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Please help urgently !!!! Don't know what to pick for A levels

HELLO !!! i am currently in year 11 and i need to start applying for sixth forms asap before the the application deadlines but idk what to study at a level?? im going to pick 4 a levels, i know i would definitely like to take art and maybe biology since it's a facilitating subject, but what else? i would really appreciate some advice, i am SO stressed, especially since i have mocks coming up as well :frown:

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Reply 1
Original post by uaryrius
HELLO !!! i am currently in year 11 and i need to start applying for sixth forms asap before the the application deadlines but idk what to study at a level?? im going to pick 4 a levels, i know i would definitely like to take art and maybe biology since it's a facilitating subject, but what else? i would really appreciate some advice, i am SO stressed, especially since i have mocks coming up as well :frown:

Do you have any ideas for degrees or careers? That's probably one of the most important factors - it's all very well wanting to do medicine, but you won't get anywhere without the right subjects.

Chemistry and maths go very well with biology, as one or both of those will let you apply to biological science courses (biochemistry, genetics, biomedical science, etc.). If you're not sure what you want to do, a decent combo is two sciences and an essay subject like history or english literature - the sciences let you apply to science courses pretty easily, while you only really need a good grade in one essay subject for many humanities courses.

One thing, though - don't do biology just because it's a facilitating subject. At a-level, you really need to like your subject - I'm doing biology, and it really is a step up. Good thinking to go for facilitating subjects, though - having at least two of them will be very helpful in two years' time. Just be careful that you don't get overworked with art as a fourth a-level as well.
Reply 2
well i think you should do your a levels relating to your future career maybe? what do you want to do/be in the future?
I agree with everything everyone else has said but also it’s best to pick Alevels you enjoy as you’ll do better in them and it’ll make them less stressful.
Reply 4
Original post by Jaegis
Do you have any ideas for degrees or careers? That's probably one of the most important factors - it's all very well wanting to do medicine, but you won't get anywhere without the right subjects.

Chemistry and maths go very well with biology, as one or both of those will let you apply to biological science courses (biochemistry, genetics, biomedical science, etc.). If you're not sure what you want to do, a decent combo is two sciences and an essay subject like history or english literature - the sciences let you apply to science courses pretty easily, while you only really need a good grade in one essay subject for many humanities courses.

One thing, though - don't do biology just because it's a facilitating subject. At a-level, you really need to like your subject - I'm doing biology, and it really is a step up. Good thinking to go for facilitating subjects, though - having at least two of them will be very helpful in two years' time. Just be careful that you don't get overworked with art as a fourth a-level as well.


thank you for your reply!! i really want to work in the art industry and do something like concept design maybe?? but i don't know what goes well with art a level and i wanted a second career option if art doesn't work out for some reason, but im not sure what that career would be honestly? i do find biology somewhat interesting so that's another reason i would like to choose it
Reply 5
Original post by SA098
well i think you should do your a levels relating to your future career maybe? what do you want to do/be in the future?


i would love to work in the art industry and do anything related with design to be honest ! but im not sure what other a levels to choose along with art
Reply 6
Original post by Hellllpppp
I agree with everything everyone else has said but also it’s best to pick Alevels you enjoy as you’ll do better in them and it’ll make them less stressful.

yes ! i agree but im not sure what else i enjoy except from art and maybe biology
Reply 7
Original post by uaryrius
thank you for your reply!! i really want to work in the art industry and do something like concept design maybe?? but i don't know what goes well with art a level and i wanted a second career option if art doesn't work out for some reason, but im not sure what that career would be honestly? i do find biology somewhat interesting so that's another reason i would like to choose it

What do you mean by concept design? As in video game/film type stuff?
If you want to go into concept design, then maybe ICT would be good? Then you'd learn basics of software, which is always helpful. As a graduate who didn't do a STEM degree, I can see now why schools always pushed people towards STEM. Even if you don't want a STEM degree, the use of technology is a big advantage in basically any job, because it shows you're can think analytically and good at problem solving.

Ultimately though it is up to you, and unless you want to do a job that specialised, uni's/jobs don't care about what you studied as much as they just care about the grades. So if you enjoy a subject n score well in it, go for it. I studied international business at uni, but 2 of my levels were history and RE for example.
Reply 9
Original post by Jaegis
What do you mean by concept design? As in video game/film type stuff?

yes it is, or i would like to do anything in general to do with art or design since im still a bit confused about my future career, i just know i would love to work in the art industry
Original post by Peakinginterests
If you want to go into concept design, then maybe ICT would be good? Then you'd learn basics of software, which is always helpful. As a graduate who didn't do a STEM degree, I can see now why schools always pushed people towards STEM. Even if you don't want a STEM degree, the use of technology is a big advantage in basically any job, because it shows you're can think analytically and good at problem solving.

