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Should I do AS chemistry instead of geography?

Hello:smile:
I am choosing my AS levels which at the moment are English literature, geography, biology and history. I am really unsure what career I want to persue, so I am trying to keep my options open. Is it pointless only having one science subject, or will I be ok for some university corses like environmental science/conservation as some class geography as a science? Am I really limiting my options?
However, although I got an A* in my exams for chemistry, I am worried that I will find chemistry at AS level really hard. Please an I have some advice? Thank you
Reply 1
Original post by ChocolateAngel
Hello:smile:
I am choosing my AS levels which at the moment are English literature, geography, biology and history. I am really unsure what career I want to persue, so I am trying to keep my options open. Is it pointless only having one science subject, or will I be ok for some university corses like environmental science/conservation as some class geography as a science? Am I really limiting my options?
However, although I got an A* in my exams for chemistry, I am worried that I will find chemistry at AS level really hard. Please an I have some advice? Thank you


AS Chem isn't too hard. I hear the A2 is more difficult.
Geography is perhaps more related to your chosen uni course, but chem is often thought to be the stronger subject. :smile:
I am doing chem AS and I can say that it is very similar to GCSE ... but way complicated. But since you have got an A* I think chem is the right choice... Geography is dumb subject...don't think it widens your choice at higher education..
Reply 3
I have applied to take Environmental Science at university, and from two russell group uni's recieved offers of ABC whlist doing chemistry, maths, geography and welsh bacc. I'd say take geography as its a lot easier than chemistry and yes is classed as a science from university's point of view!

Although I wouldn't take both history and geography...
Reply 4
Original post by TheKingOfTSR
I am doing chem AS and I can say that it is very similar to GCSE ... but way complicated. But since you have got an A* I think chem is the right choice... Geography is dumb subject...don't think it widens your choice at higher education..


How on earth is Geography a dumb subject? It's classed as an academic subject as well as science if the OP chooses to study something along the lines of earth science/ecology/conservation.

It applies science to real life as well as opening doors if the OP decides to do an human based course.

Geography really does widen opportunities at higher education as it can be applied to any course where as Chemistry can't.
Original post by Annuhlees
How on earth is Geography a dumb subject?


Fine...then on Mars chem is a better subject.lol :biggrin:
Reply 6
If you're not sure on what you want to do after A Levels I'd probably take chemistry, as doing the sciences normally keeps your options fairly open. However, each subject has its own merits so it depends how much time you have to study/how much you enjoy the subject.
Thank you for all the advice:smile: Do you think geography is more appropriate for more practical careers rather than research or work in a laboratory, if that makes sense? I just think geography sounds less about memorising facts and being more practical, and I find human geography interesting, although I didn't do it for gcse, but I did do geology. Help! I just don't know if geography is much less valued than chemistry.....?
By the way, why should I not do history and geography?
Any advice is very much appreciated!
Reply 8
Original post by ChocolateAngel
Thank you for all the advice:smile: Do you think geography is more appropriate for more practical careers rather than research or work in a laboratory, if that makes sense? I just think geography sounds less about memorising facts and being more practical, and I find human geography interesting, although I didn't do it for gcse, but I did do geology. Help! I just don't know if geography is much less valued than chemistry.....?
By the way, why should I not do history and geography?
Any advice is very much appreciated!


I do Geography and it's classed as an academic subject- the same level as Chemistry. I would recommend a science subject but doing two is going to be hard work. Geography is far from easy: you'll have to learn case studies, be able to apply the theory and the exams all seem to have a spanner in the works.

I love Geography and I wouldn't change it for the world! You'll find some topics more interesting than others but you'll find that in most subjects. Also, the reason I like it is that it makes sense. I find most subjects I sit there thinking 'when is this EVER going to come up in real life' but Geography it does.

You can relate Geography to any subject as it teaches you to write reports, evaluate information, research, economics, conservation, law, ecology and the list goes on.

