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I picked the wrong A- levels and always have regrets

Hey, so basically I initially was put in foundation gcse maths which I wanted to switch to higher in as I was doing higher sciences for gcse, and was thinking about taking bio and chem for a level. My teacher never allowed me to do higher maths, despite the fact that I was already on a grade 5 for foundation, I was very determined and willing to work harder to achieve a good grade for higher maths, but she never let me take this opportunity.
Fastforward to a levels, this limited my opportunities as stem subjects like bio and chem were only available with a grade 6 in maths, which was completely out of my control and down to my teacher who didn’t allow me to do higher maths, despite the fact that i got 7s and 8s in sciences. This left me with only a few possible a level options and so I picked a few of the ones I know I did good at for gcses: English literature (8 at gcse) Geography (7 at gcse) and Psychology (7 at gcse)
At some point along the line. I thought taking law at degree level would be a good idea, however I always change my mind. Rn, I feel like doing stem subjects and doing medicine or something within healthcare which is impossible due to my a level combo. This is really stressing me out as I feel I have a lack of passion for my subjects right now like English literature with such awful poetry and history involved within it that has made me so sick of it. I just want to swap subjects more than anything and Idk what to do.
Any advice please?? would be much appreciated

Reply 1

For Law, you don't need any specific A level subjects - Unis just want 3 grades.

If you want to now switch to a STEM degree, there are specific STEM Foundation year courses at some Unis for those who have good grade expectations, but in the 'wrong' A level subjects. Examples :
Science Foundation Year | University of Southampton
Science With Foundation Year - The University of Nottingham
Etc.

Reply 2

I know some medical schools allow you to do medical based subjects and then if you do well in the first year, you can change to medicine. Or you could do a masters in medicine. Or a trial period during A level e.g asking your teacher if you can sit an exam and with you get a certain mark, you can do bio/chem but it depends on your school

Reply 3

Original post
by MillieeM2
I know some medical schools allow you to do medical based subjects and then if you do well in the first year, you can change to medicine. Or you could do a masters in medicine. Or a trial period during A level e.g asking your teacher if you can sit an exam and with you get a certain mark, you can do bio/chem but it depends on your school

What exactly is a 'Masters in Medicine'.

Reply 4

Original post
by McGinger
For Law, you don't need any specific A level subjects - Unis just want 3 grades.
If you want to now switch to a STEM degree, there are specific STEM Foundation year courses at some Unis for those who have good grade expectations, but in the 'wrong' A level subjects. Examples :
Science Foundation Year | University of Southampton
Science With Foundation Year - The University of Nottingham
Etc.

Thank you! i really appreciate that!!

Reply 5

Original post
by MillieeM2
I know some medical schools allow you to do medical based subjects and then if you do well in the first year, you can change to medicine. Or you could do a masters in medicine. Or a trial period during A level e.g asking your teacher if you can sit an exam and with you get a certain mark, you can do bio/chem but it depends on your school

oh no way I never knew that. Thank you!!
That’s very helpful
Do you think swapping a levels is a good idea half way through year 12 or is it too risky 😭

Reply 6

Original post
by ria777
oh no way I never knew that. Thank you!!
That’s very helpful
Do you think swapping a levels is a good idea half way through year 12 or is it too risky 😭


It’s ok. It might be too risky but you could always speak to your teachers about it

Reply 7

Original post
by ria777
Hey, so basically I initially was put in foundation gcse maths which I wanted to switch to higher in as I was doing higher sciences for gcse, and was thinking about taking bio and chem for a level. My teacher never allowed me to do higher maths, despite the fact that I was already on a grade 5 for foundation, I was very determined and willing to work harder to achieve a good grade for higher maths, but she never let me take this opportunity.
Fastforward to a levels, this limited my opportunities as stem subjects like bio and chem were only available with a grade 6 in maths, which was completely out of my control and down to my teacher who didn’t allow me to do higher maths, despite the fact that i got 7s and 8s in sciences. This left me with only a few possible a level options and so I picked a few of the ones I know I did good at for gcses: English literature (8 at gcse) Geography (7 at gcse) and Psychology (7 at gcse)
At some point along the line. I thought taking law at degree level would be a good idea, however I always change my mind. Rn, I feel like doing stem subjects and doing medicine or something within healthcare which is impossible due to my a level combo. This is really stressing me out as I feel I have a lack of passion for my subjects right now like English literature with such awful poetry and history involved within it that has made me so sick of it. I just want to swap subjects more than anything and Idk what to do.
Any advice please?? would be much appreciated


You could continue with these a levels and then do a science foundation year and try to get onto med or anothwr healthcare profession. UCLan, sheffield, plymouth and many more places have got one. However, I think if you aren’t enjoying these a levels you’ll probably not do so well in them, and with a lot of these foundation courses you can only apply to certain courses at certain unis so will limit your opportunities. The best thing imo is to speak to somebody at college, maybe resit your maths this year and restart your a levels from next year? They definitely won’t let you continue y12 and change subjects. Otherwise you could also ask your college whether you could sit an exam or do CORE maths to makeup for the 5 in maths. Honestly get a parent involved if you can and write down all your arguments. Do not worry if you have to do y12 again! It’s just one year compared to your whole life.

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