Alevel options
Hello im in year 11 right now and i have applied to sixth forms and collages with the alevel subjects maths , physics , further maths and economics . I don’t really want to do further maths but I know that if you want to go to a russel group university or any top universities with a maths related course they are more likely to prefer students who are doing further maths .
At first I wanted to do an economics degree and go into finance , like working in a big corporate company because i dont have any passions or interests , and a high paying office job seemed like a good idea.
But after hearing about the job market and how hard it is to find a good finance job with an economics degree - especially if you didnt go to the top unis in the country ( which would have been the case because i dont want to do further maths) its very hard to find a good job.
So i decided to switch to do engineering- with maths physics and chem or bio - not sure which one as i like biology more but chemistry is recommended for engineering. And also engineering isnt really about the university but more the actual degree from what ive heard. Also if i wanted to go to a finance related job after i get an engineering degree its still highly respected .
However , would further maths still be the problem as alot of people in my class who want to do engineering are doing maths , physics , further maths and either econ or chem . Im scared my 3 alevels wont be enough and that im not doing further maths . I really want to just get a good degree from a russel group university and then get a good and stable job . I have always wanted to pursue a career in real estate but its deffo not a stable job, so i wanted to get my degree first in engineering, either work there or get a finance job later if i get offered any , save up some money and then start real estate .
Is this a good plan ? Or is engineering not the way to go ? Also what engineering jobs are mostly office and people based ? I don’t really want to be doing much hand work more like office and planning at a big company . I have thought about software engineering or development, but scared not doing comp sci a-level or further maths will let me down - also is this a good job in the future or not ? And which university’s would be happy to take someone for engineering with maths physics and chem ?? Or should i pick biology as i like it more than chem ? Sorry for asking so many questions.. any help would be greatly appreciated
At first I wanted to do an economics degree and go into finance , like working in a big corporate company because i dont have any passions or interests , and a high paying office job seemed like a good idea.
But after hearing about the job market and how hard it is to find a good finance job with an economics degree - especially if you didnt go to the top unis in the country ( which would have been the case because i dont want to do further maths) its very hard to find a good job.
So i decided to switch to do engineering- with maths physics and chem or bio - not sure which one as i like biology more but chemistry is recommended for engineering. And also engineering isnt really about the university but more the actual degree from what ive heard. Also if i wanted to go to a finance related job after i get an engineering degree its still highly respected .
However , would further maths still be the problem as alot of people in my class who want to do engineering are doing maths , physics , further maths and either econ or chem . Im scared my 3 alevels wont be enough and that im not doing further maths . I really want to just get a good degree from a russel group university and then get a good and stable job . I have always wanted to pursue a career in real estate but its deffo not a stable job, so i wanted to get my degree first in engineering, either work there or get a finance job later if i get offered any , save up some money and then start real estate .
Is this a good plan ? Or is engineering not the way to go ? Also what engineering jobs are mostly office and people based ? I don’t really want to be doing much hand work more like office and planning at a big company . I have thought about software engineering or development, but scared not doing comp sci a-level or further maths will let me down - also is this a good job in the future or not ? And which university’s would be happy to take someone for engineering with maths physics and chem ?? Or should i pick biology as i like it more than chem ? Sorry for asking so many questions.. any help would be greatly appreciated
Reply 1
That certainly is a lot of questions! 😅
But it’s good that you’re thinking carefully, choosing the right A-levels is crucial.
Maths and Physics are essential for almost all engineering disciplines. Further Maths can be very helpful, especially for competitive courses, but strong standard Maths is usually sufficient, so I wouldn’t worry too much. My advice is to check the entry requirements for engineering courses you’re interested in to see how many explicitly require or prefer Further Maths, research like this is always worth more than word of mouth.
I know you’re already set with Economics as your third A-level. Ideally, Chemistry is considered safest for many engineering pathways, particularly chemical or biomedical engineering. Biology alone can limit options for some branches, but depending on the university, Maths, Physics, and Economics can still open doors just check course requirements carefully.
