FOR USEFUL INFORMATION ON WHAT TO STUDY, WHERE TO GO AND HOW TO GET THERE, LOG ONTO: www.university.which.co.uk See inside for their handy tips on choosing the right AS and A’ Level subjects. ART Many universities or art colleges will be looking for you to have an art foundation qualification under your belt - a one-year course usually taken after A-levels - before progressing on to an art and design degree course. Art and design essentials Many courses require a diploma in foundation art and design, or a BTEC National Diploma in general art and design (or equivalent). This will help you to build up the portfolio you need when applying to creative arts degree courses. Art A-level or a design-related subject. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Design technology. Photography. History of art. Other typical A-levels taken by current art and design students English literature. BIOCHEMISTRY If you want to study biochemistry, then it’s crucial that you pick the right A-levels. Chemistry is a must-have subject wherever you plan to study, but there are certain other ‘essentials’ depending on the course you apply to. Taking chemistry, biology and either maths or physics (or both) will keep all biochemistry courses open to you. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Chemistry and often one from biology, maths or physics. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Biology. Maths. Physics. BIOLOGY If you’re planning to study a biology or biological sciences degree, unsurprisingly the majority of courses will require you to have A-level biology under your belt, though a few may accept you with any science subject. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Biology. Many courses also require at least one from chemistry, physics or maths - preferences for particular subjects vary between universities. As a general rule of thumb, the A-levels combo that will keep as many options open to you as possible is biology, chemistry and maths. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Chemistry. Maths. Physics. BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION Whether you want to study building services engineering, building surveying or construction management, many building degree courses require you to have A-levels (or equivalent) in maths or physics (or both). Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Maths and/or physics (for building services engineering). Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Maths. Physics. Technology. A science subject. Other typical A-levels taken by current building students Business studies. Geography. IT. BUSINESS Business studies and similar subjects such as accountancy and management are popular degrees that are normally open to you with any A-levels. However, certain A-level choices will help prepare you for business at degree level, and could give you an edge over other applicants. The following requirements also apply to degrees in accountancy, finance, banking and management. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) None (very occasionally maths for management degrees). Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Maths. Business studies (AGCE, National and Diploma). Economics. Other typical A-levels taken by current business students IT and computing. General studies. Geography Do note that many degrees will be open to you whichever A-levels you choose. Some courses will be happy with a subject just at AS-level while some courses may want the full A-level - something to check before you finalise your A-level choices in Year 12. CHEMISTRY If you’re planning to study chemistry, unsurprisingly the majority of courses will require you to have A-level chemistry under your belt, though a handful may accept you with any science subject. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Chemistry. Occasionally maths. Most courses require chemistry and would like maths and one other science subject (e.g. physics, biology). Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Maths. Biology. Physics. CLASSICS If you want to study a classics degree, most universities expect you to have an A-level in Latin or ancient Greek, although there are some courses which allow you to start Latin and / or classical Greek from scratch. For classical studies or classical civilisations, however, most courses will be open to you with any A-level subjects. Whether you plan to study classics or classical studies, a language would be a useful addition to your A-level line up. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Latin or ancient Greek for a classics degree. None for a classical studies/ civilisation degree. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) A modern foreign language. English literature. History. Classical civilisations. COMPUTER SCIENCE Some computer science courses will require maths – and for a handful of courses, further maths is also preferred, but many others will accept you with just GCSE-level maths. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Maths for some courses. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Computing Further maths. Physics. Philosophy. ICT. DENTISTRY If you want to study dentistry, then it’s crucial you pick the right A-levels. Most courses will ask for chemistry or biology or both, but a few will also expect maths or physics A-level. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Chemistry, biology and either maths or physics (or both) will keep all dentistry courses open to you. If you don’t take maths or physics but do take chemistry and biology, most courses will accept you. If you only take one from chemistry or biology, fewer dentistry courses will accept you. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Maths. Physics. DRAMA If you’re planning to study drama at university (the criticism and analysis of drama rather than focusing on performance - we've got tips helping you choose between these courses here), an A-level in English literature or English language and literature will keep all courses open to you. You don’t necessarily need an A-level in drama and theatre studies to study a degree in drama, although a few courses might ask for it. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Some courses require English literature. A few courses ask for English and / or theatre studies. