The Student Room Group

Scroll to see replies

Original post by Spencer1995
Hey guys, i really hope you can give me some help on my situation! I've been going back and forth in my head about what subjects to choose for a level. I want to ultimately study English at university and I don't know which subjects will make me seem well-rounded or a strong applicant, etc. :frown:
I'm on course to get quite good results at gcse and I'm in a state of option paralysis! I'm most likely going to get
English lit A*
English language A*
Biology A
chemistry A
Physics A*
core science A
Music A/A*
maths A
Rs A*
statistics B
French B/A
History A
Art and ict-no chance of passing:frown:
I told the school my choices were English lit, Music, History and Physics so far but I'm on the fence about whether Philosophy and ethics or Maths would be a better alternative to music or history:/ Please help! :frown:

If you want to do English then you'll definitely want EngLit and History. Your other 2 choices don't matter as much.

Music A level is very difficult from what I gather (physics is also one of the harder subjects). Maths A level may be a good option if you like maths (maths is always a good subject to take for almost anything). Biology or chemistry may be options if you enjoy those. Philosophy would be great also (if you enjoy it), as would R.E., as would a language.

If you're pretty certain about studying English, then your 3rd and 4th subjects after EngLit and History aren't very important. I would advise you to do whatever GCSE you enjoy the most and/or what you are likely to do well in. But, make sure you are doing academic subjects (not: fine art, photography, etc.)
Thanks for the replies but I'm just still so torn:/ I cannot stress enough how arduous the journey at school to any science or maths lesson:/ I really couldn't deal with maths at A level, in fact, the prospect of dropping it along with two of the three sciences is helping me get through this last push:/

So If I say that English and History are set in stone, would music really hinder my chance of getting into a top university as I'm planning on taking three 'facilitating' subjects? And would physics really be that hard without maths? :/

Would English, History, Philosophy and ethics and perhaps geography be a better set of A levels when applying for english courses?

Although I am pretty determined to do English, I'd still like the option of applying to law courses as well, would i be in a position to do so? :|
Reply 3022
Original post by Spencer1995
Thanks for the replies but I'm just still so torn:/ I cannot stress enough how arduous the journey at school to any science or maths lesson:/ I really couldn't deal with maths at A level, in fact, the prospect of dropping it along with two of the three sciences is helping me get through this last push:/

So If I say that English and History are set in stone, would music really hinder my chance of getting into a top university as I'm planning on taking three 'facilitating' subjects? And would physics really be that hard without maths? :/

Would English, History, Philosophy and ethics and perhaps geography be a better set of A levels when applying for english courses?

Although I am pretty determined to do English, I'd still like the option of applying to law courses as well, would i be in a position to do so? :|


of course don't take maths! but it depends what do you like about GCSE physics because GCSE physics had very little maths in but a level physics has got a lot more in. so you can take physics without maths. music is still a good subject to take, so take that if you want. take your 4 favourites from english lit, history, geography, physics, music, philosophy and ethics. basically what subjects you think would be suitable for english at uni will be suitable for law.

see what Cambridge requires for English. http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/english/index.html

see what Cambridge requires for Law. http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/law/index.html

see what subjects Cambridge thinks are respected. http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=604

you may not be aiming for Cambridge but push your self and aim for the very best!
Ok well this has set my mind at ease somewhat:smile: I'm thinking that Cambridge is probably not a realistic option! :L I've been looking at the london colleges and like the look of ucl and king's:smile:

I'm probably going to wait until I get my results before I choose the other two for definite but right now I'm leaning towards rs and physics:smile:

Thank you:smile:
Reply 3024
Original post by Spencer1995
Ok well this has set my mind at ease somewhat:smile: I'm thinking that Cambridge is probably not a realistic option! :L I've been looking at the london colleges and like the look of ucl and king's:smile:

I'm probably going to wait until I get my results before I choose the other two for definite but right now I'm leaning towards rs and physics:smile:

Thank you:smile:


i hope that i have helped :smile: what grades do you think you will get?
You really have:smile: Well if all goes to plan (touch wood) I will end up getting A*s in both english lit and language and then physics and rs too:smile: Maybe even in history, I got 44/50 for my controlled assessment so would need about 92% over the two exams! Tough but doable:smile: and music is possible for an A* as well , got full marks in my performance but my mock listening was 65% C which scarily was the second highest in our class:|
If I only pick Chemistry (as I don't like Biology and Physics) as my only science, along with Maths and Business would I be able to still go further into a science/maths field in uni?
4 is the way to go! Further Maths ftw.
Hi everyone, I'm thinking of taking:
History
German
English Literature
Philosophy and Ethics
Would this be OK for Philosophy or Law at uni considering I don't have any science/ maths in there? Or would I be better off doing Physics instead of English? (I'm strong at maths but don't want to take it due to a school cockup) Any advice much appreciated :smile:
I'd like to pick Eng Lit,Physics,Further Maths,Maths and Business.

