Choosing your A levels? Your questions answered here!
Discussion for A-Level students and for those choosing their A-Level subjects.
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Re: A-Level Choices - stuck :|It's up to you of course but I think an essay writing subject because you don't have one and then you will have more options later on. There are many essay writing subjects to choose from, e.g. english lang, english lit, philosophy, history of art, classics, politics...but I think History matches your current choices best. Although, it doesn't have to match, you can do any subjects you want!(Original post by Alex22Spurs)
why would it have to be an essay writing subject - is that essential?
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Re: A-Level Choices - stuck :|
An essay writing subject is useful because it doesnt have to be career specific, but they are generally well respected and academic, so can help you with uni and careers.
Id go with english, history or a language if you REALLY dislike/are bad at essays, otherwise english or history -
A level choices :(
Sorry if you read my other thread a few months ago but we have been told to hand in our final responses as to what we want to take for AS level next year.
I have managed to whittle my options down to 6, but I can't decide what 4 I should choose. I am pretty sure I want to do law at university, but am also interested in doing psychology or criminology/psychology joint honors.
The six subjects I am considering taking are History, English Literature, RS, Biology, Psychology and Economics. I am definitely going to take History because its my best subject and i am really interested in History as a whole.
English Literature I am probably going to take because I am quite good at it when I put my mind to it and concentrate, also I like the two teachers I am likely to get next year and I know its very good for a law degree.
RS is a bit of a weird one, because although I am very good at it I don't really want to take it along with History and English because I think I may get bored because they are quite similar subjects in terms of skills and I don't want to seem too one dimensional.
Biology is probably the one I am weakest at of the 4 i currently take for GCSE, although I still think I will get an A overall. I am very interested in Biology though, more so than RS and English Literature; but think I may struggle with it. Any opinions about how hard people currently find it would be very welcome
I have always been interested in why people do things and thats why I thought Psychology might be for me. Its the same with Economics really, genuine interest, but i don't want to take up two new subjects so any opinion on preference as to which would most likely get me into a good uni for law would be helpful.
Cheers x
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Re: A level choices :(
If you want, take 5.
I would take English literature, as it is a well respected subject and I think that most people who take it enjoy it, even if it is hard work!
If you want to do psychology at university, don't think you need to take psychology at AS/A level, but I think it would be best to do so. Most people I know who take it enjoy it, but they severly underestimated the workload. Don't make that mistake.
I don't really see what economics has to do with your other subjects, or your prospective university subject. However, it is an interesting subject, and arguably quite useful in the current economic situation.
Just because you're interested in biology doesn't mean you'll like it at A level. Biology is a very broad subject. I thought I liked biology, but the topics at A level are of little interest to me. I like biochemistry and genetics, but there is minimal biochemistry and the genetics isn't very thorough. It isn't a difficult subject (for a science) but there is an awful lot to remember. Since November, I've been getting Ds and below because I haven't been making an effort. I know I can get a high A, but I still haven't started revision and just the thought of all the terminology I need to recall makes me want to **** myself. However, it does go well with the biological aspects of psychology, and is a useful subject for university admissions for psychology courses.
RS is the one subject here I have no knowledge of. From what I've seen on here, there are many different forms of RS, from religion specific to pure ethics. If I were you, I'd rule this one out and decide between biology and economics.
If you want very personal opinions, then here is mine:
AS: English literature, history, psychology, biology.
A2: English literature, history, psychology.
I hope this helps!
Oh ****, you wanted to know about law too. Well, English literature and history are the main two for law I think, and they like essay based subjects, as well as logical subjects. Economics would be good here! Although, I would highly suggest maths. Why don't you want to take maths, or haven't you thought about it?
I think replacing AS biology with maths would be a good idea, and then taking it to A2 in place of psychology.
Then again, you don't need to think about A2s for a while yet. -
Re: A level choices :(Ive done my maths gcse, got a A for it and now taking fsmq, and really struggling with it. So maths isn't really an option for me!(Original post by AnonyMatt)
If you want, take 5.
I would take English literature, as it is a well respected subject and I think that most people who take it enjoy it, even if it is hard work!
If you want to do psychology at university, don't think you need to take psychology at AS/A level, but I think it would be best to do so. Most people I know who take it enjoy it, but they severly underestimated the workload. Don't make that mistake.
I don't really see what economics has to do with your other subjects, or your prospective university subject. However, it is an interesting subject, and arguably quite useful in the current economic situation.
Just because you're interested in biology doesn't mean you'll like it at A level. Biology is a very broad subject. I thought I liked biology, but the topics at A level are of little interest to me. I like biochemistry and genetics, but there is minimal biochemistry and the genetics isn't very thorough. It isn't a difficult subject (for a science) but there is an awful lot to remember. Since November, I've been getting Ds and below because I haven't been making an effort. I know I can get a high A, but I still haven't started revision and just the thought of all the terminology I need to recall makes me want to **** myself. However, it does go well with the biological aspects of psychology, and is a useful subject for university admissions for psychology courses.
RS is the one subject here I have no knowledge of. From what I've seen on here, there are many different forms of RS, from religion specific to pure ethics. If I were you, I'd rule this one out and decide between biology and economics.
If you want very personal opinions, then here is mine:
AS: English literature, history, psychology, biology.
A2: English literature, history, psychology.
I hope this helps!
Oh ****, you wanted to know about law too. Well, English literature and history are the main two for law I think, and they like essay based subjects, as well as logical subjects. Economics would be good here! Although, I would highly suggest maths. Why don't you want to take maths, or haven't you thought about it?
I think replacing AS biology with maths would be a good idea, and then taking it to A2 in place of psychology.
Then again, you don't need to think about A2s for a while yet. -
Re: A level choices :(
If you are thinking of doing Law at university, you shouldn't really need R.E. or Economics - as long as you can do basic maths and have a good calculator you will be fine. English, Biology, History & Psychology sound like a good mix but if you think you can handle a 5th A Level subject, go for it. All I will say is that History is a lot different to GCSE and there is a lot of writing in Psychology.. I filled half an A4 book with what I needed to learn for one Psychology A2 exam.

I hope you enjoy Psychology and English, I did.
I wasn't too keen on History though.
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A level choice help!
I'm wanting to do a degree in Medicine in 2 years time.
I've chosen Chemistry, Biology, Psychology and Business Studies for my A Level choices (I'm intending to drop Business Studies after AS). Is this the right choice?
I know many people choose physics and maths as their last two.. but I have alot of difficulty with them. I'm also aware that they're not necesarry for alot of Medicine degrees..
Have I made the right choices? I still have a few weeks to make my final decision
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Re: A level choice help!Instead of BS, how about English Lit or History?(Original post by elfpixie)
I'm wanting to do a degree in Medicine in 2 years time.
I've chosen Chemistry, Biology, Psychology and Business Studies for my A Level choices (I'm intending to drop Business Studies after AS). Is this the right choice?
I know many people choose physics and maths as their last two.. but I have alot of difficulty with them. I'm also aware that they're not necesarry for alot of Medicine degrees..
Have I made the right choices? I still have a few weeks to make my final decision
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Re: A level choice help!3 sciences or maths is required for Cambridge at AS(Original post by elfpixie)
I'm wanting to do a degree in Medicine in 2 years time.
I've chosen Chemistry, Biology, Psychology and Business Studies for my A Level choices (I'm intending to drop Business Studies after AS). Is this the right choice?
I know many people choose physics and maths as their last two.. but I have alot of difficulty with them. I'm also aware that they're not necesarry for alot of Medicine degrees..
Have I made the right choices? I still have a few weeks to make my final decision