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Can you help me pick my A-Level options? (thinking of 3 sciences + maths)?

My Predicted Grades Are:

Maths Linear – A*/A

Maths Pair Pilot (Applications + Methods) – A, A

Core Science – A*

Additional Science - A* - I had and still have got the potential to do the single sciences (physics, biology and chemistry) because I got 7A in my Year 9 test but I was stupid at picking my options

English Language – A

English Literature – A

History – A*/A

French – A/B

Drama – B

Religious Studies - A/B

For My A-Level Choice I want to do, these following subjects for sure:

Maths

Chemistry

Physics

But I’m not sure what my 4th subject should be (I want to do a fourth subject, so that I can drop one in my 2nd Year)

At first I was consider History (or English Literature) but I can’t stand going through 2 more years of essay writing. Then I thought about Economics but I read up on it and it didn’t really seem like the type of thing I should do. Now I’m really considering Biology.

If I do Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Biology, would that be too much pressure on me?

I don’t particularly want to go into Medicine or anything but I was reading up on the Oxford Undergraduate courses ( I don’t want to go Oxford, I just think their website is really helpful) and I really like Chemistry, and don’t mind doing Biochemistry. I’m not sure about what I want to do when I grow up. I want to become a songwriter but that’s just a hobby and like a side job (I’m going to be contacting Song writing contact companies for that as soon as I’m 16) and I want to do something in the Music Industry and have this job in mind but it doesn’t require any qualifications. So with my education I just want to have fun and I really am interested in the sciences.

Give me some advice?

2 Answers

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  • 9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    If you are not sure what to do then you should take subjects that could be applied to many areas of work. You also have to think about which subjects you enjoy most and whether they will help you enter your chosen profession and university.

    Chemistry, Maths and Physics sounds very like a sciencey pathway to me but these subjects will keep loads of careers open for you! Biology, Chemistry and Maths are all core/ facilitating subjects meaning that they are useful subjects and universities love them!

    To do a science at university you need to have done at least two sciences at A level. You have got Chemistry and Physics so that's fine. However, you mention biochemistry and you must do biology to do that! If you choose biology that would be your fourth subject. This subject combination is very demanding and there may be some pressure but if you work hard you'll be able to do it - your clever!

    Maybe you could consider to history at A level as your fourth option even though you do say you couldn't stand going through 2 more years of essay writing. However, you could drop this option and only take 3 full A levels in the second year - this is what most people do. Would you be able to manage 1 year? The skills that History develops are highly prized by higher education and employers. Only a minority of students go on to use the subject in a related career like teaching, research or museum work although Journalism, the Civil Service and law view history skills as crucial. Advertising, leisure management, market research and even computing value the investigative and analytical skills of history. It's a very useful and interesting subject!

    English is also a good subject as it relates to many careers. English Literature AS/A2 is a highly regarded qualification which provides a very good basis for the study of Literature at degree level (including joint degrees). It is also seen as a good measure of academic potential by universities when allocating places on degree courses for humanities subjects (including law). As a subject which enables you to develop your ability to think critically and write analytically, the skills you will develop studying AS/A2 English Literature will never be wasted and are likely to be viewed favourably by future employers too. Studying English literature at degree level can lead to a variety of careers, including journalism, teaching and those in the communications industry. English Language doesn't involve any essay writing really - could you do that as your fourth option?

    Although you say th job you want to do a job in the music industry doesn't really require any qualifications it is very useful to have a higher level qualification in music as it is a competitive industry. Music can be studied at college and university, providing employment opportunities for performing, composing, music management, research, teaching and music therapy.

    Other options you could choose are:

    History

    Geography

    English

    Biology

    Chemistry

    Physics

    Languages

    Maths (further maths)

    Chemistry

    These are called facilitating subjects and will help you with what ever career you decide to follow. If you just want to keep your options open you should take subjects from this list.

    Finally, maybe you should consider not going to university at all if you are not going to gain qualifications for your career. It seems pointless to get a degree in a subject totally not related to anything you want to do in life and be in serious dept after-woods! If you do go to uni, you should do music because that is the career you want to do. However it is your choice and you can do whatever you want!

    Good luck! :)

    Source(s): I'm in year 11 choosing my options too!
  • 9 years ago

    When choosing your A levels, the most important thing is that you enjoy the subjects, it is also good to have subjects that line up.

    E.g.

    Maths, Biology, Physics, Chemistry

    English, History, Philosophy, French

    This makes it easier to move between one class and the other. For example, it would be very hard to go from Hamlet to Quadratics, also Universities like you to show consistency with your choices.

    But like I said before, choose what you love as well as what your good at.

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