Choosing your subjects

Essentially you have a free choice, which sounds great but also makes choosing harder.

You may already have a clear idea of the degree course or career that you want to follow, in which case you need to research the subjects that you need to get there. Most young people will, at this stage, only have a general idea of the areas that they might pursue, in which case the priority is to make sure that you keep your options open.

The Russell Group of universities have produced Informed Choices which is a really useful guide to the subjects normally required for different degrees (at all universities, not just the Russell Group).

Another useful source of information is the UCAS website. Using the Course Search option, you can look at various degrees and see:

• Which universities offer the course you are looking at

• Which A Levels you must have and which would be helpful

• A Level grades required and, in some cases, GCSE requirements as well

Note that the UCAS website is currently for courses starting in 2022 but the entry conditions will be similar in 2024 and beyond.

The questions you should be asking yourself are:

• Do I enjoy the subject?

• Am I good at the subject?

• Does each subject work well with my other choices?

• Am I clear about the content of the subject (it may be quite different from its GCSE equivalent)?

• Am I clear about the style of learning (does the subject need and develop extended writing, practical skills, research skills, logical thinking, etc)?

• Am I ambitious but realistic about the A Level grades that I might achieve?

• Overall, do these subjects support a range of degrees and careers that I may be interested in?