A level choices

[copella]

Just to update you. DS kept to his first decision. We spent a long evening going over the different syllabus, thinking about the future and why he chose economics in the first place. So thank you for all your advice. I showed him some of your posts too and he says thank you to all those who replied. Onwards and hopefully upwards.

[Guest55]

Thanks for letting us know - hope sixth form studies go well.

[penguin]

Thanks for the update Copella. It feeds my nosiness. Best wishes to your son. And well done Ginx-son.

[2ndtimetrek]

Goodday to everyone.

My DD is due to make her choice for A Levels. I will greatly appreciate advice on what best to do.

Her choice is:

For AS:
Maths
Further Maths
Economics
Product Design.

For A2:
Maths
Further Maths
Economics

Now our confusion on her choice is based on Further Maths. I gathered from other parents that Maths & Further Maths are viewed as 1 subject by universities. If this is true, how does her choice affect her chances with universities? She is looking to study Actuarial Science or Economics.

We have looked at Physics, she is not kin on it.

Thanks for your advice in advance

[Guest55]

Have you seen the school offer yet? Some of these subjects ?product design become linear so an AS won't exist.

Maths and F Maths are treated as two A levels for the sort of degree she is considering. Look at some university websites for confirmation.

[2ndtimetrek]

Thanks Guest55, I have taken a look at the school's website on the list of subjects offered for A Levels and Product Design is offer as AS & A2.

I will have to inquire more before the final choice is submitted.

Thanks for clearing the confusion on the Maths and Further Maths. I did look at some of the universities websites. Some require Maths and some require both (Maths & Further Maths), hence I was confused.

Thanks again

[KB]

For her degree choices FM is certainly an advantage.

Product design is a very time consuming course though and if not needed for degree choices I wouldn't recommend it as a 4th AS as it could take time out of main subjects.

Does she need to choose the three subjects being taken to A level and then a 4th which is just to AS?

If there is the option for the 4th then History, geography or a MFL could be helpful depending on the History specification and interest in Economic specialisation at Uni.

[2ndtimetrek]

Thanks KB, for your response. I do take your point on Product design being time consuming. Unfortunately it is one subject that she absolutely excel in. No chance of getting her away from it and she says the work load is the same as she is doing now @ GCSE.

If there is one thing that has transformed in her, is her discipline on time management and I put it down to Product Design. They have set deliverable and this has helped her time management skills and it is evident in other aspects of her work.

From a mother's perspective I will just have to monitor the situation.

[KB]

I think the thing to be aware of is that at GCSE bright children can afford to take the extra time for art, tech etc but at A level the demands of other subjects, especially maths steps up. If they are happy spending their free time on tech etc then it can be fine but what they probably can't do is 'steal' time from other subjects.
All the best.

[Guest55]

May I speak up for Product Design? It's a very flexible A level and not as time consuming as Art by any means.

It will show a different skill set so could be a good option and if she changes her mind about Economics.