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A level options

Hello! I'm currently going into Year 11 this year but I just wanted to ask what kind of criteria do people use when picking their A-Level options?
I've narrowed the subjects I want to take down to Classics, English Literature, Psychology and Philosophy. I don't exactly love Psychology but I don't hate it either and I need the subject for the career field I want to go into, I really enjoy English Literature, Philosophy and Classics so I don't know if picking four A Levels is a good idea or which one to just not choose for sixth form.
Thank you!

Reply 1

You could choose four if you believe you could handle it but if your grades start slipping it's better for you to drop one

Reply 2

Original post
by akito-o
Hello! I'm currently going into Year 11 this year but I just wanted to ask what kind of criteria do people use when picking their A-Level options?
I've narrowed the subjects I want to take down to Classics, English Literature, Psychology and Philosophy. I don't exactly love Psychology but I don't hate it either and I need the subject for the career field I want to go into, I really enjoy English Literature, Philosophy and Classics so I don't know if picking four A Levels is a good idea or which one to just not choose for sixth form.
Thank you!

Hi there,

I personally would not pick psychology as it appears you do not like it, you will not be motivated and it will impact your academic performance and grades. Are there any alternatives, what career field do you want to go into?

Secondly, I would recommend 3 A-Levels. AAB is better than BBBB. Quality over quantity.

Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)

Reply 3

Original post
by Kingston Jenifer
Hi there,
I personally would not pick psychology as it appears you do not like it, you will not be motivated and it will impact your academic performance and grades. Are there any alternatives, what career field do you want to go into?
Secondly, I would recommend 3 A-Levels. AAB is better than BBBB. Quality over quantity.
Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)

Yeah I agree but if the OP could still do well in the four subjects he chose it would be fine

Reply 4

Original post
by solitary-dispute
Yeah I agree but if the OP could still do well in the four subjects he chose it would be fine

certainly! As long as OP manages their time well, and can manage 4, then it would not be an issue. But doing 3 does not put you at any disadvantage for most unis.

For oxbridge, some people may take 4 or more A-levels. My friend did 5, for example.

Reply 5

Original post
by Kingston Jenifer
Hi there,
I personally would not pick psychology as it appears you do not like it, you will not be motivated and it will impact your academic performance and grades. Are there any alternatives, what career field do you want to go into?
Secondly, I would recommend 3 A-Levels. AAB is better than BBBB. Quality over quantity.
Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)
Hii, thank you for the reply. My main career I would like to persue is a counsellor or social worker (specifically for LGBTQ+ people!) but I was also interested in being an archeologist/paleontologist (I find archeology quite cool :3) so those could be an alternative option!

Thank you once again :smile:

Reply 6

Original post
by solitary-dispute
You could choose four if you believe you could handle it but if your grades start slipping it's better for you to drop one

Hii, thank you for the reply! I'll keep this in mind when I choose my options :h:

Reply 7

Original post
by akito-o
Hii, thank you for the reply. My main career I would like to persue is a counsellor or social worker (specifically for LGBTQ+ people!) but I was also interested in being an archeologist/paleontologist (I find archeology quite cool :3) so those could be an alternative option!
Thank you once again :smile:

Hi there,

that is a really lovely career path! I would suggest ensuring your A-levels meet the requirements for psychology and social work if you are interested in social work as a degree.

Archaeology does not seem to require a specific combination according to https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/degrees/archaeology-ba. But it is good to have A-levels that give you the best chance of an offer, to check UCAS too.

Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)

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