How to Choose Your A Level Subjects
Choosing the Right A Level Subjects For You
Choosing your A Level subjects can be daunting. In sixth form, suddenly you’re going from studying nine or ten subjects to specialising in only three or four. Unlike at GCSE, where you have to take core subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science, choosing A Level subjects allows you to specialise in areas that really interest you but it can be hard to know which subjects to pick. Most universities will require a minimum of three A Levels but selecting the right A Level subjects is important as it can determine your future academic and career paths, not to mention that you will spend two years studying these subjects in a fair amount of depth!
It’s worth spending some time on the decision, considering different options and doing some of your own research. There are also other options that schools and colleges offer, such as vocational courses which may be a better match for you.
It’s really helpful to speak to as many people as possible, particularly people who have taken the A Level subjects you’re considering or studied the degree you want to at university. Consider speaking to a private A-Level tutor who can help you with your decision, subject and university prep and more.
This guide will highlight the important factors to consider and how to find the right balance between pursuing your interests, playing to your strengths and meeting the requirements for your dream degree.
Four Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Your A Level Subjects
1. What A Level subjects interest you?
The most important thing to remember when choosing your A Level subjects is to choose subjects you genuinely enjoy. What lessons do you look forward to at school? What’s your favourite GCSE subject? What subject are you curious to learn more about?
Choosing an A Level subject that you really like studying will make the learning experience more engaging and rewarding, as well as making you more likely to excel. Your A Level subjects should feel like a natural continuation of what you love now.
However, bear in mind that studying an A Level subject will feel like a step up from GCSE. You should be prepared for your subject to challenge you in new ways and ideally feel excited for this! If you liked learning the foundations of a language at GCSE, you might not enjoy the intricacies of grammar that you study as part of the A Level syllabus. So don’t just pick what feels easy, pick A Level subjects that you really like.
Speak to your teachers to find out more about what you would study for each subject on the A Level syllabus, do your own research online or get personalised 1:1 advice from one of our expert tutors.
2. Where will your A Level Subjects take you?
While interest and enthusiasm should be at the heart of your decision, it’s also important to think practically about which doors your A Level subject choices might open and which they might close.
Different degree programmes and careers may require specific A Levels. For example, if you want to study Medicine, you’ll likely need to take Biology, Chemistry and potentially Maths or Physics, whereas if you want to study a degree in English, universities will expect to see this as one of your A Level Subjects. Standard entry requirements are all available online on university course websites and it’s crucial you look at it before making your A Level choices so you keep your options open. If your school has a higher education or careers department, they can also be useful to talk to and offer advice on what specific subjects universities require.
3. How can you balance your A Level Subjects?
Choosing your A Level subjects is a kind of specialisation. Many students opt for complimentary subjects which align with their own academic interests. If you’re planning on going on to study a humanities degree, it’s likely that the subjects you choose for your advanced level qualifications will consist of three or four humanities subjects, and vice versa for STEM subjects.
There are obvious advantages to this; your knowledge of one subject is likely to enhance and inform another. For example, if you choose History and English Literature as two of your A Level subjects, your knowledge of the historical context of Tudor England will help inform your analysis of Shakespeare’s plays.
However, other than university subject requirements, there is no rule that your subjects must be within the same sphere. You can, in fact, study a range of subjects. If you want to study a STEM degree but have a side interest in history you can still pursue both, though be aware that this may be more work. This is where you might reconsider how many A Level subjects to study as a fourth can allow you to pursue an additional interest without sacrificing a required subject for your application.
How many A Level subjects should you take?
This is a really common question when it comes to choosing your A Level subjects and there’s no set answer to it. Most universities will give you an offer based on three A Level subjects, which is what the vast majority of students choose and what higher education institutions require. Some students may choose to take four to enhance their university application though this can also create added challenges.
When to study four A Level subjects?
Taking a fourth A Level subject can showcase your academic ability and commitment, helping you stand out from the crowd and giving you an edge when applying for competitive courses or universities.
For some subjects, a fourth A Level subject may be more useful than others:
If you’re applying for a university subject which covers more breadth, such as PPE or social sciences, studying four A Levels can provide a useful, broader and well-rounded academic foundation.
