Subject choices

Chemistry goes well with mathematics (and further mathematics), physics and biology. Other subjects such as economics, modern languages and geography may also open up different opportunities.

We would strongly recommend that you study mathematics alongside chemistry, particularly if your GCSE score is less than 8 in GCSE maths. Most scientific degree courses, and many degree apprenticeships, will expect you to have studied mathematics at A-level. If you don't, you may be limiting your progression options. Chemistry has a large mathematical component (30%) and students who do not study maths will have to do significant additional work outside the lesson each week to keep up. Success in the chemistry A-level is strongly correlated to GCSE maths result - our most successful students (A-A*) generally have an 8 or 9 in maths at GCSE. 

If you wish to study medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine, you must take chemistry. Our most successful students for medicine-based courses study chemistry, maths, biology and take further maths to AS. Students who study psychology as their third subject have a much lower acceptance rate for medicine-based courses. If you do not want to study maths, philosophy would be your best third option. 

Physics is a strong supporting subject as you will see similar concepts from a different perspective. It is possible to study medicine with chemistry, physics, maths and further maths, although a small number of medical schools require biology. 

If you wish to study chemistry, physics, natural sciences or engineering at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College or another competitive university you should study further maths. Over the past few years, students applying for those subjects who do not study further maths have struggled to secure interviews or places at the most competitive institutions. While those universities may list further maths as preferred but not required, Farnborough has one of the biggest and best further maths departments in the country and top universities will expect you to study it here (and it will make your life easier when you get there).