A-level Subjects Choice

Hello! I’ve finished GCSEs and beginning A-levels next year.
I’ve picked biology, sociology, geography and english literature. Seems like a random mix but I have careers of marine biology, urban planning and narrative design in mind. I received a scholarship for sociology and english which puts me into a pickle if I need to drop one of the two. In order to get into best universities for marine biology it’s recommended I also do chemistry, is it possible for me to do the course alone (help from friends, online videos, books) or would you recommend dropping one of my subjects to take up chemistry instead?
I am predicted 8s and 9s for GCSE, I am not too confident with my solo-chemistry skills but maybe having people who know the subject (friends and extra teachers) can help suffice?
Any help would be appreciated, thank you

Reply 1

username6990201

Teaching yourself A Level Chemistry will be very difficult, and thats without even considering that you are thinking of taking up 5 A levels. I would not recommend this as a viable course of action.

If you have your heart absolutely set on Marine Biology, and are aiming for a top university, you should try to focus your A levels on the science side to be a more competitive applicant. Your scholarship complicates things, but probably also highlights where your strengths are, are also good at and interested science? You have to be if you want to do a highly scientific degree. If you are, then I would recommend talking to a career/subject advisor if such a thing exists at your school? Or just any teacher with authority that can tell you how your scholarship might be affected if you change your subjects.

Also, I just want to highlight how difficult it would be to get a job in Marine Biology after a degree in case you aren't yet aware. There are so few jobs and way too many graduates to fill them. If this is absolutely your dream, make sure you get work experience in university and really go all out, because you won't find a way into the field if you don't. Just have your expectations right, doing a marine biology degree in no way guarantees that you'll spend your life swimming in the sea studying marine life, it is an extremely small field.

Reply 2

McGinger

Have you checked the 'entry requirements' on Uni websites for the degree subject you want to do? Which A levels are essential or 'preferred'. Start there.

Urban Planning BSc | Undergraduate study | Loughborough University (lboro.ac.uk)
Urban Studies BSc | Prospective Students Undergraduate - UCL – University College London
BSc (Hons) Property Development | University of Portsmouth

BSc (Hons) Marine Biology - University of Plymouth
BSc (Hons) Marine and Freshwater Conservation - University of Cumbria
Ocean Sciences BSc (Hons) - 2024/25 entry - Courses - University of Liverpool

Game Design BSc (Hons) | Clearing 2024 | University of Liverpool
Game Design and Development BSc (Hons) - University of Bradford
BSc (Hons) Games Development | Glasgow Caledonian University | Scotland, UK (gcu.ac.uk)

Reply 3

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

You dont need chem for marine biology, loads of unis dont even require you to take 2 science subjects for it. Biology is obviously essential and lots of marine bio applicants take geography so those two will both be very useful preparation. I looked at the entry requirements for marine biology at 11 unis and 4 would need bio and geography with the other 7 only needing bio- none needed chemistry at all.

(edited 12 months ago)

Reply 4

EddieHawlsters

Original post by sound-famous-

Teaching yourself A Level Chemistry will be very difficult, and thats without even considering that you are thinking of taking up 5 A levels. I would not recommend this as a viable course of action.
If you have your heart absolutely set on Marine Biology, and are aiming for a top university, you should try to focus your A levels on the science side to be a more competitive applicant. Your scholarship complicates things, but probably also highlights where your strengths are, are also good at and interested science? You have to be if you want to do a highly scientific degree. If you are, then I would recommend talking to a career/subject advisor if such a thing exists at your school? Or just any teacher with authority that can tell you how your scholarship might be affected if you change your subjects.
Also, I just want to highlight how difficult it would be to get a job in Marine Biology after a degree in case you aren't yet aware. There are so few jobs and way too many graduates to fill them. If this is absolutely your dream, make sure you get work experience in university and really go all out, because you won't find a way into the field if you don't. Just have your expectations right, doing a marine biology degree in no way guarantees that you'll spend your life swimming in the sea studying marine life, it is an extremely small field.

Thank you, I appreciate the help

Reply 5

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

Original post by EddieHawlsters

I defffo would not even consider doing 5 a-levels.
Id check the requirements on unis websites to see if they actually require chemistry. If the majority of them dont, then i wouldnt bother. Stick with yhe 4 you are currently doing.