6th Form choices

[Twinkle]

KCG, G55, KB and ToadMum, thank you for your very helpful responses. Lots of things to think about. Last year the school definitely didn't offer AS levels to students who gave up a subject at the end of y12. I think that the students who did give up a subject were ones who were struggling in that particular subject though. But you have given me food for thought G55 - I just might prod the school on this and see what they say. I would certainly be happy to pay for a private entry. Tbh I strongly suspect that DS2 will study Natural Sciences at University and I have asked him to start researching the practical impact of not taking biology ( particularly as he has come home from school today saying that the maths staff have advised him to drop biology in favour of FM). I can see that at Cambridge biology A Level is not a requirement if you want to sit the biological elements of the Natural sciences degree but it of course may not be the case at other Universities to which he may apply. I suspect he would be disappointed not to have that freedom. Thanks again. Twinkle

[KB]

In the recent past the entry requirements to the Natsci degree at Cambridge were one thing but there were also requirements for individual courses once you were there which may be different.
The interview will also be targeted at either bio or physical so need to think that through if end up applying.
But that's only one university of several options.

The Natsci course at Cambridge is notoriously hard but they do come out having studied all the subjects chosen to a high level.
Just be wary of courses at other institutions where they may end up studying a bit of lots of subjects but not leave with sufficient depth in any to be of further use. Not suggesting it's the case everywhere but worth being aware.

[Twinkle]

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The Natsci course at Cambridge is notoriously hard but they do come out having studied all the subjects chosen to a high level.
Just be wary of courses at other institutions where they may end up studying a bit of lots of subjects but not leave with sufficient depth in any to be of further use. Not suggesting it's the case everywhere but worth being aware.

KB - have you been talking to my DH? Or are you my DH? This is what he said last night and I told him he was talking rubbish and that he was blinkered as a Cambridge graduate . Maybe I should pay more attention to him

[Twinkle]

KB - if you are able to share with me by pm any Nat science courses which you wouldn't rate I would be grateful. Thinking now that DS should consider doing a degree in a single science so as to get the depth in a subject he is passionate about.

[loobylou]

KB - if you are able to share with me by pm any Nat science courses which you wouldn't rate I would be grateful. Thinking now that DS should consider doing a degree in a single science so as to get the depth in a subject he is passionate about.

I do not have first hand experience but one of my closest (and most academic) friends did Human Sciences (I know that's not the same thing as Natural Sciences but it may have a similarity in terms of breadth) with the expectation that she would enjoy anthropology but keeping her options open. She ended up hating anthropology, discovering a passion for genetics, chose modules that enabled her to get a joint honours and is now a geneticist which she still loves, over 20 years on. Had she done a degree in a single subject she is unlikely to have discovered this. I am not saying you're wrong but if your ds loves science but does not have a specific interest then there is definitely something to be said for keeping options open....

[Twinkle]

Thank you for that LL. Your friend experience was the reason why DS is keen to do Natural Sciences. Just a bit concerned about KB's concerns about some Uni courses.

[tiffinboys]

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[KB]

Another option is to look at Scottish universities where a 4 year degree is the norm and it's easier to keep bredth in the first year.

I'm not current enough to be able to point to specific Natsci courses off the top of my head. But there are aspects to check out ( besides looking at the actual entry grades) to gauge the academic standards.

What you probably want to avoid are broad degrees designed for those who would struggle with the academic rigours of studying one science in depth.
They fulfill a role but are not great as a springboard for postgraduate study or specialist careers.

The best are where you have a balance between specialising later on but obtaining depth never the less.
Achieving this usually requires hard work - more than is perhaps required for a single science especially in the first year.By studying sufficient modules in each science it allows sufficient knowledge to be built up to undertake specialist modules later on at the same level as those who were studying one science from the start. For example one of my DCs studied biochemistry and in the first year did 2/3 of the Chemistry course and 2/3 of the biology course.

To assess a particular degree course you need to look in detail at the modules on offer in the Natsci course and compare them with what's on offer on the individual sciences courses. In theory all degrees are supposed to meet similar standards but..... Look at what modules are offered in the later years as well as first year.


( Hope this makes sense- bit rushed and very tired!)

[ToadMum]

Aren't Scottish degrees usually four years because Scottish students can commence the course with Highers (as opposed to Advanced Highers), which are not the same level as A levels?

[KB]

And in some cases students with good enough A level grades may be allowed direct entry to 2nd year.
Never the less the first year tends to be broader so allows students to delay specialisation.
It's not something I was recommending universally merely another option to be considered.