A Level choices

[massistar]

Help! My DS is in the process of applying for 6th form and is struggling a bit with his A level choices. We live in Wales but I grew up in Scotland and I'm finding it hard to help him narrow down his choices. He's a bright boy if somewhat lazy!
He's doing double science as well as Computer Science, History, Spanish, PE and the obligatory Welsh. He's top set in Maths and predicted an A but really doesn't enjoy maths theory. He enjoys the numeracy side of things and problem solving.
With that in mind he spoke to his careers adviser about doing Physics and Spanish, both of which he loves along with Economics. I thought this was a good mix but the adviser has told him that he can't do either Physics or Economics without doing Maths at A level?
Uni wise he's planning something to do with business/economics with an international slant as he's also bilingual in Italian.
Any advice?

do the school offer an AS level maths? Could he do Physics, Economics and Spanish a level and then a maths AS level (so only one year course as opposed to 2)? It would obviously depend on the school as to whether this would be an option, but if he would be willing to do the one year course then it could solve the problem. That being said, I don't know how much the Physics or Economics course would rely on maths a level in 2nd year

Many schools certainly advise maths A level if doing physics. IIRC there is one student in ds2's yr 13 cohort who does physics and not maths, it's certainly harder. Surprised that someone who loves physics and economics doesn't like maths tbh.

OTOH it's not a good idea to do maths unwillingly...ds does it and lived it at GCSE in fact considered it as a uni choice, but he finds it challenging at A level (tho he did eloquently express the joy of suddenly understanding a concept in maths). He got 8 at GCSE btw. Don't know how that compares to an A in Wales.

MFL A level is great tho, yay! (my subject)

haha ds loved maths at GCSE, the only thing he lives is football!

Yes they do. They suggest 4 subjects at AS level as well as Welsh Bacc so that might be an option. He's dead set against the maths though.

My DS does Economics A level alongside Business and Geography (not Maths), it wasn’t seen as a problem by his Head of Sixth Form. DS says the maths involved isn’t that hard and definitely not A level standard. He was good at GCSE Maths, but never really enjoyed it and for that reason would have struggled at A level. If he wanted to do an Economics degree it could be a problem, some courses would accept him but it would be harder for those who stopped at GCSE. As far as I know, everyone at his school who does Physics also does Maths, apparently it’s very interlinked and I think you would be at a big disadvantage if you didn’t.

Generally, maths is almost always advised to go with Physics or Economics. If he decided to do either at university, top universities often ask for Maths for both of these subjects. I can understand his reluctance but would suggest he considers again. I think a language is a very good idea - universities love languages. If he decides not to go with Maths maybe consider Business, Spanish and maybe History?

Thanks @clary . Yes my degree is in MFL! He finds it really easy. Think doing Maths at AS might be the way to go..

Unfortunately Maths A Level is a pre-requisite for many maths based subjects and so if he wanted to pursue a career in something like Engineering, Architecture, Economics, Accountancy or finance or another similar problem-solving subject he is going to be very limited. I have taught A level economics for many years and have found that generally students that are not doing A level maths get lower grades. I do accept that is often because they have a lesser aptitude for the subject, but for that reason, many schools quite rightly now stop students doing economics without maths. I think the same is true for physics and chemistry.

I would suggest that you talk to him about potential careers and check out the requirements for the degrees subjects and univversities he may be interested in. Once he sees for himself the options available then he may re-consider.

Thanks all. Very good advice. He's never struggled with maths, just finds it a bit dull. Which I totally understand. Good advice about Economics though. I don't want him to drop the Spanish as he loves languages. He basically just loves talking to people. Not academic at all but could charm the birds out of the trees..

It’s way easier to get into a top university to do MFL than a top university to do Economics without maths A level! Why not actually do the subject he’s good at? If he doesn’t love maths, is economics a good choice? Business with MFL might be better. Look at what Bath University have regarding business courses with MFL.

Just posting to correct @Notgoingouttoday. A career in accountancy or finance doesn’t require Maths A Level. I did History, Geography and French, followed by a History degree but any subjects will do!

Ds1 is going to be doing economics without doing maths and (very academic) school hasn't said anything at all about that being a problem. If he wanted to go on to do it at university though, many do require A level maths and so it is limiting in that respect.

My advice would be to start looking long and at specific uni courses at specific unis, many will have requirements e.g 3bs including maths etc. Let this drive his a levels.

My eldest is doing economics without maths as are a lot of his friends and it hasn't been a problem for him. He is predicted an A. However his school do insist on maths with physics which I believe is pretty standard.

The A level Economics is perfectly ok without maths A level BUT if any dc wants a very well regarded Economics degree, lack of a maths A level will limit choices. It could limit employment opportunities too. The reason being that often Economics degrees specify a maths A level. Not all courses but it limits where you can go. If you study economics with a view to reading History or English at university, the lack of maths is neither here nor there. Subject combinations need to fit future plans. A levels are rarely the end of the road regarding studying but cutting down the courses you are qualified for, if you want Economics, doesn’t make sense whatever schools think.

A friends daughter did French with International Relations at Uni. I think her A levels were Music(dropped after AS) , English History & French.

Business Studies sounds like a good choice along with the Spanish.

Thanks all. We've had a chat and looked at the UCAS website together. It's so hard to know at 15 what you want to do isn't it? I do think it's a shame that we make kids narrow their education so much in this country.
In Scotland I was able to do Maths, English, Physics, French and History for Highers. Broader for longer.

OP presentingpercy is absolutely correct!! We’ve done lots of research and she is spot on!