A-Level Guige: Must-Know Subjects for UK University Applications

1.An Introduction to A-Levels

The General Certificate of Education Advanced Level, commonly known as the GCE A-Level or simply A-Level, is a traditional and widely recognized pre-university qualification from the United Kingdom. This two-year academic program is designed for students aged 16 to 18 and is known for its depth of subject study and academic rigor.

Most students typically choose three to five subjects based on their interests, strengths, and intended university major. Upon completion, students apply to universities in the UK through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), or to top institutions worldwide that accept A-Level results as part of their admissions criteria.

2.Advantages of A-Levels

  • A wide range of subject choices — with over 85 subjects available
  • No compulsory subjects, offering more flexibility compared to the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP)
  • Emphasizes in-depth understanding and application of academic knowledge
  • A-Levels are recognized by universities in the UK and across the globe
  • A-Levels allow retakes for individual papers, so one exam doesn’t determine your entire grade

3. The A-Level Curriculum Structure

1. Course Introduction
There are no compulsory subjects at A-Level, and priority is given to in-depth study in areas of interest to students.
Typically studied during Years 12 and 13 in the UK, the A-Level program usually lasts two years (with some schools offering a one-year option):

  • The first year is AS Level, where students pick 3-4 subjects they excel in and enjoy. Passing the exams earns them the AS certificate.
  • The second year is A2 Level, where students continue with at least three subjects from AS Level. Passing the exams leads to the award of the A-Level certificate.

Passing the exams allows students to enter university. A-Level results and chosen subjects are key to admission into desired universities and courses. Some programs require specific A-Level subject combinations for eligibility.

Subject Categories Science Subjects: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics

Business Subjects: Business Studies, Economics, Accounting

Arts and Humanities: English Literature, History, Geography, Psychology, Modern Foreign Languages
Others: Law, Physical Education, Product Design, Media Studies, Art and Design, Drama

*Subject availability depends on the courses offered by individual schools.
*Courses highlighted in color are provided by VALOUR.

2. Course Structure

The curriculum, syllabus, and examinations are provided by the four major UK exam boards, whose authority is widely recognized internationally:

  • Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)
  • Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR)
  • Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA)
  • Pearson Edexcel

3. Exam Format
A-Level examinations offer flexibility, allowing students to choose either to take assessments in stages or to sit all exams at once. Each subject also provides opportunities for resits, with the best result counting towards the final grade. Exam papers are set uniformly by the respective examination boards and are completed entirely in English. Candidates’ scripts are strictly confidential and must be submitted within the designated timeframe to the UK, where appointed examiners from the national examination boards conduct centralized marking.

Exam grades range from A to U, with A being the highest, E as the minimum passing grade, and U indicating a fail.

A-Level Grade Percentage
A* 90%+
A 80-89%
B 70-79%
C 60-69%
D 50-59%
E 40-49%
U(Ungraded) 0-39%

4. How to Choose A-Level® Subjects?
The following key factors should be considered when selecting A-Level courses:

    • Subjects you excel in
    • Future academic direction
    • Target universities and intended majors

Valour recommends that students prioritize subjects they are interested in or excel at. If you already have a preferred university or course in mind, it’s advisable to use UCAS to check whether the program or institution requires specific subject combinations. Choosing subjects related to your intended field can strengthen your academic background and increase your alignment with admission criteria.

If you haven’t yet decided on a clear academic path, consider selecting widely accepted subjects such as Mathematics, Further Mathematics, and Physics, which are recognized by most universities and degree programs. This approach helps keep your future study options open.

Here are some popular university degrees and typical A-Level subject combinations:
Medicine & Dentistry：Maths/Further Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics
Biochemistry：Maths + Further Maths + Chemistry + Biology
Computer Science：Maths + Further Maths + Computer Science
Psychology：Maths + Further Maths + Chemistry + Biology + Psychology + Physics
Engineering：Maths + Further Maths + Physics
Business：Maths + Business + Economics
Architecture：Maths + Physics + Art and Design
Law：English Literature + History + Politics

4. A-Level Exam Schedule and Preparation Timeline

A-Level exams are divided into two parts: AS Level (first year) and A2 Level (second year). Examinations are held globally by the respective exam boards in May–June and October–November each year, with results released in August and the following February, respectively.

Below is the A-Level exam schedule along with Valour’s recommended preparation timeline:
First year（AS-Level）

  • Sept – Dec: Focus on learning AS Level content, take internal school assessments, and identify your strengths and areas for improvement.

  • Jan – Mar: Continue studying AS Level content in depth. Make use of past exam papers to familiarize yourself with question types and scoring criteria.
  • Apr – May: Finalize revision for AS Level exams and take the AS Level exams in May.

Second Year（A2-Level）

  • Jun – Aug: Decide whether to drop a subject before the new academic year begins, keeping at least three subjects.
  • Sept – Dec: Begin studying A2 Level content. If you need to retake AS exams, continue reviewing AS materials regularly and practice with past papers.
  • Jan – Apr: Deepen your revision of the A2 syllabus, making full use of past exam papers to understand question types and scoring.
  • May – Jun: Final intensive preparation for the June A2 exams.

5.Q&A

Q: What A-Level grades are generally required for university applications?
A:It depends on the ranking of the university or program. For top UK G5 universities (such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London), typical admission requirements range from A*AA to AAB.

Q: What type of students are suited for A-Level?

  • Comfortable with written exams: A-Level courses require students to gain deep understanding and knowledge in specific subjects. The content is academically rigorous, and assessment is entirely exam-based.

  • Prefer not to be defined by a single exam: Students can improve individual subject grades through retakes. If a student performs poorly in one exam, they have the option to retake it, with the final grade based on the best result.

  • Want to focus on specific subjects (with subject specialization): Students only need to concentrate on 3 to 4 subjects based on their interests and strengths. This focused approach increases the chance of achieving high grades and provides a strong advantage when applying to universities abroad.

  • Pursue academic specialization: Although A-Level students focus on only three subjects, they are expected to develop a deep and thorough understanding of these subjects. This academic depth is generally greater compared to other education systems.

3. Should I take both Maths and Further Maths?

If mathematics is one of your strengths, you may consider taking both Maths and Further Maths. Mastering these two subjects demonstrates clear logical thinking and can make you more competitive when applying to top universities in the UK. Whether you need to take Further Maths should primarily depend on the admission requirements of your desired university and course.