Choosing your A-levels

Keeping your options open

If you have no fixed ideas about the career or higher education you would like to pursue the following ‘facilitating’ A-levels are good choices for keeping your options open:

Good A-level subject combinations

The Russell Group of 20 leading UK universities, in collaboration with the Institute of Career Guidance, has published a guide to post-16 subject choices.  It includes advice on the best subject combinations for a wide range of university courses. Part of this is reproduced below.

Find a degree relevant to your strongest subjects

If you have already chosen your A-levels and want to see a list of some of the degree courses for which they are a requirement click here.  

Degree course

Required A-levels

Useful A-levels

Accountancy
 
Usually none although one or two universities require Mathematics Mathematics, Business Studies (AGCE, National and Diploma), and Economics
Actuarial Science/Studies
 
Mathematics Further Mathematics, Economics, Business Studies (AGCE, National and Diploma)
Aeronautical Engineering
 
Mathematics and Physics Further Mathematics, Design Technology
American Studies
 
Requirements vary but English and/or History are often asked for Politics
Anthropology
 
None A small number of courses like a science AS-level such as Biology. Sociology is also very relevant
Archaeology
 
None Geography, History or science subjects can all be useful
Architecture
 
Some courses say they want an arts/science mix. Some may require Art Art, Mathematics, Design Technology and Physics. AGCE or National Art and Design may also be useful at some universities. Do note that a portfolio of drawings and ideas may be asked for
Art and Design
 
Art or Design Technology including AGCE/National (to give you theportfolio to get onto an Art Foundation Course, though sometimes AGCE/National Art and Design applicants go straight onto a degree) Design Technology, Art & Design. Do note that most entrants onto Art and Design degrees will have done a one-year Art Foundation Course after completing year 13
Banking
 
Usually none although one or two universities require Mathematics Mathematics, Business Studies (AGCE, National and Diploma), and Economics
Biochemistry
 
Always Chemistry and some degrees will say you must have Biology as well, while some will say Chemistry plus one from Mathematics/Physics/Biology. Doing Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics or Physics will keep all Biochemistry courses open to you Biology, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics
Biology
 
Biology, Chemistry Mathematics or Physics
Biomedical Sciences
 
Normally two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Chemistry is essential for some courses Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Biomedical Materials Science
 
Normally two from Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Biology (also Design Technology for some universities) Chemistry, Design and Technology, Further Mathematics
Business Studies
 
None Mathematics, Business Studies (AGCE, National and Diploma) and Economics
Chemical Engineering
 
Chemistry and Mathematics and sometimes Physics as well Physics, Biology, Further Mathematics
Chemistry
 
Chemistry and occasionally Mathematics. Most courses require Chemistry and would like Mathematics and one other science subject (for example, Physics or Biology) Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology
Childhood Studies
 
None CACHE, Psychology, Sociology, AGCE/National/Diploma Health and Social Care
Classical Studies
 
For Classics courses Latin or Ancient Greek are required. For Classical Studies and Classical Civilisation courses most subjects will be considered Modern foreign language, English Literature, History, Classical Civilisation. Do note that there are some Classics courses which will allow you to start Latin and/or Classical Greek from scratch
Communication Studies
 
A few courses ask for English or Media Studies. English, Media Studies, Sociology, Psychology
Computing
 
For some courses, Mathematics Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computing, Physics, Philosophy, ICT
Dentistry
 
Chemistry and Biology for most courses, but some require Mathematics or Physics as well Mathematics, Physics, Further Mathematics
Dietetics
 
Chemistry, Biology Mathematics
Drama
 
Some courses require English Literature and for a few courses English and/or Theatre Studies English Literature, English Literature and Language, Theatre Studies
Earth Sciences
 
Usually two from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology Geography, Geology
Economics
 
Usually Mathematics Economics
Education
 
See Teacher Training
Electrical/Electronic Engineering
 
Mathematics, Physics Further Mathematics, ICT and Design Technology
Engineering (General)
 
Mathematics and Physics Further Mathematics and Design Technology
English
 
English Literature or combined English Language & Literature (some courses will accept English Language) History, Religious Studies, a foreign language
Environmental Science/Studies
 
Many courses will ask for two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Geography Another facilitating subject, particularly a science
European Studies
 
A modern foreign language Another modern foreign language, English Literature, History, Politics
Finance
 
Usually none although one or two universities require Mathematics Mathematics, Business Studies (AGCE, National and Diploma), and Economics
French
 
French Another modern foreign language, English Literature, History, Politics
Geography
 
Most degrees require Geography Some Geography BSc (science) degrees prefer one from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics
Geology
 
