It’s that nerve-wracking time of the academic year when potential sixth-form students must make a decision about which A-levels to take. The ultimate goal of those who plan to attend university is to select the perfect combination of A-levels that will guarantee admission to the course of their choice.
Typically, at the age of 15, individuals do not have a clear idea about the degree they wish to pursue, let alone their career path. Consequently, university admissions departments and sixth-form tutors have provided responses to typical questions pupils ask as they attempt to figure out which subjects to study.
Is there a blacklist of A-level subjects that prestigious universities avoid?
According to Julian Skyrme, the head of undergraduate recruitment and widening participation at the University of Manchester, there is no specific A-level subject blacklist. However, certain universities require specific subjects for particular courses, and applicants who do not have those subjects often fail to be considered. It is evident that medicine and dentistry require science subjects, but in other cases, as Mr Skyrme points out, the requirements may be more subtle. For example, A-level drama courses may require individuals to have at least one essay-based A-level. Though it can be time-consuming, it is best to review the detailed entry criteria for each university and the specific degree courses in which you have an interest to be on the safe side.
What are the Russell Group’s facilitating subjects, and what does the phrase imply?
Informed Choices is a publication created by the Russell Group, which is composed of several of the most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom. It provides a summary of the most common subject requirements for various degree courses at those universities and a list of facilitating subjects. Students interested in attending a Russell Group university are advised to choose two facilitating subjects as part of their A-level mix. Mathematics, further mathematics, English literature, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, history, and languages (both classical and modern) make up the facilitating subjects.
Do universities genuinely consider BTecs to be on par with A-levels?
"It depends," says Matt Cole, the head of modern history and politics at King Edward VI College in Stourbridge. "Some will, and some won’t, and I’ve seen departments that will do so one year and not the next. There may also be a disparity between what universities claim they will consider and what they actually do. They may consider BTecs, but the consideration may not be equal." Laura Lane, from the admissions service of the University of Sheffield, adds that it is dependent on the type of course. If an individual wishes to pursue a degree, then BTecs should be in a relevant subject area. Julian Skyrme emphasizes that students who intend to study BTecs or other more vocational qualifications should thoroughly research university entry requirements as universities publish detailed information on their website and the UCAS website. Occasionally universities may only accept vocational qualifications when paired with other qualifications. Some engineering degrees require A-level maths in conjunction with a BTec diploma to ensure that students have the mathematical skills necessary for the course.
Do teachers encourage pupils to choose "easier" subjects to keep the school’s results high?
There were some suspicions last year that several schools persuasively advised students to avoid taking "challenging" A-level subjects to avoid poor grades. However, Ian Hunt, the Managing Director of Gabbitas Education, reveals that the pressure comes from individual school departments, not an overarching directive. At King Edward VI College, which saw 86% of its A-level pupils successfully apply to university last year, pupils are encouraged to enrol in subjects that play to their strengths. Occasionally pupils may need guidance to make the right choice, and there are subjects such as further mathematics, where a strong GCSE result is necessary to study it at A-level because the subject requires a robust math aptitude.
What should pupils do if they feel pressured to select subjects they don’t want to study?
According to Skyrme, teachers and parents can provide excellent advice and insight into students’ academic strengths. However, students should not be coerced into studying subjects they do not want to study or those they do not feel confident about. At the end of the day, it is the student who will be studying the subject and taking the exams, so the decision must be based on a personal choice.
Is it necessary for your GCSE grades to dictate which subjects you should choose at A-level? According to experts, while certain subjects such as maths require an A* at GCSE, this doesn’t apply to all subjects. Although universities don’t necessarily use GCSE results as an indicator of undergraduate performance, they may act as a filter due to the sheer number of applications. GCSE grades are particularly important for subjects such as medicine and are seen as great predictors by some universities, like Oxford.
It’s important for students to make choices, but it may be useful to assess one’s interests and strengths. If one is interested in medicine or engineering, then narrowing one’s choices is recommended. However, students who aren’t set on a particular area should play to their strengths and not specialize in one area too much.
Apart from A-levels, students could also consider the International Baccalaureate, as it keeps one’s options open. Experts suggested that students should opt for at least two facilitating subjects – ones they’re interested in and are good at – for the widest range of options. Facilitating subjects don’t restrict pupils to courses that require those subjects, so one can still apply for law courses, which do not have any specific subject prerequisites.
In terms of choosing subjects such as maths and science, experts stated that unless one wants to undertake a maths- or science-based degree, it’s not necessary to take these subjects at A-level. Students should ask themselves whether they will enjoy a particular subject, whether they need it for their chosen university course, whether it can be useful for their chosen university course, and whether they can get a good grade. If the answers to most of these questions are yes, then it would be a good idea to take the subject.
Students who don’t receive adequate advice from their school can contact the universities they’re interested in applying to via email or phone to discuss their A-level choices. Universities have humans in their admissions department and are willing to help students. Sheffield University, for example, encourages pupils to email or phone directly, and the applicant information team will answer queries or find someone for students to talk to in the relevant academic department.
When faced with the overwhelming amount of universities to choose from, it would be wise to begin by selecting twelve or so institutions that pique your interest. Cole suggests reaching out to the admissions offices of these selected universities for a friendly chat.
It is important to keep in mind that any information garnered from these conversations functions as a guideline, rather than a dependable promise. Unfortunately, there is no foolproof method for securing a place at university, but by adhering to the guidance provided, admission into a desired program is feasible.
