A-Level choices for Quant

I’m 15 and considering going into quant/data science (very unrealistic but whatever 😅). I’ve applied for Brampton Manor with the options Maths, FM, Econ and Chem. I’m wondering if I should change my options to Maths, FM, CS and Physics. For some background I don’t like Physics that much [ I’m also struggling quite a bit with Paper 2 content ] but I’m predicted a 9 for CS, Physics and Chem. Is it worth me dropping Physics at AS then just pursuing Maths, FM and CS at A-Level or??

Hi @lunana,
Generally, unless you need the subject for the course you want to pursue at uni, it's not recommended that you study a subject you don't like very much (Physics). You're going to be spending a lot more time in that class at A-Level compared to GCSE, and if you don't like the subject you may not be very motivated to revise for it. Have a look at some of the universities/courses you'd be interested in studying and check the subject requirements - this should hopefully help inform your choices.
Best of luck,
Eve (Kingston Rep).

I’m 15 and considering going into quant/data science (very unrealistic but whatever 😅). I’ve applied for Brampton Manor with the options Maths, FM, Econ and Chem. I’m wondering if I should change my options to Maths, FM, CS and Physics. For some background I don’t like Physics that much [ I’m also struggling quite a bit with Paper 2 content ] but I’m predicted a 9 for CS, Physics and Chem. Is it worth me dropping Physics at AS then just pursuing Maths, FM and CS at A-Level or??

I’m 15 and considering going into quant/data science (very unrealistic but whatever 😅). I’ve applied for Brampton Manor with the options Maths, FM, Econ and Chem. I’m wondering if I should change my options to Maths, FM, CS and Physics. For some background I don’t like Physics that much [ I’m also struggling quite a bit with Paper 2 content ] but I’m predicted a 9 for CS, Physics and Chem. Is it worth me dropping Physics at AS then just pursuing Maths, FM and CS at A-Level or??

I’m 15 and considering going into quant/data science (very unrealistic but whatever 😅). I’ve applied for Brampton Manor with the options Maths, FM, Econ and Chem. I’m wondering if I should change my options to Maths, FM, CS and Physics. For some background I don’t like Physics that much [ I’m also struggling quite a bit with Paper 2 content ] but I’m predicted a 9 for CS, Physics and Chem. Is it worth me dropping Physics at AS then just pursuing Maths, FM and CS at A-Level or??

Hi! I am also interested in Quant/Global Finance. I also applied to Brampton Manor Academy, NCS, LAE Stratford, LAE Tottenham, and ICS. I have chosen Further Maths / Maths / History / Chemistry.
You really do not need Physics at A Level and your subject choices are very common for people who want to enter such fields. You shouldn’t force yourself to do a subject you don’t like. What degree do you want to do at University?

Maths & Compsci or something along those lines. Also I’ve applied to the first 3 as well - good luck with the offers!

I’m 15 and considering going into quant/data science (very unrealistic but whatever 😅). I’ve applied for Brampton Manor with the options Maths, FM, Econ and Chem. I’m wondering if I should change my options to Maths, FM, CS and Physics. For some background I don’t like Physics that much [ I’m also struggling quite a bit with Paper 2 content ] but I’m predicted a 9 for CS, Physics and Chem. Is it worth me dropping Physics at AS then just pursuing Maths, FM and CS at A-Level or??

Also I just want to add I wouldn’t recommend doing the maths FM CS combo since unis only really consider FM as a fourth a level and it actually makes you less competitive if u do it as one of your three.

Also I just want to add I wouldn’t recommend doing the maths FM CS combo since unis only really consider FM as a fourth a level and it actually makes you less competitive if u do it as one of your three.

I’m 15 and considering going into quant/data science (very unrealistic but whatever 😅). I’ve applied for Brampton Manor with the options Maths, FM, Econ and Chem. I’m wondering if I should change my options to Maths, FM, CS and Physics. For some background I don’t like Physics that much [ I’m also struggling quite a bit with Paper 2 content ] but I’m predicted a 9 for CS, Physics and Chem. Is it worth me dropping Physics at AS then just pursuing Maths, FM and CS at A-Level or??

Hi OP,
I am currently in my second year doing Mathematics, and I have a placement year next year doing something quant-adjacent. For context, I did Maths, Further Maths and Religious Studies at A-Level, so I would say that A-Levels really do not matter outside of having a good knowledge of both maths and also the industry! Four A-Levels is absolutely not necessary, and physics is almost entirely unrelated to quantitative analysis, particularly if you are already doing maths and further maths. Additionally, I would recommend you picking subjects that you both enjoy and are good at, A-Level content is definitely a step up from GCSE, and 3 As or A*s will more likely than not be looked higher upon than a set of 4 lower grades. If you enjoy chemistry or computer science, I would say go for those over physics - many of the jobs that I have been looking at as part of my placement search required at least a surface-level proficiency in languages such as Python (although this is entirely my experience - take it with a pinch of salt!), so in my personal opinion I would say that having an A-Level in Computer Science is definitely something to consider as the hard skills you gain will put you in good stead for CVs and cover letters when applying for jobs in the industry. There is also a lot of computational mathematics - in my experience at least - within mathematics/data science degrees, so this may give you an advantage when considering further study.
One final thing to note is that what you do at 17-18 does not define you, and that applications for placements/internships will more likely than not value what you are doing at university more than anything you do in Sixth Form, assuming you go to university before landing a job in this industry.
I hope this helps, and let me know if you want any more advice,
Rhianna (BSc Mathematics and Statistics)