The Student Room Group

a level options

hey everyone, im a yr 11 student currently confused on what a levels i should pick.
i am planning to get into medicine hopefully!
essentially my original choices are:
- biology
- chemistry
- computer science
to which im predicted a 7 in biology, 8 in chemistry and 9 in computer science.
as an additional question, how is a level bio and chem? is it a build up on gcse or not (manageable or not?) more specifically for aqa but idm any other exam boards as i am currently doing aqa at gcse!
i truly enjoy computer science a level and as far as im aware it's a built up on gcse content to which i don't see a problem (side question, anyone who does computer science ocr: how do you find it?)
so basically, when i ask people who have already competed their a levels, they tell me to not pick computer science and rather, think about picking maths so i can get into better rated sixth forms such as ncs or brampton rather than going to my schools sixth form who does computer science as they said "better sixth forms would look better when I'm applying to Russel group rated unis" . i am aware that brampton does do it but i have to pick maths for it alongside it(which im not willing to actually pick and compromise on, although ik i am capable of achieving 7/8/9 at gcse)

so bottom line, should i think about picking maths and and is it really a good choice to pick computer science for a level.

thanks so much
hope you have a great day!
Original post by chittakabootar
hey everyone, im a yr 11 student currently confused on what a levels i should pick.
i am planning to get into medicine hopefully!
essentially my original choices are:
- biology
- chemistry
- computer science
to which im predicted a 7 in biology, 8 in chemistry and 9 in computer science.
as an additional question, how is a level bio and chem? is it a build up on gcse or not (manageable or not?) more specifically for aqa but idm any other exam boards as i am currently doing aqa at gcse!
i truly enjoy computer science a level and as far as im aware it's a built up on gcse content to which i don't see a problem (side question, anyone who does computer science ocr: how do you find it?)
so basically, when i ask people who have already competed their a levels, they tell me to not pick computer science and rather, think about picking maths so i can get into better rated sixth forms such as ncs or brampton rather than going to my schools sixth form who does computer science as they said "better sixth forms would look better when I'm applying to Russel group rated unis" . i am aware that brampton does do it but i have to pick maths for it alongside it(which im not willing to actually pick and compromise on, although ik i am capable of achieving 7/8/9 at gcse)
so bottom line, should i think about picking maths and and is it really a good choice to pick computer science for a level.
thanks so much
hope you have a great day!

From what I am aware of, I don't really think that unis will care that much about which sixth form you went to, I think its more about what results you get at A-level.

I did computer science last year at A-level and I really enjoyed it (I did AQA but I think they are all quite similar). It isn't too much of a step up from GCSE, mainly just goes more in-depth on the same sort of topics. I think that it is seen as a good a-level by most universities. However, if you are looking into medicine then I'm not really sure how useful it will be for this.

I also did chemistry last year (I did edexcel) and I would say that it is quite a big step up from GCSE, in many ways it almost feels like a completely different subject at times. Loads of things in the GCSE are never even mentioned (such as electrolysis or the atmosphere) and a large amount of the a-level is focused on learning organic chemistry. I really enjoyed it though, and it is definitely manageable as long as you keep up with the work.

If I were you though I would really consider doing maths at a-level, as it works really well alongside both computer science and chemistry, and not having a-level maths may lower your chances of getting into some of the better universities for any science subject, as most other candidates will have it. Maths A-level is also really not as bad as it sounds, the content is quite a bit easier than most claim it to be and it gets a lot more interesting than at GCSE.
I would suggest maybe picking the four and dropping one if it gets too hard?
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by arrogant-climber
From what I am aware of, I don't really think that unis will care that much about which sixth form you went to, I think its more about what results you get at A-level.
I did computer science last year at A-level and I really enjoyed it (I did AQA but I think they are all quite similar). It isn't too much of a step up from GCSE, mainly just goes more in-depth on the same sort of topics. I think that it is seen as a good a-level by most universities. However, if you are looking into medicine then I'm not really sure how useful it will be for this.
If I were you though I would really consider doing maths at a-level, as it works really well alongside both computer science and chemistry, and not having a-level maths may lower your chances of getting into some of the better universities for any science subject, as most other candidates will have it. Maths A-level is also really not as bad as it sounds, the content is quite a bit easier than most claim it to be and it gets a lot more interesting than at GCSE.
I would suggest maybe picking the four and dropping one if it gets too hard?


hiya thanks so much for the reply. so essentially what it is that, having computer science is a disadvantage compared to other candidates who would typically pick maths, as it is more favoured or suited with my subjects. i understand that maths is a more "popular" option but not having it would really put me at a disadvantage?
Original post by chittakabootar
hiya thanks so much for the reply. so essentially what it is that, having computer science is a disadvantage compared to other candidates who would typically pick maths, as it is more favoured or suited with my subjects. i understand that maths is a more "popular" option but not having it would really put me at a disadvantage?

