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Secondary education

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Original poster

A level choices

27 replies

Blubell46 · 19/08/2021 14:30

Hi my ds has chosen biology, maths , chemistry and computing for his A levels. He is now thinking of swapping out computing for physics. Since he is thinking about pursuing a career in engineering.

He loves biology and chemistry at gcse and am wandering if this would be the same love at A level. Since I heard Chemistry is really hard.

It is compulsory to take 4 A levels in his school.

If any of your children have taken these A levels please can I ask your opinion on these A levels before he requests to swap one of them out.

Thank you for your advice in advance.

OP posts:
UserStillatLarge · 19/08/2021 14:55

What GCSE results did he get? I would suggest I'd hope for at least 7s. I think those are all hard subjects and studying 4 is a big ask. Though I guess the school's insistence on 4 suggests it's a very selective school.

My DS is taking physics and maths A Level. He's not finding as much overlap as he'd hoped and is struggling to understand the concepts. It's a big step up from GCSE. He would have preferred to do computing (but it wasn't offered) - so I think there is an element of if your son enjoys the subject he may do well.

Original poster
Blubell46 · 19/08/2021 15:13

@UserStillatLarge thank you . He got 8 in maths and 9 in biology, chemistry and computing.

He got an 8 in physics.

I do think it is hard and personally I prefer 3 subjects...I am keeping quiet but am hoping he will be able to drop on after the first year.

I can imagine it is a step up and am slight concerned it is too much

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MarshaBradyo · 19/08/2021 15:13

Ds is heading towards same career path and is doing maths, further maths, physics and computer science.

All 9s in those though which helps. He’s about to start so not much advice but I think it’s a good combo for engineering.

Original poster
Blubell46 · 19/08/2021 15:15

He wants to go into engineer...but not 100% and so he thinks physics is a better option than computing.

It would be good for him to take a contrasting subject. I am worried it will be all too much.

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54321nought · 19/08/2021 15:17

biology is the hardest A level of the sciences, if he can do biology, he can do physics

54321nought · 19/08/2021 15:17

He should take a look at the entry requirements of some engineering degrees

Original poster
Blubell46 · 19/08/2021 15:18

He loves biology and so I think he may change his mind later on depending on the course. So if there was one subject he would change it would be computing...

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Original poster
Blubell46 · 19/08/2021 15:19

@54321nought just out of curiosity is biology a lot of memorising? He is worried about this since he learning for gcse was understanding the concept.

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thing47 · 19/08/2021 17:02

Mine did chemistry, biology and psychology. Liked biology the best but ended up doing better in chemistry. Go figure Smile

I can't imagine anyone who got 9s in biology and chemistry finding the A levels too hard tbh. Mine didn't get those grades and has since done a STEM undergrad and is currently doing a STEM Masters. But agree physics is probably a better bet for engineering.

Hellohah · 19/08/2021 17:04

Did he have a conversation with college?

DS had ages with loads of the Head of Departments as he was undecided on a third subject.

He's doing Maths, Physics and Ancient History but Geography and Further Maths were potentials.
They were really knowledgeable and explained that not taking Further Maths might close some doors at some Universities but that Ancient History opened others if he didn't want to go down the Maths, Physics, Engineering path.
After listening he felt that he would enjoy the History far more and like the difference.

We did have a quick look at University entry requirements and nowhere says Further Maths is essential so I'm guessing the tutors know best from experience, no matter what is published on websites.

UserStillatLarge · 19/08/2021 18:25

I guess the thing with not doing Computer Science is that it doesn't close any doors. He can still go on and do a Computer Science degree (or something IT based) on the basis of having a maths A Level.

I honestly think he should take the subjects he thinks he will enjoy most.

GoWalkabout · 19/08/2021 18:34

The maths and physics curriculum share some content so doing them together is helpful. Honestly its a popular and respected set of subjects, its what he wants to do and he's capable so I don't see the problem? I agree with dropping one in due course though because unis prefer better grades rather than 4 subjects. Get him to look up possible degree courses and check he's not ruling out anything but I can't see the problem, I think even computing courses want maths more than computer science.

Original poster
Blubell46 · 19/08/2021 20:02

Thank you all for your advice. He has looked at the courses and he said aerospace engineering would like maths and physics.

I think he will swap it out but I have said sleep on it and email the school on Monday.

He had chats with the teachers a while back but at that time he went for the subjects he liked and physics was ranked 5 but after reading more about the field he is keen on he now wants to swap it out.

I asked him did he want to swap out biology or chemistry but he said he likes biology and he is worried how hard chemistry will be - since that is what he has heard but at the same time he said I case I change my mind about engineering and it isn't for me and least I do something with chemistry.

