A level choices Geography Biology Product Design?

[Taffle2000]

Can anyone offer any advice please on whether this combo keeps options open for DD, as she really not sure what she might want to do at Uni/career wise.
The only clear favourite subject is DT, which she is predicted 9 for GCSE. We have ruled out maths as I don't think she would either enjoy or cope with A level. Doesn't mind Physics, but low predicted grade and prefers Biology (predicted 7). Also doesn't enjoy Chemistry.
She likes Geography, predicated a 7.
Could this combo work, or is it too disjointed with a single science?
We going round in circles trying to cover all bases and keep as many options open for her. Psychology has been mentioned, but it's an unknown subject so not sure.
Sorry bit rambling.

I think it is a bit disjointed, but that might not matter. I also think it's important teens study what they want to (because an unhappy stressed teen might not do well, and will have a miserable time)

If you're ruling out maths, then I assume she doesn't want to go on to study engineering.

What does she like so much about DT? Does she want to go further in that sort of field?

I think the Bio and Geog compliment each other.
The Product Design is a bit less related, but if that is what she wants, and school can timetable it, go for it.
Dont do maths or physics if you don't love them.

I think she would have liked to go down engineering route, but from everything I've read, maths is a must and although predicted a 7, she has to work hard for that. She is good at both art and DT, really enjoys the creative process also that is mainly course work (can struggle with exams as SEN).

DT was the first subject she chose and is quite fixed on, so that has to stay or would be a miserable 2 years for both of us.
It is so difficult trying to navigate the differing entry requirements, if you not applying for standard stem/essay subjects.

Potential interesting future in conservation, materials development, geography, product design, industrial design and lots of other interesting careers with this choices. I think lots of future jobs will in the space between creativity and science so I don’t think it sounds disjointed.

Thanks v much for your perspective, that really quite sums her up - straddles between sciences and creative. Feel much more reassured about options long term, t you.

Geography counts as a science doesn't it? it definitely straddles science & humanities.
Sounds a sensible choice for her.

Yes it does appear that some uni's treat Geography - I probably over thinking all this tbh. She is at an academic school, and everyone seems to be so focused on 'pure' stem subjects (or essay type) that I having a wobble. She is happy with her choices and I just need to keep reminding myself of that! Thanks all for the reassurance

Product Design is a STEM subject. There’s a lot of science in it. The exam worth 50% is predominately science.

It gives her more strings to her bow.

Shes doing a Science, a Humanity and a scientific creative subject. I think that’s a great combination. Covers every angle

Thanks v much for your perspective, that really quite sums her up - straddles between sciences and creative. Feel much more reassured about options long term, t you

This is the role of design.

They should do A Levels they're going to enjoy. Whatever they end up wanting to do afterwards, you'll usually find there's a path to get there.

So many people get hung up on which A Levels to take and it's just not necessary.

It is necessary! You won’t get on an engineering course without maths! You won’t get on a Physics course without Physics. You really must do the required A levels for some courses, so of course choices matter and it’s very wrong to suggest otherwise. Informed Choices booklet makes this point.

The main thing is that Biology and Geography don’t close doors. Not doing maths doesn’t keep all options open but it’s a good combination to do if she’s keen on these 3 subjects. Technology has its own strengths and as she goes through 6th form, potential careers and university courses will open up.

DS1 did Geog A level and now degree as basically he doesn't know what he wants to do! He enjoys it.
He also did maths A level having got a 7 at GCSE and sweated blood and tears to come out with a B. Ended up hating it so agree, best avoid if unsure.
DS2 does Biology A level (+ Chem and Maths) and actually finds it the most difficult of the three. It is quite unlike the GCSE, lots of content and very tricky mark schemes.
I once read not to take a single science but not sure how accurate that is. Many degrees do stipulate specific A levels so be careful.

DD and I have talked over the lack of maths, but my gut feeling is that the natural ability is just not there for her. Similar with Physics, which is possible to improve current grade, but everyone seems to take maths with physics?

Thanks for that, good to here not all 16yr olds had a definite plan. At the moment, the only thing she set on is DT, but the reality of pursuing as a uni/career will be affected by lack of maths (and possibly physics). Well done to your DS for toughing it out at A level.

My DDdid Product design GCSE and A level ( along with maths and English lit) and went on to study it at uni which involved quite a bit of mechanical and electrical engineering. It depends on where you study but at Loughborough they make a distinction between industrial and product design. Product design there is more engineering and either maths or physics is a requirement. Lots of unis offer what is called product design but more like industrial design where maths / physics are not necessarily needed.

These were exactly what Dd did. The school weren’t keen, said there was no point doing a single science. However she knew what she wanted to do at university and the course was not bothered about subjects, just ucas points. So she went with what she liked. She went onto to do architecture.

@Taffle2000
Maths supports Physics. Maths and Physics are vital for most types of engineering - hence the link. Maths ia useful for environmental science too but not essential. DD will still have lots of options.

That is exactly the combination which DS1 chose for A levels, didn't know what he wanted to do post A-levels but ended up in an industrial design degree from a top-ranked uni. He could have done Maths (A* at GSCE and his teacher said he was capable) but he didn't have any interest in the subject. It is tricky if she really doesn't have any idea what she wishes to do, many degrees have few or no specific subject requirements but for instance, DS found that many design courses did require maths so they were ruled out. They tended to be the more engineering-focused courses which was not where his interest lay but he could potentially have run into difficulty with the lack of maths.

It’s a good combination.

If she is interested in psychology then I do recommend it, I did the A-level and found it fascinating. I wanted to do psychology degree but as I wasn’t seen as ‘sciency’ I was talked into taking English instead 🤦‍♀️

I mention this because now all the women I know are mums and our holy grail is a flexible job that fits around school pickup/dropoff times and is term time
only. The highest earner in our group is the psychologist who now owns her own counselling private practice (as well as doing occasional hospital work / corporate consultancy) and she has total control of her hours. The mums who, like me, went into the City earned great money for a while but then found it impossible to juggle long hours job with parenting and ended up sahms struggling to start a new career from scratch.

So with my DD, when she gets to degree and A level choices I’m really going to remind her that she’ll probably have a family and to aim for something that gives her control of her hours and transerable skills etc.

My English degree however was pretty useless.

A friends DS did Product Design(?) at Loughborough with a year placement, had both maths and physics though and loved it (very sporty also). Landed great job who are sponsoring his masters. The facilities look fab and will be on the visit list.

As long as your DD doesn't want to go down a hard science route at uni, all those subjects look great.

There's no point doing Maths if she doesn't enjoy it or if she isn't great at it. An A in a different subject is better than a C in Maths.

When I say 'hard' I don't mean difficult.

I mean an actual science degree. Like chemistry or biomed. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Thanks for that, food for thought and love that your DD found her way to architecture, good for her!

Thank you. I have dipped in and out on these boards recently and really appreciate your advice. That applies to all who have responded, thanks v much, it's really helped get it all in perspective.