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) English literature. English literature and language. Theatre studies. Other typical A-levels taken by current drama students History. Media studies. ECONOMICS You don’t necessarily need A-level economics to study an economics degree, but some courses specify maths as a must-have A-level. Take a look at individual economics courses on Which? University to find out the most popular subjects students studied before attending. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Maths (some courses). Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Economics. Other typical A-levels taken by current economics students Further maths. History. Statistics. ENGLISH If you’re planning to study English at university, an A-level in English literature or English language and literature will keep all English courses open to you. But you may find that combining your A-level in English with certain other subjects is a useful way to prepare for degree-level studies. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) English literature / English literature and language (some courses will accept English language on its own). Useful A-levels (or equivalent) History. Religious studies. French or another foreign language. Latin or another classical language. Other typical A-levels taken by current English students Psychology. ENGINEERING If you want to study engineering, then it’s crucial that you pick the right A-levels. Maths is a must-have subject whatever type of engineering you want to study, but there are certain other ‘essentials’ or preferred subjects depending on the course you apply to. The following requirements apply to degrees in engineering, aeronautical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering and mechanical engineering. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Maths. Chemistry for chemical engineering. Usually physics. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Further maths. Design technology. GEOGRAPHY If you’re planning to study geography at university, an A-level in geography will keep all courses open to you - though more unis than you might think will accept you without it. Some BSc degrees require you to have a science or maths A-level. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Most courses require geography, but there are some exceptions. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Some BSc degrees prefer one or more of the following: Biology. Chemistry. Maths. Physics. Other typical A-levels taken by current geography students Business studies. English literature. History. HISTORY If you’re planning to study history at university, an A-level in history will keep all courses open to you - though more unis than you might think will accept you without it. Either way, having a combination of essay-based subjects such as English literature and politics will set you in good stead for studying history at degree level. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Most courses require history, but there are some exceptions. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Economics. English literature. Politics. Philosophy. Sociology. Theology or religious studies. Other A-levels taken by current history students General studies. English language. Maths. LAW Think you have to do A-level law to go on and study a degree in it? Not necessarily. Law is a popular degree that is normally open to you with any A-levels. However, certain A-level choices will help prepare you for law at degree level, and may give you an edge over other applicants. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) None. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Critical thinking may help with the Law National Admissions Test - but, to keep your options open, the subject is better done as a fifth AS-level. Essay-based subjects such as history or English will set you in good stead for law at degree level. Many law students take at least one 'facilitating' subject such as a foreign language, maths, science, English, history or geography, which are deemed as good choices for students who want to keep their degree options flexible. Other typical A-levels taken by current law students Maths. Law. French. MATHS If you’re planning to study maths at university, you may find that combining your A-level in maths with certain other subjects is a useful way to prepare for degree study. And it’s not just further maths that will complement your maths A-level – IT and a science subject could help too. The following requirements also apply to degrees in statistics. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Maths, sometimes further maths Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Physics. Other typical A-levels taken by current maths students IT and computing. Chemistry. Business studies. MEDIA Media studies is a popular degree that is normally open to you with any A-levels. However, some smart A-level choices will help to better prepare you for media at degree level. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) A few courses ask for English or media studies. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) English. Media studies. Sociology. Psychology. Other typical A-levels taken by current media students Film studies. Maths. Art and design. MEDICINE If you want to study medicine, then it’s crucial that you pick the right A-levels. Chemistry is a must-have subject wherever you plan to study, but there are certain other ‘essentials’ depending on the particular university you want to go to. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Chemistry, biology and either maths or physics (or both) will keep all the medical schools open to you. If you don’t take maths or physics but do take chemistry and biology, it will keep open the vast majority. If you don’t take biology, but do take chemistry and one from maths or physics, fewer medical schools will accept you. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Critical thinking will help with section three of the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT), but it is better to take this as a fifth AS-level rather than as a replacement for biology, maths or physics. MODERN LANGUAGES If you’re planning to study a modern language such as French or German at university, an A-level in your chosen language is, in most cases, an essential. For languages not so commonly offered in schools and colleges, such as Italian or Chinese, a modern foreign language is required or preferred. Whatever language you plan to study, at least one A-level in a modern language should be in your A-level line up. The following requirements apply to degrees in French, German, Italian and Spanish. