The Student Room Group

A Level Options Help!!!

Hi everyone, so I am going to choose my A level options because the deadline for submitting them is tomorrow. I have no idea what I would like to do in the future, but I do want to go to Oxbridge or LSE, so I would like to keep my options open.
I have decided so far:
- Maths
-Further Maths
-Economics
I am thinking of History as the 4th option, but I am also thinking of French. I would like to do a humanity as it balanced my options out, and more stem/maths-based subjects would probably be too overwhelming for me lol.
Any ideas?

Reply 1

Hi I just picked my A-level options and we're doing similar! Perhaps don't do french unless you're really good as most people who take french A-level are semi-fluent/fluent and have a big passion for languages. Not to say you can't get an A/A* if you work really hard but it could be much harder than history where there's an equal playing field.

Reply 2

Start by thinking about what you want to do after these A levels.
Not 'which Uni' but which degree subject, and what sort of career.

Useful website with 100s of different career / job profiles - Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk

Read the degree descriptions, and look at the 'entry requirements' to see which A level subjects are required -
Browse subject areas | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
Subject explorer - Undergraduate, University of York

Reply 3

Original post
by VaBook7
Hi I just picked my A-level options and we're doing similar! Perhaps don't do french unless you're really good as most people who take french A-level are semi-fluent/fluent and have a big passion for languages. Not to say you can't get an A/A* if you work really hard but it could be much harder than history where there's an equal playing field.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I think that's what is making me hesitant, as well as a pretty bad teacher.
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 4

Original post
by NormalBrit
Hi everyone, so I am going to choose my A level options because the deadline for submitting them is tomorrow. I have no idea what I would like to do in the future, but I do want to go to Oxbridge or LSE, so I would like to keep my options open.
I have decided so far:
- Maths
-Further Maths
-Economics
I am thinking of History as the 4th option, but I am also thinking of French. I would like to do a humanity as it balanced my options out, and more stem/maths-based subjects would probably be too overwhelming for me lol.
Any ideas?


If your college offers it then I’d consider Politics? It’s similar to History in the sense of studying about the politics of the past etc but also ties in well with economics? I’m sure it would also be highly valued by Oxbridge and LSE too.

Reply 5

I would 100% say choose French! I am a Year 13 who takes Chemistry, Economics, French, and Maths. It honestly gives you an invaluable skillset and can boost you so much more later in life provided you end up reaching a good degree of fluency by the end of the course (which you should if you get a decent grade).
This is a really tough choice!
Original post
by McGinger
Start by thinking about what you want to do after these A levels.
Not 'which Uni' but which degree subject, and what sort of career.
Useful website with 100s of different career / job profiles - Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk
Read the degree descriptions, and look at the 'entry requirements' to see which A level subjects are required -
Browse subject areas | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
Subject explorer - Undergraduate, University of York

This is really useful, thank you!

Reply 8

Original post
by NormalBrit
Hi everyone, so I am going to choose my A level options because the deadline for submitting them is tomorrow. I have no idea what I would like to do in the future, but I do want to go to Oxbridge or LSE, so I would like to keep my options open.
I have decided so far:
- Maths
-Further Maths
-Economics
I am thinking of History as the 4th option, but I am also thinking of French. I would like to do a humanity as it balanced my options out, and more stem/maths-based subjects would probably be too overwhelming for me lol.
Any ideas?

This might be a bit too late for you now, but I recently read this article from 2018: "The relationship between A-level subject choice and league table score of university attended: the ‘facilitating’, the ‘less suitable’, and the counter-intuitive". What the article does point out is that some A-Level subjects might seem at first glance like solid options, but if you look deeper they can actually set you back.

Good news: judging by the article, both History and French are facilitating subjects, so both of your options would be a good choice.

Link to the article: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03054985.2018.1409976#abstract.

Reply 9

I’m currently taking maths, further maths and English literature. I would’ve taken economics but they don’t offer it in my college. Did you enjoy the subjects and if so what courses are you considering ?

Reply 10

Original post
by Hannaholittle
I’m currently taking maths, further maths and English literature. I would’ve taken economics but they don’t offer it in my college. Did you enjoy the subjects and if so what courses are you considering ?

Ahhh cool! I did end up taking History and the content is piling up, but it is very interesting so I guess that keeps me going! I did want a nice balance between Maths-based subjects and the humanities, so it's nice. Currently considering something like ppe or econ at the moment, but I'll wait and see.

Reply 11

Original post
by NormalBrit
Ahhh cool! I did end up taking History and the content is piling up, but it is very interesting so I guess that keeps me going! I did want a nice balance between Maths-based subjects and the humanities, so it's nice. Currently considering something like ppe or econ at the moment, but I'll wait and see.
That’s amazing ! I completely get the balance between maths and humanities because they contrast one and other so you’re not too overwhelmed with too much stem stuff. Would you recommend taking further maths, have you enjoyed it and also how do you revise for it?

Reply 12

Original post
by Hannaholittle
That’s amazing ! I completely get the balance between maths and humanities because they contrast one and other so you’re not too overwhelmed with too much stem stuff. Would you recommend taking further maths, have you enjoyed it and also how do you revise for it?

Currently, my school teaches both maths and further maths in the same blocks, so I don't think we've gotten onto the actual FM content yet. However, I do enjoy maths overall, since my class size is quite small and everyone is happy to help each other. In terms of revision, I would watch Youtube videos to help consolidate my understanding of topics, then practise, practise, practise!! Btw you're options are really good as well, esp with both Maths and English :smile:

Reply 13

Original post
by NormalBrit
Currently, my school teaches both maths and further maths in the same blocks, so I don't think we've gotten onto the actual FM content yet. However, I do enjoy maths overall, since my class size is quite small and everyone is happy to help each other. In terms of revision, I would watch Youtube videos to help consolidate my understanding of topics, then practise, practise, practise!! Btw you're options are really good as well, esp with both Maths and English :smile:

Thanks so much for your reply and advice! It’s really nice to hear from someone who’s actually going through it, and it’s reassuring to know what the experience is like. Wishing you the best of luck with everything, and I hope you continue to have a great time with your subjects! 😁

Reply 14

Original post
by Hannaholittle
Thanks so much for your reply and advice! It’s really nice to hear from someone who’s actually going through it, and it’s reassuring to know what the experience is like. Wishing you the best of luck with everything, and I hope you continue to have a great time with your subjects! 😁

Thank you, I wish the same for you as well!

Quick Reply

How The Student Room is moderated

To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.