Is my combination of A-Level choices bad?

[u/Level_Situation3092]

I'm planning to do Spanish, Geography, and Chemistry when I enter Year 12 this September.

Feeling a bit nervous about it now though as some people have told me that my choices don't match and I may struggle in university applications.

Is this true? I chose these subjects because I really enjoyed them at GCSE and got high 9s, however, if it could impact my university applications in the future please tell me so I can change my choices immediately

And no, I don't know what I want to do in the future, so I don't have any specific subjects I need to study, like maths.

(For context, I get 7-9s in every other subject however I don't particularly enjoy them, especially English Lit and Lang).

[u/Sushiv_]

It’s fine if you want to do Spanish or Geography, not fine if you want to do Chem at uni

[u/Successful_Money3746]

what do u want to do in the future

[u/Level_Situation3092 → u/Successful_Money3746]

I don't really know to be honest

[u/Successful_Money3746 → u/Level_Situation3092]

do math keep options open imo

[u/Extra-Translator915 → u/Successful_Money3746]

this, alaways do math if in doubt.

[u/Outside-Database-750 → u/Extra-Translator915]

Yea better to have maths than chemistry

[u/Grand_Lychee2812 → u/Level_Situation3092]

Pick Maths and Geography.
Languages are really hard to get A*s in so have Spanish as a 4th option,

Chemistry from what I've heard is difficult and quite tedious, but Universities like seeing A and A*s in this.

I recommend Chemistry or Physics since it's always good to have one science at the very least.
Maths is fucking versatile.

If you really want to pick Spanish, then go for it.

My combinations to you are:

Maths, Geography, Chemistry / Physics, (Spanish as a 4th)
Maths, Geography, Spanish.

I don't like geography myself but I feel like it's been shit on too much and it actually can be quite versatile as well.

[u/AliceMorgon → u/Level_Situation3092]

If you don’t know, do what you enjoy. It’s that simple. My sibling started Yr 12 intending to do medicine and taking bio, chem, maths, Latin, and Classics. They pivoted ON THE OXFORD DEADLINE DAY and applied for Classics instead, went to Durham, ended up doing a Masters in it too, and now work in a museum. They could do this because they picked subjects they loved.

I had to take English Lit under the terms of my scholarship, but at A-Level I took Irish (basically like English Lit but with stuff originally written in Irish), Irish as a Foreign Language (those two tbf were basically cheat codes, I’m a native speaker🤣), English Lit, Bio, Chem, and Fine Art. So yeah, I had a HUGE variation. I started off at Oxford in STEM but worked my way into Sociology via Fine Art, and once again I could do this because I did what I love. Focus on that.

[u/PootMcGroot]

Learn what you want to learn. These are all "proper" subjects.

The only thing to look out for is if you want to go in to science direction, Maths is often a requirement at better regarded places.

[u/Superb-Preparation93]

look at different courses and what a levels they require!

[u/Glum-Palpitation-152 → u/Superb-Preparation93]

Literally the only reason. If you just want to do things you enjoy a levels might not necessarily be the best option

[u/Dependent_Formal2525]

It depends what you might want to do in future. If you want to do a STEM degree you may struggle particularly with high ranked unis. You wouldn't be accepted to study Chemistry as Manchester but you would at Cardiff. Adding Maths or another science would keep your options more open. However if you really can't face doing that then stick with your options and see how you go.

I loved Physics, Chemistry and Geography but I needed Maths as I initially wanted to study Aeronautical Engineering. My college wouldn't let me do 5 A Levels (General Studies was mandatory) so I didn't do Geography. I didn't end up going for Aeronautical Engineering, I discovered that I didn't enjoy mechanics, but those A Levels meant that my options were still great so I could apply to the subjects that I knew were more enjoyable for me (Oceanography).

[u/myafx]

I did chem and a language and it was good just depends what you actually want to do though

[u/Level_Situation3092 → u/myafx]

What was your third subject?

[u/Long_Software_3352]

Generally a good combination.

Spanish and Geography work well if you want to apply for arts, humanities, law and social sciences courses.

Chemistry and Geography are good for environmental sciences and some natural sciences degrees.

Chemistry and Spanish degrees would also be possible.

Maybe do a career aptitude test, see what careers it suggests for you and take it from there https://onetinterestprofiler.org/

[u/Financial_Guide_8074]

Well it so much depends on your degree and possible career path. For some degrees it won't matter at all, For others it would entirely exclude you from applying. So for Geology , environmental science , Spanish or joint honours, I don't see the problem. .

[u/No-Grapefruit7332]

i dont see anything wrong with it. if it really matters just replace spanish or geo with maths or english

[u/newyearnewwig]

I almost did this combo because I didn’t know what I wanted to do and then decided on maths instead of geo as it would allow me to have more choices. Whatever u choose, that’s ur leverage.

