A level choices

[dairydairy]

Ds is doing his options now, so far the list is

Physics, Biology, Geography and PE (double award, it's a Cambridge or BTEC I think)

He has to choose four and can then stop one at the end of year 12. The school also offer the EPQ which he's not keen on.

He's not sure yet what he wants to do at university. Do these look like a good mix ?

[ihearttc]

My husband is in the aviation industry(in a roundabout way) which lead to him having this passion for flying. He has been flying simulators mainly (realise nothing like the real thing) since he was old enough to do so (due to DH’s work these are proper simulators that pilots use) and all the instructors have said he has a real aptitude for it. He can land on runways perfectly that apparently some actual pilots struggle on) but obviously we don’t know how that will transfer to a real plane. The plan was to start private flying lessons when he is 16 (next month) but Covid has stopped that for the time being. He did some glider flights last year and loved that. No he isn’t in the ATC, unfortunately it’s on the same night as his other huge passion football!!
He is so torn over making the right decision that he doesn’t know which way to turn. My gut feeling is drop the Media and do something PE and science based. I think he wants to be the next sports pundit but clearly that’s unlikely to happen!!

They don’t warn you about this when they are toddlers do they?!

[NotDonna]

hearttc Sounds like he has a passion and ability for a number of careers. Good on him!

[clary]

ihearttc I just googled sheffield Hallam at random and acceptable A levels include sciences and sport (as well as English, media studies and loads of others tbh).

To be blunt, if he needed English language A level for a course then it would be pointless doing media studies. Luckily I don't think hedges need it. As you have found, not all schools do it.

I agree, look more closely at entry requirements. Much more useful for someone wanting yo be a sports journalist is concrete evidence. What has he done towards this? Lots of people are trying to get any sports journo job going so he would need to really stand out.

[dairydairy]

I found a website which you put your a level choices into and it produces a visual cloud of degree options, ds had a look and saw how the field of choices dropped massively with physics and biology instead of biology and chemistry and decided that chemistry was a much better choice as he doesn't want to do physics at university.

Of course it was all his own idea and nothing to do with me or mumsnet, whatever you say son, whatever you say

[ihearttc]

He doesn’t know where to start I don’t think, with a level choices, universities or possible career choices. He needs some guidance from school which he hasn’t had.He hasn’t done anything like that media wise hence why I think it’s all just ideas and aspirations at the moment (having said that it’s not exactly been the best 2 years to get any sort of experience in anything).
I honestly think he’d be better to just get a solid set of A Levels in subjects he’ll enjoy and do well in then decide later what he actually wants to do. I suspect he wants the glory of sports journalism but it’s really not him at all and he’s more suited to be something sports related. He’d make an amazing PE teacher, but he needs to really want to do it as the salary isn’t great.
He mentioned Loughborough the other day so will get him to start there at least and have a look. He is so stressed at the moment with lockdown abs lack of clarity on exams etc that everything I say is wrong! Thank you for all your help.

[ihearttc]

@dairydairy

That sounds really good, can you remember what it was called? Apologies for derailing your thread! I know mine definitely won’t want to do Chemistry, they’ve had no Chemistry teacher since September so his grades are going to be awful!!

[dairydairy]

[quote ihearttc]@dairydairy

That sounds really good, can you remember what it was called? Apologies for derailing your thread! I know mine definitely won’t want to do Chemistry, they’ve had no Chemistry teacher since September so his grades are going to be awful!![/quote]
@ihearttc

It was sacu-student.com/ - I'd have posted it earlier but I was on my phone not the laptop and couldn't remember it.

The more views about A level choices the better, it's all useful.

My eldest hadn't had a chemistry teacher and they ended up pretty much working as a group in lessons to teach themselves, their grades were better than expected so hopefully it's the same for your DC.

[NotDonna]

www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer
You can pop in your a level options and it suggests degrees BUT double check requirements on actual uni websites.

[dairydairy]

@NotDonna

www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer
You can pop in your a level options and it suggests degrees BUT double check requirements on actual uni websites.

