Uni course choice help

I don’t really know what degree to do, and am looking for some ideas to explore.
I do A-Level Chemistry, Geography, Maths and Further Maths, predicted around A grades so far.
I don’t know whether a STEM degree is for me, and I’m worried that a maths degree doesn’t lead me anywhere career wise (I don’t want to work in finance, etc). Things like architecture interest me, but not so much the design element.
Any ideas are appreciated!

Reply 1

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Hi @freddie39!

I can’t necessarily tell you what to do for a degree as I don’t know your specific likes and dislikes when it comes to content! However, a good idea is to look through course A-Zs on lots of different university websites. If anything interests you, look at the course in more detail (modules for each year, what accreditations does it give you). Remember that you don’t have to go to university at a certain point. If you can’t find a degree you want this year then you are not behind if you take a year or so out to decide!

I struggled for a while to find my degree, especially as neuroscience is often overlooked but that helped me to find it!

Good luck and remember that even if you don’t end up picking the degree you absolutely adore, you can always change, you’re never stuck!! ☺️

Freya- BSc Neuroscience

Reply 2

McGinger

Good careers website with 100s of job / career roles - Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk

As above, check the degree descriptions and entry requirements for any degree subject that interests you - not necessarily the subjects you are currently taking. There are many subjects that have no specific A level reequipments - Law as one example.

Some ideas :
BSc Global Development with International Study (2025 entry) | The University of Manchester
Environment, Economics and Ecology (BSc) - Undergraduate, University of York
Environmental Management | Courses | Queen's University Belfast
Law with Politics LLB Hons (M1L2) - Lancaster University

Reply 3

Iqster

I did the exact same subject combination as you (but dropped further maths in yr12). I’ve applied for chem at uni. since you’re interested in architecture (but not the design element), what do u think abt engineering?

Reply 4

McGinger

Or combine the two
Architectural Engineering BEng (Hons) - 2025/26 entry - Courses - University of Liverpool

Or a related subject
Urban Studies BA | Undergraduate study | The University of Sheffield
BSc (Hons) Surveying and Mapping Sciences | University of East London

Reply 5

University of Bath

Official Rep

Original post by freddie39

Hi Freddie,

If you like the sound of Architecture but not so much design, are not 100% about Maths or pure science, then have you considered Civil Engineering or Structural and Architectural Engineering? Your Maths and Geography A Levels would be great subjects to take for these. Besides this, really great advice above - Prospects is a great website and also looking through the A-Z of degrees of a uni you're interested can be a great starting point!

Hope this helps, best of luck!

Holly
University of Bath

Reply 6

freddie39

Original post by McGinger

Or combine the two
Architectural Engineering BEng (Hons) - 2025/26 entry - Courses - University of Liverpool
Or a related subject
Urban Studies BA | Undergraduate study | The University of Sheffield
BSc (Hons) Surveying and Mapping Sciences | University of East London

My only worry is will I be okay to do an engineering based course without physics? Is this a requirement for many Russell Group unis?

Reply 7

McGinger

Original post by freddie39

My only worry is will I be okay to do an engineering based course without physics? Is this a requirement for many Russell Group unis?

As examples
Bristol - Mech Eng - A*AA including A*A (in any order) in Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, or Electronics
Newcastle - Mech Eng - ABB including Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

Reply 8

freddie39

Original post by McGinger

Perfect thanks

Reply 9

Iqster

Original post by freddie39

My only worry is will I be okay to do an engineering based course without physics? Is this a requirement for many Russell Group unis?

if a course doesn’t say it needs physics, then you won’t have to worry abt it. most RG unis do have specific engineering courses without physics.
Also, your subject combination would work very well for chemical engineering