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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.