A level choices; help?

I am waiting for my GCSE results but a struggling to finalise my a level choices. I definitely want to do history and psychology is also a strong candidate. However, for the other two subjects I just can't seem to narrow it down. I am choosing between: Biology, English Literature, Maths, Physics and chemistry. Advice would be greatly appreciated.

Reply 1

theresheglows

Do you have any idea what you want to do at university/after school? This can strongly influence your A-level decisions.

Reply 2

danielabbx

Original post by theresheglows

Do you have any idea what you want to do at university/after school? This can strongly influence your A-level decisions.

That's part of why I'm struggling; at the beginning of my GCSEs i was rhinking of going into psychiatry but I kind of don't know if I want to follow that anymore.

Reply 3

Changing Skies

Original post by danielabbx

That's part of why I'm struggling; at the beginning of my GCSEs i was rhinking of going into psychiatry but I kind of don't know if I want to follow that anymore.

If you want to keep the option of psychiatry open, I'd recommend doing biology and chemistry :smile:

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Reply 4

theresheglows

Original post by danielabbx

That's part of why I'm struggling; at the beginning of my GCSEs i was rhinking of going into psychiatry but I kind of don't know if I want to follow that anymore.

If you're not sure what you want to do it is best to choose subjects that will keep your options open.
This usually means taking a mix of sciences and humanities and keeping to facilitating subjects - the traditional ones that are give core skills useful and applicable in lots of degree subjects and which are asked for as required subjects for courses, the main ones are: maths, biology, chemistry, physics, Eng lit, languages, history.
Taking 2 or 3 sciences and 1 or 2 humanities from this list will keep most options open to you.

Psychiatry is a specialism of medicine. To keep the option of medicine you would need to take chemistry and biology - this would also keep open all life sciences and most healthcare and science degrees (except physics).
Psychology, while an acceptable subject alongside required subjects if you know what you want to do will not keep any doors open as it is not actually a required subject for anything (even psychology degrees).
Taking a humanity alongside like Eng lit &/or history will keep open the possibility of most humanities and social science degrees that require an essay subject.
Take maths if you may want to do a degree in maths, physics, architecture, computing, engineering or economics/finance/accounting. It is not needed for medicine or most other science degrees.

Any mix from the list will additionally keep open the numerous degrees that state no specific required subjects.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 5

colourtheory

Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and History. That would be a good combination if you're considering psychiatry or even neuropsychology. This combination is not so great for arts subjects though. Switching psychology for English Lit would really open up your options there. Psychology is not needed, or even desired, for psychology at university depending on the institution. Check subject pages / prospectuses etc. for specific requirements!