Engineering degrees are versatile and well-respected, so they’re a solid foundation even if your long-term goal is finance, consulting, or starting a venture later. Not all engineering roles are hands-on; many office-based positions like project management, design, and systems engineering focus on planning, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Ultimately, strong grades matter more than a “perfect” combination of subjects. Focus on doing your best in the subjects you have, review specific university entry criteria, and use open days, departmental guidance, and mock interviews to help prepare for future opportunities. Maths, Physics, and Economics can still give you flexibility and, in some cases, a higher chance of top grades than adding Further Maths.
The job market will be competitive regardless of degree choice, so getting strong grades and going to a respected university is a solid plan to give yourself an advantage.
Hope this helps, Alfred.
But it’s good that you’re thinking carefully, choosing the right A-levels is crucial.
Maths and Physics are essential for almost all engineering disciplines. Further Maths can be very helpful, especially for competitive courses, but strong standard Maths is usually sufficient, so I wouldn’t worry too much. My advice is to check the entry requirements for engineering courses you’re interested in to see how many explicitly require or prefer Further Maths, research like this is always worth more than word of mouth.
I know you’re already set with Economics as your third A-level. Ideally, Chemistry is considered safest for many engineering pathways, particularly chemical or biomedical engineering. Biology alone can limit options for some branches, but depending on the university, Maths, Physics, and Economics can still open doors just check course requirements carefully.
Engineering degrees are versatile and well-respected, so they’re a solid foundation even if your long-term goal is finance, consulting, or starting a venture later. Not all engineering roles are hands-on; many office-based positions like project management, design, and systems engineering focus on planning, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Ultimately, strong grades matter more than a “perfect” combination of subjects. Focus on doing your best in the subjects you have, review specific university entry criteria, and use open days, departmental guidance, and mock interviews to help prepare for future opportunities. Maths, Physics, and Economics can still give you flexibility and, in some cases, a higher chance of top grades than adding Further Maths.
The job market will be competitive regardless of degree choice, so getting strong grades and going to a respected university is a solid plan to give yourself an advantage.
Hope this helps, Alfred.
(edited 4 weeks ago)
Reply 2
11
Hi! to answer some of your questions- not doing further maths isn't the end of the world. Unis only look at your top 3 A levels as not every college/sixth form allows people to do 4, and so it isn't a problem doing 3.
What I'd suggest you do is have a look at the courses and unis you're thinking of applying to (if you're not sure yet then just have a look around at different ones).
Look at the subjects and grades that they're asking for. Yes further would be useful, but you'll probably find a lot of them just say 'we require 2 out of physics, chem, maths, further, etc'. It will depend on the type of engineering as well, but you can absolutely get into top unis without further maths.
The universities can teach you all the technical side of things- they'll always expect some people who didn't do physics, or some people who didn't do chemistry, or further- as long as they did 2 of the required subjects, the course content will include the necessary content so I wouldn't worry about that.
Don't let what other people are doing scare you- just check course requirements, support your studies with other achievements (Olympiads, UKMT, reading books, volunteering- personal statement type stuff), and pick the A levels that you want to do, because they are difficult and you don't want to hate them for 2 years because it's what you thought you needed to do to get into uni.
I am going to study Materials Science and Engineering next year at a Russell Group- I do 4 A levels and I don't do further maths, and the not-doing-further was not at all a problem for me. So have a look around, see what you're interested in, and genuinely pick something you think you will enjoy! (My 4th subject is music, so not at all related to the other 3 chem phys maths!)
What I'd suggest you do is have a look at the courses and unis you're thinking of applying to (if you're not sure yet then just have a look around at different ones).
Look at the subjects and grades that they're asking for. Yes further would be useful, but you'll probably find a lot of them just say 'we require 2 out of physics, chem, maths, further, etc'. It will depend on the type of engineering as well, but you can absolutely get into top unis without further maths.
The universities can teach you all the technical side of things- they'll always expect some people who didn't do physics, or some people who didn't do chemistry, or further- as long as they did 2 of the required subjects, the course content will include the necessary content so I wouldn't worry about that.
Don't let what other people are doing scare you- just check course requirements, support your studies with other achievements (Olympiads, UKMT, reading books, volunteering- personal statement type stuff), and pick the A levels that you want to do, because they are difficult and you don't want to hate them for 2 years because it's what you thought you needed to do to get into uni.
I am going to study Materials Science and Engineering next year at a Russell Group- I do 4 A levels and I don't do further maths, and the not-doing-further was not at all a problem for me. So have a look around, see what you're interested in, and genuinely pick something you think you will enjoy! (My 4th subject is music, so not at all related to the other 3 chem phys maths!)
