a-level options help - physics or psychology?

hi everyone, I’m in y11 now and for my a-levels I chose maths, further maths and physics, but I’m unsure on physics and thinking of switching to psychology or something else.

I’m good at physics but I don’t really love it, and everyone says you shouldn’t pick something for a-level if you don’t like it. But I’ve never done psychology before and I’m not sure about an essay subject while I’m more on the stem side, especially since psych is so content-heavy but I am interested in the subject.

the issue is that I’m not sure what I want to do at uni, I’m considering compsci or engineering/architecture (which is why I chose physics in the first place) and I’m worried if I drop physics I won’t be able to do those subjects.

thanks so much for any input! :smile:

Reply 1

nabs9953

It sounds like you’re in a bit of a tricky spot, but you’re thinking about it in exactly the right way—balancing what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what keeps your options open.
Keeping Physics vs. Switching to Psychology:

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Physics is definitely useful for engineering and sometimes for compsci (especially at top universities), but not always required. If you’re considering architecture, some courses prefer physics, but many don’t.

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Psychology is a really interesting subject, but it’s very different from physics. While it does have scientific elements (e.g., research methods, statistics), it also involves a lot of memorization and essay writing. If you’re hesitant about essays, that’s something to consider.

What This Means for Uni Choices:

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Computer Science: Maths is the main requirement. Some top unis (like Cambridge) prefer Further Maths or Physics, but many don’t.

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Engineering: Most require Physics, so dropping it could limit your options. Some places accept Maths + Further Maths, but many want Physics too.

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Architecture: Depends on the uni. Some prefer Physics or Maths, but others are fine with creative subjects or even no specific A-levels.

What You Could Do:

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If you’re seriously considering engineering, keeping Physics is the SAFEST bet fsss.

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If you’re leaning more towards compsci or something broader, you might get away with dropping Physics, but check specific course requirements.

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If you’re very unsure about your future, Physics keeps more STEM doors open, while Psychology could give you a fresh perspective and different skills.