There has been a lot of discussion [Guardian, BBC, Telegraph] in the media recently about how a student’s choice of A Levels affects their chances of securing a place at University. It has been suggested – frequently – that there is a “secret” list of subjects that are considered “hard” and therefore worthwhile, and those that are considered “soft” and therefore not worthwhile.
The Russell Group of universities, which includes Oxford, Cambridge, and my alma mater, King’s College London, has recently released a guide for students called Informed Choices. It is one of the ugliest and most difficult-to-read documents I have ever come across, so I have summarised below what I think is the most important advice.
The guide lists “facilitating subjects” that are “required more often than others” for entry to university:
“By choosing facilitating subjects at advanced level, you will have a much wider range of options open to you at university. An A Level qualification in any facilitating subject will keep open to you a number of degree courses.”
The list of facilitating subjects consists of physics (of course), chemistry, biology, maths and further maths, english, geography, history and classical and modern languages. The guide goes on to warn that:
“If you decide not to choose some of the facilitating subjects at A Level, many degrees at competitive universities will not be open to you.”
On the subject of “hard” and “soft” subjects, the guide has this to say:
“In general, subjects referred to as being ‘hard’ are more traditional and theoretical subjects, for example: English, History, Physics and Chemistry. In fact all the facilitating subjects listed earlier can be considered ‘hard’ with the addition of others such as Economics and Politics. ‘Soft’ subjects are usually subjects with a vocational or practical bias, for example: Media Studies, Art and Design, Photography and Business Studies.
“If you plan to take more than one perceived ‘soft’ subject, some caution may be needed.”
The University of Cambridge published its own list of “soft” subjects a couple of years ago. It included accounting, art and design, business studies, communication studies, dance, design and technology, drama and theatre studies, film studies, health and social care, home economics, ICT, leisure studies, media studies, music technology, performance studies, performing arts, photography, physical education, sports studies and travel and tourism on a list of subjects that it considered “less than ideal”.
There is a section in the Russell Group’s guide entitled Subjects Required for Different Degree Courses. I did a quick totting-up of the subjects listed as “Essential” and whilst I was hoping that Physics would come in in first place, I’m happy to settle for the Silver Medal.
(I took to using “MPBC” as shorthand, due to the frequency with which that four-subject combination came up.)
Update: Tom Hartley has a better graph than mine.
Nt sr why my rply cm t lk tht. n smmry –nfrmd Chcs n pg 29 tlks bt rmrs bt lvls s hrd nd sft, thy thmslvs d nt cll thm hrd r sft r vn sy r hrd. Thy cll trdtnl sbjcts fclttng sbjcts nd thy d ppr t b mbrrssd by dscrptns f hrd, sft, sy nd hrd s sprd by ppl lk y. Why s t srprsng tht nvrsts tht ffr trdtnl sbjcts wll sk fr trdtnl ‘fclttng’ sbjcts. s tchr n stt sxth frm cllg nd nt prt tm lvl tchr n prvt schl, wll tll y ths frm my xprnc cnmcs ‘ fclttng sbjct’ s sr thn Bsnss Stds, why bcs th vltn s sr n cnmcs. S stp gvng ll nfrmd dvc bt hrd nd sft lvls, nlss y mk t vry clr y r nly ntrstd n pddlng Dly Ml ltsm.
ys wll nt b pblshd, wht srprs
By th wy th rst f yr blg s mzng nd rlly dmr th wrk y hv dn
Where are English Language and Religious Studies A level on the Russel list ranking?
questions
English Language is the fifth most commonly mentioned subject, but there is a huge drop-off between fourth and fifth place. Religious Studies doesn’t appear to be on their list anywhere.
Your update on Tom Hartley’s graph has been broken
So doing Maths, Psychology, Physics and Geography won’t be a problem?
I wouldn’t have thought so, no.
What about history, English literature, geography, religious studies and politics for law? I already have an A in AS history so I will have 5 AS levels overall but will only be doing 4 this year.
History and English Literature are both very highly regarded, and I don’t think Geography is badly thought-of. I don’t know much about Religious Studies and Politics, and this isn’t a good sign.
can i study English Language and Business Studies at A level in order to study a Travel and Tourism degree?
I have no idea. I don’t imagine that Travel and Tourism is an over-subscribed subject, so you shouldn’t have much trouble getting in.
I am doing Biology, Physics, Maths and Chemistry at AS Level. Is that good?
Yes. Very good.
I want to study History. I am doing A level History, Classical Civilisation, German, and I am still contemplating between Philosophy, Art History and English Literature….Which of the three last ones do you recommend? Is this a good combination?
Of those three, I’d pick English Literature.
Hi I am planning to study English Language and Literature, Sociology and Art, but am stuck whether it would be better to take Religious Studies or Psychology as a fourth subject. I may wish to do an English degree, which would be better?
I don’t know that RS or Psychology are particularly well-regarded. I couldn’t pick between them, but it’s not my area of expertise.
