Chemical engineering- A Level Options?

I'm in year 11 currently, gonna do gcses this year, I've been maintaining 8's and 9s in the sciences, maths, eng, my option subjects and hopefully real gcses too. I'm interested in chemical engineering, but confused about my third A level option. I know ill have to do Maths and Chem, but I feel like Physics as the third may be hard-especially because I'm not astonishingly good at Maths even though I manage to scrape an 8. I really like Psychology, but would that close doors? I'm neutral about Biology, would it be easier than Physics though?

I'm in year 11 currently, gonna do gcses this year, I've been maintaining 8's and 9s in the sciences, maths, eng, my option subjects and hopefully real gcses too. I'm interested in chemical engineering, but confused about my third A level option. I know ill have to do Maths and Chem, but I feel like Physics as the third may be hard-especially because I'm not astonishingly good at Maths even though I manage to scrape an 8. I really like Psychology, but would that close doors? I'm neutral about Biology, would it be easier than Physics though?

I'm in year 11 currently, gonna do gcses this year, I've been maintaining 8's and 9s in the sciences, maths, eng, my option subjects and hopefully real gcses too. I'm interested in chemical engineering, but confused about my third A level option. I know ill have to do Maths and Chem, but I feel like Physics as the third may be hard-especially because I'm not astonishingly good at Maths even though I manage to scrape an 8. I really like Psychology, but would that close doors? I'm neutral about Biology, would it be easier than Physics though?

Whats drawing you to chemical engineering? As others have said it’s a very maths and physics based course so i would suggest you look at other options if you aren’t a big maths and physics fan. Chem and psych are great options to have for stem, id also suggest adding a third core science (maths, physics or bio) based on what interests you more to keep options open but if none of those really appeal then choose something else. Social sciences sit well with psych as well 🙂 Also if getting an 8 is a lot of work for you in maths then seriously consider if maths is a viable option for you ability-wise, the first half term of a level will be getting you up to a grade 8 or 9 standard and then youre straight into harder content quite quickly.

i really like chem, i think its a flexible field and theres different specialisations- R&D, water treatment, sustainability- i find all those interesting. I do like physics and math but theyre just not something im as passionate about. l also dont suck at math but i was just wondering whether its ok to take if you arent like amazingly good at it. Tysm for your help, i definitely will evaluate social sciences and psych, as well as if maths would be good for me

HI! I’m a year 13 student currently studying a level maths, physics and chemistry, and just sent off my UCAS application to study chemical engineering.
In year 12, I did Spanish as my 3rd choice but then decided to swap to physics at the beginning of my 2nd term. This is why..
Researching, the average chemical engineering course consists of about 70% maths and physics, and 30% chemistry (along those lines). So.. being reluctant to pick physics because you’re not very ‘good’ at maths is a temporary solution - you’ll do a lot of applied maths and physics at uni. Especially in your first year, as they normally use this year to recap everything of relevance that was taught during a levels.
Now, some might say that doing the ‘norm’ a level combination would make your application stronger.
I’m not too sure about this, having the right grades and a strong personal statement should be enough for a consideration. Yet, I don’t know anyone who has in fact applied to this course and didn’t do maths, physics and chem.
However, when you look at subject and entry requirements on universities’ websites, they do accept applicants who didn’t study physics. (Accept: maths and either chemistry or physics or sometimes a different science). The only universities I’ve come across that explicitly ask for physics are oxbridge and Imperial.
In summary, there’s no right or wrong answer.
Unless you’re thinking of applying to oxbridge or imperial, choosing a 3rd option that’s isn’t physics would close your doors.
If you do decide that your 3rd option wont be physics, make sure that in your personal statement you showcase your Mathematical and problem solving skills through extra supracurriculars. For example, participate in the UKMT challenge, maths and chemistry Olympiad, CGHQ’s puzzles, etc.
In terms of Biology, it is considered to be on the easier end of the spectrum in terms of a levels, you’ll obviously still need to put in a lot of hard work thought.
Also!! Don’t be discouraged in choosing physics just because you’re ’not very good’ at maths. I achieved an 8 in GCSE math & 7 in physics and I’m now predicted A* in both. Nonetheless, I did find physics very challenging in year 12 and had to put in a lot of work to get to my desired grade.
If you want any advice on how I achieved those grades do let me know, I’d be more than happy to help! I’ve also got friends who do exceptionally well in biology and psychology who are open to sharing studying tips if you do decide to pick those subjects.
Good Luck!

I’ve applied to Imperial, Bath, UCL, Leeds and Sheffield. Apart from getting offered an interview with Imperial, i’m still waiting on the other unis

That is cool...did you sit the esat in january?

yes! how about yourself?

HI! I’m a year 13 student currently studying a level maths, physics and chemistry, and just sent off my UCAS application to study chemical engineering.
In year 12, I did Spanish as my 3rd choice but then decided to swap to physics at the beginning of my 2nd term. This is why..
Researching, the average chemical engineering course consists of about 70% maths and physics, and 30% chemistry (along those lines). So.. being reluctant to pick physics because you’re not very ‘good’ at maths is a temporary solution - you’ll do a lot of applied maths and physics at uni. Especially in your first year, as they normally use this year to recap everything of relevance that was taught during a levels.
Now, some might say that doing the ‘norm’ a level combination would make your application stronger.
I’m not too sure about this, having the right grades and a strong personal statement should be enough for a consideration. Yet, I don’t know anyone who has in fact applied to this course and didn’t do maths, physics and chem.
However, when you look at subject and entry requirements on universities’ websites, they do accept applicants who didn’t study physics. (Accept: maths and either chemistry or physics or sometimes a different science). The only universities I’ve come across that explicitly ask for physics are oxbridge and Imperial.
In summary, there’s no right or wrong answer.
Unless you’re thinking of applying to oxbridge or imperial, choosing a 3rd option that’s isn’t physics would close your doors.
If you do decide that your 3rd option wont be physics, make sure that in your personal statement you showcase your Mathematical and problem solving skills through extra supracurriculars. For example, participate in the UKMT challenge, maths and chemistry Olympiad, CGHQ’s puzzles, etc.
In terms of Biology, it is considered to be on the easier end of the spectrum in terms of a levels, you’ll obviously still need to put in a lot of hard work thought.
Also!! Don’t be discouraged in choosing physics just because you’re ’not very good’ at maths. I achieved an 8 in GCSE math & 7 in physics and I’m now predicted A* in both. Nonetheless, I did find physics very challenging in year 12 and had to put in a lot of work to get to my desired grade.
If you want any advice on how I achieved those grades do let me know, I’d be more than happy to help! I’ve also got friends who do exceptionally well in biology and psychology who are open to sharing studying tips if you do decide to pick those subjects.
Good Luck!

I'm in year 11 currently, gonna do gcses this year, I've been maintaining 8's and 9s in the sciences, maths, eng, my option subjects and hopefully real gcses too. I'm interested in chemical engineering, but confused about my third A level option. I know ill have to do Maths and Chem, but I feel like Physics as the third may be hard-especially because I'm not astonishingly good at Maths even though I manage to scrape an 8. I really like Psychology, but would that close doors? I'm neutral about Biology, would it be easier than Physics though?