Year 11 Students Choosing A level subjects

Last week I felt a little like an automaton - I interviewed over 50 Year 11 students in a single day, asking each one what subjects they wanted to study at A level and taking time to talk briefly about future dreams and potential career options. Time was tight, but I tried so hard to make sure that each one felt listened to and valued, and had ideas what they could do after their GCSEs to help confirm their decisions. It was an exhausting but exhilarating day.

Choosing A level subjects is always difficult : some have too wide a choice of so many subjects they enjoy and are good at, whilst others struggle to find three that they would like to study further. Some courses are only offered at certain institutions and the struggle is to decide whether to opt for the location or the course. On top of all of this is the knowledge that few students know at the age 15 or 16 what they want to do after school and yet A level choices are a crucial part of this decision.

So what are Year 11s to do? Some top tips.

• Focus on your GCSEs and achieving the best grades you can. Schools and Colleges are only asking for ideas at this stage, all of them will allow you to change your mind after Results Day in the summer. Most institutions start the Sixth Form by interviewing you again and asking you to confirm your choice of subject - you'll be surprised at how many change their mind.

• Always choose subjects that you enjoy, but do be mindful of the knock on implications your choices might have on future careers. Once you have sat your GCSEs and have that lovely long summer with nothing to do, take the moment to look at university websites and just see what the course requirements are for any subject that might catch your fancy, and make sure that your choice of A levels reflects this. Things to watch out for:

  • Does a subject require a specific A level -eg most Psychology courses require a science A level, and not A level Psychology, although good.

  • Does the degree require a certain A level, for example many Architecture and Engineering degrees require Maths

• Finally, play to your strengths and abilities. For example, Maths and Chemistry are two subjects that are perhaps the biggest jump from GCSE to A level, make sure these are subjects that you excel in and really want to study at A level. Think about the combinations - Physics A level is much easier with Maths. But if you have checked the university requirements above and are still unsure, pick the one you love, it's a fact we all do better in the subjects that we enjoy most.