I don't know which A-level to drop.
I have 5 subjects which I want to study, Maths, Further Maths, German, Biology and Chemistry. My best subjects are definitely maths and further maths, but I'm more interested in a career in biology and chemistry and am still very good at them. I have the option to study 5 but I don't think that will work for me as I'd like to still have a reasonable amount of free-time outside of school. Since I can't do further maths alone, I'm thinking of either dropping further maths (despite how much I love and am good at it), or German, which I'm not as good at but still A* GCSE level and enjoy it a lot. I know that further maths isn't important at all for careers not to-do with maths so that would be the logical option to drop, but it feels so silly to drop a subject that I know I can get very good results in. Any thoughts?
Reply 1
Original post
by Lavaa26I have 5 subjects which I want to study, Maths, Further Maths, German, Biology and Chemistry. My best subjects are definitely maths and further maths, but I'm more interested in a career in biology and chemistry and am still very good at them. I have the option to study 5 but I don't think that will work for me as I'd like to still have a reasonable amount of free-time outside of school. Since I can't do further maths alone, I'm thinking of either dropping further maths (despite how much I love and am good at it), or German, which I'm not as good at but still A* GCSE level and enjoy it a lot. I know that further maths isn't important at all for careers not to-do with maths so that would be the logical option to drop, but it feels so silly to drop a subject that I know I can get very good results in. Any thoughts?
Have a look at course requirements for unis/apprenticeships you like the look of before you drop anything
Reply 2
20
Taking more than 3 A level subjects is usually counter-productive - you risk messing up all your grades. The only situation where this makes any sense is taking FM and Maths plus 2 sciences where you are aiming at a STEM degree subject. That is do-able and the subject combination would leave hundreds of degree/career options open to you. Even if FM is not 'required', many top Unis will give you a lower grade 4 subject offer to include FM.
Remember, you can continue with German as an interest without 'doing an A level in it', and if you do the 4-subject FM combination and it does become too much, you can drop one subject after the first year.
Do you have any ideas, however vague, about a Uni subject or career?
Remember, you can continue with German as an interest without 'doing an A level in it', and if you do the 4-subject FM combination and it does become too much, you can drop one subject after the first year.
Do you have any ideas, however vague, about a Uni subject or career?
Reply 3
Lavaa26
OP
2
Original post
by McGingerTaking more than 3 A level subjects is usually counter-productive - you risk messing up all your grades. The only situation where this makes any sense is taking FM and Maths plus 2 sciences where you are aiming at a STEM degree subject. That is do-able and the subject combination would leave hundreds of degree/career options open to you. Even if FM is not 'required', many top Unis will give you a lower grade 4 subject offer to include FM.
Remember, you can continue with German as an interest without 'doing an A level in it', and if you do the 4-subject FM combination and it does become too much, you can drop one subject after the first year.
Do you have any ideas, however vague, about a Uni subject or career?
Remember, you can continue with German as an interest without 'doing an A level in it', and if you do the 4-subject FM combination and it does become too much, you can drop one subject after the first year.
Do you have any ideas, however vague, about a Uni subject or career?
Reply 4
13
Original post
by Lavaa26I hope to study biomedical science at uni, so obviously chemistry and bio are required, and maths is highly recommended. The reason I was considering dropping further maths is because I've heard when you do both maths most unis will only look at the higher mark unless you're going for a very maths-oriented subject. The issue I have is that I feel I'd be wasting a potential very high mark since maths is by far my best subject. I think you're probably right about dropping German since it's the least related to my other subjects but I'm still not fully decided yet.
If Maths is your best subject, and you can't guarantee an A* in German, it makes sense to drop German.
Since Maths and Further Maths usually have combined lessons, you could probably take German for year 12 to see if you can deal with the workload, and then drop something (probably German) whenever you feel confident in making the decision.
Further Maths won't be a requirement for your course but it will always look good, and it's generally just the best A-Level (totally no bias)
Reply 5
To be honest, unless you are aiming for incredibly competitive universities, with especially competitive courses, I'd highly discourage against doing four a levels- as it is rare they will regard you more highly. Moreover, it means that you might be more likely to get lower grades for four a levels when you could have got high grades for 3 a levels.
When it comes to what subjects to do, definitely check out what the requirement for university courses you want to do are. Also make sure that the subjects are things that not only are you good in, but are passionate about and genuinely interested in, as this makes it soooo much easier to study them
Hope this helps 🙂
When it comes to what subjects to do, definitely check out what the requirement for university courses you want to do are. Also make sure that the subjects are things that not only are you good in, but are passionate about and genuinely interested in, as this makes it soooo much easier to study them
Hope this helps 🙂
Reply 6
Drop German, you can take German in your own time later after you gain the A levels you need to do the course at the University you want, which is your primary aim for the next 2 years (as well as have some social life!). Some universities like University of Nottingham have languages department which you can take as extra study in addition which is separate to your degree which you pay £200 a term.
Reply 7
Original post
by SnowbobcatDrop German, you can take German in your own time later after you gain the A levels you need to do the course at the University you want, which is your primary aim for the next 2 years. Some universities like University of Nottingham have languages department which you can take as extra study in addition which is separate to your degree which you pay £200 a term.
Language Centres in a lot of unis, just looked on internet, including University of Manchester, QUB, Warwick, UOB, Oxbridge, and various London unis to name but a few, and they may be free also..which is a bonus!
Reply 8
Drop German
As you are so bad at German as you described, there is no reason to keep this subject. Drop it!
(edited 9 months ago)
Original post
by Orange BlossomDrop German
That is what I have been saying. It is a difficult language to learn for foreigners, not to mention for students.
Reply 11
Original post
by Lavaa26I have 5 subjects which I want to study, Maths, Further Maths, German, Biology and Chemistry. My best subjects are definitely maths and further maths, but I'm more interested in a career in biology and chemistry and am still very good at them. I have the option to study 5 but I don't think that will work for me as I'd like to still have a reasonable amount of free-time outside of school. Since I can't do further maths alone, I'm thinking of either dropping further maths (despite how much I love and am good at it), or German, which I'm not as good at but still A* GCSE level and enjoy it a lot. I know that further maths isn't important at all for careers not to-do with maths so that would be the logical option to drop, but it feels so silly to drop a subject that I know I can get very good results in. Any thoughts?
Hi there!
5 A-Levels is a lot, and uni's would rather see AABB over BBBBB. Quality not quantity. Do you have any idea of what career or degrees you are aiming for? As you have mentioned Biology and Chemistry, a good A-level combination would be maths + FM + chemistry + biology.
I personally did Biology, chemistry and English lit. I have a degree in Medical Biology and a Masters in Pharmaceutical Science - so long as you have at least two sciences, you meet the entry requirements for both universities. However, for more competitive uni's, I would suggest maths with FM, chemistry and biology. You can still carry on with German in your free time. 5 is a lot of A-Levels and you do not want to burn out and have that affect your grades.
Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)
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