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) French for a French degree and German for a German degree (in most cases). An A-level in a modern language is usually required. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Any other modern language. English literature. History. Politics. Other typical A-levels taken by current modern language students General studies. English language. Maths. Business studies. MUSIC Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Music and Grade VII / VIII for your main instrument (for most traditional courses). Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Some universities have a preference for at least one essay-based subject such as history or English Other typical A-levels taken by current music students Maths. French. Physics. NURSING Whether you’re interested in working with children or you’d prefer to specialise in mental health, unsurprisingly nursing courses usually require at least one science. As care and people skills are central to nursing, you may also find a social science useful. The following requirements also apply to degrees in midwifery. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Some courses ask for biology or another science. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Psychology. Sociology. Chemistry. CACHE. Other typical A-levels taken by current nursing students General studies. Health and social care. Religious studies. PHILOSOPHY Philosophy is a popular degree that is normally open to you with any A-levels. However, some smart A-level choices will help prepare you for philosophy at degree level. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) None. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Maths. Classical civilisations. Philosophy. Religious studies / Theology. Other typical A-levels taken by current philosophy students Maths. English literature. History. PHYSICS If you want to study physics at university, then it’s crucial that you pick the right A-levels. Not only is physics a must-have subject, but maths is essential too. A small number of courses will accept just one of these, but study both to keep all your options open. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Maths. Physics. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Further maths. Chemistry. PHYSIOTHERAPY Requirements do vary from course to course, but the majority of physiotherapy courses will expect at least one science subject. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Biology for most courses (many accept human biology). Some courses may accept physical education as an essential subject instead of biology. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Chemistry. Maths. Physics. Physical education. Other typical A-levels taken by current physiotherapy students General studies. Psychology. POLITICS Politics is a popular degree that is normally open to you with any A-levels. However, certain A-level choices will help to prepare you for studying politics at degree level. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) None. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Politics. History. Philosophy. Law. Sociology. Other typical A-levels taken by current politics students Maths. English literature. General studies. PSYCHOLOGY Psychology and other social sciences like sociology are popular degrees normally open to you with any A-levels. However, certain A-level subject choices will help prepare you for studying psychology at degree level, and may give you an edge over other applicants. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) A few courses ask for one or more from biology, chemistry, maths or physics. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Biology. Maths. Psychology. Sociology. Other typical A-levels taken by current psychology students English. General studies. History. SOCIOLOGY Sociology and other social sciences like psychology are popular degrees that are normally open to you with any A-levels. However, certain A-level choices will help prepare you for studying sociology at degree level. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) None. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Sociology. Psychology. Geography. Media studies. Other typical A-levels taken by current sociology students English. General studies. History TEACHING There are two main paths into teaching: you could take a teacher training undergraduate degree, or you could study a different subject and then take the postgraduate route into teaching (via a PGCE qualification). The A-levels listed here refer to the teacher training degree requirements, whether you want to become a primary or a secondary school teacher. You should also decide whether or not there is a subject you want to specialise in. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) At least one from: Art, biology, chemistry, design and technology, English, French, geography, German, history, IT, Italian, maths, music, physics, physical education, religious studies (theology), Spanish. You may not need A-levels for some general primary courses; CACHE meets the entry requirements for early years primary teaching and a large number of primary education teacher training degrees. You should also note that for primary teaching you must have GCSE maths, English and science at grade C or above. For secondary teaching you may be able to get away with not having science GCSE at C or above. Other typical A-levels taken by current teaching students Psychology. Sociology. Sports science. VETERINARY SCIENCE If you want to study veterinary science or medicine, it’s crucial that you pick the right A-levels. Chemistry is a must-have subject wherever you plan to study, but there are certain other ‘essentials’ depending on the particular university you want to go to. Essential A-levels (or equivalent) Chemistry. Combining chemistry, biology and either maths or physics (or taking both) is the best way to keep all veterinary courses open to you. Useful A-levels (or equivalent) Critical thinking will help with section three of the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT), but it is better to take it as a fifth AS-level rather than as a replacement for maths or physics.
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