We had a look at that as well, it was useful but the cloud one was what convinced DS to look closer at it because seeing the cloud of degree choices shrink from dozens to a couple of handfuls was a real wake up call for him.

[NotDonna]

Ooh not seen or heard of the cloud one. Thank you. Not sure why your post wasn’t seen before I posted mine. Yours looks like a great link!

[TheLetterZ]

As a physics teacher I would advise if possible please speak to the teachers as chemistry will be a tough A level if he isn’t really interested in it.

There is no problem with physics and biology, there are lots of courses this would work for. Plus any that need 2 sciences.

From the maths point of view, yes A level maths does make the physics a bit easier and there is some useful overlap you do not need to do both. The A level course is built on gcse physics there is only a very little bit more (some vectors and logs) . It is shame some places aren’t letting students choice what is right for them.

Saying that if the want to take physics or most engineering further maths is usually essential.

[dairydairy]

@TheLetterZ

As a physics teacher I would advise if possible please speak to the teachers as chemistry will be a tough A level if he isn’t really interested in it.

There is no problem with physics and biology, there are lots of courses this would work for. Plus any that need 2 sciences.

From the maths point of view, yes A level maths does make the physics a bit easier and there is some useful overlap you do not need to do both. The A level course is built on gcse physics there is only a very little bit more (some vectors and logs) . It is shame some places aren’t letting students choice what is right for them.

Saying that if the want to take physics or most engineering further maths is usually essential.

My concern was that a lack of Chemistry would rule out courses allied to medicine which is the area that DS is specifically interested in. It's useful to hear from a Physics teacher, thank you.

@notdonna I'm surprised I didn't come across it when my eldest two were choosing A levels, it must be relatively new.

[ihearttc]

@TheLetterZ

Thank you that’s really helpful. He is predicted an 8 in Physics and a 7 in maths so I think able enough to do the maths aspect of it. He definitely isn’t planning on doing anything engineering based, he just really enjoys the subject and is good at it. They suggested doing 4 (PE,Media, Physics and maths ) with a view of dropping maths to an AS level after a year but they won’t accept him without any maths at all. It’s his own school as well (it’s normal High School not a high achieving Grammar School or anything).
I was going to get him an A level physics book just so he could see the content to see if it was manageable!

[EwwSprouts]

DS this time last year was looking at biology, geography and physics. School would have let him do physics without maths. Now in yr12 he is doing biology, physics and maths. He will probably do something biology related at university (not medicine) and there's a lot of choice without chemistry. As I put on another thread recently, know a first year at Durham studying biology with biology, geography and maths A levels.

[Lovemusic33]

I had lots of arguments with dd over A level choices, she wanted to do computing at uni or English lit, to do computing at uni she would need maths which she wasn’t keen on doing (which is what caused arguments). She’s now doing English lit, computing and maths. She had a 4th choice which was History but couldn’t do it as it clashed with one of her other subjects on the timetable. I’m glad she didn’t take a 4th because the amount of work for the subjects she chose is crazy. Her predicted grades (so far) are AAB, the B being for maths. I really wish she had chosen a science but she didn’t want too.

You need to look at possible courses he will want to do at uni to see what he needs to get in, usually with a science or computing he will need maths.

[clary]

something biology related at university (not medicine) and there's a lot of choice without chemistry

This is very true. DS2 (yr 13) does maths and biology and PE and has offers to do biology or biological sciences from Nottingham, Newcastle and Leeds, so not too dusty. The "must have chemistry A level" story is oft propounded on MN but I don't think it's true.

And if you will do better at something else than Chemistry then that something else may be a better choice.

[NotDonna]

Interesting how all the posters above are doing or aiming to do biology related uni courses have either 2 sciences or a science and maths. That’s the crux of it. The combination isn’t always relevant.

[Piggywaspushed]

iheart most of the unis which offer sports journalism do not have specific subjects as requirements (although at an open day I went to nearly all were studying media) BUT they are competitive entry and often ask for portfolios . They are usually quite practical so the interest is not really in writing. I think ti would be odd to apply to journalism without doing an A Level that specifically hones writing and enquiry skills. Don't worry about Eng Lang : most schools don't offer it.