Maths-will both A-Levels force me into maths but for a maths degree,i need both in most cases.Will the maths be too hard?I'm on an A*(79/80 UMS),after unit 1,found it very easy but A-level maths looks hard.I love Algebra and Number but hate shapes.

Eng Lit-is this too hard because i heard you had to write essays in exams,without an extract or the book.

Physics-I have heard this helps for maths but GCSE isn't too maths related,apart from the basics, and struggled to get a B in Unit 1,and are the practicals hard? because i can't do practicals and got wrong results in GCSE ISA

Business-I like Business and am looking to be an accountant?

But is 5 AS Levels too much?

EDIT:What about Geography?-got 100/100 for unit 1 exam and love learning about volcanoes but will the science elements,although i understood them at GCSE, be too tough,at A-level? or RE because i love learning about moral decisions and got 78/80(raw marks),in the mock but don't like too religious stuff ?
(edited 12 years ago)
What is Environmental Studies like at A level? :smile:
Original post by Dalek1099
I'd like to pick Eng Lit,Physics,Further Maths,Maths and Business.

Maths-will both A-Levels force me into maths but for a maths degree,i need both in most cases.Will the maths be too hard?I'm on an A*(79/80 UMS),after unit 1,found it very easy but A-level maths looks hard.I love Algebra and Number but hate shapes.

Eng Lit-is this too hard because i heard you had to write essays in exams,without an extract or the book.

Physics-I have heard this helps for maths but GCSE isn't too maths related,apart from the basics, and struggled to get a B in Unit 1,and are the practicals hard? because i can't do practicals and got wrong results in GCSE ISA

Business-I like Business and am looking to be an accountant?

But is 5 AS Levels too much?

EDIT:What about Geography?-got 100/100 for unit 1 exam and love learning about volcanoes but will the science elements,although i understood them at GCSE, be too tough,at A-level? or RE because i love learning about moral decisions and got 78/80(raw marks),in the mock but don't like too religious stuff ?


in english lit exams u will get a copy of the text. If you want to do a maths degree and want to be an accountant i would suggest taking the following subjects: Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Business and perhaps Economics?

the reason i've suggested all these subjects is because they can all be talored to a mathmatical job such as an acountant. obviously economics is the study of currency and trade etc which links into accountancy.

Gl with your choice

Edit: ye imo 5 AS is too much, if i was you i would just do maths, further maths, physics and business or economics
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by cuckoo99
in english lit exams u will get a copy of the text. If you want to do a maths degree and want to be an accountant i would suggest taking the following subjects: Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Business and perhaps Economics?

the reason i've suggested all these subjects is because they can all be talored to a mathmatical job such as an acountant. obviously economics is the study of currency and trade etc which links into accountancy.

Gl with your choice

Edit: ye imo 5 AS is too much, if i was you i would just do maths, further maths, physics and business or economics


Choosing A-Levels is tough,so many possible options but i struggle with Physics,B?

Aren't there closed book exams for,A-Level English Literature
For poetry you'll have the poems but for prose e.g. Frankenstein for our year, you do not get the text. Learn a good number of quotes and you'll be fine though.
Original post by mr_magic_man
For poetry you'll have the poems but for prose e.g. Frankenstein for our year, you do not get the text. Learn a good number of quotes and you'll be fine though.


You make a good point because i haven't done poetry,at GCSE,yet-could be terrible.
Original post by Dalek1099
I'd like to pick Eng Lit,Physics,Further Maths,Maths and Business.

Maths-will both A-Levels force me into maths but for a maths degree,i need both in most cases.Will the maths be too hard?I'm on an A*(79/80 UMS),after unit 1,found it very easy but A-level maths looks hard.I love Algebra and Number but hate shapes.

Eng Lit-is this too hard because i heard you had to write essays in exams,without an extract or the book.

Physics-I have heard this helps for maths but GCSE isn't too maths related,apart from the basics, and struggled to get a B in Unit 1,and are the practicals hard? because i can't do practicals and got wrong results in GCSE ISA

Business-I like Business and am looking to be an accountant?

But is 5 AS Levels too much?

