A Level choices

[MollynAlly]

Just wondering what you all think or have any suggestions based on experiences maybe with other DC?
My DD is year 11, thinking of her A level subjects
She wants to pick 2 sciences; more keen on chemistry- Physics combo biology is a choice too but because she doesn't like biology teacher currently she is not so keen on this subject!! The third subject she wants to chose what she finds fascinating is -criminology

Last month it was two science and graphic design then changed to psychology and now criminology
Her GCSE subjects now are combined science(she is in top set) geography, computer science and graphic design

She wants two science to keep her options open in the future as she doesn't know yet

Get her to play around with this website - input A level choices and see most common degrees you can do.
www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer

She might want to consider the list of 'facilitating' subjects as better ones to keep doors open, though it's fine to do something interesting that you can get a good grade in.

Thanks a lot, it is a great resource👌

Don’t most degrees that people with chemistry and physics A levels study also require maths? I think that would be the most sensible 3rd choice.

Yep Maths if she's fixed on Chem and Physics. If her maths isn't up to A level standard she'll struggle to do A level Physics.

If she wants to take 2 sciences she will probably have to take at least Core Maths. DS's school requires the A Level if you want to take Physics, and maths A Level would be very useful for Chemistry as well - particularly if she wishes to go on and study it beyond A Level.

Does her school offer EPQ?

She might find something along the lines of maths/physics, chemistry, psychology and a criminal psychology EPQ an interesting combination

I agree with the maths choice, she thinks it might be too hard with two sciences and maths- She is in the middle set in Maths she is not struggling but she is not top either! In fact she was getting on very well until the school changed the sets in maths she is still in middle but was hoping to jump up- she didn't when the teacher changed too- she is doing higher in GCSEs - we need to look at further that her choices make more sense- as I don't think criminology will make any sense with two sciences

Her school does offer EPQ, will check it out too

There are no such things as facilitating subjects. They were abandoned last year. If a university wants you to have Maths, for example, they will say so on their website.

@MollynAlly most schools will ask for a 7 in Maths GCSE to do the A Level, but some people struggle even with a 7. Dd's school asked for an 8. Also, as others have said, Physics probably wouldn't be allowed without Maths.

Does she see herself working in Science? I would have thought Sciences only 'keep your options open' in the sense that they allow you to access Science related careers? Others might say differently though.

The advice I've see is do subjects you're really interested in, as well as considering what you're best at. Dd is in year 12 and really pleased with her choices so far. She did also have an eye to the future as she wants to work in healthcare of some sort, maybe clinical psychology, occupational therapy, nursing etc. For all of these degrees, a Psychology A Level is all that's required as it counts as a science (her other two subjects are History and RS).

So I would try to do some research into what she might want to do in the future - either career wise, or if she's really not sure, at least what subjects she could see herself studying at university - and go from there.

@crazycrofter thank you so much! She is equally good in all subjects- all 7/8 her last report though she doesn't really like English it is 6 and her maths is 6 too- she is aiming to up this to 6+ or 7! It was the same when picking up GCSE subjects as she was equally good in most as she made her choices! But for A levels it is I believe more specific to what she wants to do- she is not sure yet! She likes forensic science - one reason she wants chemistry! She also has no one subject in favour to any others- seems like she gets high grades in especially chemistry and physics without revising so much-I am the witness then she comes back with 7 and 8 grades in tests.
She really doesn't like essay type lessons like history, not into geography, literature is not favourite either. I try to guide her and help but it is difficult especially this will take up her two years and effect potential future! Maybe better to wait for school consultations when this happens I have no clue

It sounds from what you say that Maths might be a struggle at 6/7. The boy I knew who got a 7 really struggled at A Level and got an E. And if you rule out Maths, that probably rules out Physics, leaving her with Chemistry and Biology which go well together (and presumably would lead into forensics but check uni entry requirements on the UCAS site).

For a third subject it probably doesn’t matter too much and she should go with her interests. One thing dd did which really helped was look at past exam papers online for different subjects - it helped her to see the topics covered, the sort of questions asked, how much they had to write etc.

I have recently found out that most of colleges DS is looking at will not allow you to do A Level Physics without A Level Maths unless you have a grade 7/8 in Maths GCSE, it might be worth checking the entry requirements.

