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What should I pick? A-LEVELS

Hi! I just had my sixth-form meeting today at my school.
This is what I had chosen:
Further Maths (maths one year, further the next)
Business
IT BTEC (I think it is actually called digital information technology)

However, my school told me that IT is no longer going through, as more students have picked computer science.
So my options are:
- Do computer science
- Swap IT out for Chemistry (the only other subject in the column that I'd do)
- Swap business and IT for chemistry and physics (as the 6th form head told me most people do two sciences or smth like that)

These are my current grades for all these similar subjects:
Maths: 9
Statistics: 8
Science: 9/9 (I do combine, and I know if I pick any of the sciences, I will have to study, but I'm okay with that, I quite like Chemistry)
Business: 8
IT BTEC - Distinction

What should I do? The main problem is that i'm not entirely sure what I want to do in future, and I know that's not fine.

Reply 1

Any ideas about what subject you might want to do at Uni, or any career ideas?

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Reply 2

do NOT pick a level computer science if you don't want to have a career in CS in the future. the NEA will take up so much of your time, the content is difficult and the grade boundaries are high.

Reply 3

do NOT pick a level computer science if you don't want to have a career in CS in the future. the NEA will take up so much of your time, the content is difficult and the grade boundaries are high.

Thanks for the heads up. I'd heard that computer science is more difficult than BTEC DIT, and just harder in general. And no, I don't think I'm planning on doing a CS career.

Reply 4

Think about what you'd like to do after high school: Do you see more opportunities in a technology (computer science), science (chemistry and physics), or business field? Also consider your interests.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 5

Original post by earth.b
Hi! I just had my sixth-form meeting today at my school.
This is what I had chosen:
Further Maths (maths one year, further the next)
Business
IT BTEC (I think it is actually called digital information technology)
However, my school told me that IT is no longer going through, as more students have picked computer science.
So my options are:
- Do computer science
- Swap IT out for Chemistry (the only other subject in the column that I'd do)
- Swap business and IT for chemistry and physics (as the 6th form head told me most people do two sciences or smth like that)
These are my current grades for all these similar subjects:
Maths: 9
Statistics: 8
Science: 9/9 (I do combine, and I know if I pick any of the sciences, I will have to study, but I'm okay with that, I quite like Chemistry)
Business: 8
IT BTEC - Distinction
What should I do? The main problem is that i'm not entirely sure what I want to do in future, and I know that's not fine.

Hi there. Whilst I did well at A-levels, I regret not taking a more diverse range of subjects. I only did Humanities. Not a big deal for me as I am currently pursuing law. However, what I have found is that the subjects you pick are more likely to shut doors than to open them. No STEM or economics A-levels? Goodbye to a degree in STEM or finance or medicine. Pick 2-3 'soft' A-levels and maybe you decrease chances of tippy-top unis? Maybe not. I would advise 1 STEM A-level, maths is most versatile tbh +1 Hard Humanity, Geography is versatile but History is well respected and rlly quite fun. Then pick what you like unless you wanna do Medicine or something rlly STEM . Hope this helps! xxx

Reply 6

Original post by WilfredTC
Hi there. Whilst I did well at A-levels, I regret not taking a more diverse range of subjects. I only did Humanities. Not a big deal for me as I am currently pursuing law. However, what I have found is that the subjects you pick are more likely to shut doors than to open them. No STEM or economics A-levels? Goodbye to a degree in STEM or finance or medicine. Pick 2-3 'soft' A-levels and maybe you decrease chances of tippy-top unis? Maybe not. I would advise 1 STEM A-level, maths is most versatile tbh +1 Hard Humanity, Geography is versatile but History is well respected and rlly quite fun. Then pick what you like unless you wanna do Medicine or something rlly STEM . Hope this helps! xxx


hi do u have advice do u think maths fm physics econ is too narrow? i want to do finance, but also i am thinking of doing spanish instead of economics but idk if that shuts down options or makes ny application less competitivr. i want to do actuarial science at LSE or MORSE at warwick , smth like thar

Reply 7

Original post by tiger2025
hi do u have advice do u think maths fm physics econ is too narrow? i want to do finance, but also i am thinking of doing spanish instead of economics but idk if that shuts down options or makes ny application less competitivr. i want to do actuarial science at LSE or MORSE at warwick , smth like thar

Hey, in the first term of year 12 I swapped Spanish for physics (I want to do chemical engineering), as keeping Spanish would've made my application weaker compared to others. Now, i'm not too sure what entry a levels you need for finance at Warwick, however if spanish does interest you, try looking into doing an additional language module along side your degree at uni.

Reply 8

Original post by tiger2025
hi do u have advice do u think maths fm physics econ is too narrow? i want to do finance, but also i am thinking of doing spanish instead of economics but idk if that shuts down options or makes ny application less competitivr. i want to do actuarial science at LSE or MORSE at warwick , smth like thar

Picking Spanish A-level would not decrease your chances. Languages are all rlly respected so go for Spanish. For acturial science or finance those A-levels are excellent. Maybe swap Physics for Spanish, either way you have a strong combo!!!

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