Why subject choice is the most important decision
Unlike the Access to HE Diploma — where your pathway is chosen to match a broad subject area — A levels require you to identify the exact subjects that meet your degree's entry requirements. Choosing the wrong A level, or a combination that does not satisfy your target degree, will mean starting again or applying to a different course. The time to investigate this is before you enrol.
A level courses take between 9 months and two years to complete. Investing that time in a subject that does not advance your university goal is an expensive mistake. This guide walks you through the process of choosing correctly.
Step 1: Identify your target degree programmes
List three to five specific degree courses at universities you would genuinely want to attend. Be specific: not just "Nursing" but "BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing at the University of Manchester" and "BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) at Coventry University". Note each course's entry requirements section, which you will find on UCAS course search or the university's own admissions page.
Step 2: Check the specific A level subject requirements
Entry requirements for each course will state either specific required subjects ("must include Biology and Chemistry") or facilitated subjects ("any two from: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Maths") or no subject specification ("any three A levels accepted").
Write down the required or recommended subjects for each of the five courses you identified. Look for subjects that appear in multiple lists — these are your priority choices.
Subject guide by common degree destination
- Medicine / Dentistry — Biology and Chemistry are required; Physics or Maths often a third
- Nursing / Midwifery — Biology is strongly recommended; some programmes also specify Chemistry
- Engineering (all types) — Maths is almost universally required; Physics is expected for most
- Computer Science — Maths is required at most universities; Further Maths or Physics beneficial
- Law — Most universities accept any A level subjects; critical thinking and essay skills valued
- Psychology — Most programmes accept any A levels; Biology or Maths useful for some pathways
- Business / Economics — No universal subject requirement; Maths is helpful for economics
- Social Work / Sociology — No fixed subject requirements; English and Social Sciences useful
- Teaching (route to QTS) — No fixed A level subjects required for most routes
- History / English / Humanities — Subject-matched A levels are preferred but rarely compulsory
Step 3: Check facility subjects vs. excluded subjects
Some universities operate a list of "facilitating subjects" — subjects they consider the most rigorous and that keep the widest range of degree options open. These include Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, English Literature, Modern Languages, and Classical subjects. Taking two or three facilitating subjects strengthens a UCAS application broadly, even if the specific course does not mandate them.
A small number of universities have lists of A levels they do not give equal weight to for entry purposes. These typically include subjects such as Media Studies, General Studies, or Critical Thinking. Before enrolling on any A level, check whether your target universities include that subject in their standard offer-making.
How many A levels do you need?
Most UK degree programmes specify three A levels as the standard entry requirement. Some post-1992 universities and specialist institutions accept two A levels with other supporting qualifications or relevant experience. If you are targeting a Russell Group university or a highly competitive course, three A levels is almost always expected.
As an adult learner studying online, taking three A levels simultaneously is demanding and not recommended unless you have very significant study time available. Most adult learners take their A levels sequentially — completing one before starting the next. This extends the timeline but produces better grades and a more sustainable workload.
What if I am not sure which degree I want?
If you genuinely cannot identify a target degree, consider the Access to HE Diploma as a more flexible alternative. Access to HE Diplomas are organised by broad subject pathways that align with groups of related degrees, which means the choice is less granular — you choose a pathway rather than individual subjects, and the pathway is designed to meet the entry requirements of all degrees within that area.
If you are leaning towards a science, technology, engineering, or maths (STEM) degree but are not sure which, taking A level Maths is the highest-value single subject choice. Maths A level is required or beneficial for the widest range of STEM and quantitative degrees.