I want to take biochemistry at university, but I don't want to do a biology A-level.

1

So, just as the title says, I have an idea of what career path I want to go down and I know what I would have to do to achieve that, but I'm not sure about taking biology as an A-level after my GCSEs. I don't HATE biology, but it also isn't something I'm extremely interested in.
My current A-level choices are: chemistry, psychology, and criminology. I was thinking, if I do end up taking biology, I will swap it with criminology, as it is the A-level I'm least interested in out of the three and the one that would benefit me least in the future.
My main concern is that I will regret taking biology A-level because I'm not particularly interested by it, but I also know it will be a major help in getting into the career that I want. I'm conflicted and I just need some advice; is it worth taking A-level biology?

Reply 1

username7113365

5

What part of biochemistry interests you? If you don't like biology, chances are you won't enjoy biochem.

Reply 2

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post

by AngeliqBlxssom

So, just as the title says, I have an idea of what career path I want to go down and I know what I would have to do to achieve that, but I'm not sure about taking biology as an A-level after my GCSEs. I don't HATE biology, but it also isn't something I'm extremely interested in.
My current A-level choices are: chemistry, psychology, and criminology. I was thinking, if I do end up taking biology, I will swap it with criminology, as it is the A-level I'm least interested in out of the three and the one that would benefit me least in the future.
My main concern is that I will regret taking biology A-level because I'm not particularly interested by it, but I also know it will be a major help in getting into the career that I want. I'm conflicted and I just need some advice; is it worth taking A-level biology?

Have you checked the entry requirements for any target universities? I just checked a random university (University of Manchester) and although they don't mandate Biology, your current A level selection wouldn't meet their entry requirements:

"We require grades AAA-AAB, including grades AA in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics and Mathematics (the Core Sciences). Applicants predicted/who have achieved a B in their third A level will receive an offer of AAB, while those predicted/who have achieved an A or A* will be eligible for an offer of AAA." (source)

However, then also go on to say, "If you are taking Chemistry and no other Core Science subject, we can consider you for an AAA offer if you are also sitting an A level in Geography, Psychology, Environmental Studies or Physical Education in place of the second Core Science."

So they'd "consider" you, due to the Psychology, but you'd need to get AAA rather than AAB if you were taking Chemistry and another core science subject.

So before you lock-in your A level choices, you should check that they're actually acceptable to your target universities.

Reply 3

McGinger

20

biology ..... isn't something I'm extremely interested in.
Then why do you want to study Biochem at degree level?

it will be a major help in getting into the career that I want.
Which career - and why do you 'want' it?

Reply 4

Kingston Jenifer

Official Rep

11

Original post

by AngeliqBlxssom

So, just as the title says, I have an idea of what career path I want to go down and I know what I would have to do to achieve that, but I'm not sure about taking biology as an A-level after my GCSEs. I don't HATE biology, but it also isn't something I'm extremely interested in.
My current A-level choices are: chemistry, psychology, and criminology. I was thinking, if I do end up taking biology, I will swap it with criminology, as it is the A-level I'm least interested in out of the three and the one that would benefit me least in the future.
My main concern is that I will regret taking biology A-level because I'm not particularly interested by it, but I also know it will be a major help in getting into the career that I want. I'm conflicted and I just need some advice; is it worth taking A-level biology?

Hi there!

I have a undergraduate degree in Medical Biology, where I shared modules with biochemistry students. You need to remember, biochemistry is a life sciences subject. It is heavily influenced by Biology, there is not much 'raw' chemistry. If you do not like biology, I do not recommend a biochemistry degree - have you thought about chemistry instead?

What is the career you want? Because to get to that career you need a degree, and to get to that degree you need the right A-level combinations - almost like stepping stones to your desired career. If you let me know the career you want, I can help you refine your A-Level combinations to a degree that is suitable.

Also, most universities require a chemistry AND a biology A-level. For example, Kingston offer a biochemistry course with requirements of at least two A Levels, including Chemistry at grade C or above and any Biology subject, grade A–E. Have a look at the modules different universities offer for biochemistry and see how appealing they are.

For my degree, an A-Level in biology was essential and I really enjoyed it. A-Levels are a huge step up from GCSEs, and as someone that has a degree and a masters degree, A-Levels are one of the hardest things you will do educationally. You need to ensure you do A-Levels you actually like and are interested in, because if you don't like the, you won't take in information and this will reflect in your grades. I did my A-Levels in 2020, I enjoyed the practical elements and the teaching structure, as we were taught directly from the exam board specification.

If you can provide more information - I can help further!

Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)

Reply 5

Finance-Sloth

1

Hi

I studied biochemistry at university just a few years ago and you absolutely need to do A-level Biology before studying biochemistry.

This is not because of university requirements (though it often is a required subject) but because Biochemistry is a Biology course and far more similar to A-level Biology that A-Level Chemistry. If you don't like A-level Biology, you are not going to survive 3 years on a biochem course.

HOWEVER, the A-level sciences are NOTHING like the GCSE subjects. A-level physics is like GCSE maths, A-level chemistry is more like physics with all the calculations, and A-level Biology takes on a lot of what you've seen so far in chemistry and becomes far more interesting then the animal family tree and draw this organ nonsense that you've seen so far (there is still that too, but you can often avoid the boring bits as you get further into your degree).

Now this is obviously oversimplified and based a lot on my experience, but I would really recommend you ask your teachers if you can have a look at the A-level textbooks for Biology and Chemistry, especially the year 13 ones where the really interesting stuff comes in. You might be surprised how much the subjects change, and this will give you a much better idea what to expect.

Reply 6

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post

by AngeliqBlxssom

So, just as the title says, I have an idea of what career path I want to go down and I know what I would have to do to achieve that, but I'm not sure about taking biology as an A-level after my GCSEs. I don't HATE biology, but it also isn't something I'm extremely interested in.
My current A-level choices are: chemistry, psychology, and criminology. I was thinking, if I do end up taking biology, I will swap it with criminology, as it is the A-level I'm least interested in out of the three and the one that would benefit me least in the future.
My main concern is that I will regret taking biology A-level because I'm not particularly interested by it, but I also know it will be a major help in getting into the career that I want. I'm conflicted and I just need some advice; is it worth taking A-level biology?

As noted above, in the UK biochemistry is a bioscience degree. It's not a degree in biological chemistry/chemical biology - it's a course in molecular and cellular biology/biochemistry. You'll usually just do some chemistry in first year then not a great deal later in the course.

If your principal interest is in chemistry (biologically focused or otherwise) then you should be aiming to study chemistry at degree level. Note if you want to study chemistry as a degree, A-level Maths would be extremely useful (it would also be reasonably useful for biochemistry). As stated above if you're not interested in A-level Biology you may not really be interested in a biochemistry degree.

Also note, critically, criminology is not an A-level. It's a WJEC certificate course, it is not considered equivalent to an A-level by all universities and you may drastically limit your options for degree study if you take the WJEC certificate in criminology as part of a 3 "A-level" combination. I would only ever recommend taking it as an additional 4th subject on top of 3 A-levels.

(edited 10 months ago)

I want to take biochemistry at university, but I don't want to do a biology A-level.

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated