Planning Ahead with Your Subject Choices

Choosing the right subjects can feel daunting, but it’s worth remembering that – other than for Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, and Engineering – your subject choices at IGCSE and A-level are very flexible. Universities are mostly interested in the relevant skills and supercurricular exploration you demonstrate, not a rigid set of subjects. This means you can make subject choices based on your interests and strengths, while still keeping a wide range of future options open.

At IGCSE level, a safety net is already built in. Maths, English, and Science are compulsory and provide the foundation that all universities require. Beyond these, your optional subjects are up to you. The important thing is to choose subjects that you enjoy, as this will motivate you to perform well.

At A-level, unless you are planning to study Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, or Engineering, the most important factor is choosing subjects you find stimulating and that develop a range of skills. For example, Geography combines essay writing with data handling and analysis, giving you both humanities and scientific skills in one subject. This variety demonstrates versatility to universities.

It’s also useful to remember that some subjects are hierarchical, while others are linear. Hierarchical subjects – such as Maths, Sciences, and Languages – require prior study at IGCSE to continue them at A-level and beyond. Linear subjects, like Politics, Psychology, or even Computer Science, can be studied at university without being taken at A-level, as long as you can demonstrate the underlying skills. For instance, Computer Science at university requires strong Maths skills, while Psychology or Politics benefit from essay-based subjects such as English Literature or History.

If you’re unsure which direction to take, you can book an appointment with your Head of Key Stage or a member of the University Counselling Team – Ms Macleod or Mrs Brown. You can also explore subject pathways on Unifrog using the Subject Library and/or Careers Library. The Russell Group’s Informed Choices website is another useful resource: www.informedchoices.ac.uk/start. Remember, we are here to help you with every step of your learning journey – please reach out with any questions at any time.

Mrs Catherine Carden-Brown
University Guidance & Academic Enrichment Counsellor