Usually two from Mathematics, Physics Chemistry and Biology Geography, Geology
German
 
German (a handful of universities offer the opportunity to study German from scratch, without German A-level) Another modern foreign language, English Literature, History, Politics
History
 
Most degrees require History Economics, English Literature, Philosophy, Politics, Sociology, Theology/ Religious Studies, a modern or classical language
History of Art
 
None Art, English Literature, History, Theology/Religious Studies, French, German, Spanish, Italian
Italian
 
Italian or another language such as French, German or Spanish Another modern foreign language, English Literature, History, Politics
Law
 
Usually none, although a few universities require English History; other facilitating subjects. There really are no essential subjects for Law. Maybe one choice should involve essay / report writing. History gives you good relevant skills for Law but is not essential
Management Studies
 
Sometimes Mathematics Mathematics, Economics, Business Studies (AGCE, National and Diploma)
Materials Science
 
Normally two from Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Biology (also Design Technology for some universities) Chemistry, Design and Technology, Further Mathematics
Mathematics
 
Mathematics and sometimes Further Mathematics Further Mathematics, Physics
Mechanical Engineering
 
Mathematics, Physics Further Mathematics, Design Technology. Mechanical Engineering departments may have a preference for Mathematics A-levels with a strong mechanics component
Media Studies
 
A few courses ask for English or Media Studies English, Media Studies, Sociology, Psychology
Medical Science
 
Normally two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Chemistry is essential for some courses Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Medicine
 
If you do Chemistry, Biology and one from Mathematics or Physics you will keep all the medical schools open to you. If you do Chemistry and Biology you will keep open the vast majority. If you do Chemistry and one from Mathematics and Physics you will limit your range of choices much more Further Mathematics or a contrasting (non-science) subject
Midwifery
 
Usually Biology or another science Biology, CACHE, Sociology, Psychology, Chemistry
Music
 
For most traditional courses, Music and Grade VII/VIII Some universities have a preference for at least one essay-based subject
Nursing
 
Usually Biology or another science. Biology, CACHE, Sociology, Psychology, Chemistry.
Occupational Therapy
 
Some courses ask for Biology Psychology, Physical Education, Sociology or another science
Optometry (Opthalmic Optics)
 
Two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics (some courses prefer Biology as one of the choices) Further Mathematics
Orthoptics
 
Biology Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
Pharmacy
 
Chemistry and one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics keeps the vast majority of courses open to you. Some courses like to see Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. Doing Chemistry and Biology keeps most courses open Mathematics, Physics
Philosophy
 
None Mathematics, Classical Civilisations, Philosophy and Religious Studies/Theology
Physical Education
 
Many courses want to see one from Biology/Chemistry/Mathematics/Physics (some courses will treat Physical Education as a science equivalent) Physical Education, Psychology
Physics
 
Mathematics, Physics Further Mathematics, Chemistry
Physiotherapy
 
Most courses will consider you with just Biology, however some also require a second science from Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology
Politics
 
None Politics, History, Philosophy, Law, Sociology
Psychology
 
A few courses ask for one from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics Biology, Mathematics, Psychology, Sociology
Religious Studies
 
None Religious Studies/Theology, Philosophy, English Literature, History
Sociology
 
None Sociology, Psychology, Geography
Spanish
 
Spanish (some degrees will also consider French, German or Italian) Another modern foreign language, English Literature, History, Politics
Speech Therapy
 
Some degrees want a science such as Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Some specify Biology, but some degrees will consider candidates with none of these A modern foreign language (for example, French, German, Spanish, Italian), English Language (and Literature), Psychology.
Sports Science
 
Many courses want to see one from Biology/Chemistry/Mathematics/Physics (some courses will treat Physical Education as a science equivalent) Physical Education, Psychology
Surveying
 
None For some types of Surveying i.e. Building Surveying, Mathematics and Physics could be helpful. For Estate Management (General Practice Surveying) most A-level combinations will be considered
Teacher Training (Primary and/or Secondary)
 
At least one from Art, Biology, CACHE, Chemistry, Design and Technology, Drama (Theatre Studies), English, French, Geography, German, History, ICT, Italian, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Physical Education, Religious Studies (Theology), Spanish. CACHE meets the entry requirements for early years Primary Teaching and a large number of Primary Education Teacher Training Degrees Another of the subjects listed above
Theology
 
None Religious Studies/Theology, Philosophy, English Literature, History
Veterinary Science
 
You should do Chemistry and Biology and one from Mathematics/Physics so that you have all universities open to you Further Mathematics

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