A level dilemma; please advise

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DS has chosen three A levels; history biology and economics. Seemed reasonable until he started looking a little deeper into degree options. He's veering towards a biology degree and found that the vast majority want a second science, which he wouldn't have. His other possible avenue would be an economics degree but most require maths A level.

He's adamant he doesn't want to do maths A level; he feels it's just too difficult. He's an average student who doesn't like to exert himself too much, but he does ok. DH and I think he should swap economics for chemistry to facilitate a biology degree. He's a bit nervous that chemistry will be too difficult. He quite likes chemistry; he's not passionate about it but he's laid back about all his subjects. I"m not a scientist so find it quite hard to give advice.

His plan was to wait until results day and if he gets a 7 in chemistry he will take the A level; he's borderline 6 and 7. Now though he's obviously not taking the exam and not doing any revision for it; we feel he should decide now, especially as his school will start an introductory course to the A levels in the summer term.

Please advise.

I would say that borderline 6/7 is not a very promising start for A level chemistry

I agree. DD got an A* at GCSE and found chemistry A level very hard. Fortunately, she had an excellent chemistry teacher and did well in the end, but it was a struggle.

If he is serious about a science degree it makes sense to do science A levels, otherwise he will struggle at university

I agree with this ^^. DD is doing biomedical sciences at university, and has said that she felt sorry for the students who only did biology at A level because there is a lot of chemistry involved. She said that there is an element of chemistry in A level biology as well and it helped her achieve a better grade than her peers who didn’t study chemistry.

Shadowboy thanks for your input. DS has said he particularly likes the area of biology that deals with genetics; maybe that would influence his degree choice if he's still interested after a year of the A level.
When DS chose biology the teachers were pointing out that it can open up the whole area of environmental jobs. He's not interested at the moment but there's every chance he may become so over the next year, at least it gives him more options. I'll mention it to him.

Bunnylove83 that's exactly right; none of his subjects gel together, so I feel that he's making life quite difficult for himself.

He has chosen biology and history because he's genuinely interested in them, so they seem sorted. He has no idea if he will enjoy economics or not as he hasn't done it before; he quite likes the sound of it but it's impossible to say if he'd enjoy it or not. So clearly chemistry could be a good third choice because it would help with some parts of his biology course and be a second science to get into a university biology course. He's also thought about geography and PE but doesn't want to do them.

Re summer reading I completely agree and I'll suggest it to him but I fear that he won't be keen and ultimately at his age it's up to him. I wish that he didn't have to choose to study three subjects in such depth at his age; he's not ready for it.

Anyone offer the IB near you ?

OP does the school do business A Level?

The IB isn't for someone who doesn't like to exert themselves too much.

True...

I did a biology degree without chemistry A-level but I was an exception - it was a course requirement but they thought I could cope without it.

Most aspects of the degree were fine without it but the biochemistry compulsory courses were impossible without it. I was given a special exemption but I essentially failed that element of my first and second year. It all turned out ok but I went into accountancy on graduation and haven’t used it since (well apart from current news of course!!!!)

stillgardening thanks for the links; the first one is particularly useful; it's amazing how much changes just from altering just one A level.

He thinks forensics sounds interesting

so does everything. Is he basing that on anything other than watching CSI?! not meaning to sound as rude as I think I have, but I would maybe try to find out how realistic his possible career choices are and what they are based on.

that should have said 'so does everyone'

everyone who goes into pathology wants to do forensics, nearly no-one ends up doing it

Piggywaspushed yes the school does business A level but history biology and business would not be much use if he does want to do a biology degree as he still wouldn't have a second science. Maybe business would be slightly better than economics if business degrees have less of a need for maths.DS hasn't shown any sign of wanting to do business but I'll mention it to him.

He could have a look at biology degree webpages (for example York University which does a genetics degree) and see what fits his interests. Some universities will take geography as a second science so worth considering that as a third subject rather than history or economics.
However biochemistry is a critical part of much of biology, particularly genetics. He needs to be realistic about what degree level biology is about and his capabilities for it if his GCSE chemistry is relatively weak.
Core maths would be a really useful addition for almost anything.

If he isn't passionate about study why is he doing A levels and thinking about a degree? He's better off just getting out there into the world of work at entry level.

I mean he doesn't have a realistic clue what he wants to do, is laid back rather than passionate about studying. Perhaps some time spent working in any sort of job and maturing through that experience will help him understand what he wants to do longer term. In the current situation there are lots of opportunities for young people to work or volunteer in the NHS, in the community, or gathering in crops.

I agree business would be of no use if he wants to do a biology degree but nor would economics! MY DS is doing economics because he couldn't do business in combination with his other choices. Therefore, we have looked pretty closely at both : economics is basically a branch of maths whereas business is more people focused.

If eh really wants to do biology then he does need chemistry. I did biology up to higher level (Scotland ) and coped but the chemistry bits were my struggle. That said, quite a few at my school do psychology and biology without chemistry. You are right that the 3 A Level model restricts them, as, often, the minute they choose one science , they narrow their choices because this often means they end up doing another science and /or maths.

For info on careers options get him to do the buzz quiz on the icould.com/ website.
Thousands of students study forensic science. There are only a very few jobs nationally each year.

If he isn't passionate about study why is he doing A levels and thinking about a degree? He's better off just getting out there into the world of work at entry level.

He still has to be in education or some kind of training until he is 18 joystir49.
Personally, I'm not convinced that making young people stay in education until 18 is necessarily a good thing. DD was studying A levels with students who shouldn't have been taking A levels, and who didn't want to be doing them.

Lots and lots and lots of students do not know what they want to do at 16. That is one of the things A Levels exist for : to show teenagers what they are really good at like, and to put them off some pathways, too.

In my experience, very few students have an exact goal in mind in year 11. The ones that do tend to want to be doctors.

DD is taking A Level Biology, Psychology and PE or Spanish plus Core Maths - this will get her on most Biology Degree courses (RG unis) as they accept Psychology for the 2nd science.

She has no idea what she wants to do career wise, but loves Biology and is good at it (8/9), she isn't so good at Chemistry or Physics (6/7). We tried to make sure the A levels should took would get her unto a Biology degree to start somewhere. If she decides she hates it she will have to start again in her thinking..

DD's school will accept a 7 to do Physics or Biology A level, but wants an 8 for Chemistry.

I'm really interested in the Core Maths - she is a potential medic who's planning to take Chem, Bio, English and Philosophy. I don't even know if her school offers Core M!

Heifer sounds like a good choice of A levels for your daughter. I wish DS's school offered psychology as I think he'd choose that in preference to chemistry. On the other hand I would suspect that chemistry would be more useful for some areas of a biology degree?

Piggywaspushed completely agree most students don't know what they want to do at 16. It seems to me DS is being forced to choose a science or non science route at too earlier a stage; for him, anyway. I would much rather that these decisions evolved at a slower pace.

Hi, as a teacher my advice would to be pick subjects he enjoys, however if he is adamant a couple of things to think about:
If he doesn't have what he needs for a degree in two years time he could always to a foundation year to access the degree he wants?
Or could he ask to pick four a levels and drop one after the first year or even at Christmas? This would increase his ucas points if he sits the exam and allow him to change his mind if chemistry is to hard (it is very hard)!
Just remind him what he picks now doesn't set anything in stone there's always alternatives if he hates his choices! Take the pressure off a bit

Entry requirements for the sciences are certainly more prescriptive. My DS did maths, physics and history A levels and had no trouble with applying for history.

I love psychology, have a degree in it, have taught it and mark the A level, but as a supporting subject for biology, I'm not convinced by it.