The Student Room Group

A-Levels and Further Qualifications

Hey All.
I need a little bit advice in regards to further studies and subject opinions.

To give you all a bit of background, I already have a degree in Accounting- graduated with a 2:1 back in 2021, and work part-time in Accounting as an accounts assistant. I will become full-time at some point next year or in 2026. I do my job really well and I'm also enjoying my work.

This gives me some time to study another subject to add value to the qualifications I've already got, though I may do something different, like either study something business related or another subject unrelated to my degree, maybe even another A-Level via distance learning.

I have been discussing it with my mum, and she is thinking and suggesting I study something technology related or an A-Level in something like Computer Science, since she believes it would look good on my CV.

For a bit of backstory, I did do a few lessons of GCSE Computer Science in 2015 but dropped the subject after a few lessons as I wasn't finding it interesting. However my mum doesn't feel I gave it enough time, and that I didn't have a good teacher- yes that part is true, the teacher wasn't really the best. She thinks I should give it a chance and that maybe I'd enjoy it.

If I didn't do a technology or digital subject or A-Level Computer Science, I would most likely choose a business related subject like either a HR course, or A-Level Economics, both of which would link well with my accounting degree, and that I would find interesting.

Another thing I should note is that, I enjoy doing a lot of art in my spare time outside of my accounting job, but doing it at A-Level or a course in it would be out of the question, as my mum doesn't think it'll get me anywhere, and I can understand her view in this aspect.

I think in general she's worried I'll be held back by not having any IT or Computer science qualification due to the increase in demand for tech related jobs or skills. She isn't forcing or pushing me to study certain things in any way. It's more like she's suggesting based on the demand in skills, but she does also believe I should study something I'll enjoy or find interesting, preferably something that would benefit me.

Just to note, I have a BTEC Business Level 3 extended diploma and also did two A-Levels, though in unrelated subjects which I enjoyed- English Literature and Psychology.
So now I need your opinions. Should I:

1. Reflect on what my mum said and give Computer Science/IT a chance and study something in that, whether an A-Level or not and if I end up liking it, good, but if not, at least I gave it a go and got the qualification and look good on my CV?

2. Study one of the other subjects of my choice that I mentioned above that would link with my degree?

3. Study something unrelated to show I have a breadth of interests?

Also some experiences of similar situations would be handy
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by Gabriela555
Hey All.
I need a little bit advice in regards to further studies and subject opinions.
To give you all a bit of background, I already have a degree in Accounting- graduated with a 2:1 back in 2021, and work part-time in Accounting as an accounts assistant. I will become full-time at some point next year or in 2026. I do my job really well and I'm also enjoying my work.
This gives me some time to study another subject to add value to the qualifications I've already got, though I may do something different, like either study something business related or another subject unrelated to my degree, maybe even another A-Level via distance learning.
I have been discussing it with my mum, and she is thinking and suggesting I study something technology related or an A-Level in something like Computer Science, since she believes it would look good on my CV.
For a bit of backstory, I did do a few lessons of GCSE Computer Science in 2015 but dropped the subject after a few lessons as I wasn't finding it interesting. However my mum doesn't feel I gave it enough time, and that I didn't have a good teacher- yes that part is true, the teacher wasn't really the best. She thinks I should give it a chance and that maybe I'd enjoy it.
If I didn't do a technology or digital subject or A-Level Computer Science, I would most likely choose a business related subject like either a HR course, or A-Level Economics, both of which would link well with my accounting degree, and that I would find interesting.
Another thing I should note is that, I enjoy doing a lot of art in my spare time outside of my accounting job, but doing it at A-Level or a course in it would be out of the question, as my mum doesn't think it'll get me anywhere, and I can understand her view in this aspect.
I think in general she's worried I'll be held back by not having any IT or Computer science qualification due to the increase in demand for tech related jobs or skills. She isn't forcing or pushing me to study certain things in any way. It's more like she's suggesting based on the demand in skills, but she does also believe I should study something I'll enjoy or find interesting, preferably something that would benefit me.
Just to note, I have a BTEC Business Level 3 extended diploma and also did two A-Levels, though in unrelated subjects which I enjoyed- English Literature and Psychology.
So now I need your opinions. Should I:
1. Reflect on what my mum said and give Computer Science/IT a chance and study something in that, whether an A-Level or not and if I end up liking it, good, but if not, at least I gave it a go and got the qualification and look good on my CV?
2. Study one of the other subjects of my choice that I mentioned above that would link with my degree?
3. Study something unrelated to show I have a breadth of interests?
Also some experiences of similar situations would be handy

