Which Subjects To Do In A-levels

By Author: Mark Johnson
Total Articles: 15
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The subjects you choose for your A-levels is an important decision which could impact your future. A hasty decision today may create problems later, so you should factor in all relevant issues. Any subject you pick must be in sync with your career goals.

Students are often confused which subjects to do in A-levels. Those planning to move on to a university hope to pick a combination that will get them the courses of their choice.

It isn’t really surprising to see the students’ dilemma. At their age, you don’t expect them to have an insight into the options. They need assistance choosing their courses.

The first thing they need to do is to consider A-level subjects which aren’t considered by prestigious universities for their courses. They require particular subjects for particular courses and the students who haven’t studied these aren’t even considered. For instance, you need to take science subjects at A-Levels to make a career in medicine or engineering. However, if your career plans are more subtle, you will need to research a bit more. For a drama course in a university, they may require ...
... you to have at least one essay-based A-level.

A hasty decision today may create problems later, so it is wise that you factor in the detailed entry criteria given by each university for the courses you want to join after the A-Levels.

Some experts advise students on the most common subject requirements for different degree courses in universities. They also talk about facilitating subjects and advise students to pick two of them for their A-Level mix. The subjects they term as facilitating are Mathematics, Further Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography and languages.

Students are not very sure if their BTech courses will be considered for A-Levels. This may differ with universities. Moreover, there is also a difference between what universities say they will consider and what they really do. They may take a BTech as supplemental education, but not consider them equal to A-Levels. A BTech should also be in a relevant subject area. Students doing a BTech or any other vocation qualification should carefully research entry requirements into a university.

Some universities will accept a certain qualification combined with other qualifications. For instance, they may require that you have an A-Level in Maths along with a BTech for an engineering course.

Teachers and parents can provide students with some useful advice. They can provide an insight into students' academic strengths, encouraging them to play to it. Students should not be pressured to take subjects they are uncomfortable in, or it will be hard for them to make a career out of it. At the end, it should be about the individual goals of the students.

You also need to take GCSE grades seriously for some subjects. Maths is a kind of subject you have to get an A* at GCSE, or it becomes quite a long leap at A-Level. It does not necessarily apply for all subjects, but there are papers you have to get through with excellence.

You cannot keep every option, so you have to choose between them. If you choose well, you can carve out a good future for yourself. What you need to do is to talk to your parents and teachers, counsellors in A-level colleges, research the entry requirement of universities and take into account your personal interests. It will help you to make the right decision.

The author of this article recommends Lansdowne College International, an A-level college in London, one of the top independent sixth form colleges offering a wide range of GCSE and A-Level courses.