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

The Applied Diploma means it's a Level 3 course lasting 2 years and is the equivalent of an A Level. If it's WJEC I'd have taught it before so happy to answer any questions.

Our physics department strongly encourage their A Level students to take maths too. If maths is too hard, then I’m afraid physics probably will be too.

Chemistry, biology, psychology would be a good acceptable combination even in top state grammars and private schools but usually with a 4th one for lower sixth too. I am a fan of geography too which is on her list and is a traditional well regarded one too (and 2 of my children did a BSc in Geography at university too).

She should pick those that will give her most choice of university subject unless she has already chosen that and look good on a CV even if the person looking at it is aged 50 and very old fashioned which therefore means things like geography, chemistry, physics looks better than some of the newer subjects no matter how unfair that sounds. Also only pick those she will get good grades in too,

Let her choose what she wants, but if she wants science she needs to be bloody good at it. My mum forced me to do Chem, and despite getting an A at GCSE with no revision and getting As easily in my other A Levels (English, History among others) I got a U in Chem.

I just couldn't get it at all.

I see what you all are saying, and I totally agree she needs to pick the subjects she is comfortable with, she likes or enjoys the most - apart from Maths not the strongest (she doesn't struggle but she is ok in her set 3 out of 4 sets at school) but the rest of the subjects are all 7 at the moment, chemistry is 8. I keep telling her to be honest to herself and see what subject she really really likes, there is not one subject that she loves she listens at lessons, revises and get the grades she is doing it as she knows she has to do them, if she worked a little bit harder most if them would be 8/9 but she can't be bothered and 7 is fine, which is perfectly fine with is too but she doesn't have a favourite subject she doesn't know what she wants to study- still think it js perfectly normal not to know this yet- we will go through the subjects again today and see what we come up with
@MrsMime thank you so much yes it is WJEC criminology- I was wondering if this counts as A levels as I cannot see this subject listed anywhere in the websites for A levels guidance etc

It's a very new course. It holds the same number of UCAS points as an A Level.

qips.ucas.com/qip/wjec-applied-generals-reformed this may help.

Most people who study Criminology at degree level have never touched the subject before that. So it’s one of those irrelevant ones as far as getting into a degree course is concerned.

Although they are no longer called “facilitating” subjects, Cambridge university still lists them. So it’s definitely true that at the most very competitive universities, having a strong set of these subjects (2) is probably preferred but some subjects will only require one which is stated in the entry criteria. However a set of subjects such as Media Studies, Sociology and Criminology won’t get you far for some courses at se universities. We all know certain subjects keep more doors open.

However, you don’t need all three of them to be “facilitating”
so she could easily do Biology, Psychology and Geography and have lots of options open for degrees. Chemistry is usually better paired with Maths. You could substitute Sociology for Psychology but Media Studies is another one never required.

Biology, psychology and geography would be good. My daughter who was good at all GCSEs chose science A levels to keep medicine and law both open to her at university. Her 4 siblings all did arts A levels including economics. She did find physics and chemistry at A level harder and dropped physics after As so did Geograaphy, economics and chemistry. I might be biased as I did history, English and German but be a bit careful of the harder sciences as the step up to A level can be a bigger leap in my view than say history, geography. Economics is a useful one and although not facilitating is highly regarded by universities and employers.