How to choose A Level subjects.
Remember when you had to choose your options at GCSE ? Well narrowing down 8 subjects to 4 is even more important and often more of a pain. The following points might help you.
You will need to look at your strengths. The advice we would give you is to choose subjects you have at least a B grade in at GCSE.
However most sixth forms now offer subjects such as Law, Psychology , Sociology etc. In this case talk to the tutors and past students to find out more about the subject. Also read around it to try to establish if you would enjoy studying it for several years.
However most sixth forms now offer subjects such as Law, Psychology , Sociology etc. In this case talk to the tutors and past students to find out more about the subject. Also read around it to try to establish if you would enjoy studying it for several years.
What you enjoy.
A levels are very intense. You will have more lessons in a week of a particular subject then you did at GCSE. You have to be passionate and enjoy the subject. Persistence and application are important here.
Keep your options open.
You may be very passionate on studying economics at 16, but after two years of charts, diagrams and complex mathematical figures, you may wish to confine economics to the dustbin and opt for anything but.
You need to feel excited, interested and passionate about your subject over the long term.
Will your subject combination count?
Do not do a subject only because you consider it easy or your mates are doing it.
You need to feel excited, interested and passionate about your subject over the long term.
Will your subject combination count?
Do not do a subject only because you consider it easy or your mates are doing it.
Take subjects that mean something in the real world
Inspire Guidance recommends you consult the list of facilitating subjects produced by the Russell Group ( elite universities ). You can do an internet search for this.
As a guideline, the top universities strongly recommend that students should take at least two of the facilitating subjects or other 'hard subjects'. Facilitating subjects such as maths, English literature, physics and history keep your options open. Not all hard subjects are facilitating (economics and music, for example).
However if you are completely passionate about Music for example, and may want to pursue this for a career, do research where this will take you.
Check your sixth form university prospectus for entry requirements.
Visit university websites to get a flavour of what they require
As a guideline, the top universities strongly recommend that students should take at least two of the facilitating subjects or other 'hard subjects'. Facilitating subjects such as maths, English literature, physics and history keep your options open. Not all hard subjects are facilitating (economics and music, for example).
However if you are completely passionate about Music for example, and may want to pursue this for a career, do research where this will take you.
Check your sixth form university prospectus for entry requirements.
Visit university websites to get a flavour of what they require
Investigate and dig deeper.
If you are set on a particular career or university course, check the detail. Find out any course requirements before you choose your advanced level course/ subjects.
A course may not only request the specific grades eg AAB but specify the subjects too. Often the grades will be attached to subjects, for example minimum of : maths A, physics A, chemistry B, so getting the right grades in the wrong subjects may matter.
Check out the UCAS website for specific course requirements
A course may not only request the specific grades eg AAB but specify the subjects too. Often the grades will be attached to subjects, for example minimum of : maths A, physics A, chemistry B, so getting the right grades in the wrong subjects may matter.
Check out the UCAS website for specific course requirements
Don’t take subjects that are too similar.
For example Economics and Business studies.
Check for additional requirements.
Not studying biology will severely limit the choice of medical schools available to those wishing to pursue a career in Medicine.
The vast majority of economics degree courses require either A level maths or top grades at GCSE.
Only studying applied A levels or BTecs will limit your chances of getting a place on a course at an elite universities (those in the Russell Group). Also check policy on resits some universities require subjects grades both at GCSE and A level be obtained at one sitting.
The vast majority of economics degree courses require either A level maths or top grades at GCSE.
Only studying applied A levels or BTecs will limit your chances of getting a place on a course at an elite universities (those in the Russell Group). Also check policy on resits some universities require subjects grades both at GCSE and A level be obtained at one sitting.
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