The Student Room Group

I’m not sure what to pick for a levels

(I’m in y10 rn so I’ve got some time) My stronger subjects are biology, geography, History, English lit and lang + I’m in separate science. I get pretty good marks in chemistry too but it’s definitely not something I feel confident in. I’m not sure what I want for a job either but I get everyone pointing me toward something science related but I could be moving down to foundation maths depending on my mock results so there’s a possibility I won’t be able to do a science at all without that 6 in maths which has kind of threw a wrench in the plans I’ve been thinking of for a long time now. I think it’s time I think of other choices too for a levels now but I don’t know what career I should think of.

Reply 1

Original post
by islasoph
(I’m in y10 rn so I’ve got some time) My stronger subjects are biology, geography, History, English lit and lang + I’m in separate science. I get pretty good marks in chemistry too but it’s definitely not something I feel confident in. I’m not sure what I want for a job either but I get everyone pointing me toward something science related but I could be moving down to foundation maths depending on my mock results so there’s a possibility I won’t be able to do a science at all without that 6 in maths which has kind of threw a wrench in the plans I’ve been thinking of for a long time now. I think it’s time I think of other choices too for a levels now but I don’t know what career I should think of.


First of all, don’t do a levels unless u need to for medicine for example.

Do BTEC if u wanna go to uni too because even top unis accept BTECS and a levels r horrible (sorry going through it atm)

Reply 2

Original post
by ilovespareribs
First of all, don’t do a levels unless u need to for medicine for example.
Do BTEC if u wanna go to uni too because even top unis accept BTECS and a levels r horrible (sorry going through it atm)

This isn't actually true. BTECs are often only accepted as an Extended Diploma, or only accepted alongside specific A levels.

Reply 3

Original post
by islasoph
(I’m in y10 rn so I’ve got some time) My stronger subjects are biology, geography, History, English lit and lang + I’m in separate science. I get pretty good marks in chemistry too but it’s definitely not something I feel confident in. I’m not sure what I want for a job either but I get everyone pointing me toward something science related but I could be moving down to foundation maths depending on my mock results so there’s a possibility I won’t be able to do a science at all without that 6 in maths which has kind of threw a wrench in the plans I’ve been thinking of for a long time now. I think it’s time I think of other choices too for a levels now but I don’t know what career I should think of.

Wait until you start taking GCSE mocks in Year 11 and you have some real grades to give you an idea of your 'best' subjects. You can start looking at career / job options now, and looking at what sort of degree subjects sound intriguing / interesting on Uni websites, but you don't need to start thinking about anything more specific for A level choices until this time next year.

Useful websites :
Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk
Explore roles | Health Careers
Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK

Reply 4

Original post
by islasoph
(I’m in y10 rn so I’ve got some time) My stronger subjects are biology, geography, History, English lit and lang + I’m in separate science. I get pretty good marks in chemistry too but it’s definitely not something I feel confident in. I’m not sure what I want for a job either but I get everyone pointing me toward something science related but I could be moving down to foundation maths depending on my mock results so there’s a possibility I won’t be able to do a science at all without that 6 in maths which has kind of threw a wrench in the plans I’ve been thinking of for a long time now. I think it’s time I think of other choices too for a levels now but I don’t know what career I should think of.

without maths or chemistry your options of going down a science route are quite limited. from the information you’ve given i’d say biology, geography and one of history/english would be a good combination to keep your options open (if i were you i wouldn’t take english, from what i’ve heard anecdotally it sounds like a nightmare)
i agree though that it’s really early to decide! it’s good that you’re starting to think about these things now but things change so be prepared to change your mind. and for chemistry i want to add that if you’re good at gcse chemistry i have a feeling you’ll be good at the a-level too because it just builds on loads of the gcse concepts in more depth.
i think at this stage, try and decide whether you want to go down a stem degree route or a humanities degree route. that would really help when deciding a levels, because stem tends to want specific a levels whilst humanities tends to be more flexible. it’s ok if you haven’t got a specific course in mind yet!

Reply 5

Original post
by McGinger
This isn't actually true. BTECs are often only accepted as an Extended Diploma, or only accepted alongside specific A levels.


Soz McGinge, meant the extended one

Reply 6

I’m in Year 11 now and it’s good that you are thinking now but you have so much time. You pick your A-Levels in Y11 but can change them on results day, than in Y12(sometimes Y13 but it’s really iffy and you’ll have to take an extra year) you can change it in the first few weeks.

I’m a very indecisive person, if year 10 me could pick I would’ve picked chemistry, biology, sociology. I ended up picking Maths, History, English Literature but now I want to drop history.

You’ve probably only done half of the content in GCSE so may love one subject now but hate it later (Me with chem,history,bio) or vice versa. You still have so much time to improve your grades so if you really want to do a science but your moving to foundation, I believe it is possible to get that 6 (or higher). I went from foundation to higher French and combined to triple science. Honestly just focus on GCSE now, you have so much time.

Quick Reply