The Student Room Group

A-Level choices

The subjects I have signed up for are chemistry, psychology and english lit. I also am able to do a computer science AS despite the fact that my school only allows three A-levels, because my teacher recommended me for it.

However, I know that a lot of science-related degrees require two sciences so was thinking I should maybe do maths instead of psychology as psychology isn't a facilitating subject and wouldn't count as a science. My school also requires us to all do an EPQ so I could so that on something psychology related.

I am mainly asking here because the response of most people I talked to about this irl has been 'but you love psychology', which I do and not taking it at A-level makes me nervous about potentially studying further in case I discover I don't like learning about it in a more formal setting.
Anyway sorry for such a long and specific post, but if anyone has any advise on this it would be greatly appreciated.
I would check different uni courses because alot of the do consider psychology to be a science. As for an epq, a psychology epq would be good but personally I really enjoyed psychology alevel so did a criminology/ criminal justice epq on capital punishment.
Reply 2
Original post by NoxDuck
The subjects I have signed up for are chemistry, psychology and english lit. I also am able to do a computer science AS despite the fact that my school only allows three A-levels, because my teacher recommended me for it.

However, I know that a lot of science-related degrees require two sciences so was thinking I should maybe do maths instead of psychology as psychology isn't a facilitating subject and wouldn't count as a science. My school also requires us to all do an EPQ so I could so that on something psychology related.

I am mainly asking here because the response of most people I talked to about this irl has been 'but you love psychology', which I do and not taking it at A-level makes me nervous about potentially studying further in case I discover I don't like learning about it in a more formal setting.
Anyway sorry for such a long and specific post, but if anyone has any advise on this it would be greatly appreciated.

What are you thinking of studying at uni? Faciliating subjects were abolished several years ago.
Reply 3
Original post by Muttley79
What are you thinking of studying at uni? Faciliating subjects were abolished several years ago.

I don't really know, which is why I want to try and keep my options open. Psychology, forensics and medicine + specialising in psychiatry are all things I'm considering but none of them are certainties. (By facilitating subject I meant one that is required for certain degrees; I've only read the term online a few times so a may not have had the meaning right.)
Reply 4
Original post by NoxDuck
I don't really know, which is why I want to try and keep my options open. Psychology, forensics and medicine + specialising in psychiatry are all things I'm considering but none of them are certainties. (By facilitating subject I meant one that is required for certain degrees; I've only read the term online a few times so a may not have had the meaning right.)

OK so I think you mean required subjects.

You could try putting choices in this: https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer
Reply 5
Original post by Muttley79
OK so I think you mean required subjects.

You could try putting choices in this: https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer

Yeah, that's really useful thanks!
Original post by NoxDuck
The subjects I have signed up for are chemistry, psychology and english lit. I also am able to do a computer science AS despite the fact that my school only allows three A-levels, because my teacher recommended me for it.

However, I know that a lot of science-related degrees require two sciences so was thinking I should maybe do maths instead of psychology as psychology isn't a facilitating subject and wouldn't count as a science. My school also requires us to all do an EPQ so I could so that on something psychology related.

I am mainly asking here because the response of most people I talked to about this irl has been 'but you love psychology', which I do and not taking it at A-level makes me nervous about potentially studying further in case I discover I don't like learning about it in a more formal setting.
Anyway sorry for such a long and specific post, but if anyone has any advise on this it would be greatly appreciated.


What about switching English with maths? So you’d have two core sciences, but would also be able to keep psychology. This might close your options a little though if you wanted to pursue a course that requires an essay subject. If you are applying for psych at a uni, most will consider psych as a science, but even if you’re not, there are unis which consider it a science such as Exeter and Bristol. I took psych as I have always loved it (wasn’t an option at GCSE for me so a levels was my first experience with it) and it is definitely my favourite subject!!! I would highly recommend it if you have a passion for it. Think about your options for degree, as this might help you out. It’s best to choose subjects which you enjoy/will get good grades in. Hope this helps :smile:
Reply 7
Original post by NoxDuck
The subjects I have signed up for are chemistry, psychology and english lit. I also am able to do a computer science AS despite the fact that my school only allows three A-levels, because my teacher recommended me for it.

However, I know that a lot of science-related degrees require two sciences so was thinking I should maybe do maths instead of psychology as psychology isn't a facilitating subject and wouldn't count as a science. My school also requires us to all do an EPQ so I could so that on something psychology related.

I am mainly asking here because the response of most people I talked to about this irl has been 'but you love psychology', which I do and not taking it at A-level makes me nervous about potentially studying further in case I discover I don't like learning about it in a more formal setting.
Anyway sorry for such a long and specific post, but if anyone has any advise on this it would be greatly appreciated.

Heya!
Use uniguide alvl explorer to check out what you can do with your combos. I would recommend checking out diff courses and their entry requirements, usually they state if they count psychology alvl as science or not!

I hope this helps!
Milena
UCL PFE
Study Mind
Original post by NoxDuck
I don't really know, which is why I want to try and keep my options open. Psychology, forensics and medicine + specialising in psychiatry are all things I'm considering but none of them are certainties. (By facilitating subject I meant one that is required for certain degrees; I've only read the term online a few times so a may not have had the meaning right.)

If you are considering medicine, then taking A level chemistry and biology will give you the most options when applying to med schools. Don't drop psychology if it is your favourite subject.

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