Are my A level choices Ok

**kandyjane** · 18-04-2006, 06:35 PM

Hi guys!!!

I have rececntly had to choose my Alevels and would like your opinions as to whether i have made a good decision or not, the Alevels i have choosen are:

Human Biology: A lot of uni's require chemistry or biology
Chemistry: Again a prefeered science
History: Somthing I'll enjoy a lot
Psychology: Again another science type subject with aspects of maths.

Note: I have decided not to do A level maths, is this a big disadvantage when applying to uni or will i be ok without it.
I am also doing general studies but for most un's this dosnt count

Well some guidance on these Alevels will be great, any help needed. Thanks. Ash

**Huw Davies** · 18-04-2006, 08:25 PM

As long as Human Biology counts as Biology for courses that require it (and as a science), those choices are fine. Maths isn't required anywhere.

**kandyjane** · 18-04-2006, 08:33 PM

Thanks for that, Yea Human biology is fine from what i have found out via uni's websites and UCAS. Thanks Ashleigh

**Wannabe-Doc** · 18-04-2006, 08:53 PM

They seem fine, as long as you enjoy them then they're good choices! However, bear in mind however, that psychology isn't counted as a scince subject, and for some colleges at Cambridge, that prefer 3 science A-Levels, psychology wouldnt count ('Science' A-levels are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths).

**reddyrams** · 18-04-2006, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by kandyjane

Hi guys!!!

I have rececntly had to choose my Alevels and would like your opinions as to whether i have made a good decision or not, the Alevels i have choosen are:

Human Biology: A lot of uni's require chemistry or biology
Chemistry: Again a prefeered science
History: Somthing I'll enjoy a lot
Psychology: Again another science type subject with aspects of maths.

Note: I have decided not to do A level maths, is this a big disadvantage when applying to uni or will i be ok without it.
I am also doing general studies but for most un's this dosnt count

Well some guidance on these Alevels will be great, any help needed. Thanks. Ash

Pick Biology instead of Human Biology, the modules are very similar if you are doing AQA and also you still have to study about plants in the ecology module in Human Biology. My college stopped doing Human Biology as the pass rate in UK is decreasing and apparently its difficult to get an A grade in Human Biology than Biology. Im doin Human Biology currently, if I knew more about the course content I would have picked Biology. The other three subjects you picked are pretty good. Is general studies compulsory if not theres no point doing it unless you can handle studying 5 subjects? Personally I would concentrate on 4 alevels and hammer them. Good luck.

**f_debelder** · 18-04-2006, 10:00 PM

Pick Biology instead of Human Biology, the modules are very similar if you are doing AQA and also you still have to study about plants in the ecology module in Human Biology

I agree, and are you talking about post-GCSE AS choices or post AS A2 choices?

**Apollyon** · 18-04-2006, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Wannabe-Doc

They seem fine, as long as you enjoy them then they're good choices! However, bear in mind however, that psychology isn't counted as a scince subject, and for some colleges at Cambridge, that prefer 3 science A-Levels, psychology wouldnt count ('Science' A-levels are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths).

On the topic of Oxbridge, they forwn on any of the 'new-fangled' subjects such as Psychology and don't tend to treat them as equal to other subjects but its a fairly minor worry. If you're not really considering Oxbridge, the choices are perfectly fin, though I agree with reddyrams in that standard Biology is better than Human Biology because the 2 are 90% similar but unis are still sceptical about Human Biology.

General Studies is an immense waste of time. If its not compulsory drop it but if you have to take it (like I did), do the modules early. Ideally you could just do all 6 exams during your AS year and never think about it again.

**Huw Davies** · 18-04-2006, 11:18 PM

On the topic of Oxbridge, they forwn on any of the 'new-fangled' subjects such as Psychology and don't tend to treat them as equal to other subjects but its a fairly minor worry.

Evidence for this? The only discounting of subjects is ones with large amounts of practical content, but this is common to most medical schools IIRC (% theoretical content is generall required).

**simac** · 18-04-2006, 11:29 PM

Dont base your choices around what oxbridge want, unless of course you really want to go there. By the way, if you're anything like me, you won't regret at all doing history, its a very well respected and very fun subject.

**Wannabe-Doc** · 18-04-2006, 11:45 PM

At the end of the day, do the subjects that you enjoy the most - apart from Chemistry and Biology, you have free choice - dont do something you dont enjoy/find difficult just because its better respected.

(Oh and anyway, I didnt mean to encourge you to take 3 Sciences if you want to apply to Oxbridge, only 5/6 of the colleges at Cambridge prefer 3 Sciences! I was just telling you so that you knew for future reference!)