I am just worried these subjects are very heavy and he has just turned 16 so it is a-lot to decide at such a young age.

Thank you for all your help.

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JettySinging · 19/08/2021 20:15

Ds's advice (just finished year 13 and achieved A A A A) is basically to use any free period to get the homework done immediately whilst it is still fresh in his head. Sixth forms usually have a period at the end of the day to ask any teachers for help, if he needs it ask for it. If he doesn't understand something, look it up. I know this sounds obvious but some children just let it slide and then their grades start to slide.

Physics and maths overlap which is helpful. There are loads of resources online from websites to YouTube. If at any stage he needs pointing toward something, post on the Further Education board and the power of MN can help.

The subjects are heavy but if he is organised and has a good attitude to learning then he should be okay. I don't mean to be awful but sixth form usually kicks out around 3pm or 3.30pm, most 16 year olds don't go to bed before 9pm, that is a lot of free time every day after school plus the weekend. It is all about priorities.

Original poster
Blubell46 · 19/08/2021 21:34

@JettySinging thank you that does sound encouraging.

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Original poster
Blubell46 · 19/08/2021 21:43

@JettySinging I will have a chat with him tomorrow and set the expectations and it will be up to him to make the final decision for Monday.

Thank you for asking your son. Plus well done on his results - they are amazing. What is he hoping to do?

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JettySinging · 19/08/2021 22:26

@Blubell46 Computer Science degree.

I will tell you that he didn't feel like it was really hard work, just paid attention in class and had really great teachers who explained things well. They also had little study groups when they all had a free period together. It was an outstanding sixth form and strict so most of them were highly motivated anyway.

There is so much out there to support learning outside of the classroom.

Original poster
Blubell46 · 20/08/2021 06:58

@JettySinging sorry to bother you but please may I ask what A levels he did? Thank you

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JettySinging · 20/08/2021 07:36

@Blubell46 of course, computer science, physics, maths and further maths.

He got grade 9s in computer science, maths and combined science at GCSE so the foundation knowledge was there for A level which I believe helps. Most students in his A level class hadn't done triple science.

They were tested every 3 weeks or so for end of topic so they could see where they were grades wise.

PeonyTime · 20/08/2021 07:56

Many many moons ago, when 3 A levels was typical, I did Bio, Physics, Chem and Maths.
There was a significant overlap between maths and physics.

The "they are hard A levels" really bugs me. It would have been infinitely more work for me to have attempted French, History and Art, because that's not where my strengths lie. It sounds like both subjects lie within his interests and strengths, so go with either what he lives the most, or what us needed for what ge sees himself doing going forward.

Original poster
Blubell46 · 20/08/2021 08:08

Thank you @JettySinging and please thank you you dc for the advice.

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Aroundtheworldin80moves · 20/08/2021 08:14

I did Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology years ago, plus Geography AS. It was considered hard then (and my AABB +A in the As level considered amazing, how times change...).
There were overlaps between all of them in different ways. Biology and statistics, Maths and Mechanics, organic chemistry and biology, physical chemistry and physics. No doubt the syllabi have changed though.

I went on to Biomedical Engineering with a bit of Computational Biology.

Howshouldibehave · 20/08/2021 08:20

@54321nought

biology is the hardest A level of the sciences, if he can do biology, he can do physics
I don’t think it’s that simple-it’s more about what you’re good at and where your interests lie, I think. I did biology A level, loved it and got an A but found physics really hard at GCSE so would have struggled to do well at A level.

Several of DC’s friends did all sciences for A level last year and did really well in biology and chemistry but completely ploughed physics.

Original poster
Blubell46 · 20/08/2021 09:01

@Howshouldibehave thank you...I am concerned about the physics but he said it will help him if he decides to go to engineering.

I personally think he should do something with biology but keeping my mouth firmly closed for now- at least he is going Biology A level.

If physics gets too hard or he looses interest in the first year and at least he will then know what career path to follow.

Thank you for your advice

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sendsummer · 21/08/2021 05:33

Great that he is able to start with four to try out his preferences and I agree that replacing computer science with physics allows more initial flexibility for degree choices.

All his A level choices will have their challenges and he can revisit his degree preferences after a couple of terms when he has a better idea of what suits his abilities as well as interests. Since he loves biology and is considering engineering get him to look at these two courses at Imperial to see what appeals most, molecular bioengineering or biomedical engineering (or neither). www.imperial.ac.uk/study/ug/courses/bioengineering-department/biomedical-engineering-meng/
Both require a top grade in maths, the first requires chemistry, the second physics. Any engineering pathway will require strong maths. He mentioned aerospace engineering, if he is serious about that then he needs to decide whether his maths ability could cope with conceptual thinking using further maths.