'Soft' Subjects??

Well I'm thinking along the lines of mechanical engineering. Not too sure where yet, I'm applying towards the end of this year. I had been looking at Bristol but they want Physics and an A*. Most uni's seem to ask for maths and a science with some accepting product design as a science.

Howcome you didn't pick any science based subjects or did you not know at the time that you wanted to a study mechanical engineering? I would suggest taking a year out and doing a higher access course and study the subjects you need, it will benefit you more in the long term especially if you're looking to apply to uni's along the lines of Bristol.


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I didn't really know at the time what I was going to do, just stuck with the subjects I was best at. I was thinking I'll have to settle for a uni with different entry requirements but perhaps thats a good idea. I've got plans for a bit of traveling during my gap year. Reckon it would be possible to fit an extra course in with that? Not too sure how involved it would be.

So I'm getting towards the end of my last year of a-levels and I've just been reading about 'soft' subjects. I'm studying art, maths and product design.
Do universities consider art and product design to be soft subjects?
On http://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/feb/04/university-places-traditional-subjects-a-levels I read that students who chose at least two of these 'soft' subjects have a considerably lower chance of getting top places at uni.
In my experience, art is twice as much work as maths and product design is just a little less. I am predicted to get an A for each subject and I have worked my ass off! Just hoping my choice of subjects isn't going to let me down now.
Anybody know much about this?
Sorry if this isn't the right place for the post, it's one of my first.
Cheers in advance for any info.

The reality is that most unis will want to see A-levels that are closely related to the subject you want to study- so if you wanted to study History, they'd be keen on a majority of essay based subjects, and if you want to study a science, normally you need a minimum of 2-3 science A-levels.

Art is a bit of a weird one, in that most of the top unis for art (e.g. Goldsmiths) admit based on portfolios, rather than specific qualifications. As such, art lacks a bit of value as an A-level.

I would also say that the Russell group has been going on about facilitating subjects for years, but in reality, these unis do admit a lot of people who haven't done 2/3 facilitating subjects to A2 and the subjects required will vary a lot on a course by course basis.

In reality as well, unis won't usually vary offers much between students- getting 3 As, including maths will make you a stronger candidate than someone who took 3 "traditional" subjects and gets 3 B grades.

I actually think both the article and the booklet (potentially as I haven't read it) could end up being misleading or at least misrepresenting the situation. The reality is that you cannot generalise between all university subjects in a meaningful way.

Well as mentioned in a previous comment, I wasn't sure exactly what degree I wanted to do when I chose my subjects. I knew that I wanted to do something that involves creativity, design and maths as they are what I enjoy.
I am now looking at mechanical engineering, which (although more related to maths and physics) involves aspects of design and creativity. I thought my art & design a-level could be somewhat relevant here.
Also, people tend to say that you either have a creative mind (being good at lit, arts etc.) or a scientific mind (being good at maths, physics etc.). I thought that showing I am good in both areas, would be a positive for a degree like this. Perhaps that could've been shown in my product design alone.
Anyway, as 'r-t' suggested, I think I am going to do a physics a-level over my gap year. Think that will give me a lot more options.

Well I'm thinking along the lines of mechanical engineering. Not too sure where yet, I'm applying towards the end of this year. I had been looking at Bristol but they want Physics and an A*. Most uni's seem to ask for maths and a science with some accepting product design as a science.

Well as mentioned in a previous comment, I wasn't sure exactly what degree I wanted to do when I chose my subjects. I knew that I wanted to do something that involves creativity, design and maths as they are what I enjoy.
I am now looking at mechanical engineering, which (although more related to maths and physics) involves aspects of design and creativity. I thought my art & design a-level could be somewhat relevant here.
Also, people tend to say that you either have a creative mind (being good at lit, arts etc.) or a scientific mind (being good at maths, physics etc.). I thought that showing I am good in both areas, would be a positive for a degree like this. Perhaps that could've been shown in my product design alone.
Anyway, as 'r-t' suggested, I think I am going to do a physics a-level over my gap year. Think that will give me a lot more options.