A Level Choices: What You Really Need to Know Before Deciding

When you’re picking your A Level choices, the subject options students take after GCSEs in the UK, typically aged 16-18, that determine university eligibility and career paths. Also known as Advanced Level qualifications, these subjects are the main filter universities use to decide who gets in. It’s not about taking the hardest subjects—it’s about taking the right ones for your goals. Many students think they need to pile on STEM to impress, but top universities care more about how well you do in subjects you actually care about.

There’s a big difference between what schools push and what admissions teams really want. For example, GCSE grades, the UK’s national exams taken at age 16, often used as a baseline for A Level entry and university applications matter less than you think. What matters more is whether your A Level subjects match the course you want to study. Want to study engineering? Physics and Maths are non-negotiable. Interested in psychology? Biology, Sociology, or even Philosophy can work better than Chemistry. And if you’re eyeing US universities, they don’t care if you took IB or A Levels—they care if you challenged yourself within your system. University admissions, the process by which higher education institutions select applicants based on academic performance, personal statements, and extracurriculars look for depth, not breadth. A few strong A Levels with real engagement beat six mediocre ones every time.

One of the biggest mistakes? Choosing subjects because they’re "easy" or because your friends are doing them. That’s how you end up stuck in a course you hate, or worse, rejected because your subject mix doesn’t add up. Some subjects are seen as "soft"—like Media Studies or General Studies—but many universities accept them if they’re balanced with rigorous ones. Others, like Further Maths or Latin, are rare but can give you an edge if you’re applying to competitive programs. The key is alignment. Don’t pick A Levels based on what’s trendy. Pick them based on what you’ll still want to study in two years.

And don’t forget the practical side. A Levels aren’t just for university. Some students use them to get into apprenticeships, trade programs, or even direct jobs. If you’re thinking about AI, digital marketing, or skilled trades, your A Level choices still matter—just differently. Employers look for focus, discipline, and proof you can stick with something hard. That’s what A Levels show, whether you go to Oxford or start your own business.

Below, you’ll find real stories and straight-talk advice from students who’ve been through it. Whether you’re wondering if a 3.8 GPA is enough for Harvard, if US schools prefer IB over A Levels, or how GCSEs translate to American standards—you’ll find clear, no-fluff answers. No hype. Just what works.