Choosing your A levels? Your questions answered here!

I want to do architecture at uni, I'm so unsure about my A level subject options
I'm planning to take:
Maths
Art
Chemistry
Geography or history of art

is this a weird combination?
does anyone know the common a level subjects that people take to go on to read architecture?

Alright, I want to study Psychology at uni. I've chosen Physics, Biology, Maths, & FMaths for A-Level. I like Physics, FMaths will give me access to more Stats modules, and Biology and Maths are the only subjects I've seen suggested by unis for psychology.

However, I'm aware that Psychology is an essay based subject, so I was wondering if it would put me at a disadvantage to not take an essay based subject for A-Level. I know unis don't ask for them, but do you recommend taking one? My dad says he can set me psychology essays over the two years to keep my essay-writing skills up, but it's obviously not the same.

Also, if I'm saying what I'd like to do at uni (to teachers, unis, etc.) is it better to say 'read' or 'study'? I just think I'd sound a bit pretentious saying 'read'.

Hey, I'm starting my A levels in a few weeks but I'm tempted to change my 4th choice... I've gone for English Lit, History World, Psychology and Government and Politics, which is what I'm deciding whether or not to change:/ I got 4 A's and 7 B's in my GCSE's but I feel that this would be a too heavy workload for me and I'd become too stressed with it whilst managing a job and social life too. So, I've been thinking maybe Business, as I got an A in that in GCSE or maybe Drama..but I didn't do it to GCSE but I've always enjoyed it. Can someone give me some advice asap as I need to make a decision soon! If there is any other suggestions for suitable A levels that would work well I'm willing to listen! thanks xx

Alright, I want to study Psychology at uni. I've chosen Physics, Biology, Maths, & FMaths for A-Level. I like Physics, FMaths will give me access to more Stats modules, and Biology and Maths are the only subjects I've seen suggested by unis for psychology.

However, I'm aware that Psychology is an essay based subject, so I was wondering if it would put me at a disadvantage to not take an essay based subject for A-Level. I know unis don't ask for them, but do you recommend taking one? My dad says he can set me psychology essays over the two years to keep my essay-writing skills up, but it's obviously not the same.

Also, if I'm saying what I'd like to do at uni (to teachers, unis, etc.) is it better to say 'read' or 'study'? I just think I'd sound a bit pretentious saying 'read'.

However, if you feel you would like an established essay subject then you should consider which subject you would be willing to drop so you can accommodate this subject. There are many essay subjects to choose from: History, English, Psychology, Sociology (as a 4th AS), etc.

Okay, thanks. If I took an essay subject it would be a fifth AS, so I was only going to if people thought it was a really good idea. I think I'll just stick to my four

Okay,
So i want to medicine in the future
and in my school you must take 4 chosen alevels plus General Studies
I have chosen to do:
-Maths
-Biology
-Chemistry
-Psychology
-General Studies
-Spanish at standard level (beginners level)

My questions
1) My friends say psychology is a black listed subject by universities by medicine and is seen as a 'soft' subject and i realy wouldnt like my alevel choices to hinder my oppurtunity seeing as my gcses didnt go as well as i hoped although i am very interested in psychology and am looking forward to it.
-So what do you think about psychology for medicine?
-Should i swap it for physics ( which is another subject i really wanted to take but was afraid it would be difficult)

2) I only just realised this has turned into 6 a levels... I have put down as my choice for this year as level, spanish standard level but im lanning on dropping it the first day back because i dont want to be overloaded with work and have never done spanish before also im not sure if an a level at standard level is like a foundation course in gcse.
-should i take spanish as an extra?
-is a standard level gcse like foundation where the highest grade you can acheive is a C or something?

this is only for AS level and im planning on doing 3 subjects for A2 ( chem, bio, maths)
Sorry this is so long any help would be appreciated
Thank you

There isn't anything I want to do exactly, but I'm not too keen on Sciences or DT style stuff..

My questions
1) My friends say psychology is a black listed subject by universities by medicine and is seen as a 'soft' subject and i realy wouldnt like my alevel choices to hinder my oppurtunity seeing as my gcses didnt go as well as i hoped although i am very interested in psychology and am looking forward to it.
-So what do you think about psychology for medicine?
-Should i swap it for physics ( which is another subject i really wanted to take but was afraid it would be difficult)

2) I only just realised this has turned into 6 a levels... I have put down as my choice for this year as level, spanish standard level but im lanning on dropping it the first day back because i dont want to be overloaded with work and have never done spanish before also im not sure if an a level at standard level is like a foundation course in gcse.
-should i take spanish as an extra?

As long as you have chemistry and biology, it shouldn't really matter what other subjects you do so psychology is fine. Picking it won't give you a disadvantage when applying to med school. If you are very interested in it, keep it as you're more likely to do well in subjects that you're more interested in.

To be honest, there is very little point in doing Spanish in addition to your A-Levels. It won't really give you an advantage when applying and you'll just unnecessarily burden yourself with more work.

Most universities require Chemistry and Biology for Medicine. Having Maths as well will ensure that all universities are available to you in terms of A-level subject requirements.

Given you have Chemistry, Biology and Maths in your subject combination then having Psychology as a 4th AS will not put you at a disadvantage. Psychology isn't the strongest subject choice available (Physics is considered a stronger subject choice) but it certainly isn't a 'soft' subject.

Physics isn't necessary and if you feel the difficulty of the subject would negatively impact on your other subject grades than it isn't worth taking. Grades are paramount after appropriate subject choice, as without them you'll find it more difficult to receive offers from universities.

I would advise you not to take Spanish. It will just add to your workload and isn't necessary.

Edit: Sorry Usy. Again.

As long as you have chemistry and biology, it shouldn't really matter what other subjects you do so psychology is fine. Picking it won't give you a disadvantage when applying to med school. If you are very interested in it, keep it as you're more likely to do well in subjects that you're more interested in.

To be honest, there is very little point in doing Spanish in addition to your A-Levels. It won't really give you an advantage when applying and you'll just unnecessarily burden yourself with more work.



Oh right, well if you're unsure on what you want to do, Tullia posted a list of 'facilitating' subjects that may be good to take. I'll find the post and show it to you in a second.

oh okay thanks!!

If you're looking to keep your options open because you're unsure as to what you wish to study at university, then you might wish to look at what are called 'facilitating subjects'. These are generally considered to be:




The problem with having no clear plan is that a lot of courses will have specific courses that are required (generally one or two). Looking here might be helpful to you: http://russellgroup.org/Informed%20Choices%20final.pdf

what careers or degrees can i get from choosing physics, philosophy, politics and psychology for A levels?

Will someone please answer my question? I'm stuck


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