A levels Sciences v Fine art

[SmudgedWardrobeHamster]

DD is a keen artist and has always said she would like a career in something artistic. However her other favourite subjects are the sciences and Spanish.

Her school offer art history, art and photography A levels as well as the sciences and languages. Three art subjects sound lovely but then that would be it for the sciences.

If she takes art at A level then I suppose she should do an essay subject too but would it be odd to add one science in the mix? I suppose she could look at careers in textiles or colour.

Why do children have to specialise at such a young age?!

If she does art, there will still be aspects of art history and photography in it, so maybe do that and a science? Art and physics are a good combo (architecture). If she does Biology she could focus on anatomy. I’ve also had students cast bits of plastic skulls and faces as part of their art, which is useful for dentistry.

Some careers have probably need a mixture of art and science. Art and physics or Art and a chemistry would be good for an architect or someone in textiles or materials and some engineering sort of jobs (?)

Interesting, thank you. But she couldn’t do dentistry with just one science could she? It would seem the ideal would be two sciences, fine art and an essay subject (history of art?) or a language. I don’t think she’d do four though.

My architecture students usually do Maths as well. The art students who do medicine or dentistry usually do another science yes. They usually base their art on the human body too and usually do an EPQ on something medical as well. Does the school do EPQs? Maybe that could be based on art history or languages?

@SmudgedWardrobeHamster

Interesting, thank you. But she couldn’t do dentistry with just one science could she? It would seem the ideal would be two sciences, fine art and an essay subject (history of art?) or a language. I don’t think she’d do four though.

It looks like chemistry and biology are the best bets.

www.theuniguide.co.uk/advice/a-level-choices/what-a-levels-do-you-need-to-become-a-dentist

Chemistry and art (maybe with art history?) might be good for someone interested in restoration/conservation type work, perhaps? Though my guess is that art history, being a subject that isn't offered in all sixth forms, is never going to be required for uni or other courses, and perhaps the sort of knowledge that can be acquired later more readily than others.

Oh, interesting. Thank you both. I hadn’t thought about a “unique”offer such as art history or photography as being anything but a positive. I suppose they wouldn’t be facilitating subjects, wasn’t there a list of facilitating subjects at one point?
I sort of hope she doesn’t want to do dentistry, medicine or architecture as they all sound so tough. The sort of thing that other people do. Although of course I’ll try an not let her see that. I’m assuming the school does EPQ but I’ll have to check. Does the worth of that depend on the strength of the school librarian or is there usually a teacher who teaches research skills.

I guess your DD has two ways of looking at it.

Either choose the subjects that she enjoys most or has the best chance of getting high grades and then consider what careers they might lead to. I'm not an expert but I believe that if she wants to go on and study art her other 'A' level subjects will be less important than her portfolio of artwork.

Or she decides on a broad career route and chooses the subjects that would facilitate that. There's a big difference between a career in art and dentistry for example. Both are competitive but in different ways.

Some students find having an artistic subject alongside more traditionally academic subjects a huge bonus and a form of relief at A level. We know quite a few who did combinations like Maths, History & Art.
Even if she decides later to pursue a career needing some extra science qualifications it may be possible to top up at post graduate level. A friend of mine has had to do a chemistry course in order to go to work as amuseum conservator.

Yes both, thanks so much.

Oh gosh, conservation is something else that’s requires a lot of qualifications I know that.

She’s got a bit of time to decide.

Does she like physics too because Maths, physics and art and a good combination for architecture or architectural engineering?

UCL do à degree which mixes art and science. Might be worth looking at to help with A level choices.

Hmm, yes, maths physics and art. I’ll talk to her.
I didn’t k ow about the UCL degree, it sounds interesting. Is it a sort of liberal arts degree? I know Essex do one of those which may suit her.

No point in doing one single science unless she has a very specific niche career in mind that combines science and art.

So suggestions that haven't been mentioned: IB - can combine arts and sciences. May mean changing school though. Or 'traditional' A levels (science and a Lang) to give her some time to think. Followed by an Arts Foundation (1 year) if she decides Art is her future).

“ No point in doing one single science unless she has a very specific niche career in mind that combines science and art. ”

I have to disagree with that. If you’re interested in science, there’s a value in doing it even if it doesn’t feed directly into your degree/career.

I sort of hope she doesn’t want to do dentistry, medicine or architecture as they all sound so tough. The sort of thing that other people do

Why?? If she has the aptitude and the interest then she could certainly do one of them. Unless there is a back story. It’s great you won’t let her see how you feel.

16 is hardly 'young' to specialise. It's school leaving age*.
Isn't that the whole point of Post 16 education is that you specialise in something that will lead to the next stage of your life.
If she likes the idea of working in something artistic has she looked at what alternative qualifications (Btec etc) are available at a local college?
It depends on the type of art she is interested in.though. College courses are (from what I can tell) are more practical arts.
(*Despite what people say it's not compulsory to stay in education until 18 in England - education, training or working + college are what is required)

I dunno, I feel 16 is very young compared with other countries. At that age in Ireland I was still studying 7 subjects and was counted on my top 6 for CAO points (Irish equiv of UCAS).

Back to subjects that go well with art. Does she like Computer Science? Art and computer science would be great for working in app design or video games later on. I hear physics is a big part of gaming design too.

When dd was choosing A levels having 3 Art subjects wasn't recommended. Developing portfolios and doing assessed coursework for 2 Art subjects is very demanding and having a different type of subject for the 3rd option would add more balance.

DD does a mixed set of A-levels - Maths & Physics [latter not recommended without Maths unless Maths comes VERY easily to you - the overlap has been useful], Art, a language, and an EPQ based on her career of choice.

Apart from a wobble at the beginning when she was sad to have dropped Chemistry, it has been OK and has left a good variety of courses open.

Does your DD do four A levels and an EPQ cant? How does she find the workload. Is she on the upper end of clever, if that can be judged?!

She hasn't expressed any interest in medicine. If she did I would go all out to support her. I am hoping she doesn't express an interest as it is very hard work and seems like such a tough life.

I have had a look at the IB and it looks interesting and there are a few schools local to us that run it but they are all independent schools. One of them offers nursery so that may be worth looking at.

Just musing at the moment. Her choice isn't imminent and she may develop a preference for one or the other. Almost a year without science practices or art in the art room maybe isn't a great time to think about it.

Does your DD do four A levels and an EPQ cant? How does she find the workload?

Yes, and until lockdown and an injury had a serious weekly timetable of classes in a performing art - had lockdown not happened I think she would have dropped one of the A-levels but the gain of those 7+ hours per week has meant she can keep it going. having had such a large extra-curricular commitment has driven her to be extremely self-disciplined from a really young age - and in fact it is the current lack of structure that she is finding hardest.

Is she on the upper end of clever, if that can be judged?!
Yes, somewhat to her own surprise.

Gosh, that sounds so full on but I do know that some people really thrive on being busy. My cleverest friends are always on the go.
Lots to think about, thank you all.