How to Choose the Right A Levels for You

Choosing your A Level subjects can feel like a huge decision, that’s normal. These are the subjects you’ll be studying for the next two years, and they can affect what you’re able to do at university and beyond.

Whether you already know exactly what you want to do, or you haven’t got a clue yet, this guide will help you choose A Levels that work for you.

What Are A Levels?

A Levels (Advanced Levels) are qualifications you study after your GCSEs in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They’re the main route into university.

You usually study three A Levels over two years. They let you:

• Go deeper into subjects you enjoyed at GCSE
• Try new subjects you haven’t studied before, like Law, Economics, or Psychology

Some schools also offer AS Levels, which last one year, but most now focus on full A Levels.

What Are A Levels Really Like?

A Levels are a step up from GCSEs, so expect things to feel more challenging. You’ll notice:

• Harder content and more detailed topics
• More independence, teachers expect you to manage your time and workload
• Fewer subjects, but more depth and less classroom time, more self-study

It’s less about memorising facts and more about understanding ideas and explaining them clearly.

How Many A Levels Should You Take?

Most students take three A Levels, which is what universities expect. Some students take four, especially in their first year, but this depends on your school or college.

It’s a good idea to:

• Ask your school or college what they recommend
• Check if AS Levels are an option
• Find out what support is available if a subject isn’t right for you

If you already have a university course in mind, you can also check their entry requirements or email the admissions team.

What GCSE Grades Do You Need?

Most schools and colleges ask for:

• At least five GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A–C)*
• A higher grade (usually 5 or 6) in any subject you want to take at A Level

Entry requirements vary, so always check with your school or college. If A Levels aren’t the right fit, there are other options like T-Levels or other vocational courses.

How to Choose the Right A Level Subjects

When choosing A Levels, don’t just pick what your friends are doing. This decision should be about you.

Start by talking to:

• Your teachers
• Your careers adviser
• University admissions teams

Doing a bit of research now can save you a lot of stress later.

Ask Yourself: Do I Know What I Want to Study at University?

This is the most important question to think about.

If you do know what you want to study

That’s great, you’re already a step ahead. Check university websites to see:

• Which A Levels are required
• Whether certain subjects are preferred
• If you need specific grades

Courses like Medicine, Engineering, Law, Architecture, and Veterinary Science often have strict subject requirements, so this step is really important.

If you don’t know yet (that’s totally fine)

Loads of students don’t know what they want to study and that’s completely normal.

If you want to keep your options open, Russell Group universities recommend choosing from these “facilitating subjects”:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• English Literature
• Geography
• History
• Maths or Further Maths
• Modern or Classical Languages
• Physics

Taking two of these subjects can keep a wide range of university courses open. Just make sure you still enjoy what you choose as you’ll be studying it for two years.

Other Things to Think About Before You Choose

Here are a few more questions to ask yourself:

• What am I good at? Pick subjects you can realistically do well in
• What do I enjoy? A Levels are intense so liking the subject really helps
• Do these subjects work well together? For example, sciences often go well with Maths
• What’s the workload like? Some subjects involve lots of essays or coursework
• What’s actually on the syllabus? Read the course content carefully

Being honest with yourself now will make life easier later.

A Levels and University Entry Requirements

Universities use entry requirements to make sure students are ready for their courses. Many degrees require:

• GCSE English and Maths (usually at grade 4/C or above)
• Specific A Level subjects for certain courses

Some universities:

• Prefer A Levels over vocational qualifications
• Only accept certain subject combinations
• Ask for specific BTEC units and grades

Always check the details for the courses you’re interested in.

Important Things to Remember

• Some universities don’t like very similar A Level combinations (e.g. Business and Economics)
• Core Maths doesn’t usually replace A Level Maths
• Too many practical or vocational subjects can limit options at some universities
• Competitive courses like Medicine may require all A Levels to be taken in one two-year period

Final Advice

There’s no such thing as a “perfect” set of A Levels, just the right ones for you. Choose subjects you enjoy, can succeed in, and that keep your future options open.

Ask questions, do your research, and don’t panic if you’re unsure. Most students feel the same way and it all works out in the end.