The Student Room Group

A-Level choices confliction?

I'm in Y11 after this summer and basically have to choose A-levels by March.
I was thinking of doing Maths, Further Maths, History and Classical Greek, in the hope that I might reach a conclusion on what I really want to study for uni- basically I can do Maths at uni, but also an alternative if maths turns out not to be for me- a humanities subject such as History or Classics.
I'm fairly all around, and interested in both humanities and science/maths- but also very indecisive.

However, would that make me a less attractive student to universities? (Currently aiming for top 8 ish)
Or would it be wiser to simply take something along the lines of Maths, FM, Chem and Physics; or History, Greek and foreign language.

Thank you :smile:
Maths, FM, History and classical Greek sounds like an awesome combination to study either Maths or a humanity at university! Maths and FM will prepare you for the possibility for a Maths degree and Classical Greek and History for something in History or Classics! Hopefully by the end of year 12 you’ll have a better idea of what you want to do as you’ll have to start your uni research and applications around that time and you could then drop either further maths or classical Greek/history when you’ve made the decision if you want to lessen your workload for year 13! Best of luck with year 11 :smile:
Because you say you're interested in science too, if you want to keep some science options open (physics/engineering) maybe consider taking Maths, FM, physics, and then your fourth could be History or Greek. This increases options for you when you want to pick a degree.

The "conflict" in your subjects won't make you less attractive at all as long as you meet any requirements and preferences they have for subjects.
(edited 3 months ago)
Reply 3
Original post by sound-famous-
Because you say you're interested in science too, if you want to keep some science options open (physics/engineering) maybe consider taking Maths, FM, physics, and then your fourth could be History or Greek. This increases options for you when you want to pick a degree.
The "conflict" in your subjects won't make you less attractive at all as long as you meet any requirements and preferences they have for subjects.

Thanks for the advice. Though I am concerned that on the other hand the 4th subject ie Greek for example would be unapplicable because trying to get into a classics degree at uni would be much more difficult without something to support the humanities area of it. Of course if this were the other way, trying to get into maths with only maths a-level would also not be as easy. I think that's the crux of the issue.
Original post by LionTSR
I'm in Y11 after this summer and basically have to choose A-levels by March.
I was thinking of doing Maths, Further Maths, History and Classical Greek, in the hope that I might reach a conclusion on what I really want to study for uni- basically I can do Maths at uni, but also an alternative if maths turns out not to be for me- a humanities subject such as History or Classics.
I'm fairly all around, and interested in both humanities and science/maths- but also very indecisive.
However, would that make me a less attractive student to universities? (Currently aiming for top 8 ish)
Or would it be wiser to simply take something along the lines of Maths, FM, Chem and Physics; or History, Greek and foreign language.
Thank you :smile:
Maths, Further Maths, Physics and History is the 'ideal' combination of A-Level subjects to keep your options open for Classics, History, Maths, Physics, Philosophy, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Law, Politics, PPE and even Oriental Languages at Oxford. 😉
Original post by LionTSR
Thanks for the advice. Though I am concerned that on the other hand the 4th subject ie Greek for example would be unapplicable because trying to get into a classics degree at uni would be much more difficult without something to support the humanities area of it. Of course if this were the other way, trying to get into maths with only maths a-level would also not be as easy. I think that's the crux of the issue.

As before, it’s fine to take a combination which mixes maths and humanities- are you also interested in pursuing science related degrees at uni?
Is yes then taking a science is essential, if not then your combination of double maths, history and classical Greek is great and will get you onto a variety of maths and history/classics related degrees.
Original post by LionTSR
Thanks for the advice. Though I am concerned that on the other hand the 4th subject ie Greek for example would be unapplicable because trying to get into a classics degree at uni would be much more difficult without something to support the humanities area of it. Of course if this were the other way, trying to get into maths with only maths a-level would also not be as easy. I think that's the crux of the issue.

I understand, maybe it's time to have a good think about whether it's worth keeping science degrees open.
Reply 7
Original post by sound-famous-
I understand, maybe it's time to have a good think about whether it's worth keeping science degrees open.

Yes. As an very indecisive person who struggles even with ordering food it's definitely something I should be strict with. Thank you.
Reply 8
Original post by DerDracologe
As before, it’s fine to take a combination which mixes maths and humanities- are you also interested in pursuing science related degrees at uni?
Is yes then taking a science is essential, if not then your combination of double maths, history and classical Greek is great and will get you onto a variety of maths and history/classics related degrees.
I'll think more about science degrees. I was probably overestimating how much dedication in terms of A-levels into a broad area such as humanities would take for entering a good uni. Thanks for the advice :smile:
Original post by LionTSR
I'll think more about science degrees. I was probably overestimating how much dedication in terms of A-levels into a broad area such as humanities would take for entering a good uni. Thanks for the advice :smile:
You should also consider taking French or Spanish alongside Maths, Further Maths and Physics or if you don't do a language then Economics is a nice subject with easy Data Response marks. 😉 lol
Reply 10
Original post by thegeek888
You should also consider taking French or Spanish alongside Maths, Further Maths and Physics or if you don't do a language then Economics is a nice subject with easy Data Response marks. 😉 lol

That's a great idea and thanks for the suggestion; though I think I wouldn't do anything MFL related at uni so something else might be better :smile:
Original post by LionTSR
Yes. As an very indecisive person who struggles even with ordering food it's definitely something I should be strict with. Thank you.

I know it's hard but unfortunately you have to start closing some doors at some point.

I do think however that for humanities degrees you'll be fine with one humanities subject, but it's worth looking into this properly to check what the requirements are at the universities/courses you think you might be interested in.

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