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University degrees: essential and useful A level subjects

8 March 2016

With so many students choosing their A level subject choices this term I have put together some advice for making the right choices to give you the best chance of receiving offers from your university.

Here are just a few university degrees with the essential A level subjects required by the top universities. Many universities like to see breadth as well as depth in a student’s application so, an ideal combination may well be a science subject to help with logical thinking, an essay writing subject to assist with report writing and communication skills and perhaps a social science subject to promote critical analysis. However, there are certain degrees where it is important to offer a specific subject at a high level. One example of this would be an Economics degree; many top universities will state Maths A level as an essential subject rather than Economics A level. Of course it is useful to study Economics A level if you are interested in studying Economics at university but it is not a requirement. It is much more important to have a high level of working knowledge and aptitude for Maths.  

Degree Essential A level choices Useful subjects
Actuarial Science Mathematics Further Maths, Economics
Biology Biology, usually Chemistry Maths, Physics
Biochemistry Chemistry, poss Biology Maths, Physics
Biomedical Science Two sciences: Biology /Chem/Maths, Physics – some specify Extra science and/or Maths
Business Studies/Management None but Maths sometimes specified Maths, Economics
Chemical Engineering Chemistry and Maths and occasionally physics Physics, Biology, F Maths
Chemistry Chemistry, sometimes Maths Maths, F Maths, Physics, Biology
Computer Science Maths, some courses specify Computing or Computer Science Maths, F Maths, Physics, Philosophy, ICT
Dentistry Chemistry, Biology, may require Maths or Physics as well Maths, Physics, F Maths,
Economics Mathematics and perhaps Further Maths Economics, Business Studies, Computing, History
Engineering (most disciplines) Maths, Physics Further Maths, DT
English English Literature History, Modern Languages
History History English, Economics, Politics, languages
Law English perhaps Breadth and depth in subjects offered
Languages Modern European languages
Mathematics Maths, perhaps Further Maths F Maths, Physics, STEP Maths,
Medicine Chemistry, Biology and Maths or Physics Further Maths and a contrasting (non-science) subject or perhaps a language
Philosophy None specified (if PPE Maths may be required) Maths, Classics
Physics Maths, Physics F Maths, Chemistry, Computing
Politics None Social Sciences: government, politics, history, economics, law or English literature,
Psychology Biology, Maths, Physics or Maths Biology, Maths, Sociology (some accept Geography)
Veterinary Medicine Chemistry and Biology, and one Maths and Physics Further Maths.

 

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