Physics or Economics A level alongside Maths & English...

[loveyouradvice]

Hi all... I'd love general advice on:

• how these are viewed by employers/unis
• which is tougher?
• how you would help DC decide

She wants to study Psychology at Uni - but definitely the more behavioural side... and likely to use it in her career, but again not as a psychologist but within human behaviour parameters (possibly consultancy)

At the mo, she can't make up her mind and I am encouraging her to talk to A level students to see what is really involved ... but am aware I should probably be encouraging her to think of more than this

Thanks!

DD's teachers were lovely as well. She achieved an A at AS level, and her teacher said she was throwing away an A* by not continuing with it. She needs her other subjects more though for what she wants to do.

Do any Psychology degrees actually ask for A level psychology? I doubt it. Biology may well be best but check out preferred subjects on the top ranked university web sites. Most graduates seem to struggle to get any job in this sector at all. Presumably, to be a consultant in a particular field, you have to have more than a degree otherwise everyone would do it.

I don't think so. I suggested trying the A level course as a taster because of DD's experience. She really thought she would enjoy it but found it utterly, utterly boring (and unchallenging).

Seriously useful thread all - thank you!

And what I've most gained from it is that I need to help DD find out whether psychology is what she really wants to read at uni....

Feel a little foolish I didnt spot this earlier - as I went up to Uni to read Economics and discovered that what I'd loved at A level wasn't what it focussed on, so ended up changing...

DS is very keen to do A level psychology but has deliberately aimed for a 6th form where you can start with 4 A levels (presuming GCSE grades are ok) and drop one if needed, just in case. He's chosen biology as well. I couldn't see any degree course that actually required psychology but biology and maths seemed to be in demand.
Apparently there is a shortage of clinical psychologists but that involves pg study.

Physics is recognised as (one of) the hardest A levels. You either need aptitude or commitment (ideally both) to do well at it. Plenty of strong A* GCSE grades get converted to Bs or lower at A level.

I love Physics but I am fascinated by solving the problems it poses (even in middle age). I would not pick it to make up A level numbers as it will quickly be apparent that it is a HUGE step up from GCSEs.

On a side note, how can a 16 year old be so committed to such a specific and rarefied career (‘possibly consultancy’). I think that they need to keep all options open as long as possible.

www.score-education.org/media/3194/relativedifficulty.pdf

See the above report which included an easy to read graph on relative hardness of A levels. It is from 2008 but more recent studies have replicated it.

Fascinating... though sadly Economics not amongst subjects analysed

And don't worry I take a 16 year old's view of future careers with a pinch of salt - the only ones Ive known of this age who are certain have been medics....

So great she has an idea of things to explore - but I think her options are pretty wide ranging and Im keen to help her keep them so... especially if Psychology turns out not to live up to her expectations

I did psychology at a level and then did a few modules at university, basically they did the entire 2 year a level syllabus in 1 term at uni, so it was good in a sense I had a nice slow intro to it and properly understood what I was being taught at uni whereas lots of others felt totally overwhelmed.
Psychology is quite essay based so I would suggest a subject which would help her develop critical thinking and essay based skills, lots of stats obviously and biology would be useful.