Reply 3
Original post
by nsjahkejrhHello im in year 11 right now and i have applied to sixth forms and collages with the alevel subjects maths , physics , further maths and economics . I don’t really want to do further maths but I know that if you want to go to a russel group university or any top universities with a maths related course they are more likely to prefer students who are doing further maths .
At first I wanted to do an economics degree and go into finance , like working in a big corporate company because i dont have any passions or interests , and a high paying office job seemed like a good idea.
But after hearing about the job market and how hard it is to find a good finance job with an economics degree - especially if you didnt go to the top unis in the country ( which would have been the case because i dont want to do further maths) its very hard to find a good job.
So i decided to switch to do engineering- with maths physics and chem or bio - not sure which one as i like biology more but chemistry is recommended for engineering. And also engineering isnt really about the university but more the actual degree from what ive heard. Also if i wanted to go to a finance related job after i get an engineering degree its still highly respected .
However , would further maths still be the problem as alot of people in my class who want to do engineering are doing maths , physics , further maths and either econ or chem . Im scared my 3 alevels wont be enough and that im not doing further maths . I really want to just get a good degree from a russel group university and then get a good and stable job . I have always wanted to pursue a career in real estate but its deffo not a stable job, so i wanted to get my degree first in engineering, either work there or get a finance job later if i get offered any , save up some money and then start real estate .
Is this a good plan ? Or is engineering not the way to go ? Also what engineering jobs are mostly office and people based ? I don’t really want to be doing much hand work more like office and planning at a big company . I have thought about software engineering or development, but scared not doing comp sci a-level or further maths will let me down - also is this a good job in the future or not ? And which university’s would be happy to take someone for engineering with maths physics and chem ?? Or should i pick biology as i like it more than chem ? Sorry for asking so many questions.. any help would be greatly appreciated
At first I wanted to do an economics degree and go into finance , like working in a big corporate company because i dont have any passions or interests , and a high paying office job seemed like a good idea.
But after hearing about the job market and how hard it is to find a good finance job with an economics degree - especially if you didnt go to the top unis in the country ( which would have been the case because i dont want to do further maths) its very hard to find a good job.
So i decided to switch to do engineering- with maths physics and chem or bio - not sure which one as i like biology more but chemistry is recommended for engineering. And also engineering isnt really about the university but more the actual degree from what ive heard. Also if i wanted to go to a finance related job after i get an engineering degree its still highly respected .
However , would further maths still be the problem as alot of people in my class who want to do engineering are doing maths , physics , further maths and either econ or chem . Im scared my 3 alevels wont be enough and that im not doing further maths . I really want to just get a good degree from a russel group university and then get a good and stable job . I have always wanted to pursue a career in real estate but its deffo not a stable job, so i wanted to get my degree first in engineering, either work there or get a finance job later if i get offered any , save up some money and then start real estate .
Is this a good plan ? Or is engineering not the way to go ? Also what engineering jobs are mostly office and people based ? I don’t really want to be doing much hand work more like office and planning at a big company . I have thought about software engineering or development, but scared not doing comp sci a-level or further maths will let me down - also is this a good job in the future or not ? And which university’s would be happy to take someone for engineering with maths physics and chem ?? Or should i pick biology as i like it more than chem ? Sorry for asking so many questions.. any help would be greatly appreciated
You are going around in circles with these posts.
Simple advise, take subjects you like and stop thinking about degrees or careers! If you end up wanting to do a degree like engineering you can do a foundation year. Having no idea what to do in year 11 is normal and completely fine. If you pretty much randomly choose a career based on the current job market and this dictates your degree subject and a level selection then you could start a levels and hate them and then decide you don't want to do whatever you pushed yourself toward for the money originally. If you take subjects you enjoy then you can do a degree you enjoy and from that find a career you love, probably based in skills which are in demand at the time. Chem and bio are both great for transferable skills and going into work relating to advancements in the environment sector which is growing.
Choose the subjects that you like best and will get the best grades in.
Look at the courses on unis websites to see what subjects they specify/prefer (write them all down). That should help you decide.
Look at the courses on unis websites to see what subjects they specify/prefer (write them all down). That should help you decide.
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