How to choose the right A-Levels
Selecting the right A-Levels is one of your most crucial academic decisions, shaping your university options, career paths, and future opportunities. Yet, the process can feel overwhelming with so many subjects, combinations, and university requirements to consider.
We look at how A-Level choices impact university admissions and careers. Which subjects keep your options open (and which limit them), and what common mistakes to avoid?
How to make your choices
A-Level choices matter for university admissions, especially if you have a particular course or career path in mind. For example, Medicine requires Chemistry and often Biology, Engineering demands Maths and Physics, and many Russell Group universities prefer "facilitating subjects" (see below) for flexibility. At 16, it can feel like a huge decision, but here are ten things to bear in mind:
1. Think about your career goals
2. Play to your subject preferences
3. Keep your options open
4. Avoid bad combinations that don't match what universities want
5. Research university courses and what A-level combinations can lead to
6. Ignore peer pressure
7. Talk to your teachers
8. Be realistic about your GCSE results
9. Research new subjects not studied at GCSE
10. Future-proof your choices by considering emerging industries
Which subject combinations boost university admissions?
Facilitating choices are A-levels commonly required or preferred by universities (though Russell Group universities no longer list their choice of facilitating subjects) for various degree courses. It's felt that these A-level combinations can better prepare you for higher education, depending on what you intend to study, as they are handy for developing critical thinking, analytical skills, essay writing and problem-solving skills.
They are often seen as a good way to keep your university options open, especially if you haven't decided on a specific course or career path.
Facilitating subjects include all science subjects, maths, languages, and humanities, such as English, history, or geography.
However, this doesn't mean you shouldn't study subjects not included above. If you aren't sure what you'd like to do at university, the above subjects will help to keep your options open.
What A-Levels do Oxbridge prefer?
Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge) don't have a fixed list of "required" A-Levels for all courses. Still, they strongly favour academic, essay-based, and analytical subjects—especially those relevant to your chosen degree. This is because grades matter more than subjects, though subjects with depth and breadth (like Further Maths) signal academic strength.
The best A-Level combinations for top degrees
Medicine: Chemistry (essential), Biology, Maths/Physics
Dentistry: Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Mathematics
Law: English Lit, History, Politics (strong essay subjects)
Engineering: Maths, Physics, Further Maths/Chemistry
Economics: Maths (essential), Economics, Further Maths/Statistics
Computer Science: Maths, Further Maths, Physics
Psychology: Biology, Psychology, Chemistry/Maths
Maths: Maths, Further Maths, Physics/Economics
Architecture: Maths, Physics, Design and Technology, and even Geography
Do 'Soft' A-levels hurt your application?
Soft A-levels refer to subjects perceived as less academically demanding than facilitating subjects. These are A-levels like Media Studies, Photography, General Studies, Health and Social Care and Film Studies.
If you love them and they are subjects on your career path, or if you intend to apply for an Arts Degree or a subject-specific degree, such as Photography, they are good choices.
However, if you're looking to apply for Oxbridge or a competitive STEM degree course, they are better kept as a fourth A-level choice rather than one of your three choices.
5 common A-Level mistakes to avoid
Mistake 1: Using GCSE predictions and results to guide you
Your GCSE predictions and results are important, as many Sixth Forms and colleges won't let you do a subject unless you secure a specific grade. Still, when choosing your subjects, it's always important to ask yourself, 'Does this subject align with my degree/career goals?'
Mistake 2: Overloading on similar subjects
Taking too many closely related subjects, such as Business + Economics + Accounting, can hurt your university prospects and limit future options, as they can be seen to lack academic breadth. Oxbridge, for instance, prefers students with diverse skill sets. For example, Maths + Economics + Business may look "soft" compared to Maths + Economics + History, which shows range. That said, if your combination is taking you in the direction you want to be in, such as business, then your choices will work.
Mistake 3: Ignoring university entry requirements
Certain Universities like LSE (London School of Economics) require maths for many of their courses. If you have a specific university or degree course in mind, check what UCAS says you need before making your A-level choices.
Mistake 4: Choosing subjects you don't like
It's easy to be pressured into taking courses you don't enjoy or like as a way to secure a university place. It's important to remember that A-levels are challenging, so it's important to be interested in the subject before you start Year 12. Do not let others pressure you into choosing something you know is wrong for you.
Mistake 5: Putting together combinations that close your options
Certain A-level combinations can limit your university degree options by failing to meet entry requirements or lacking academic diversity. For example, Geography + Environmental Science + Geology has no lab science or Maths, limiting Environmental Science degrees at top universities. Or you can choose Film Studies, Economics, Health and Social Care, where your degree options will be limited.