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My random A-Level choices (Art, History and Physics)

Hiiii,
I’m really looking forward to A-levels and I am able to take the subjects I’ve chosen however they are a bit random and don’t completely flow together. I’m hoping to become an architect or study fashion but honestly who knows what career I should do with my choices. I’ve picked history, physics and art. Any advice on what kind of career I could choose which would suit my choices? Also has anyone else picked these subjects!? I’d love to talk to someone about it.
Original post by H-nC0
Hiiii,
I’m really looking forward to A-levels and I am able to take the subjects I’ve chosen however they are a bit random and don’t completely flow together. I’m hoping to become an architect or study fashion but honestly who knows what career I should do with my choices. I’ve picked history, physics and art. Any advice on what kind of career I could choose which would suit my choices? Also has anyone else picked these subjects!? I’d love to talk to someone about it.

Architecture and fashion generally don't require specific A Level subjects, so what you have want now is fine albeit a weird combination.

In terms of required subjects, history and physics are required subjects, but physics by itself usually doesn't really help especially without maths. History would allow you get into all history degrees (some won't require specific subjects).

You would also be able to go into subjects that ask for A Levels in any subjects:

Anything in business expect for financial mathematics and actuarial science (for obvious reasons)

Law

Anthropology

Archaeology

Sociology and criminology

Most psychology degrees

Some degrees in creative writing and English literature

Nonquantiative economics degrees

Education

Theology

Politics

Philosophy

Linguistics

Agriculture

Some art and design degrees, including architecture

Some geography degrees (usually ones with emphasis on human geography)

Some history degrees

Some nutrition degrees

Film

Game design

Hospitality

Property and urban planning

Journalism

Media studies

Nursing

Paramedic science

Social work


The sort of roles where you would need specific degrees (without any alternative means) for careers include healthcare/life sciences, sociologist, and academia. Areas where having a degree would beneficial (can go through degree apprenticeships or go through uni, since ultimately you would need the equivalent of a degree or a professional qualification later on in the career) are in engineering, architecture, social work, education, law, and possibly accounting (not recommended to go through uni though). Degrees in politics might help you to become a political analyst.
Accredited degrees in real estate or urban planning for quantity surveying are also beneficial, although you don't need a specific qualification to be called a surveyor. Similar situation with journalism.

Reply 2

Original post by MindMax2000
Architecture and fashion generally don't require specific A Level subjects, so what you have want now is fine albeit a weird combination.
In terms of required subjects, history and physics are required subjects, but physics by itself usually doesn't really help especially without maths. History would allow you get into all history degrees (some won't require specific subjects).
You would also be able to go into subjects that ask for A Levels in any subjects:

Anything in business expect for financial mathematics and actuarial science (for obvious reasons)

Law

Anthropology

Archaeology

Sociology and criminology

Most psychology degrees

Some degrees in creative writing and English literature

Nonquantiative economics degrees

Education

Theology

Politics

Philosophy

Linguistics

Agriculture

Some art and design degrees, including architecture

Some geography degrees (usually ones with emphasis on human geography)

Some history degrees

Some nutrition degrees

Film

Game design

Hospitality

Property and urban planning

Journalism

Media studies

Nursing

Paramedic science

Social work


The sort of roles where you would need specific degrees (without any alternative means) for careers include healthcare/life sciences, sociologist, and academia. Areas where having a degree would beneficial (can go through degree apprenticeships or go through uni, since ultimately you would need the equivalent of a degree or a professional qualification later on in the career) are in engineering, architecture, social work, education, law, and possibly accounting (not recommended to go through uni though). Degrees in politics might help you to become a political analyst.
Accredited degrees in real estate or urban planning for quantity surveying are also beneficial, although you don't need a specific qualification to be called a surveyor. Similar situation with journalism.

Thank you so much, that was really reassuring :smile:

Reply 3

Original post by H-nC0
Hiiii,
I’m really looking forward to A-levels and I am able to take the subjects I’ve chosen however they are a bit random and don’t completely flow together. I’m hoping to become an architect or study fashion but honestly who knows what career I should do with my choices. I’ve picked history, physics and art. Any advice on what kind of career I could choose which would suit my choices? Also has anyone else picked these subjects!? I’d love to talk to someone about it.

Hello :smile:
Honestly, those sound like cool subjects if you enjoy them. I take A-level physics (and I was initially going to do history but dropped it and switched to music due to outside factors, so nothing to do with the subject itself).
For studying fashion, your subjects are fine, but architecture needs maths in most cases, so I'd take maths as well if you can take a 4th A-level.

My advice on physics: don't take it unless you love it. It's a VERY difficult subject (like people getting 9s at GCSE regularly get grades E or D at A-level) and it takes a lot of work. I'd also suggest studying maths if you want to do physics because the mathematical ability you need to get top grades in A-level physics is big. In some schools, they don't even let you take A-level physics without maths.

But the most important thing about A-level choices is that you genuinely love those subjects and are self-motivated to study them

Reply 4

Just be aware that taking just one science may close off some options to you if you change your mind about your intended degree. Most STEM related degrees require two.
... but architecture needs maths in most cases, so I'd take maths as well if you can take a 4th A-level.


That's incorrect. Only around 5 of 50+ architecture courses require maths:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7361710

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