Choosing your A Level subjects is one of the most important decisions of your academic life. Universities use these to gauge your suitability for their degree programs.
The 'Facilitating' Subjects
Top universities (like the Russell Group in the UK) prefer traditional, rigorous subjects known as 'facilitating subjects'. These include:
- Mathematics and Further Mathematics
- Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- History, Geography
- English Literature
- Modern and Classical Languages
Common Combinations
- Medicine: Chemistry is mandatory. Biology is almost always required. A third subject should usually be Maths or Physics.
- Engineering: Maths and Physics are strictly required. Further Maths is highly recommended for top-tier universities like Imperial College or Cambridge.
- Economics: Maths is mandatory (Economics degrees are highly mathematical). Further Maths is recommended. Economics A Level is surprisingly not always required, but helpful.
- Law: History, English Literature, and a third rigorous subject. They want to see strong essay-writing and analytical skills.
Avoid taking subjects that are too similar (e.g., Business Studies and Economics) if you are aiming for top-tier universities.