Stuck for A Level options 😫

Hi! 😊
I’m still in year 10 but want to apply to college courses as quickly as possible in case there are limited spaces. At the beginning of the year, I had a clear image of what I wanted to do, but now I’m less sure as to what would benefit me the most.
For GCSE, as well as the core subjects, I am taking Art, Spanish, History and RS.
I’m originally thought about doing A level art, philosophy of religion and ethics and english lit, but, although I still enjoy those subjects, I’m not sure if I want to take them any further.
I know I definitely want to do Fine Art, and I’ve recently rediscovered my love for biology, so have been considering that as well, but I have no idea if that is a good combination, and what to do for a third.
I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas/advice/experience as to what would be best 😊

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post by Danika Fendyr

Hi! 😊
I’m still in year 10 but want to apply to college courses as quickly as possible in case there are limited spaces. At the beginning of the year, I had a clear image of what I wanted to do, but now I’m less sure as to what would benefit me the most.
For GCSE, as well as the core subjects, I am taking Art, Spanish, History and RS.
I’m originally thought about doing A level art, philosophy of religion and ethics and english lit, but, although I still enjoy those subjects, I’m not sure if I want to take them any further.
I know I definitely want to do Fine Art, and I’ve recently rediscovered my love for biology, so have been considering that as well, but I have no idea if that is a good combination, and what to do for a third.
I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas/advice/experience as to what would be best 😊

9/10 your GCSE options won't affect what you can pick for A Level. If you score high in science, maths, and English language, you should be good for any A Level (assuming you also meet college entry requirements).

When picking A Levels (since they can be critical for a number of things), I usually recommend the following steps:

1.

Check what the requirements for the job(s) that you want

2.

If the requirements require a specific degree, what sort of degree do you need e.g. does it need to be accredited by a professional body?

3.

What are the entry requirements for those types of degrees?

4.

What universities offer such a degree that you want to study for, and what are their individual requirements for the courses

5.

Pick your A Levels based on the above

Whilst nobody is saying you can't pick your subjects based on what you love to study, randomly picking them without some sort of plan is not the best idea in my opinion.

I know I definitely want to do Fine Art, and I’ve recently rediscovered my love for biology, so have been considering that as well, but I have no idea if that is a good combination, and what to do for a third
I know people who did similar subjects, and the third subject they did can include:

•

Religious studies

•

English Lit

•

Psychology

•

History

It's usually something that involves memory and minimal maths and logical thinking i.e. not maths, CS, FM, physics, chemistry, economics, etc. If anything, it's usually more artistic, articulate, essay based subjects.

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 2

Danika Fendyr

OP

1

Original post by MindMax2000

9/10 your GCSE options won't affect what you can pick for A Level. If you score high in science, maths, and English language, you should be good for any A Level (assuming you also meet college entry requirements).
When picking A Levels (since they can be critical for a number of things), I usually recommend the following steps:

1.

Check what the requirements for the job(s) that you want

2.

If the requirements require a specific degree, what sort of degree do you need e.g. does it need to be accredited by a professional body?

3.

What are the entry requirements for those types of degrees?

4.

What universities offer such a degree that you want to study for, and what are their individual requirements for the courses

5.

Pick your A Levels based on the above

Whilst nobody is saying you can't pick your subjects based on what you love to study, randomly picking them without some sort of plan is not the best idea in my opinion.
I know I definitely want to do Fine Art, and I’ve recently rediscovered my love for biology, so have been considering that as well, but I have no idea if that is a good combination, and what to do for a third
I know people who did similar subjects, and the third subject they did can include:

•

Religious studies

•

English Lit

•

Psychology

•

History

It's usually something that involves memory and minimal maths and logical thinking i.e. not maths, CS, FM, physics, chemistry, economics, etc. If anything, it's usually more artistic, articulate, essay based subjects.

Thank you that’s really helpful 😊

Reply 3

Hawraa.A

15

Original post by Danika Fendyr

Hi! 😊
I’m still in year 10 but want to apply to college courses as quickly as possible in case there are limited spaces. At the beginning of the year, I had a clear image of what I wanted to do, but now I’m less sure as to what would benefit me the most.
For GCSE, as well as the core subjects, I am taking Art, Spanish, History and RS.
I’m originally thought about doing A level art, philosophy of religion and ethics and english lit, but, although I still enjoy those subjects, I’m not sure if I want to take them any further.
I know I definitely want to do Fine Art, and I’ve recently rediscovered my love for biology, so have been considering that as well, but I have no idea if that is a good combination, and what to do for a third.
I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas/advice/experience as to what would be best 😊

English lit is a good option although quite hard (I do it) go for fine art if it is your passion. With regards to biology do you see yourself doing it or using it post 18, if not perhaps go for History as its a facilitating subject and loved by all unis. Ultimately do what you enjoy most now and know you will still enjoy 2 years down the line.

Reply 4

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post by Danika Fendyr

Thank you that’s really helpful 😊

Forgot to mention: if you want to do a humanities subject (e.g. history, geography) or something related to the arts (e.g. music, art), I recommend checking the entry requirements for those A Levels at your pick of sixth form colleges just to be sure.
Whilst there is absolutely no entry requirements for any A Level set by any of the exam boards (UK or international), the individual sixth form college (who have no right to insist their requirements on students) might have their own requirements for their specific subjects.

Stuck for A Level options 😫

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