Which A level options for DC?

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DC initially wanted to go to college but have now decided to do Sixth Form. They are really not sure of what they want to study. Looking at following options:

A level psychology
A level Photography
A level Spanish

Btec applied science
Btec graphic Design

What will people suggest to keep more doors open for university?

Currently in year 11

Psychology is very versatile - essays and stats. Spanish is very easy if they are good at it and very hard if they are not. Photography sounds like a nice break. BTEC Applied Science would keep options open for allied health professions. I don't think graphic design particularly opens doors - if they want to pursue an art degree they can do art foundation (it's free) after doing BTECs or A-levels, so if they can't decide, I'd postpone that.

What are their GCSE grades and what options do they want to keep open?

Thank you. Agree regarding graphic Design.

Current grades are 6 and 7s

Spanish is great if they want to keep open the possibility of studying MFL at uni. Otherwise it keeps no specific doors open, though MFL is always a good choice if there is passion and ability. Graphic design may offer options in design at uni (but check that Btecs are accepted at specific unis).

Btec applied science may offer options in science degrees at some unis, but many will require at least one science A level (psych may count for this though). Science degrees would include psychology but not (for example) chemistry or biology-related degrees, at least IME, as these would need the relevant A level.

Otherwise none of the options keep open any specific uni courses. Psych A level is not specifically required for a psych degree. But there are still lots of general options. Many unis now accept Btecs especially if taken alongside one or two A levels.

MFL is my subject and I would not advise the A level with a grade lower than 7 at GCSE. It is linear and really builds on (and assumes) skills acquired at GCSE study.

A grounding in graphic design is very useful if they wanted to do a marketing apprenticeship or marketing degree.

I think with 6s and 7s I would choose a mix of A-levels and BTECs. How about Psychology + BTEC Applied Science + BTEC Graphic Design? The combination of Psychology + Applied Science would be quite good for allied health professions, I think - but do check several unis for these degrees, some unis are more picky for physiotherapy, for example, because it is so popular. It could also lead to psychology, business-related degrees or as PP said, something like marketing. Graphic design could be their fun subject. Does the school offer single BTECs (Extended Certificates) or Diplomas?

If you look at the university of Bristol for pharmacology for instance. Will the Btec be valid?

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/pharmacology/bsc-pharmacology/

I just checked Sheffield Hallam which offers many AHP degrees and Psychology + Applied Science (single award) would be fine for

Nursing
Midwifery
Occupational Therapy
Operating Department Practice
Paramedic Science
Radiotherapy and Oncology

Unsure about Diagnostic Radiography and Physiotherapy.

Bristol Pharmacology lists the BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science as an acceptable entry qualification (though how many get in with that is another question - you could email them and ask). Does the school / college offer the extended diploma in applied science or the single A-level equivalent? I think the single A-level equivalent would not be accepted at Bristol.

Well it really depends what we wants to do doesn’t it?

Its a bit all over the place at the moment I think it would be better to think carefully about whether he wants to do arts or science.

Photography, Art, Film Studies
Or Psychology, Biology, Spanish are both better combinations than the ones you have listed.

I wouldn’t bother with the BTECs if he is going to be looking to go anywhere good. Many universities specifically say applied science doesn’t count.

Bristol is a good university and most people on that course will have done Biology, Chemistry and Maths at A level. Even if he got in he would be making it extremely hard for himself relative to his peers. It doesn’t matter what they tell you a BTEC is not “equivalent” to an A level in anything else but name - they are far far less academic

One of the schools they are considering have applied science. It doesn’t say Btec so I assume is A level. We need to go to
open days and do dome enquires.

There is no A-level in Applied Science anymore.

What about the university of West England? Requirements seem easier there? I assume there are still good universities out there with lower requirements

Is A-level Biology an option?

The school probably offers this: qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-nationals/applied-science-2016.html#tab-Extended-Certificate_1

UWE says for Pharmacology:

• A-level subjects: Grade C in Biology or Chemistry.
• Relevant subjects: Subjects that meet the Science requirement for this course: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science and Laboratory Science/Skills.
• BTEC: You'll need a minimum of five units in a science subject. You may be asked to do more based on the size of your units. Please list the units you're studying in your application. For further advice on acceptable units, please email admissions (contact details below).

Now you can figure it out.

Looking at that link, Bristol uni won’t accept those quals for a pharmacology degree. That’s no surprise as it’s a very high ranking uni and that means it can ask for and get students with high grades at A level – most likely in sciences like bio, chem, as a PP notes.

Yes UWE will ask for lower grades. Does your DC especially want to be at uni in Bristol? UWE is a good uni, from the group of what is sometimes called post-92 unis (such as Nottingham Trent, Sheff Hallam, Leeds Beckett – all good places to study). They typically have lower entry requirements and are happier to accept Btecs.

Yes I agree tho - could they take A level biology? If they get a grade 7 that should be an option.

Re. Graphic design or photography a-levels, this is stating the obvious but only take them if there is a real interest and love for art and design. Otherwise it will be a slog for a potentially disappointing grade at the end.

Thank you. I am going to sit down with DC and look at universities and courses and see what takes their fancy. I think it is hard to decide your life/future at 15/16. I didn’t know until I was 18.

Agree with that, but it's not really about that. It's about doing the subjects they are interested in. There would have been no point me taking sciences in order to be a doctor – I was not keen on the subjects so it was a no.

I think it's a good idea to take the highest level qual you will do well at. If a Btec suits your way of working and ability in exams then do that. But if A levels in science subjects are within reach, and you enjoy the subjects and will do well at GCSE then that's a good plan.

I agree at 16 you don't know what you want to do exactly career wise; but you know if you enjoy English literature more than maths.

Have a look at the Informed Choices website. You can put in your a level subjects and see what degree pathways it opens

Specific qualifications and specific university courses matter when discussing vocational qualifications at KS5. It may be 'safer' to take A levels as (if they are the appropriate subjects) they are universally accepted. However, they will not be more helpful if you dont do well in them or the subjects dont match the uni course requirements.
It is not correct that selective universities universally reject BTECs/CTECs, but their acceptance is course specific. Many selective unis accept specific vocational qualifications (and mixtures of A levels & vocational qualifications) for specific courses. STEM courses tend to be the most restrictive and physical science courses often want A levels. If they do accept vocational quals they are often very, very specific BTECs (often specifying specfic units). Allied health courses, social sciences, sports science etc. are often more flexible but you have to look at the course requirements. There is a lot of variability.

A lot of school.sixth forms offer the single (one A level worth) applied science. This can be helpful for some allied health science courses etc. but it unlikely to have sufficient science content for courses like pharmocology. These courses will tend to want A levels (chemistry etc.) If they do accept BTECs it will likely be the big 3 A level unit ones (with modules specified) as it is these that have greater science content.

It is very hard at 15/16 but you do have to rule some things out. Looking at the possible options listed one key choice seems to be do they want to take science further as a pure STEM degree? Or for a HE course allied to health? Or do they want to keep creative arts open? If they have a steer on this it would help in narrowing down choices.

It is so tricky as at this age they change their mind all the time. Initially they wanted to go to college, now they are certain they want Sixth Form School instead.

Yes - totally agree. I have a DD in Y10 and the idea she will need to make these big decisions next year whilst also cracking on with GCSEs seems daunting (& too soon).

I didn’t grow up here so the whole system causes me a bit of stress if I am honest as DC needs guidance and I am non the wiser.