Having computer science is not a disadvantage, but maths will probably be better out of the two.
If you really want to do computer science though, I'm pretty sure that you don't actually need A-level biology for medicine, although I would double check as I might be wrong there.
I have not looked too much into medicine as I was applying for different subjects at uni, but I think that not having maths will put you at a disadvantage.
Original post by arrogant-climber
Having computer science is not a disadvantage, but maths will probably be better out of the two.
If you really want to do computer science though, I'm pretty sure that you don't actually need A-level biology for medicine, although I would double check as I might be wrong there.
I have not looked too much into medicine as I was applying for different subjects at uni, but I think that not having maths will put you at a disadvantage.


ahhh okkk gotcha. thanks so much for letting me know!!!
Original post by chittakabootar
ahhh okkk gotcha. thanks so much for letting me know!!!


Biology and chemistry will give you the biggest choice of medical schools to apply to. With the exception of Cambridge, your third A level can be in any subject. So pick one that you enjoy and will get the highest grades in as grades matter for medicine.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by normaw
Biology and chemistry will give you the biggest choice of medical schools to apply to. With the exception of Cambridge, your third A level can be in any subject. So pick one that you enjoy and will get the highest grades in as grades matter for medicine.


ahhh tysmm!!! that acctualy gave me a relief to hear! im hopefully want to get into imperial college or university college london! so maths won't put me at a disadvantage?tysm this was really helpful thankss!
Original post by chittakabootar
ahhh tysmm!!! that acctualy gave me a relief to hear! im hopefully want to get into imperial college or university college london! so maths won't put me at a disadvantage?tysm this was really helpful thankss!


No you don't need to take maths. I recommend that you start reading/following some of the threads in the medicine forum so that you know what is expected of your application in terms of grades and experience:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=195
Original post by normaw
No you don't need to take maths. I recommend that you start reading/following some of the threads in the medicine forum so that you know what is expected of your application in terms of grades and experience:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=195


thanks so much for thiss!! Will surely look into this! thanks again, you truly helped!
Original post by arrogant-climber
Having computer science is not a disadvantage, but maths will probably be better out of the two.
If you really want to do computer science though, I'm pretty sure that you don't actually need A-level biology for medicine, although I would double check as I might be wrong there.
I have not looked too much into medicine as I was applying for different subjects at uni, but I think that not having maths will put you at a disadvantage.


heyy again, as another quick question. so that i can pick it but i don't really wanna do it but doikg it for the sake of applying to uni, can i pick comp sci, bio, chem and maths and then eventually drop maths after yr 12 (as level) or is there no point?
Original post by chittakabootar
heyy again, as another quick question. so that i can pick it but i don't really wanna do it but doikg it for the sake of applying to uni, can i pick comp sci, bio, chem and maths and then eventually drop maths after yr 12 (as level) or is there no point?

Yes this should be something that you can do - although it probably depends which sixth form you go to. This is what I would suggest doing as there is not really any harm in starting off with 4 a-levels and dropping one if it gets too hard.
I would say this seems like a good idea as it gives you more flexibility after year 12. Even if you end up dropping maths after year 12 it will still be better to have the knowledge gained from it as it could be a useful thing to mention in an interview (although I wouldn't really bother with actually sitting the as level exam if this will cost you extra as most universities don't really value it).
Original post by arrogant-climber
Yes this should be something that you can do - although it probably depends which sixth form you go to. This is what I would suggest doing as there is not really any harm in starting off with 4 a-levels and dropping one if it gets too hard.
I would say this seems like a good idea as it gives you more flexibility after year 12. Even if you end up dropping maths after year 12 it will still be better to have the knowledge gained from it as it could be a useful thing to mention in an interview (although I wouldn't really bother with actually sitting the as level exam if this will cost you extra as most universities don't really value it).


ahhh okk gotcha, tysmmm for this, i think ill do this then

Quick Reply