What A level subjects/university degrees would suit me?

Hi everyone! I’m in year 11 and my current A level choices are Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics for engineering in uni (or maybe finance), however I heard that you have to LOVE maths to do well in further maths a level and I’ve seen some of the content and it’s quite scary. I would love to go to an oxbridge/ Russell group uni but a lot of the courses for engineering or finance require further maths. I’d say I’m quite strong at maths (almost full marks on my mock) but idk if I’d want half my time table to be it if I took fm next yr. it wld be helpful if u give any advice on my a level options and suggests any courses that would suit me.

If it helps - my fav subject rn is business (my school doesn’t offer it for a level so I chose econ) and I rlly like the human side of geog. I’m good at sciences but I don’t LOVE them but ig physics is the best. I do LIKE maths tho but idk if I love it.

Thankss

(edited 4 months ago)

Reply 1

McGinger

Useful careers website with 100s of career job role descriptions - Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk

Read through the degree subject descriptions for wide range of different Uni subjects - and not just the subjects you might do at A level :
Subject areas | Undergraduate study | Loughborough University
Undergraduate subject areas - University of Birmingham
Subjects : Study with us : University of Sussex

Reply 2

Rhewer1

Original post by cloudy-sunrise

Hi everyone! I’m in year 11 and my current A level choices are Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics for engineering in uni (or maybe finance), however I heard that you have to LOVE maths to do well in further maths a level and I’ve seen some of the content and it’s quite scary. I would love to go to an oxbridge/ Russell group uni but a lot of the courses for engineering or finance require further maths. I’d say I’m quite strong at maths (almost full marks on my mock) but idk if I’d want half my time table to be it if I took fm next yr. it wld be helpful if u give any advice on my a level options and suggests any courses that would suit me.
If it helps - my fav subject rn is business (my school doesn’t offer it for a level so I chose econ) and I rlly like the human side of geog. I’m good at sciences but I don’t LOVE them but ig physics is the best. I do LIKE maths tho but idk if I love it.
Thankss

Hi (2nd year finance and economics student here) So back story to when I was in yr11, I’m gonna be honest I was super close to getting a B, but in the end got the C. So I couldn’t take any form of maths at A level, minimum requirement for my school was a B. So I took finance through LIBF with my school at A level, and I’m only struggling with some of the maths, due to already knowing the “finance element” of it so it’s abit different for me. So based on my mates experience from GCSE maths to A level maths, they had a surprise! It’s a lot more difficult at A level, especially FM! So I’m going to ask a question here, u say engineering or finance, what attracts u to both of them?

Reply 3

cloudy-sunrise

Original post by Rhewer1

Engineering - I like the idea of building things and problem solving

Finance - It’s interesting to see how money affects everything in society and how it all links together. Also the job prospects are slightly better I think?

Reply 4

Havermelkelite_

Original post by cloudy-sunrise

Hi everyone! I’m in year 11 and my current A level choices are Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics for engineering in uni (or maybe finance), however I heard that you have to LOVE maths to do well in further maths a level and I’ve seen some of the content and it’s quite scary. I would love to go to an oxbridge/ Russell group uni but a lot of the courses for engineering or finance require further maths. I’d say I’m quite strong at maths (almost full marks on my mock) but idk if I’d want half my time table to be it if I took fm next yr. it wld be helpful if u give any advice on my a level options and suggests any courses that would suit me.
If it helps - my fav subject rn is business (my school doesn’t offer it for a level so I chose econ) and I rlly like the human side of geog. I’m good at sciences but I don’t LOVE them but ig physics is the best. I do LIKE maths tho but idk if I love it.
Thankss

Have you thought about Social Sciences? These are Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Communication Science, a bit of Human Geography... Lots of these subjects have quantitative research approaches (statistics) so maths skills are an asset. I know some international unis that require maths subjects for social sciences. If you like maths but find business/human geography more interesting, then these subjects could be a good crossover.

Reply 5

Camer0nR

Hey! In year 12 doing Bio, Chem,.Maths and Eng Lit and I've quite a few friends doing FM. From what they've said FM is hard but OK as long as you're fine with putting the time in - the non-contact work seems quite intense. You seem good at maths so you may as well take it as one of 4 and if you hate it drop it. It'll be useful for all of the options you're considering. Hope this helps!

Reply 6

Rhewer1

Original post by cloudy-sunrise

Engineering - I like the idea of building things and problem solving
Finance - It’s interesting to see how money affects everything in society and how it all links together. Also the job prospects are slightly better I think?

Sorry for the late reply on seeing this now 😅. However, whilst you’re at A levels try and focus on them first before trying to make uni choices especially in year 12! Year 12, should be the year where you find out what you might like to study and year 13 is where you apply. But engineering is very different at university, like extremely! It’s like further maths on crack! No joke! 🤣 but, if you like maths, like problem solving, why not think about economics at uni? Just to throw an idea out there.

However, my advice would be for you at the moment focus on your A levels dude, you’re gonna stress yourself out, you have plenty of time! Focus on them grades, then when the time comes, you will know what you want to do, go with what your gut tells you! But until that day comes, focus on learning much as possible.

I wish you good luck in your studies at A levels, any more questions pls ask :smile:

Reply 7

username7522787

Original post by cloudy-sunrise

Hi everyone! I’m in year 11 and my current A level choices are Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics for engineering in uni (or maybe finance), however I heard that you have to LOVE maths to do well in further maths a level and I’ve seen some of the content and it’s quite scary. I would love to go to an oxbridge/ Russell group uni but a lot of the courses for engineering or finance require further maths. I’d say I’m quite strong at maths (almost full marks on my mock) but idk if I’d want half my time table to be it if I took fm next yr. it wld be helpful if u give any advice on my a level options and suggests any courses that would suit me.
If it helps - my fav subject rn is business (my school doesn’t offer it for a level so I chose econ) and I rlly like the human side of geog. I’m good at sciences but I don’t LOVE them but ig physics is the best. I do LIKE maths tho but idk if I love it.
Thankss

Great Alevel combo. Engineering and Finance/Econ are obvious choices.
You can also explore by looking at unis and regions you are interested in to see what they offer.
At this point you won't know for sure whether you'll continue with all 4 Alevels. You can apply to Investment Banking/Finance and Consultancy grad programmes with a STEM degree too.
The uni you attend is probably the key thing - in year 12 start to look at those that are good for Engineering & Finance, including "target" unis for graduate employment, go on some open days - and decide in time for admissions tests prep.
Econ also leaves law open too as it is an essay subject..but for this you'd possibly drop FM and focus on LNAT score.
There are many many options. Good luck