Equally, for certain STEM degrees like Maths or Engineering, having a fourth subject like Further Maths or an additional STEM subject can demonstrate an advanced academic ability and broad interest in the field.
For a humanities degree, subjects like an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) can be a useful fourth option to showcase independent research skills that universities really value.
Alternatively, you could also choose a fourth A Level subject in order to study a specific A Level subject unrelated to your university choice. For example, a humanities student who wants to keep up a science or an aspiring medic who really enjoys English literature. This allows you to study a greater range but you should bear in mind that it may also significantly increase your workload and make it harder to excel in your A Level subjects.
What to remember when choosing how many A Level subjects to take
When considering a fourth A Level, you should make sure that excelling in your subjects and achieving top grades remains your priority. While having a fourth subject can help bolster you to meet university admission requirements if one doesn’t go so well on the day, it will likely give you a more challenging workload and require more independent study; it’s important this doesn’t compromise your overall results. If you fail to meet the entry requirement of your course, you may miss out on your place, even with a fourth subject.
So think about your own individual situation and what a manageable workload looks like for you.
You may want to think about how much time you already devote to other areas. If sport or another extracurricular takes up a lot of your time, four A Level subjects may be an unrealistic strain. Great results in three A Level subjects puts you in a great position for top universities and degrees so unless you have a strong interest in a fourth subject or think you will rise to the challenge, three might be a safer option.
Seek personalised advice and guidance from your teachers to understand the demands of each subject and to create a balanced and manageable schedule. Our A-Level tutors are also adept at helping students manage their time and workload and ensuring strong performance across subjects (you can book a free consultation to discuss how we can support here).
We also have a fantastic university preparation programme and co-curricular division dedicated to helping students extend beyond the syllabus ahead of their applications (check out our research projects, weekly extension clubs and university summer schools in 23 degree subjects.
Four Final Tips for Picking the Perfect A Level Subject Combination
Take your time.
Spend time carefully weighing your interests, strengths, and future goals when selecting subjects. This decision can significantly impact your university prospects and career path, so take the time to consider all the options thoroughly.Find what you enjoy.
While keeping an eye to your long-term aspirations, make sure you choose A Level subjects you really enjoy and are excited by. If you really enjoy your subjects, you’re much more likely to excel in them and to enjoy the challenges of A Level.Create a manageable workload.
When choosing how many A Level subjects to study, remain realistic about your abilities and capacity to manage the workload. Ideally, aim for a balanced, challenging yet manageable combination that allows you to show off your abilities and develop your interests.Get lots of advice.
Seek guidance from teachers, careers advisors and students who’ve taken the course. Do your own research on the courses and entry requirements of the universities you’re interested in to make sure your A Level subjects align with what you want to go on to do after. If you want more individual guidance and advice or A Level support, speak to a private tutor. Find out more about our A Level tuition here.
Unlock Your Potential: Personalised Guidance for A Level Success and University Admissions
We understand the challenges of navigating A Level subject choices and the university application process. Our team of experienced tutors and mentors are dedicated to helping you make informed decisions and achieve your academic goals.
U2 offers tailored A Level Subject guidance and tuition and university application support. We have a great team of Oxbridge-educated tutors including 1st Class, Master’s, and PhD level graduates. If you’re interested, book a free consultation here to discuss more.
The Process:
1) We suggest an Oxbridge graduate in the relevant subject as a tutor and send their full CV for review. Our tutors are highly familiar with the admissions process for top Russell Group Universities, as well as the University of Oxford and Cambridge, and are well-placed to guide you through A Level subject support and university prep.
2) We typically recommend beginning with a 1 to 1.5 hour diagnostic session, where the A Level tutor will get to know the student, assess their current level and identify areas in need of improvement. Following this, we will issue a report with feedback and create a structured plan for future sessions.
3) U2’s approach for regular A Level preparation sessions:
The tutor will ensure that the sessions achieve a good balance between solidifying course content and practising past exams and revision techniques. All of our tutors are Oxbridge-educated and highly knowledgeable and passionate about their subject. After every session, the tutor will send a detailed report to parents, constantly assessing the student’s progress and adapting sessions accordingly.
Sessions from £75/h + VAT.