A Level Subjects - Choosing the right A Levels for Your Sixth Form Studies

Many students face a dilemma when choosing their A Level subjects, as understandably they feel that it is a very important choice in their academic career, and potentially very important in their careers and life!

If you are moving into the sixth form of your school, you may already know the teachers there and you will be able to speak with them. If you are moving to a sixth form college, sometimes you will not be able to speak with the staff there before making your decisions. However, there are plenty of sources of good information.

However, you should not look to worry too much about the choice of subjects. In reality, and with today's education and work environment, your choice of A Levels will in no way reduce your choices later in life, unless you particularly want to do one of the few degrees that stipulate subjects required, such as medicine.

If you are aiming to study medicine, you know that you generally should take 3 sciences as well as mathematics at A Level.

You should generally be looking to take 4 subjects at AS Level, and 3 or 4 at A Level.

Outside of Medicine, there are 4 broad considerations when choosing your A Level subjects:

1. What GCSE subjects do you enjoy?

Enjoyment is perhaps the main consideration, as you will need to be motivated for 2 years to study in depth. Get a short list of subjects that have interested you and that you can see yourself studying for another 2 years (or 1 year in the case of your AS Level).

2. What subjects have you done well in at GCSE?

It may be that this list is the same as above, however sometimes you can be good at a subject without really enjoying it! If there are any subjects like this for you, it may be worth considering them too, since you want to be balancing enjoying your A Level subjects with maximising your chances of getting good results.

3. What do your subject teachers recommend?

It can be helpful to speak with subject teachers or an academic supervisor, since you can make use of their knowledge in selecting subjects. Often your teachers will have a good understanding of whether you are a good candidate for taking that subject as an AS or A Level subject.

4. Do you want to focus or keep a balance?

While some subjects compliment each other well (such as sciences together, or humanities together), it can be useful to develop a range of skills. Mathematics, and sciences develop a detailed, organised, controlled thinking, while English, French etc. develop more of a creative, "outside the box" thinking. In your future jobs, a balance of these skills can be very useful.

Do not be overly concerned with choosing your A Levels. Seek advice from teachers and your parents, and make your own mind up based on an understanding of what you want to achieve!