What level maths do you need to do a science degree?

[marine04]

My son out performed all our expectations at gcse and we are very proud of him. He has dyspraxia/dyslexia/dyscalculia and achieved 1 A* (P&E), 5 As (triple science, drama and history) 2x7s (English Lit and Lang) 2 Bs (German and Food Tech) and 1x5 (maths - achieved on a foundation paper).

He's going on to to do chemistry, biology and drama at A Level. He's not doing physics as his maths isn't strong enough for the A Level curriculum despite that being only a couple of marks off an A*. He's keen to be an actor but as he does an awful lot of acting outside of school at the moment he wants to do look at doing a science degree whilst continuing acting on top of that. Just out of interest we were looking at biology degrees at universities in and close to Edinburgh (so he could get involved in the fringe!) and they all seem to ask for at least a B or a 6 in maths. Is that standard? His 5 is a high five so we have been told by school that it is a B equivalent so I was hopeful that would suffice but it appears not. Are there November GCSE exams where he could have a crack at a higher paper to get a six? Would it invalidate his five if he got a lower mark and would he have to declare it?
Thank you for any advice.

It might be worth checking out other universities. My DD applied to two Sixth Forms, one wanted a grade A in Maths if doing an A level science subject, the other wanted A* in Maths for any science subject, stating that they considered even biology to be 10% maths.

I think if he did the foundation paper the most he can get is a 5?

There's a lot of maths in many science degrees and I know daughter found that aspect hard as she didn't do A level maths.

Thank you.
Yes, he did the foundation paper in maths and got the highest he could which is why I am wondering if he should have a crack at the higher paper.
On the sixth form front he is currently deciding between two offers. One (a grammar school) just wanted six B's and above with B's in the A level subjects and a 5 and above in maths, his current school (a comp) wanted six Bs or above with B's in A Level subjects and a six in maths to do sciences. They have let him in as his five is high as are his science As. We know there is a reasonable amount of maths in even biology but his biology teacher is confident he can cope with that and do well; I just don't want his GCSE maths grade to hold him back and we were so pleased with it as well!

I've just gone back and reread the page for Edinburgh and seen that thankfully I've misread it! It's GCSE maths or physics at B or above and he's got an A in physics. I've also checked Nottingham and they require a 4 or above.
Whilst I appreciate the higher maths grade the better it's good to know that all his options are still open.

I am not an expert, but isn't the syllabus greater with the higher tier maths. Has he covered all the syllabus for that exam?

I think most science degrees at the best universities require maths A level but at lesser universities or where there is little competition for places, they may be more lenient. It may well depend on the science too!

The Fringe (did you mean participation or being in the audience?) should not really determine the university to which he applies in order to study science, surely? Lots of universities have active drama groups so given the maths problem, I would widen the search somewhat. Also be aware, that many universities advertise student drama productions but getting a part in one is a different matter.

This is what the Core Maths qualification is for - students who got a 5 or 6 so can't do A-level maths but want to study the sciences. Is it offered at any nearby colleges?

It's unlikely that he would get up to a 6 on higher in November after getting a 5 on Foundation without some intense tutoring. Maybe you could hire a tutor for the year and aim to resit next June (expensive though, but would be much better Maths-wise). Universities may have low maths entry requirements but usually students then take remedial classes (or really struggle).

A 5 is a C though not a B and not a B equivalent as your school told you.

A 5 is a high C/low B

Last year when dd did gcses the foundation maths paper had a maximum C grade.

I think I'd consider a one year higher paper GCSE course/tutoring mainly as even if the a levels are ok with the level of maths he has been taught, at uni the expected mathematical ability increases again, and an extra year of maths might help here to.