What A-levels should I do?

chaosdestro0 said:
Chances are that you would not get in a uni for engineering unless you did 3 sciences at least. You realize how competitive it is? Humanities and foreign langauges would not be preferred over two other sciences.

Edit: About Oxbridge, it would be a good idea if you looked at the average tariff points. It's around 570, which is 4 A stars, but in decent subjects.
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Possibly, it's been a while since I went through this. The key two subjects are obviously Maths and Physics, with Physics being the also ran. Chemistry is sort of okay, but it suffers from not being Physics. Biology is slightly more scientific than Geography, it's honestly a waste of time to study.

I hated History as a kid, and knew nothing about it - which is a shame, as it's probably the most important Humanity subject to have in a formal and balanced education - and as i've got older see the value of it - and have come to appreciate it much more.

If I was doing this all over again, i'd go for (in this specific order)

Mathematics
More Mathematics
Physics
History
German/Chinese

It is all well and good going pure numbers/science - but some level of Humanities help to balance you and give some perspective.
 
chaosdestro0 said:
Further maths is good as you will come across heavy maths if you do engineering.
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Good point. I did A levels in Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Electronics and an AS in Computing, and subsequently a degree in Electronic Engineering. My only regret (other than studying Electronic Engineering, horrific subject!) was that I hadn't done Further Maths, since I found the introduction of more abstract mathematical tools at university a much bigger leap than those students who had done Further Maths.

Having said that, Further Maths will not help you in Dentistry per se, other than illustrating that you are academically able.

My advice would be to research what universities are good for Dentistry or the type of Engineering you're interested in, and then find out what subjects they prefer. That will be the most rational way to select your subjects. Best of luck though!
 
Pick what you'd enjoy studying is my advice. Maths, chemistry and physics leaves most options open for you when it comes to university so nothing wrong with picking something artsy etc for the other if that's what you'd enjoy. I did history myself and enjoyed the majority of it. Tudors do get tedious after a while mind but that was some time ago when I did it.
 
History is one of my favourite subjects but I think I would have to drop it for a science. I'll miss doing Nazi foreign policy in the first year but at least I won't have to do 1800's Ireland.
 
skippy2421 said:
Pick what you'd enjoy studying is my advice. Maths, chemistry and physics leaves most options open for you when it comes to university so nothing wrong with picking something artsy etc for the other if that's what you'd enjoy.
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This sounds sensible.

But c'mon, physics and chemistry are really boring - can't stand either of them :p

Edit - If you were looking at dentistry, they may or may not require biology - maybe do a bit of research.
 
mufcmark said:
History is one of my favourite subjects but I think I would have to drop it for a science. I'll miss doing Nazi foreign policy in the first year but at least I won't have to do 1800's Ireland.
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I really wanted to do History too. And German/French. I was even considering A Level in Economics or Latin :o

But in the end I went with my gut feeling and did 3 sciences + further maths. Which is horrible. The amount of revision I've done this holiday is pitiful :p
 
Last I checked you will NEED chemistry for any dentistry application.
So either take it or rule out dentistry.

Someone suggested taking a language, what would put you in much better stead is actually being able to speak a langage fluently rather than having an a-level in it.

Option A looks better for you going forward.
 
TheCenturion said:
I really wanted to do History too. And German/French. I was even considering A Level in Economics or Latin :o

But in the end I went with my gut feeling and did 3 sciences + further maths. Which is horrible. The amount of revision I've done this holiday is pitiful :p
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It will never be that bad again :) The workload is much lighter at Uni doing Pure Math / Physics.

(The English Lit students will still be doing bugger all mind...)
 
Nitefly said:
This sounds sensible.

But c'mon, physics and chemistry are really boring - can't stand either of them :p

Edit - If you were looking at dentistry, they may or may not require biology - maybe do a bit of research.
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Can't stand physics either but hey he might like it, hell I enjoy maths (I'm weird I know). I would agree with a bit of research on the dentistry front to see what is required. For engineering you could probably drop chemistry for something else you like instead as from my time of looking around maths and physics seem to be the main ones they look for. Basically research what is needed for the courses you want to do and go from there you may only need one of the above subjects then pick what you want for the rest.
 
I'm thinking of doing dentistry because of good hours, good pay very quickly after uni and the sheer easiness of the day but I could see myself getting bored due to the repetitiveness of it and the lack of mental challenges.

But when I think of engineering, what aspect can compare to dentistry with pay etc?
 
sldsmkd said:
It will never be that bad again :) The workload is much lighter at Uni doing Pure Math / Physics.
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From what I understand, Physics is the easiest degree in the world from some of my friends who did nothing and passed the damn thing. I mean nothing in the closest sense to being literal as possible. That was a fun house :D
 
[/quote]Maths, Further maths, Physics, Chemistry/Biology? [/quote]

possibly sticka language in there but don't waste your time with History.
 
Here's Queen's entry requirements

AAA + A (AS) including A-level
Chemistry plus at least one other A-level
from Biology, Mathematics or Physics.
If not offered at A-level then Biology
to at least AS grade B + GCSE Physics
or Double Award Science + GCSE
Mathematics.
A maximum of one GCE Applied A-level
will be counted.
 
mufcmark said:
Here's Queen's entry requirements

AAA + A (AS) including A-level
Chemistry plus at least one other A-level
from Biology, Mathematics or Physics.
If not offered at A-level then Biology
to at least AS grade B + GCSE Physics
or Double Award Science + GCSE
Mathematics.
A maximum of one GCE Applied A-level
will be counted.
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I had a quick scan and it seems that if you don't take it at A-level, you will need AS level Biology, so that sounds about right.
 
Maths Chemistry Biology and Physics!

I've already picked my A-Levels for next year (Maths/Physics/Chemistry/Economics), I enjoy all of them but I kind of wish I chose Further Maths instead of Economics. Chances are I'll do Computer Science at uni, but my A-Level options mean I can do pretty much anything to do with science/engineering and even finance! Personally I would avoid humanities, however Languages and History can be beneficial when applying to uni.
 
There was a careers talk a while ago and one of the guys taking said that all the A* pupils only choose medicine or dentistry and they would be better to go into engineering and make use of their talents.

If you were to choose a career in engineering, what field what you choose?
 
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