I fount GCSE Geography quite boring and I only took it for A-level as it was the only subject in the block I found slightly interesting. I got a D at GCSE and now i'm working at a B at A-level just because I enjoy it.

Plus, it's the only subject that you can watch documentaries the night before the exam and come out with a good grade :P
As a prospective Chemistry undergrad student for Spetember, I may be slightly biased, but I'd recommend Chemistry.

If you're unsure what you want to go on to do, I'd say any of the core sciences or maths would be the subjects to go for, as Unis will like the academic rigor they offer, and the transferable skills like problem solving and analysis are useful in any walk of life.

Yes, the subject is difficult, but then A-levels are meant to be another step up, so that's the case with most subjects. Plus if you have A* from your Chemistry exams, and keep up to date with the workload and revise well, you should be able to cope with it. I did Biology and Chemistry at AS (as well as Maths and German), and got along well. Biology was the hardest one for me actually, as it has more fact learning than Chemistry (at least that's the case on my syllabus, OCR).

Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut... The most important thing is, chose the subject you enjoy. If you think you'd enjoy Geography more, go for it. I didn't even take it for GCSE, so I don't know much about it myself, but as with almost all A-levels, there's going to be A LOT of work needed to get top grades, and it's muchg easier to put in that work for a subject you really enjoy.

Hope this has helped, and not just confused you further. :smile:
Reply 10
I do geography biology English lit and history and i think they're a good broad choice of subjects, especially if you're not completely certain what you want to do. If you're worried that geog won't be valued as much but you want to do it AND chemistry then maybe don't do English lit? I do it and i find it so hard, thought it was going to be the easiest too! Geography is easier than chemistry and id say more fun but depends what you like :smile:
Chemistry's incredibly time consuming. I'm doing maths, fm, economics and chemistry at A2 level, I can honestly say that it has taken by far the most time out of all of the subjects. Saying that though, it's one of the strongest A levels out there.

Geography, I have heard is pretty easy - but still regarded highly by universities?

Depends on the degree you want, but chemistry will keep more doors open if you can get a good grade (I got an A* at GCSE and am on track for an A at A2) :smile:
A-Level geography is HARD, and the most time consuming of my subjects. I take Biology, English Literature, Geography and Business Studies. It is highly regarded for most if not all courses at uni, and extremely interesting. If you're interested in pursuing environmental science you should find it very relevant. :smile:
Thank you for all the advice! It has really helped:biggrin:
Reply 14
I do biology chemistry and geography A2 and I find geography much more interesting than all. I also do believe it goes with what you want to do.. Also biology and geography go hand in hand in some ways... :smile:


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Original post by ChocolateAngel
Hello:smile:
I am choosing my AS levels which at the moment are English literature, geography, biology and history. I am really unsure what career I want to persue, so I am trying to keep my options open. Is it pointless only having one science subject, or will I be ok for some university corses like environmental science/conservation as some class geography as a science? Am I really limiting my options?
However, although I got an A* in my exams for chemistry, I am worried that I will find chemistry at AS level really hard. Please an I have some advice? Thank you


Hi there, I'm doing Chemistry A2 at the moment and I can hopefully give you some advice on it. Firstly can you answer a few questions, they will help me advise you;

Do you know a general area you want to study?
Is environmental science your desired field?
How did you work for your chemistry exam (GCSE I presume)?
Do you like Geography?
How do you find biology and how do you revise for it?
Chemistry is hard and time consuming, do you have time without geography?
Original post by Devious Hat
Hi there, I'm doing Chemistry A2 at the moment and I can hopefully give you some advice on it. Firstly can you answer a few questions, they will help me advise you;

Do you know a general area you want to study?
Is environmental science your desired field?
How did you work for your chemistry exam (GCSE I presume)?
Do you like Geography?
How do you find biology and how do you revise for it?
Chemistry is hard and time consuming, do you have time without geography?


