A Level choices: best to choose what you like and not worry if they go together?

[Underneaththearches]

DS looking at doing Music, Psychology and Maths. Probably. Encouraged by school, and also personally keen to start with 4 with a view to dropping one once they have a proper feel for the A Levels. Other possible subjects would be German, Sociology, Economics, Art, Further Maths, Eng Lang.
Music, Psy and Maths are not an incoherent mix, but they do not have content overlap in the way that Geog/Sociology/Ec or Maths/Phy/Comp Sci do. Still, it must be best to pursue what most interests you? DS potentially looking at a Music degree so subject mix isn't really an issue (but could change their mind!)

Absolutely YES !

One of my most talented creative writers was doing maths, FM, physics and creative writing. He's now doing his masters in physics and writing on the side. They should do what they are interested in

Totally fine

I'd say yes, but with an eye on what they might want to do next.
So in your case, you have checked and those would be OK for expected next course.
However some courses need '2 science subjects' or whatever, so being aware of entry requirements to possible courses is sensible.

If they're wanting to do music at uni then totally fine I'd say but if they want to pursue maths or the psychology route then not such a good combo. Maths they'd be better off doing a core science and psychology courses often want biology to get into a decent course, like a red brick uni. X

They go very well together.

Those choices sound fine, but it is not always best to just pick what you like, as that may close doors further down the line. I've certainly known students who have had to pick up an extra subject in Y13 or extend their time at sixth form because they haven't had a subject that they've then realised they've needed for what they want to do.

Students should check out university websites for entry requirements for subjects they might be considering as there may be some surprises.

Oh yes, obviously you should always check degree requirements. What I meant was doing closely aligned subjects might cut down on work or at least provide connections in content or skills - but is the benefit of that outweighed by doing subjects you want to do.

For maths, the most useful fourth would be further maths. For psychology, most universities will count maths as a science subject to back up the psychology; no biology might rule out some but certainly not all - I just checked a couple of Russell Group and the maths was enough for both.

My dd is doing psychology at uni and uni don't require psychology to get a spot. She did psychology, maths and biology but many in her psychology classes did essay subjects or music.

The subjects that your child has chosen do go well together. A-level psychology doesn't require A-level maths bit confidence in maths helps and I believe that there are studies that say that people who are good at maths are often good at music too. (Same part of the brain or something ?)

Yes sounds great. Maths supports the psych as I understand it, maths and music go together well too. Great combo. But yy if he may want to do maths degree he should consider FM. If not, tho, no worries.

Agree that maths and psych are counted as sciences by most unis so that wouldn't be an issue in terms of psych degree. Mate of DD's took psych at Birmingham with maths and Eng lang as her other A levels.

DD is studying Psychology at Uni of Liverpool (the original redbrick as she keeps reminding us!)

She did maths AS (called quantitative maths/core maths), psychology, English Lang. and drama.

There is a lot of stats in psych, the math will prop that up. However- it IS good to take subjects they love

Great combination and shouldn't be too much work, despite very different assessment styles. That's presuming he's already strong in his instrument/s though; can be very difficult to do well in A Level music if you don't play very well, unlike GCSE.
If he does do a 4th choice I'd avoid art and German though; both time intensive and that probably would be too much.

Well it is often said. But there is also the suggestion it's just about class privilege - parents who prioritise and can afford music lessons also support their child in maths.

My DS is applying to do a music degree next year and is doing Music, Art, Chemistry and Physics A Levels. He decided to do the subjects he enjoyed the most although we did try to talk him in doing Maths instead of Chemistry but he hates maths so it was a no.

I did Maths, Biology and RE for A levels. It caused a little bit of a timetabling issue, but for me it worked out for the best as I was set 2 for maths and did statistics which I much preferred over set 1's mechanics. This was a small school sixth form.

DD is now doing Environmental science, geology and law, law wasn't her first choice but they couldn't accommodate what she wanted. This is a big college so not always given.

The timetabling may therefore be the issue, not how they go together.

Some useful ways of 'testing' optimal A-level combinations include:

what do I enjoy and am good at?' (as more likely to be motivated to achieve best grades possible);

which subject(s) are prerequisites for any degree subjects I might be considering?' (this can surprise eg Econ and CompSci are often not pre-requisites for their respective courses but Maths often is);

which A-levels close off the least number of degree options? (as this allows an element of future-proofing; the Informed Choices website is useful at a high level in this respect);

Some additional points to consider are:

Maths A-level is a great one to keep options open but is a big step up; strong GCSE performance and a willingness to put in the practice and consolidate learning from the start is required;

Subjects do not necessarily need to be chosen to be obviously complementary (in my view, @Underneaththearches) as some student like and relish variety;

It is, however, worth considering whether some very intensive subjects overlap content in a useful way (eg Maths, Physics, CompSci) or some very demanding/content heavy/time intensive subjects can be balanced with subjects that are less so, particularly if you are considering a fourth A-level (at least initially);

On this last point, is it worth your DC running through an exercise where they consider each of the current 'favoured' A-levels in turn and decide what they would substitute that with? There might be a pattern which yields an answer to that particular question.

You might be interested in this degree going forward. Looks like it could match your dc’s subject/ interests really well.

www.bachelorsportal.com/studies/87316/music-with-innovation.html

DS did maths, physics, psychology and law and then went on to do a physics degree