Confused about my future course - Do my A-levels limit me?
2
I’m currently in Year 12 studying Maths, Economics and Psychology A-level. I’ve always been interested in something within the economic field, but recently I’ve been exploring other pathways and I’ve developed an interest in corporate law and even mechanical engineering.
However, I don’t take Physics, so I’m unsure whether mechanical engineering is still possible for me, especially at top universities like UCL. I’m finding it difficult to work out what degree would suit my interests and personality, and I’d like to understand what all my realistic options are.
However, I don’t take Physics, so I’m unsure whether mechanical engineering is still possible for me, especially at top universities like UCL. I’m finding it difficult to work out what degree would suit my interests and personality, and I’d like to understand what all my realistic options are.
Reply 1
Most unis will require physics for engineering but not all, or you could take a gap year and take physics or do a foundation year. Springpod is a great site for getting a taster of different degree subjects 🙂
Reply 2
Original post
by P_HI’m currently in Year 12 studying Maths, Economics and Psychology A-level. I’ve always been interested in something within the economic field, but recently I’ve been exploring other pathways and I’ve developed an interest in corporate law and even mechanical engineering.
However, I don’t take Physics, so I’m unsure whether mechanical engineering is still possible for me, especially at top universities like UCL. I’m finding it difficult to work out what degree would suit my interests and personality, and I’d like to understand what all my realistic options are.
However, I don’t take Physics, so I’m unsure whether mechanical engineering is still possible for me, especially at top universities like UCL. I’m finding it difficult to work out what degree would suit my interests and personality, and I’d like to understand what all my realistic options are.
hi @P_H a lot of people get stuck choosing what career path to go down during a-levels. its pretty hard to know what you want to do for the rest of your life at 16/17 haha. I myself had a huge career decision change, I was studying science a-levels to do environmental science at university but decided late into a-levels I now wanted to study art. this just meant I had to do a foundation which was actually the best decision I could've made. so if you end up having to do something similar don't worry too much, it all works out in the end.
As for helping you decide, I think visiting universities your interested in and talking to the lecturers on the courses your stuck between will really help. They are experts in their fields after all so they'll have a lot to say about what it's like to study that subject and the future career prospects from it. Doing this myself made me realise sciences weren't for me and that I wanted to do something arty. Then going back out again the next year to look at art unis made me realise it was animation I was into not fine art.
hope this helps and best of luck,
vee : )
(Kingston rep)
Reply 3
20
Good careers website with 100s of job/career profiles - and how to get there :
Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk
Look through all the degree subjects that interest you and look at the 'entry requirements' for any required or preferred A level subjects - some examples :
Subjects | Courses | University of Liverpool
Undergraduate Courses, Degrees : Study : University of Sussex
Go to some Uni Open Days in May/June next year, listen to several different course/subject presentations, and then think about what you really want to study, and why. You have until at least Sept 2026 or even Jan 2027 to think about this and make all those decisions..
Job profiles | Prospects.ac.uk
Look through all the degree subjects that interest you and look at the 'entry requirements' for any required or preferred A level subjects - some examples :
Subjects | Courses | University of Liverpool
Undergraduate Courses, Degrees : Study : University of Sussex
Go to some Uni Open Days in May/June next year, listen to several different course/subject presentations, and then think about what you really want to study, and why. You have until at least Sept 2026 or even Jan 2027 to think about this and make all those decisions..
Reply 4
Hello!
You have a lot of options with those subjects, and what's especially good about your combination is that it shows both essay-based skills and mathematical skills which many unis will value, Bath included.
Law you can go into with a wide range of qualification combinations and so if you end up with solid grades and it interests you, this is always an option for you.
As above, most unis will require a Physics or other science qualification for Mechanical Engineering, but have you ever considered some form of Electronic and Electrical Engineering?
Some unis will require a science for this, but others do not and only require Maths - for example Leeds and Bristol, both of whom are very high-performing for Engineering.
Obviously its up to you what type of Engineering you think will interest you more - perhaps consider going to a few open days as McGinger has said, get a feel for a few unis and see where you'd be eligible to apply for with your subjects. You might also want to try and meet some current students too!
Hopefully this adds, best of luck 🙂
You have a lot of options with those subjects, and what's especially good about your combination is that it shows both essay-based skills and mathematical skills which many unis will value, Bath included.
Law you can go into with a wide range of qualification combinations and so if you end up with solid grades and it interests you, this is always an option for you.
As above, most unis will require a Physics or other science qualification for Mechanical Engineering, but have you ever considered some form of Electronic and Electrical Engineering?
Some unis will require a science for this, but others do not and only require Maths - for example Leeds and Bristol, both of whom are very high-performing for Engineering.
Obviously its up to you what type of Engineering you think will interest you more - perhaps consider going to a few open days as McGinger has said, get a feel for a few unis and see where you'd be eligible to apply for with your subjects. You might also want to try and meet some current students too!
Hopefully this adds, best of luck 🙂
(edited 2 months ago)
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