Are you sure that Criminology is an A level? I think it may be a level 3 qualification. Depending on how the sixth form offer the course, this may not be timetabled as one subject but could take up the space for 2 or even 3 subjects!
My suggestion for forensic Science would be Chemistry, biology and a 3rd subject e.g. Pyschology. Having a non Science for the 3rd subject e.g. Graphic Design could work if it fits the timetable.
I would possibly suggest an EPQ in criminology or forensics.
I would also look up degrees in Criminology and their entry requirements if your dd finds this subject fascinating.
The good news is that any A level choices are preliminary at this stage. Lots of students change their minds during Y11 or have to change options when they receive their results.
I would agree with PP who say that for Physics A level you need Maths.

I’ve seen Criminology as a Level 3 one-A Level equivalent. I’m not sure there is a 2 or 3 A Level version so it should be fine in terms of timetabling. Lots of universities accept A Level equivalents, but I understand not all do, so it’s probably worth checking a few university entry requirements to see/emailing some admissions tutors. Having had a look at Sociology, that also has a large unit on crime and deviance, so that might also appeal? And it’s an A Level (but is more of an essay subject).

Most of the criminology syllabi are actually quite boring and not really what students think they’ll be like so I’d have a good look at them. A colleague with a degree in sociology/criminology and a masters in criminology says she wouldn’t recommend any of them to a student.

I agree Chem and Bio would be a better fit - middle set for maths sounds like A Level Physics would be difficult. Especially with the learning students have missed during lockdown because maths constantly builds on what’s been done before and even if you don’t do maths as an A Level choice you still need good knowledge - so there’s the chance of doing three a levels but then also having to study at maths to access some of physics.

Is computing an option at all? I understand that graphic design is quite time consuming, similar to Art and Photography so I’d approach that with caution. A language may also be worth consideration?

DS1 is also in y11 and considering which a levels to do. At the moment he wants to do Physics, PE and Media studies which is a very random combination but they are his best subjects and the ones he really enjoys (and predicted the best grades in). He was considering biology rather than Media but then he thought it would be too “sciencey” along with PE.

@catndogslife I have just checked our consortium prospectus, criminology is listed as L3 applied diploma, anyone knows what this mean? Does this mean it is not an A level but it is listed in the subjects! To be honest with you, when we are checking theuniguide and theinformedchoices websites, criminology doesn't come in the listings, this makes me wonder if this will be a waste of time, maybe I convince her with psychology

@ihearttc I think both sciences might compliment PE as he could go into physiology sports and healthcare in the future!

@MollynAlly
Trouble is he actually wants to do something Media related so I can see why he has picked that. It’s a minefield isn’t it, you want them to pick ones that they are going to excel at and more importantly enjoy without narrowing their future choices too much.

@ihearttc exactly!! It is so difficult ☹️ we have done some work on this today, basically we have gone through all of the subjects, picked all the potential ones that makes sense for the future, ones she likes, etc then we have checked the exam boards' websites per subject, downloaded all the specs, past exam papers etc to see what she thinks about what these subjects entail- plan for the weekend: to read through the specs and the past questions
Subjects chosen so far: biology, chemistry, psychology, media studies, product design, geography, still wants to explore physics too! I think she is now considering to have criminology as her EPQ- thanks to the comment above @catndogslife think it was a good suggestion and makes sense

Some sixth forms allow students to start with 4 A levels with a view to dropping one around Christmas. So DC could give new subjects a try. The downside is that an EPQ is then forfeited as this is often timetabled and the ‘trial’ A level takes up that slot. But it may be worth asking School/college if this is an option if DC are really torn between choices.

Chemistry-biology-psychology sounds like a nice combination.

Hi @MollynAlly
For the level 3 qualifications there are 3 different possibilities:
level 3 certificate is equivalent to 1 A level subject
level 3 diploma is equivalent to 2 A level subjects
and level 3 extended diploma is equivalent to 3 A level subjects.
So looks as if at your dds sixth form it would take up 2 slots on a timetable.
Some sixth forms (but not many) allow a mixture of level 3 and A levels but with the diploma your dd would only be able to choose 1 A level subject.
For most sixth forms you can list your 3 subjects and another one as a reserve.
Hope that helps

Hi @MollynAlly!

Maths and Chemistry are the core STEM subjects for most Uni courses and careers.

Physics is generally found to be harder than Biology. Several doctors I know struggled with Physics!