Ultimately though it is up to you, and unless you want to do a job that specialised, uni's/jobs don't care about what you studied as much as they just care about the grades. So if you enjoy a subject n score well in it, go for it. I studied international business at uni, but 2 of my levels were history and RE for example.

i see thank you ! i shall think about it, i know one of the sixth forms i would like to apply for has an elective course for game development, which i may choose
Reply 11
Original post by uaryrius
yes it is, or i would like to do anything in general to do with art or design since im still a bit confused about my future career, i just know i would love to work in the art industry

I don't know about how to become a concept artist or anything like that, but I recommend looking at requirements for courses like illustration or fine art for a-level ideas, even if you have no interest in doing the courses. Also, possibly look into design a-level? That and art would be a lot of work (although my friend is doing both and she's doing well), but it's the closest I can think of to art.
Original post by Jaegis
I don't know about how to become a concept artist or anything like that, but I recommend looking at requirements for courses like illustration or fine art for a-level ideas, even if you have no interest in doing the courses. Also, possibly look into design a-level? That and art would be a lot of work (although my friend is doing both and she's doing well), but it's the closest I can think of to art.

thank you for all your help, i really appreciate it !!
What career area do you want to go into
anything that is i the art industry
Original post by uaryrius
anything that is i the art industry

To be honest without knowing what the college you’re looking at offers it hard to know what to suggest. If it offers photography or graphic design. They might not be exactly related to the career you want but could work well with art.
Original post by uaryrius
HELLO !!! i am currently in year 11 and i need to start applying for sixth forms asap before the the application deadlines but idk what to study at a level?? im going to pick 4 a levels, i know i would definitely like to take art and maybe biology since it's a facilitating subject, but what else? i would really appreciate some advice, i am SO stressed, especially since i have mocks coming up as well :frown:


same but i dont know if i should pick graphic design or arts and design
Original post by goldenhally
same but i dont know if i should pick graphic design or arts and design

im going to do art and design bc my sixth forms don't offer graphic design
Reply 18
A games/media diploma course can be very beneficial at a college. Concept artists are very common for the games and flim industry. I did a UAL level 3 in creative media and technology at college and im going university next year to do a degree in Concept art. :smile: For A levels, I think English literature/language would be good because as a concept artist, you have to show the story in your drawings, especially for environmental. It may help with you ideas to expand with your art. Also doing Art as well as learning how to do traditional art (so drawing on paper e.c.t.) will be very good. With a games/media course, you may get to learn how to do 3D modelling on a software called 3Ds max or maya. Meaning that if you enjoy it, you can become a more 3d concept artist if you wanted too. If you are unsure, I would contact maybe a university that does a BA (hons) degree in concept such as Staffordshire uni for example. They may help you get on the right track on what to choose. Most unis have a enquiry email on their contacts section on their websites. A levels are very exam based and as a concept artist, exams aren't really that important in that field. Its mostly to do with your artwork and doing essays and presentations from time to time. It will help you to feel more confident going to university as you won't be doing exams up there, so doing a levels, may overwhelm you as university will be quite different. Hope this helps!
(edited 3 years ago)
Original post by Kelsoz
A games/media diploma course can be very beneficial at a college. Concept artists are very common for the games and flim industry. I did a UAL level 3 in creative media and technology at college and im going university next year to do a degree in Concept art. :smile: For A levels, I think English literature/language would be good because as a concept artist, you have to show the story in your drawings, especially for environmental. It may help with you ideas to expand with your art. Also doing Art as well as learning how to do traditional art (so drawing on paper e.c.t.) will be very good. With a games/media course, you may get to learn how to do 3D modelling on a software called 3Ds max or maya. Meaning that if you enjoy it, you can become a more 3d concept artist if you wanted too. If you are unsure, I would contact maybe a university that does a BA (hons) degree in concept such as Staffordshire uni for example. They may help you get on the right track on what to choose. Most unis have a enquiry email on their contacts section on their websites. A levels are very exam based and as a concept artist, exams aren't really that important in that field. Its mostly to do with your artwork and doing essays and presentations from time to time. It will help you to feel more confident going to university as you won't be doing exams up there, so doing a levels, may overwhelm you as university will be quite different. Hope this helps!

thank you so much for your reply !! it's a shame that im not very good at english literature so im not considering taking it for a level :C although i am not 100% sure i will go into concept art, maybe i might change my mind later on, so i wanted to pick subjects that could open up other career opportunities

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