How about physics, maths, further maths, chemistry and German for an aeronautical engineer?
Sounds good to me. The German is a particularly nice “other” subject, as Germany is particularly strong in Engineering and you might have luck finding resources/placements/etc there.
Would law, sociology and religious studies be considered as ‘soft subjects’ ?
Yes, pretty much.
Hello, I am going into a levels next year but am not 100% sure of what to take. I am certain i will take maths, physics and economics since i am good at these subjects. However, since i would like to study medicine i understand it is vital to take chemistry a level. So, either chemistry or psychology would be my fourth subject. My question is, is chemistry really as hard as people say at a level? I got an A in both core and additional science at GCSE. Also, is psychology just a waste of my time or is it worthwhile?
Is chemistry as hard as people say it is?
Yes, A Level chemistry is very difficult. That is why it is so highly regarded by universities. You will struggle to get in to university to read medicine without an A Level in chemistry, and if you aren’t capable of doing A Level chemistry you would struggle with the content of a medicine course.
Psychology is not well regarded by universities.
Yes. Chemistry is the most difficult A Level subject. See the Durham CEM Centre SCORE report for details.
I would like to Study medicine at uni I am goon to take biology chemistry history and English for my a levels, is this a good choice??
Seems reasonable, but you’d be better-off replacing history or English with another science or maths. I’m not sure history and English are high-up in the list of requirements for medical admissions tutors.
Hi Mr Reid
I am not entirely sure what degree I would like to take most likely BA human geography(most favourable) Psychology or law.I have spoken to my careers adviser at my school as I am in year 11 so making my A level choices and he seemed to think my options were good but I am not so sure.I have chosen at the moment Geography,English Literature,Psychology and Philosophy and ethics(INTENDING TO DROP ONE AFTER AS).I am thinking to maybe change Psychology to Economics as I am aware Psychology is a ‘softer’ option but I know I would obtain a better grade.I do not wish to do any of the sciences as I am currently doing igcse in all three and they are my least favourable subjects.
Thankyou Kirsty.
I’m not sure what your question is, Kirsty.
My question is are my Alevel choices ok? and would it be a wise choice to swap psychology for economics? As there is nothing else I would be especially good at and maybe economics would look better and be better for geography?
Thankyou,Kirsty
Is geography, biology and history a good combination? I’m not sure what degrees goe with my A level subject choices.
Psychology is certainly seen as a soft option; most psychology degrees don’t even require a psychology A Level. I would be tempted to add a science in there somewhere, but I’m biased.
It depends on what you want to study at university, but those are reasonable choices.
I would like to study medicine in university can you please tell me the suitable A-level subjects to do
There are no set “right” subjects to do; you should check with medical schools and with your careers department at school. Having said that, chemistry is essential, and maths and physics would also be good choices.
I have chosen to do A level maths, biology, ethics and philosophy and finally economics. This is because I have no idea what career path I would like to take, but do you think that these give me a good chance to get into the Russell group universities? Also is ethics and philosophy considered a really soft subject? Because I find it the most difficult out of the four I have chosen.
Why are you obsessed with going to a Russell Group university? What is demonstrably better about Russell Group universities? They are a self-selected group – nobody actually measured anything and chose the best to become the Russell Group.
what does politics look like?
Is there any difference between ‘Philosophy and Ethics’ and ‘Philosophy’? I’m changing schools and initially I was going to take Philosophy A level on its own but the course offered at my new school includes ethics. Does this make it a softer subject?
It doesn’t “look” like anything. Your question makes no sense.
I don’t know anything about how those two subjects compare. I think they’re both considered soft, but I’d check with your careers advisor.
Hi, I really want to apply to vet school but I am unsure on my A-Level options. I am currently taking Biology, Chemistry, Maths and then either Geography, ICT or Physics. Which do you think would be best?
Hello Mr Reid, I want to study physics in university, so in A levels I’ve taken Physics, Math, Further Math and economics(for diversity). I decided not to do study Chemistry as I’m not very good at it. I excel in math related subjects though. So will not taking chemistry hinder my performance in university? And how much chemistry is there in a Physics degree?
I’m biased, but I think physics.
There’s far more maths in a physics degree than there is chemistry, so maths is a better choice. You don’t need chemistry.
Hi. I’m doing my first A level this year and I’m taking Biology, Maths and Economics instead of Chemistry(where Eco, I do not have any basics about it but I’m told that many uni are looking for students who take eco). But is that a good combination? Or should I drop Eco and take Chemistry?
A good combination for what? To study music at university it would be a terrible combination.
Hi, i am going to do english, history,Greek and chemistry I think for a level (well at least the first three). I am really interested in chemistry and predicted an a/a* for igcse but everyone I’ve spoken to about it says it’s really really hard and I shouldn’t take it. I would like to do it but I’m worried I’m making a silly decision if I’m not going to need it for a future career and I might not do that well in it. I am thinking of possibly taking philosophy instead, how does that sound? I am aware it is not as academic… I would be very grateful for your opinion on the matter :) thanks