To advise 15 yr old DS to go down vocational or A Level post 16 route for Computer Science/IT

[Hazlenuts2016]

Am aware I'm really early in thinking about this. Son is half way through year 10. Is predicted a 9 for GCSE Computer Science and a 5 in maths. He is really into coding and has developed his own games at home. However, a lot of the CS A Level courses ask for a 6 in maths. He could still scrape it, but I've heard that CS is very maths focused and I'm worried he will struggle. He is struggling a bit socially and i think a sixth form would be more sociable than a tech college. Also might do him good to do something alongside computing. Options are:

Gamble on a CS A Level place at sixth form, with Electronics A level and one more L3 course. Possibly missing out on vocational route if he doesn't get his grades and spaces get filled.

Go for vocational route at sixth form. 3 Level 3 subjects including Application development (includes some coding), Data analytics and one other. Would just need a 5 in maths. Courses aren't as much about coding so he's not as keen.

Go to a good college to do a T Level computing with coding type course. Would only need a 5 in maths.

He would like to go to university to do something computer related afterwards. I'm trying to get him a maths tutor but don't want to put him under too much pressure and need him to be realistic about his options. Also, want him to have a proper social life, so the place he chooses is important. At the moment he is in his room a lot and doesn't meet up with friends much. This is my first post. Thank you for reading this far.

Just to add. Realise its entirely his decision, but want to know what the pros and cons are from anyone's experiences.

My DD did CS a level. A lot of it is not maths focused.

however a 5 in maths suggests he struggles with abstract thinking which a lot of coding is. It’s unusual to be good at coding and not at maths.

what are his other strengths?

Difficult if he is not top top top level in IT AI will take so many IT jobs

My son is really focused on computer science (doing A levels now in maths, physics and computer science). When you look at the entry requirements for unis, they need maths. Maybe focus on some tutoring, see if he can get a bit further with his maths?

@Octavia64he's just so into coding and yes it does sound a bit contradictory given what people say about maths and coding. Quite into electronics as well. OK in humanities but not really into essay writing enough. Really shy and needs to come out of his shell. Nothing else stands out, career wise.

@surreygirly so level 3 vocational IT subjects are probably on their way out?
@coolcahunathanks yes that makes sense but if he's not naturally gifted in maths he might not be best suited to this field

Get the maths tutor, it won’t put pressure on. It will help him. I got one for my DD and raised her maths from a 4 to a 7 in 9 months for GCSE.

Do not encourage coding as a career. AI is now doing most coding.
He is better off going A level to University but I would look at options that do not involve A level maths. So no CS degree. No engineering degree.

What are his other strengths? Most of tomorrow’s jobs will require CS literacy so it would still be a good A level. Is he good at biology? Any interest in geology? Or geography? Or law enforcement(cyber crime)?

Does he see himself working in an office, lab, or outdoors?

@FiatLuxAdAstrawow, what an amazing result for your DD. Will look into it sharpish.
He will do work experience at a local authority IT dept next year.

He is quite into electronics as well as IT, but presume that will be out if his maths isn't good enough.

He is very shy so would prefer an office environment or something technical that isn't customer facing.

Good point about the future of coding. Maybe it'll have to be more of a hobby for him.

He dropped geography and isn't enough into any of the sciences although is predicted a double 7. I think cyber crime would be a possibility, but have heard criminology isn't great for prospects?

Just realised cyber crime is a CS subject more than criminology

Mine does both but CS is not heavily maths related at all.

Cyber crime, and digital forensics are booming!
It would be in an office recovering data from seized IT equipment…would involve electronics as there are methods now for retrieving data corrupted by fire, acid, malware - the cyber crime equivalent of trying to flush your illegal drugs down the toilet.

There would also be running programs to find accounting discrepancies, trace funds transfers- ie how they find out terrorists get funding and then freeze accounts.

It is criminology but with a computer science tech focus.
https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/bsc-hons-criminology-and-cybercrime#entry-requirements

no maths a level needed

But if this career doesn’t appeal to him, chat with him about what careers do, then look up the degree course requirements and that will lay out the path he should take.

Drone operation is another career field that has lots of IT and electronics - used for surveying. https://www.impactaerial.co.uk/2024/09/26/supporting-chartered-usurveyors-with-drones/

or even being a chartered surveyor operating your own drone.
https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0331-v1-2

the degree apprenticeship requires a 4 at GCSE level in maths and English.

Have him think of a dream sheet of jobs…

@FiatLuxAdAstrathanks so much. All really useful suggestions/ info.

If he is good at and enjoys coding and electronics, I'd go for A levels in Computer Science, Electronics and something else he enjoys or a tech focused BTEC with a view to getting a tech focused degree or degree apprenticeship. I certainly wouldn't worry about AI taking over all coding jobs. It isn't where I work, however much it gets hyped and there are some really interesting well paid jobs on the boundary of coding and electronics.