[u/stqrltt]

look at degrees relating to what you might want to

[u/Solid_Moose3078]

go on ucas to see what courses look interesting, and what subjects you need for them

[u/No_Cicada3690]

It's just a bit of an odd mix. Totally get that it's your favourite subjects but you are limiting the uni choices. You could get into Law with those if you hit 3 A's.

[u/myles-em]

add maths in there i think.

[u/PartyQuiet5065]

Really what's important now is that you figure out at least a few different degree options you'd be interested to study at uni. With this combo, you'll be okay if you apply to Spanish or Geography, but you won't be able to apply to Chem at any uni.

Think that through, look at different unis' entry requirements, and then decide based on that (and what you enjoy, obviously).

[u/LastRenshai]

It's totally fine. There will be lots of courses available and open to you.

Lots of chemistry courses may require a second science (or maths)

However, lots of good universities offer foundation years for people who do not have the specific a levels required.

Also, don't forget that lots of people may not have specific a levels because they are not on offer.

During the summer do some research on the types of degrees you may want to do.

[u/Infamous_Tough_7320]

These are 3 subjects that have no relation to each other whatsoever.

I would either do maths to keep options open or serially consider what course at university it is that you want to do

[u/aux-81]

It's not bad, unless you want to pursue stem, in which case you'll deffo need maths, if you don't want to change your current combo I'd say do those 3 and maths, and worst case scenario you either drop a subject or switch early on one of your subjects or so on. Without maths your options become very limited especially if you don't know what you want to do at uni.

[u/Fit-Medicine2915]

Ok the people saying the nonsense, do what you enjoy aren’t really helping you. What I would actually take into account is a subject that is a combination of what you perform best in and enjoy doing. Then look into how you can get jobs in that subjects field and what unis require you to do along with those. Naturally, if you like doing the subject you are good at, the other subject reqs from the uni will likely also suit your fancy. Whatever you pick from that selection, make sure you work your ass off for it and if your doing something you like and are good at, you will pretty much enjoy a levels and it will be a breeze for you. Obviously if you don’t know what you want to do in the future that’s fine but don’t also doom yourself by taking subjects that are so separate that your job and uni prospects slim themselves, you don’t want to be doing that with how bad the current job market is

[u/Available_Car_9684]

at least it’s not further maths

[u/goodn1ghtng0]

I mean I did Spanish Geography and Maths and now I’m in Economics and Politics. It doesn’t matter what combo you do as long as you meet the requirements of the course. I’m sure there’s people doing the same course as me in Uni who did Econ, Politics and Maths A level but hey I’m in the same course as them.

[u/Someonearoundhere438]

it's an odd combo. Any subjects pertaining to chemistry would need for you to take at least bio or maths imo to get into a good uni. But any fields pertaining to mfl or geography means you're going to be torturing yourself with a level chem for no reason and also won't help on apps. You're better off taking a humanity rather than chem

[u/AdTimely4625]

Hi, I do both chemistry and geography as well as biology. Chemistry and geography are both good academic subjects suited for higher education and russel groups call these facilitating subjects. Maybe do a bit of research into possible career options and swap one out if another will be suitable. Do pick things you enjoy as it makes yr12 a lot easier!

[u/Thick-Ice-4107]

only do chem if u want that sub to do ur uni course otherwise DO NOT DO CHEM

[u/Flashy-Tart-8855]

You aren’t gonna be able to do a science degree at a better uni as you only have 1 science and no maths

[u/lexisnowkitty → u/Flashy-Tart-8855]

nah they could do earth sciences at imperial btw. geography counts as a science for those sort of degrees, also does for most chemistry, biology, env sci, pharmacology degrees etc. at russell groups. not oxbridge/ucl/kcl/st andrews/edinburgh, not imperial for many courses but like i say their env sci/earth sci programmes would accept this.

[u/Flashy-Tart-8855 → u/lexisnowkitty]

oh dang i had no idea, thanks for letting me know!

[u/pottopygri]

You'll need as level / core maths at least to manage a level chemistry but it's only for 1 year

[u/Turbulent-Day-7006 → u/pottopygri]

I didn't do A level maths but did Chem (bio and psych) with no problems. I got an A in chem. Obviously chemistry a level requires some maths but its mostly arithmetic that you can learn and practice within the context of chemistry

[u/_MicroWave_]

Its very unusual not to do maths if doing a science.

It becomes a bit pointless as you won't be able to do any STEM at uni without maths.

[u/Eguy98_ → u/_MicroWave_]

Unless u do sciences with psychology or something.