I can’t pick a uni course

I do A-levels History, English Literature and Fine Art. I’ve been trying to decide what to do all summer but I keep on changing my mind.

Initially I was thinking about fashion and costume design but career-wise it seems really competitive and unstable and I’m unsure whether I’d rather do fine art at university. I also have a traditional academic path open to me. I’m predicted A’s and above for my courses and my tutors think I could really succeed going down the traditional academic path. I’ve been under a lot of pressure with coursework so I’ve completely neglected a personal statement.

I’m considering doing a foundation year to slow down but I’m worried it’s be unnecessary no matter what I do because if I do a history degree it’s not helpful and my tutors think I can get into university without one. I feel completely overwhelmed and like I’m already falling behind just because I can’t make a basic decision. I’ve always been quite an ambitious person and afraid of failure and I’m afraid of making a fatal misstep and losing out on opportunities because I can’t choose.

Does anyone have any advice about being torn between subjects?

Reply 1

University of Kent

Official Rep

Original post by Mio-S

I do A-levels History, English Literature and Fine Art. I’ve been trying to decide what to do all summer but I keep on changing my mind.
Initially I was thinking about fashion and costume design but career-wise it seems really competitive and unstable and I’m unsure whether I’d rather do fine art at university. I also have a traditional academic path open to me. I’m predicted A’s and above for my courses and my tutors think I could really succeed going down the traditional academic path. I’ve been under a lot of pressure with coursework so I’ve completely neglected a personal statement.
I’m considering doing a foundation year to slow down but I’m worried it’s be unnecessary no matter what I do because if I do a history degree it’s not helpful and my tutors think I can get into university without one. I feel completely overwhelmed and like I’m already falling behind just because I can’t make a basic decision. I’ve always been quite an ambitious person and afraid of failure and I’m afraid of making a fatal misstep and losing out on opportunities because I can’t choose.
Does anyone have any advice about being torn between subjects?

Hey @Mio-S ,

Hoping I can jump in here and provide you with a little advice and reassurance - I know making a university choice can feel like the most overwhelming thing in the world, but you will get through it and things will work out!

First of all, your A-levels sound great, I hope you are enjoying them. The best thing about your a-levels choices is that they are very general (except fine art), so you can pretty much apply to any non-stem subject and stand a good chance of getting in as long as you get the grades, this gives you a lot of choice.

I can see that you have a lot of options you are weighing up, so it's no wonder you are torn! I can't comment on the pros and cons of fashion vs fine art, but I can speak to the traditional path you mention. I think the important thing is whether you would enjoy a traditional path. Even though it's great that others think you will succeed, this is your degree after all. And yes, university is about career prospects, but it's also about enjoying the university experience and enjoying what you are learning, so its important you choose a subject you are passionate about.

This is also really important for your personal statement, so it's probably a good think you haven't worked too much on it until now. Personal statements are all about your passion and motivation for studying a subject, anyone can apply for a degree, but its the ones who really care about it that are most likely to get a degree.

Don't forget, university degrees are much broader than school subjects, so you could even combine two subjects in one degree to give you the best of both worlds! - I had a quick look on UCAS at Fine Art and saw a whole range of different art technique courses, but also combined courses with art history, film, theatre, creative writing and English lit!

The UCAS website is a great place to start as you can look into the different courses available and really see what's out there and is the best match for you - here's how I found fine art: UCAS Fine Art

Also, remember that just because you do one course, you don't have to stick down that path - my mum did a history degree but is now an accountant - the degree also isn't a waste because you will learn transferable skills whatever you do and will still have had a great university experience.

Foundation years can be good for lots of reasons and people find that it's a gentler start to university, though your tutors are right, foundation years are typically for those who achieve lower grades and so look worse on a CV - if you want a break, there is absolutely no shame in taking a gap year - a gap year isn't just for travelling, you can use it to develop skills and gain work experience all whilst taking things at a slower pace - you can even still apply for university now but just choose 2026 entry, so you won't even have to worry about applying.

You are certainly not falling behind as many people do university at many different rates regardless, but it is so natural to feel overwhelmed as this decision definitely isn't basic! I can sense your ambition and totally understand your fear of failure but you haven't failed, and I promise you won't miss out, opportunities will come and go but the right one will find you in the end.

I hope this has helped give you some peace of mind, let me know if you have any questions.

Best of luck with your A levels and your university journey,

Gabby

Reply 2

McGinger

You have until January to decide this.

Plenty of time to go to Uni Open Days, listen to subject presentations and think about what interests you.
No need to make a panicky decision right now, or get worried about this, just take your time.