjects, And back in the day, neither did comprehensive schools. Maybe a third of students in my year took non-obvious combinations (so neither all sciences nor Eng/Hist/MFL) but everyone got into university.

[Molio]

That's a very boring approach borntobequiet, if you don't mind me saying.

Exactly Lottie.

[LottieDoubtie]

WHY? Better for what?

Blimey this thread is depressing.

He wants to do three facilitating subjects? That happen to be the ones he enjoys?

That's the perfect combination.

Every pupil should be encouraged to do what they are motivated to do and are likely to succeed at.

So much government propaganda about 'holding kids back' has been believed it seems. It's nonsense.

[borntobequiet]

History, Maths, Economics
History, Psychology, Maths
Biology, Psychology, Maths
History, Gov and Pol, Economics

Would all be better combinations than the original suggestion.

[Zodlebud]

I think it's a great combination. I did Maths, Biology and English Lit. I went on to do a biology degree (yes, they let me in without Chemistry!!!!) and I felt my English really helped me. I loved putting all these complicated scientific things into layman's terms and actually wrote my dissertation on how badly / greatly the media were communicating with the public.

I have always had a bit of an internal struggle between my scientific and creative sides though!!!!!

[TurnOffTheTv]

I never knew there would be such a thing as a bizzare A level choice! I thought you just picked what you were good at and enjoyed. Who knew? My daughter is doing Maths, English, Physics and History but no idea what she wants to do at Uni.

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

Sorry, bojorojo, I wasn't saying don't make informed choices. If you know what you want to study and where, then you should follow the entry requirements. UCL only offering a short list, doesn't mean that you can pick from the list they offer. It says 1, preferably 2 from that list.

It's there because those subjects offer good preparation for the course in question. Someone with two will probably be preferred over someone with one, but it's unlikely to be the decider between two candidates if both have a well regarded choice as a 3rd.

As it happens, I suspect the Op's DS's subject choices will show a good balance between scientific/numerical thinking and essay writing. Given he's not sure what he wants he's probably left more doors open to himself then he had if he'd gone down either a science of essay based only route.

[bojorojo]

He does not have an "iffy" selection! I think it is a good selection. I was not criticising his choices! I was just making the general point that if a young person knows (roughly) what they would like to study and where is attainable, then making informed choices and doing a bit of research means you are not looking to get onto an English degree at Durham with Media Studies, Business Studies and Photography. Those A levels are suitable for other courses at other universities. I was actually responding to Rafa and I am sorry I did not make that clear. Your DS has perfectly sensible choices OP.