How to choose a degree

I did the same subjects as you last year, but struggled with AS FM! I think it would be helpful to think about what career or industry you would like to work in and pick based on that?

For the options that biology might leave open for you - which are you considering?

Maths is one of the most employable degrees - much more employable than biology or chemistry. Chemical engineering/ Electrical Engineering would be worth looking at.

This is what I’m struggling with. I think that’s why I’m looking at more broad degrees, such as maths, because I’m unsure of what I want to go into.

For the options that biology might leave open for you - which are you considering?

Maths is one of the most employable degrees - much more employable than biology or chemistry. Chemical engineering/ Electrical Engineering would be worth looking at.

I think speaking to different people and asking maybe a careers advisor at sixth form for their experience is really helpful and could give you some insight!

You could always apply to graduate schemes at uni when you have more of an idea of what career you would like or do a masters? Hope this helps

how so? Calculators can solve problems for you

No-one gets well paid for the sorts of tasks you can do on a calculator!

I was looking at pharmacy, which I know you don’t need Biology A level for, but when I’ve researched it, lots of people said that not having Biology A level made it more difficult for them because of the biochemistry in the course, which made me think that maybe I shouldn’t drop it.

I have been considering Chemical engineering, but was worried because I haven’t done physics and all the people I know who are applying for engineering courses are doing physics at A level.

My main concern with the maths degree is that I’m aware it’s a very broad subject, and I’m worried that if I were to be applying to jobs after my degree that people had done a more specialised degree in, they’d be favoured over me, if that makes sense.

Finance bros can earn decently

A lot of people do 4 A levels including FM - certainly a sizeable number of applicants to medicine seem to.

My gut reaction would also to be a bit concerned about doing Chem Eng without physics - but lots of posters on these forums have done so and found it fine. I think further maths seems to be highly beneficial for engineering degrees,

So far as specialised degrees go - some can lead more directly to careers. Nursing, pharmacy, medicine are good examples of this. Very high employment rates but with the possible exception of medicine not notably high salaries.

There are other degrees which people incorrectly perceive to be highly employable and lead directly to specific careers. Psychology, law, zoology for example.

You don't see a lot of job adverts for mathematicians, but there are plenty of routes in life where people with very strong mathematical skills are preferred. Data science, statistics, computer programming, actuarial work are good examples but there are many more. These jobs tend to pay very well. There are statistics available which show average pay by degree and university which can be worth looking at.

Of interest a lot of the skills maths graduates have engineering graduates also have which makes them employable in spheres outside of engineering should they wish to change tracks.

Yes, I think I have decided that I am going to go through to second year with all 4 subjects. I know I can do it. It’ll just be a lot of work but that’s to be expected with A levels anyway.

A couple of websites that might be useful:

https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/


Given you interest in statistics:

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-office-for-national-statistics/