EDIT:What about Geography?-got 100/100 for unit 1 exam and love learning about volcanoes but will the science elements,although i understood them at GCSE, be too tough,at A-level? or RE because i love learning about moral decisions and got 78/80(raw marks),in the mock but don't like too religious stuff ?


Math: A level maths looks hard because you havent been taught it.. you won't get it just by looking. Just go for it, if you're getting that high UMS then chances are you'll cope with as level. OH and you'll be glad to know its very algebra based.

Eng lit/Physics/business: I dont do either so can't help sorry... but, business is often seen as a "soft" subject so I don't really suggest taking it.

Geography: I was the same as you, I got 100% in my full GCSE and loved learning about volcanoes/tectonics.. however at as level (At least on Edexcel), it is incredibly boring and theres barely any physical side. However, with the "world at risk" section you do about volcanoes and the detail we learnt was alot less than what we learnt at GCSE and theres hardly any science to it.

So put shortly; enjoyed at GCSE but finding As tedious; however it is an easy subject and despite disliking it I got full ums in unit 2 (we did unit 2 first for some reason.)

As for taking 5... I initially took 5 (biology, chemistry, maths, geography and computing) but found it too much, sixth form is much more enjoyable when you have that extra free to socialise and just take a break or work on your other subjects.
People do of course manage 5, however its not really worth it. Its up to you though.
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by Dalek1099
Choosing A-Levels is tough,so many possible options but i struggle with Physics,B?

Aren't there closed book exams for,A-Level English Literature


i do literature at AS and my teacher has told us we will be given a copy of the book and the poems so ye.

i would get studying with physics then as there is a whole unit in maths a level called mechanics which is basicaly mathmatical physics, though it depends on what the teacher is planning to teach u, as i understand it in maths there are 3 pure maths units which are compulsary across the the 2 year a level course and there are then optional compulsary modules such as mechanics/ decision/ statistics but whether u do mechanics or what ever is dependent on what the teacher wants to do. at my college my girlfriend does pure 1 and 2 + mech1 in as level and at A2 she is going to do Decision 1 , mechanics 2 and pure3.
Original post by cuckoo99
i do literature at AS and my teacher has told us we will be given a copy of the book and the poems so ye.

i would get studying with physics then as there is a whole unit in maths a level called mechanics which is basicaly mathmatical physics, though it depends on what the teacher is planning to teach u, as i understand it in maths there are 3 pure maths units which are compulsary across the the 2 year a level course and there are then optional compulsary modules such as mechanics/ decision/ statistics but whether u do mechanics or what ever is dependent on what the teacher wants to do. at my college my girlfriend does pure 1 and 2 + mech1 in as level and at A2 she is going to do Decision 1 , mechanics 2 and pure3.


There isn't much maths in GCSE though.
Original post by Mocking_bird
Math: A level maths looks hard because you havent been taught it.. you won't get it just by looking. Just go for it, if you're getting that high UMS then chances are you'll cope with as level. OH and you'll be glad to know its very algebra based.

Eng lit/Physics/business: I dont do either so can't help sorry... but, business is often seen as a "soft" subject so I don't really suggest taking it.

Geography: I was the same as you, I got 100% in my full GCSE and loved learning about volcanoes/tectonics.. however at as level (At least on Edexcel), it is incredibly boring and theres barely any physical side. However, with the "world at risk" section you do about volcanoes and the detail we learnt was alot less than what we learnt at GCSE and theres hardly any science to it.

So put shortly; enjoyed at GCSE but finding As tedious; however it is an easy subject and despite disliking it I got full ums in unit 2 (we did unit 2 first for some reason.)

As for taking 5... I initially took 5 (biology, chemistry, maths, geography and computing) but found it too much, sixth form is much more enjoyable when you have that extra free to socialise and just take a break or work on your other subjects.
People do of course manage 5, however its not really worth it. Its up to you though.


I really like business and am interested in being an accountant so should take it.
I should take Geography if it is easy but there is no guarantee i will keep up by 100% rate and what is the CA like for GCSE and A-Level?

I am worried about maths though because they seem to link cos,sin and tan into Algebra and i hate shape and i might not keep up my maths scores but i think i will get 100/100 in unit 2,with the algebra content and low grade boundaries but unit 3,with loads of shape,should be tough at GCSE.
Original post by Dalek1099
There isn't much maths in GCSE though.


physics at A level and beyond is basicaly applied maths. so you will find that there is plenty of maths in the physics a level, to the extent that doing a physics A level without doing a maths A level is bad choice as gcse maths will not cover the maths needed in physics A level

Latest