The Student Room Group

Struggling to choose A levels

Hi, I’m struggling to choose A levels.

I’m planning on doing Maths, Chemistry, Further Maths/ Physics and Latin.

However, I’ve been told that Latin doesn’t help with uni applications (I want to study Stem at Uni, but I might change my mind), so I’m not sure whether I should take Latin

Also, should I take Further maths or Physics? I personally like FM more but I think physics will open more doors and keep more options open

Any advice? Thank you!
Original post by heavenly-home
Hi, I’m struggling to choose A levels.

I’m planning on doing Maths, Chemistry, Further Maths/ Physics and Latin.

However, I’ve been told that Latin doesn’t help with uni applications (I want to study Stem at Uni, but I might change my mind), so I’m not sure whether I should take Latin

Also, should I take Further maths or Physics? I personally like FM more but I think physics will open more doors and keep more options open

Any advice? Thank you!

Other than for Classics (or similar) Latin won't help specifically. However, it you're applying for a course which wants Maths, Chemistry and something else, then Latin is a perfectly valid "something else".

It sounds like you're trying to keep your options open. That can often lead to comprising your A level choices because you don't take the A level you really want to, for fear of reducing your options. This can lead to you getting lower grades (because you take an A level you don't like very much) and that reduces your options.
Original post by heavenly-home
Hi, I’m struggling to choose A levels.
I’m planning on doing Maths, Chemistry, Further Maths/ Physics and Latin.
However, I’ve been told that Latin doesn’t help with uni applications (I want to study Stem at Uni, but I might change my mind), so I’m not sure whether I should take Latin
Also, should I take Further maths or Physics? I personally like FM more but I think physics will open more doors and keep more options open
Any advice? Thank you!

As above, latin isn’t likely to help you with accessing STEM degrees. However, if you wanted to take something different to give you a break from sciencey, numerical stuff, it’s understandable why you’d consider taking it.

I guess it depends on what STEM degree you want to take at uni (and to some extent, which university). Chem, maths + FM/Physics is a very typical set of A levels for someone planning on taking a chemistry degree, for example and would be an ideal set of subjects for the Oxford course.

If you are taking 4 subjects including latin, FM is probably the better subject out of FM and physics. As it stands, 3 A levels is already far more intense than 10 GCSEs and so taking 4 subjects is generally best avoided unless maths and further maths make up two of them.

If you wanted to pursue something like materials science or physics (or physical NatSci), you may be better off with physics taken instead of FM, or even better yet, chem, maths, physics + further maths.
Original post by UtterlyUseless69
As above, latin isn’t likely to help you with accessing STEM degrees. However, if you wanted to take something different to give you a break from sciencey, numerical stuff, it’s understandable why you’d consider taking it.
I guess it depends on what STEM degree you want to take at uni (and to some extent, which university). Chem, maths + FM/Physics is a very typical set of A levels for someone planning on taking a chemistry degree, for example and would be an ideal set of subjects for the Oxford course.
If you are taking 4 subjects including latin, FM is probably the better subject out of FM and physics. As it stands, 3 A levels is already far more intense than 10 GCSEs and so taking 4 subjects is generally best avoided unless maths and further maths make up two of them.
If you wanted to pursue something like materials science or physics (or physical NatSci), you may be better off with physics taken instead of FM, or even better yet, chem, maths, physics + further maths.

Thank you! Can I ask whether a Physics A level would be better for Chemical Engineering? I’m thinking of studying Chem Eng or Chemistry at Uni but I’m not sure so that’s why I want my options to be open
Original post by heavenly-home
Thank you! Can I ask whether a Physics A level would be better for Chemical Engineering? I’m thinking of studying Chem Eng or Chemistry at Uni but I’m not sure so that’s why I want my options to be open

Physics would be incredibly useful for chemical engineering
Original post by heavenly-home
Thank you! Can I ask whether a Physics A level would be better for Chemical Engineering? I’m thinking of studying Chem Eng or Chemistry at Uni but I’m not sure so that’s why I want my options to be open

Either would work for chemical engineering, but I personally think physics could well give you a better foundation for it. You will be taught what you didn’t study at A level that is helpful for your course, but it’s easier to make sense of further maths content post A-level having done ordinary maths without FM than it is to make sense of physics content without having taken A level physics imo.

Regardless, the set of four A levels that would probably suit you best if you are looking at STEM uni courses would be chem, maths, physics and FM and I would still encourage you to consider this set of subjects instead as it will benefit you more in the longrun and will most likely be more manageable than chem, maths, physics and latin.
(edited 3 months ago)
Original post by UtterlyUseless69
Either would work for chemical engineering, but I personally think physics could well give you a better foundation for it. You will be taught what you didn’t study at A level that is helpful for your course, but it’s easier to make sense of further maths content post A-level having done ordinary maths without FM than it is to make sense of physics content without having taken A level physics imo.
Regardless, the set of four A levels that would probably suit you best if you are looking at STEM uni courses would be chem, maths, physics and FM and I would still encourage you to consider this set of subjects instead as it will benefit you more in the longrun and will most likely be more manageable than chem, maths, physics and latin.

Ok, thank you! :smile:

P.S. I tried to rep you, but can’t seem to? It keeps saying that I’ve already rated you recently…?
(edited 3 months ago)

Quick Reply