Choosing Your A levels

Choosing ‘A’ levels.

‘Advanced level qualifications (known as ‘A’ levels) are subject-based qualifications that can lead to university, further study, training, or work. You can normally study three or more A levels over two years. They’re usually assessed by a series of examinations.

To study ‘A’ Levels you will need to have done well in your GCSEs. Different Sixth forms and colleges will have different admissions policies; The Westwood Academy criteria can be found here. How to Apply - The Westwood Academy

‘A’ levels will give you a chance to find out about your GCSE subjects in greater depth, or you can choose to study a subject that has not been offered at GCSE. They are good preparation if you are thinking of going onto higher education, a higher apprenticeship, or if you are not sure of your career plans, as they can keep your options open.

How do I decide which A levels to take?

The Westwood Academy Sixth Form has information about the different subjects you can study at the school.

If you want to study ‘A’ levels at Sixth form, there are a number of things to take into consideration when choosing which subjects to do. These include:

1. Career plans

Speak to the Careers Advisor or your teachers if you want some help with this, or if you have a particular career in mind but have not yet researched the routes into it. This is very important; some students reach the end of their ‘A’ levels only to discover they haven't done the correct subjects for their next steps. Preparation is key!

If you don't have a career in mind, try the UCAS, Prospects or National Careers Service quizzes. Take The Careers Quiz. What Job Could You Do? (ucas.com)

Careers advice - job profiles, information and resources | National Careers Service

Career Planner | What job should I do? | Prospects.ac.uk

The website Informed Choices brings together guidance from admissions teams at Russell Group universities to give students clear information about the subjects they should consider if they are hoping to progress to a competitive university. https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/ 

Select ‘Get started’.  ‘I don’t know what degree I want to study’ and then ‘Now choose your subjects’. This will allow you to see where certain subject combinations may lead and takes you onto the UCAS site which will look at jobs, courses and apprenticeships.  

If you are considering a particular course or apprenticeship, do some research to make sure the ‘A’ levels you are taking are appropriate. For example, Engineering normally needs Maths and Physics, and Medicine most often requires Biology and Chemistry.   This site might help https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/a-levels/choosing-your-a-levels-what-you-need-to-consider

2. Enjoyment

It's important to choose subjects you enjoy doing. Even if you are good at a certain subject, you might not actually enjoy it all that much and this in turn may make you feel you can't cope with the work. If you look forward to lessons, chances are you will approach them confidently and do well in them.

Read through the syllabuses for subjects you are considering doing to see whether they play to your strengths.  Talk to your subject teachers about your strengths and weaknesses to assess your potential, allowing you to make more informed decisions about which ‘A’ levels you choose.

3. Course content

Research the syllabuses carefully for all subjects- and particularly new subjects – that your sixth form or college are offering that were not available at GCSE, e.g. Sociology, Politics, Economics.

Some students find that they take these courses without looking into them properly first, and are then disappointed when it's not what they were expecting.

Find out what exam board your school/college uses for these subjects, and download the syllabus from their website to read more about what it involves. Find out how it is assessed and consider the workload. Try to talk to students who are already on the course, and the teacher that runs it.

Do be careful with your combination of choices – some universities might not like a combination of subjects that they feel are too similar. Don’t be afraid to email the admissions team of a university or the HR team of an employer you might want to work for. They will be happy to give you advice.

What shouldn’t I do?

1. Allow someone else to choose.

Do listen to advice about which subjects to do, but ultimately the choice is yours. Other people may have a particular subject they want you to do, but if you already have your heart set on certain subjects and/or a career in mind, and have thought it through carefully, the decision is yours.

2. Friends

Although you may not want to be on your own in a classroom with a group of students you don't know, it's important to realise that choosing subjects just because your friends are doing them is not a way of deciding what to do. Lessons will not be a socialising opportunity (there will be plenty of other times for that!).

3. Teachers

Don't choose a subject just because your favourite teacher teaches it. Chances are they might not teach it to your class in sixth form.

Furthermore, don't pick a subject because your subject teacher expects you to take it and you feel you should to please them. They may be disappointed when you tell them you're not doing their subject, but it's more important you pick the right combination of subjects than trying to avoid hurting the feelings of your teachers!

When making your decisions, remember that you are the one that will be studying the subjects and preparing for the exams at the end, so make sure that whichever subjects you pick, you will be comfortable learning them for the next two years and that they open up the most opportunities for you to achieve your future career ambitions.

If anyone needs any help with next steps, please contact Mrs Florance  s.florance@twa.kmat.org.uk or Mrs. Linsell s.linsell@kmat.org.uk