Thankyou- sorry for the late response! My answers to your questions:
1. Environmental science/conservation or marine biology. I am also intersted in paediatric nursing/veterinary nursing but I really cannot decide!
2. For my exam, I made flashcards, highlighted the parts of my notes that needed extra emphasis and made (lots of) mind maps. And lots of past papers. This is similar to my biology revision.
3. I didn't do geography at GCSE but enjoyed it when I did stidy it; however, I did well in GCSE Geology. I think the human aspects of geography and conservation are interesting-sounding.
5. I'm sorry- I don't understand that question!
Also, would it be possible to, should I have a massive change of mind, study chemistry as a third year at sixth form before university? Am I really actually narrowing my options as they are not that specialised and are so broad? I understand that I have done question overload, but any response is very much appreciated- thank you!:smile:
Original post by AlexanderCLea
As a prospective Chemistry undergrad student for Spetember, I may be slightly biased, but I'd recommend Chemistry.

If you're unsure what you want to go on to do, I'd say any of the core sciences or maths would be the subjects to go for, as Unis will like the academic rigor they offer, and the transferable skills like problem solving and analysis are useful in any walk of life.

Yes, the subject is difficult, but then A-levels are meant to be another step up, so that's the case with most subjects. Plus if you have A* from your Chemistry exams, and keep up to date with the workload and revise well, you should be able to cope with it. I did Biology and Chemistry at AS (as well as Maths and German), and got along well. Biology was the hardest one for me actually, as it has more fact learning than Chemistry (at least that's the case on my syllabus, OCR).

Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut... The most important thing is, chose the subject you enjoy. If you think you'd enjoy Geography more, go for it. I didn't even take it for GCSE, so I don't know much about it myself, but as with almost all A-levels, there's going to be A LOT of work needed to get top grades, and it's muchg easier to put in that work for a subject you really enjoy.

Hope this has helped, and not just confused you further. :smile:


I know this is an old post but this is exactly what I would've put! I take Geography, Physics, Biology and English Literature and the only reason why I'll probably get higher grades in Biology and Geography is that I enjoy them more than the others! As long as a subject is suitable, take what you enjoy!


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Original post by ChocolateAngel
Thankyou- sorry for the late response! My answers to your questions:
1. Environmental science/conservation or marine biology. I am also intersted in paediatric nursing/veterinary nursing but I really cannot decide!
2. For my exam, I made flashcards, highlighted the parts of my notes that needed extra emphasis and made (lots of) mind maps. And lots of past papers. This is similar to my biology revision.
3. I didn't do geography at GCSE but enjoyed it when I did stidy it; however, I did well in GCSE Geology. I think the human aspects of geography and conservation are interesting-sounding.
5. I'm sorry- I don't understand that question!
Also, would it be possible to, should I have a massive change of mind, study chemistry as a third year at sixth form before university? Am I really actually narrowing my options as they are not that specialised and are so broad? I understand that I have done question overload, but any response is very much appreciated- thank you!:smile:


I know a lot of people are putting emphasis on this but it's literally 50:50! It doesn't matter which one you take as in Geography (although not needed unless specified- which you'll only find out if you research each uni through ucas.) you're more likely to get an A in if you put in effort, from experience I did about 2 weeks moderate revision for an A where as I know people who did loads and got a B in Chemistry. Secondly for all uni's it's better to get an A in Geography (even though it's not as valued) than a B in chemistry as in some you need at least straight A's for acceptance. On a side note, getting an A* in something at GCSE doesn't relate to AS at all. For example I got an A in physics and geography at gcse but got a C in physics and an A in geography AS. Finally, go for which you feel you can get an A in more easily, leaving more time for your other subjects which you are obviously more solid about! Hope this helped!:smile:


Posted from TSR Mobile
Thank you! I think I will definitely enjoy Geograp more because I love the human Geography aspect of it. I am just worried I am closing more doors, but I suppose that if I don't enjoy chemistry as much now, it is pointless pursuing a course that involves chemistry too, I think? :smile: I just hope taking one science isnt pointless on its own!

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