[omza]

I recently completed my GCSEs, studying:

Maths
English
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Art
Geography
History
French
Spanish

I'm currently still undecided if I want to pursue a career in medicine or something more art-related, such as graphics designing or architecture, and so tried to create a combination of subjects which could cater to both up until the point where I'd have to choose.

For my A-level choices, I put down the following:

Art
Maths
Physics
Chemistry

I recently discovered, however, that the selection of universities which would accept solely with Chemistry, and not Biology, was not particularly great (about 5 in total), and so was considering swapping Physics for Biology.

Could someone please help by telling me which subjects are definitely required for a career in architecture, or the likes? I've looked in many places, but they all seem to show different results.

Would art, maths, chemistry and biology cater to both of these career paths?

Thanks in advance!

[Jed_]

I could be wrong but aren't Architecture courses "mathsy", so maybe Chem, Bio, maths, Fmaths. For medicine your best bet is to include Bio and Chem is essential. But Art to A2 probably wouldn't look so good on a medicine application. Both careers are quite different so I would advise getting work experience in both and deciding which is for you, because this isn't a decision that should be taken lightly. Goodluck

WTF! why 3 negs? Can you not read? I said I could be wrong...

[laurenb11]

Yeah maybe some work experience would help decide before decisions to be made... taking art would be so usefull and sometimes required for architecture/graphics but would most likely really hinder a medicine application! Physics and maths could be good for both?

[Claire888]

Work experience is a must if you can't decide, it really made me feel happy with my choice (architecture btw). But if you want to keep your options open for the next year then for medicine you will have to do chemistry as you already know, for architecture art is ALMOST always needed and then biology would be helpful for medicine as it will make the course make a lot more sense (from people I know who do medicine). Other than that I would say it's up to you, you won't need maths or physics for architecture unless applying to Cambridge/Bath but they may be looked upon favourably for medicine so may be a wise choice anyway.

I did Chemistry AS
Biology A2
Art A2
Geography A2
Genral Studies A2

It didn't matter that I didn't have either maths or physics and I am now at Sheffield

[NinjaNerdfighter]

I think you should change Physics for Biology so that you have all the medical schools open to you but still won't disadvantage yourself when it comes to Architecture (it may be needed at some universities, I'm not sure, but my friend wants to study it and her initial list of universities she could apply to was very long so I'm guessing not many do)

[strawberri]

I would stick with the combination that you have -
Architecture involves art, a lot of maths and physics too
Medicine requires 3 sciences

so you're sorted

[Mr Inquisitive]

(Original post by strawberri)
I would stick with the combination that you have -
Architecture involves art, a lot of maths and physics too
Medicine requires 3 sciences

so you're sorted

Since when?

[getfunky!]

(Original post by omza)
For my A-level choices, I put down the following:

Art
Maths
Physics
Chemistry

Good choices. However, Medicine may require a full A2 in Chemistry/Biology as well as an AS in either Chemistry/Biology.

So I would suggest dropping Art after your AS year, and completing an AS in Biology as part of your second year!

1st year:
AS Art
AS Chemistry
AS Maths
AS Physics

2nd year:
AS Biology
A2 Chemistry
A2 Maths
A2 Physics

It would help to widen your choice of medical schools as well as give you a good understanding in some of the basics of Medicine. I would also heavily recommend that you undertake Work Experience to help you be sure of your decision, if you do decide to do Medicine.
It is a major part of the application, but Volunteering should also help if you can't secure work experience.

You can find more information in TSR Wiki's!

Architecture: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Architecture
Medicine: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Medicine

[hannah1994]

Scrap Physics for Biology. Physics isn't a course requirement for architecture, whereas Biology usually is for medicine, at least to AS level. You could probably get away with art at AS level for medicine but I'd advise you to email admissions at several universities to make sure because some can be picky.

[closey95]

I remember when I was considering architecture (decided against it, don't think I'd cope) it said either Maths OR Physics. I took both just to be sure (wish I hadn't now since I changed my mind) but if you know you'll do well at mats then there's no need for physics, or vice versa.

[Newbie123]

Physics is important for Architecture, Chemistry is vital for Medicine, Maths is useful for most things and Art is important for Architecture.

Do NOT swap Biology for Physics. The whole reason that Unis want candidates to have A-level Chem over A-level Bio is because you cover the Biology stuff in your first year at Uni so it's less imperative that you have Bio at A-level, Chemistry on the other hand, they expect you to know it because they're not going through it again at Uni, hence why A-level Chem is compulsory.

As far as I know, Physics is more useful for Architecture than Bio is for Medicine, which is why I suggest you do the subjects you initially listed.

[BeanofJelly]

For medicine:

Art won't disadvantage you in most cases. But a small number of schools want Bio&Chem&other OR 3 "sciences" at A2, in which context maths counts as a "science". So if you don't do Bio A2, for those schools you couldn't continue Art to A2, and you would need Maths and Physics.

Having Chem at A2 is a requirement for most schools, and you definitely need to take it at AS.

Not having Bio at AS will limit your selection to 6-7 schools as far as I can make out (and maybe fewer if you'll only have 2 sciences at A2). That may be worth it if you would really prefer not to take it, but you should check the other criteria (both the schools and your own!) to see if you can find 4 schools amongst these. It'd probably just be a lot easier to take AS Bio. I would take it in your AS year (so it's on your results sheet when you apply), do not know if you will run into trouble if you delay it. You shouldn't need to take it to A2, but there are 8 schools you'll rule out if you don't.

Physics is not needed for medicine (if you have Bio and Chem), but is needed as a "lab based" subject in some cases if you don't have Bio.

How much a given subject will help you in your first year is going to be pretty unsubstantial in the grand scheme of things. Make your choices based on entry requirements!

I think you should see if you can rule out any schools at the moment, narrow your selection to get a better idea of what AS/A2s you'll need. If you want an easy life, and lots of choices, I'd recommend taking both Bio and Chem at AS tbh. You can consider taking 5 AS levels.

[strawberri]

(Original post by Mr Inquisitive)
Since when?

Since I've examined a ridiculous amount of prospectuses not knowing what to study - architecture courses say that physics would be useful, and for medicine, more science means more background knowledge.

[SanCloud]

I applied to Architecture unis (and I'm in my first year of study for a degree in Architecture). I had fussed around a lot when picking my A-Level subjects but soon found out that the only compulsory subject is Art. Some that offer BSc in Architecture rather than a BA might ask for an A-Level in Physics or Maths but it really seems to be that simple (for the Architecture side of things, anyway). Some universities (like UCL) will even allow applicants to submit a portfolio showcasing their artistic abilities if they have not completed an A-Level (AS does not suffice!) in Art. So to be sure and to keep my options open, I'd definitely stick to studying Art and Maths/Physics (not sure what would be best for the Medicine side, though!)
Also, I think universities enjoy seeing an AS or A-Level in History of Art (as you will be studying it as part of the Architecture course) but it will not set you ahead of other applicants, only better your own understanding and personal development within an Architecture degree. Design Technology is also useful as you learn to use machinery involved in the model-making process but you will eventually grow in confidence over time in the workshop regardless (I just had a bit of a tough time at first!)