However, most students I have taught who have gone into broadcasting or journalism have had Eng Lit or Lang LitA Level , or another essay and/or media based subject.

The most competitive undergrad journalism degree is at Sheffield.

Lots of posters often mention you shouldn't do an undergrad degree in journalism but I am not convinced that it doesn't give those who do connections and a leg up which is so important in journalism. Without it, the profession is left to those with already existing connections. the one ex student I know who has succeeded in the field of sports broadcasting has a DF who is an ex professional footballer...

[dairydairy]

@Piggywaspushed

iheart most of the unis which offer sports journalism do not have specific subjects as requirements (although at an open day I went to nearly all were studying media) BUT they are competitive entry and often ask for portfolios . They are usually quite practical so the interest is not really in writing. I think ti would be odd to apply to journalism without doing an A Level that specifically hones writing and enquiry skills. Don't worry about Eng Lang : most schools don't offer it.

However, most students I have taught who have gone into broadcasting or journalism have had Eng Lit or Lang LitA Level , or another essay and/or media based subject.

The most competitive undergrad journalism degree is at Sheffield.

Lots of posters often mention you shouldn't do an undergrad degree in journalism but I am not convinced that it doesn't give those who do connections and a leg up which is so important in journalism. Without it, the profession is left to those with already existing connections. the one ex student I know who has succeeded in the field of sports broadcasting has a DF who is an ex professional footballer...

Wise words Piggy.

My middle DC is working and studying in a field where contacts to get experience are gold dust as work experience is limited to those with contacts and paid graduate positions are in high demand so unpaid internships with mummy and daddy's friends are common but not something that is available to my children.

They have struck gold through their work, the pandemic has meant people aren't changing jobs and that has been to their advantage (makes a change!) and secured a paid position but I am very aware that what they have achieved is very difficult so I'd urge anybody to do what they can to build contacts.

[dairydairy]

@NotDonna

Interesting how all the posters above are doing or aiming to do biology related uni courses have either 2 sciences or a science and maths. That’s the crux of it. The combination isn’t always relevant.

I agree, it seems to be mainly medicine that is more specific for obvious reasons. Back in the day I studied a medical chemistry course and it was useful to see the connections with medical knowledge for work.

[ihearttc]

@Piggywaspushed

Thank you that’s really helpful. It’s more Sports Reporting than the writing aspect he is interested in but obviously they go hand in hand. If he did that sort of course he wants to go to the UCFB (University College of Football and Business) in London which is affiliated with Wembley. There is one in Manchester as well. I realise it’s not a typical red brick university but a lot of the course is done “on the job” through Wembley itself which is obviously a good way into the profession.

School don’t offer English Lang A Level, only English Lit which he won’t do. He is great at the writing aspect itself but hates Literature. So I think if he can’t do that it’s going to rule out that sort of course anyway. Changing schools is not really an option. We live in the middle if nowhere and there are no transport links to other 6th forms. There is a train to a College 25 miles away but he would rather be at a school which sort of limits his options.

[Piggywaspushed]

We visited UCFB iheart. I wasn't enamoured, must say. But it is good for building up good connections. It was the teaching I was very a bit dubious about. Derby Uni does an excellent sports journalism course that might be worth looking into.

Eng Lit certainly shouldn't be done by students who don't like it! So much reading!

[ihearttc]

Ah that’s interesting thank you! Nobody has ever heard of it when I mention it. I did wonder if that was the case, I think it probably attracts students due to the location and connections.

[dairydairy]

Eng Lit certainly shouldn't be done by students who don't like it! So much reading!

DD loves reading, she's always got a book on the go and wouldn't notice Krakatoa erupting if she was reading. She did English Lit and loved it but said it took her a couple of months after the exam to be able to read for pleasure again.

[titchy]

@ihearttc

Ah that’s interesting thank you! Nobody has ever heard of it when I mention it. I did wonder if that was the case, I think it probably attracts students due to the location and connections.

And acceptance of kids who are not really academic enough for degree level study...