I don't think an A level in computer science will really help you at all. Would you not be better off going for your professional accounting qualifications if you have already an accredited degree? With the work you have done already you could join a company full time and they will put you through your ACA. However If youre set on A levels doing maths will be more valuable and if you're worried about your IT skills you can take courses on specific programmes like excel, this would be more practical and cheaper than getting an a level.
Reply 2
Original post by Herbyyy
I don't think an A level in computer science will really help you at all. Would you not be better off going for your professional accounting qualifications if you have already an accredited degree? With the work you have done already you could join a company full time and they will put you through your ACA. However If youre set on A levels doing maths will be more valuable and if you're worried about your IT skills you can take courses on specific programmes like excel, this would be more practical and cheaper than getting an a level.

Hey there
Thanks for the reply. I've only been in my job for a year now, though I think I may have mentioned, my current job will become full-time either next year or in 2026. I plan on staying in my current job as my workplace have been very supportive and accommodating for my studies and my autism. My degree is accredited. I haven't thought that far down the line yet of qualifying fully yet but I will consider it.

I'm not too concerned about my IT skills, as I use Excel regularly at work and am confident with accounting software.

A-Levels- Maths does seem like a good option though I am also considering Economics as another A-Level option if I go down that route. Would Economics be a good A-Level option for my degree or as good as Maths A-Level?

Just to note, I did my two A-Levels a bit later than other people normally would not because of grades, but because I didn't have the opportunity to do them earlier due to being in a SEN school most of my academic life until college, though I was lucky enough to do my GCSEs whilst in school
Original post by Gabriela555
Hey there
Thanks for the reply. I've only been in my job for a year now, though I think I may have mentioned, my current job will become full-time either next year or in 2026. I plan on staying in my current job as my workplace have been very supportive and accommodating for my studies and my autism. My degree is accredited. I haven't thought that far down the line yet of qualifying fully yet but I will consider it.
I'm not too concerned about my IT skills, as I use Excel regularly at work and am confident with accounting software.
A-Levels- Maths does seem like a good option though I am also considering Economics as another A-Level option if I go down that route. Would Economics be a good A-Level option for my degree or as good as Maths A-Level?
Just to note, I did my two A-Levels a bit later than other people normally would not because of grades, but because I didn't have the opportunity to do them earlier due to being in a SEN school most of my academic life until college, though I was lucky enough to do my GCSEs whilst in school

The thing to note about your case is that your degree pretty much supersedes a levels just like how a levels overshadow gcses. It therefore may be better for yourself to do a masters either related to accounting or computer science part time which will take two years. There are computer science courses that don't require a cs undergrad either. I don't think doing economics a level would add anything to your cv that your degree already does.
Reply 4
Original post by Herbyyy
The thing to note about your case is that your degree pretty much supersedes a levels just like how a levels overshadow gcses. It therefore may be better for yourself to do a masters either related to accounting or computer science part time which will take two years. There are computer science courses that don't require a cs undergrad either. I don't think doing economics a level would add anything to your cv that your degree already does.

Yes, I've definitely heard that once you get a degree, employers don't seem to bother much about your GCSEs or A-Levels, definitely makes sense, though the place where I'm doing my accounting job did also look at my BTEC and two A-Levels.

As for doing a master's, I don't plan on doing one as it's quite an expensive investment and I don't wish to take out another student loan, but thank you for that suggestion anyway.

So if I were to do an extra A-Level, from what you've mentioned economics wouldn't look that good on my CV compared to if I did another subject, despite it linking with my degree? Just want to make sure I've understood it correctly

Quick Reply