How to choose A Level subjects: Advice from our students

Maybe you excel in creative writing but feel unsure about whether to pursue sciences—or perhaps you’re torn between your love of art and the practicality of business studies. Choosing your A Level subjects can feel challenging, especially if you’re still exploring your future career path.

The best advice comes from those who have been there. That’s why, for the last episode of our King’s InterHigh Voices series, we asked our A Level students to share their experiences and tips.

Our students Grace, Naila and Theo were joined by our Head of Year 13, Rachel Rosser, who gave us more information about the support available at King’s InterHigh regarding exploring careers, choosing the most suitable A Levels subjects, and preparing for university.

If you’re wondering how to choose the best A Level subjects, this article breaks down the advice shared during the webinar.

How many subjects are taken in A Levels?

Typically, students take three A Levels, as this is the standard requirement for university admission in the UK. However, students can study anywhere between one and five A Level subjects. Ultimately, it is up to each student to decide on the number of subjects they take, considering their educational and career goals and passions.

For some students, taking an additional subject beyond the standard three can be an appealing option—whether to challenge themselves academically or to strengthen their applications to competitive universities. That said, it’s crucial to carefully weigh the potential benefits against the increased workload and pressure that an extra subject may bring.

What is the easiest A Level subject?

There’s no definitive answer to the “easiest” A Level subject—it depends on your passions and strengths. A subject you genuinely enjoy might feel easier to you, while others may find it challenging. Generally, A Levels with a more practical focus, such as Media Studies or Sociology, are often perceived as easier because they emphasise applied skills rather than intense content memorisation. Many students who choose these subjects do so out of genuine interest, making the learning process more enjoyable and manageable.

What is the hardest A Level subject?

Just like the easiest A Levels, the hardest ones are subjective and vary from student to student. However, some subjects, such as Mathematics, Law, and Sciences, are often considered more challenging due to the heavy workload, complex concepts, and rigorous study required.

Additionally, subjects like Maths are popular choices for students who want to keep their options open, which means they might not always choose them based on passion. This can make studying for these subjects feel more demanding.

So, how do you choose your A Level subjects?

1.     Find your passion, then follow it

For Grace, who studies Psychology, English Language, and English Literature, choosing subjects came down to identifying what she truly enjoyed. “The most important factor is your passion. What do you enjoy? Finding out what your passion subject is,” she explained. Beyond passion, she highlighted the importance of teachers: “The teacher has such an important and passionate role because the teacher connects the student with the subject.”

Naila echoed the importance of enjoyment in making these big decisions. “Like Grace said, if you’re not enjoying, it’s kind of impossible.” Initially unsure about her choices, she leaned on her parents for guidance before realising the decision had to come from her.

Choosing subjects that align with your interests boosts motivation and makes the learning experience more engaging and rewarding, whether you’re in a mainstream school, online school, or being home-educated.

Of course, you may not have the same excitement for all the three subjects you choose. “Ideally, all three subjects would be passion subjects, but sometimes that isn’t the case. Pick subjects that you can tolerate. I think you have at least one subject you are passionate about, and the other ones have to be tolerable,” suggests Naila.

1.     Keep your options open

Theo’s choices reflected his desire for flexibility. He is based in Spain, and the Spanish educational system offers something similar to A levels called the Bachillerato. In Bachillerato, students must choose either science or literature pathways. If they opt for science, they must select either science related to engineering or medicine.

Wanting to keep his opinions open and explore multiple career paths, Theo enrolled in King’s InterHigh. “I wasn’t sure which path I would like to choose. I like science, but as I said, I’m not sure what kind of science. In A Levels, I chose three subjects—Maths, Physics, and Chemistry—to have options if I want to study something related to medicine or engineering.”

2.     Balance passion with practicality

Naila’s path was slightly different. She wanted to go into architecture but faced a setback when she realised that the typical A Level subjects for architecture—such as maths, physics, and art—were subjects she struggled with at GCSE level. She ended up choosing maths, economics, and classical civilisation.

“I chose classics because I thought, well, economics and maths are very content-heavy, very difficult subjects.  I thought I had to enjoy myself. So, classics was the one thing that kept me going. I look forward to it so much during my week.”

3.     Use available support

King’s InterHigh offers extensive resources to help students make informed decisions. “We really want students to make the right choices for them, and working out what’s available to you is part of that because there are so many different A-level subjects you can take,” says Rachel Rosser, our Head of Year 13.

New joiners can participate in taster sessions to experience mini lessons and get a feel for different subjects, learning about the content and teaching style. For current students, we have a transition program that allows them to try out snippets of lessons, helping them decide which subjects best suit their interests and abilities.

We also provide comprehensive resources on our website, including details on each subject, what is covered, and how it is assessed. Whether students prefer continuous assessment or final exams, we ensure they have all the information they need to make the right choices.

1.     Narrow your focus

The breadth of subjects available might entice you to choose more than three required subjects. While you can technically select up to five subjects, you may be stretching yourself too thin if you choose more than what you are required to, especially if you struggle with exam anxiety.

Grace started with four A Levels, including Biology, Sociology, English Literature and another language. “At the start of A levels, I was a bit of a whirlwind. Choosing four [subjects] was a mistake.” She eventually dropped Sociology and, later, Biology and decided to add Psychology to the mix.

By reducing her workload, Grace could devote more time to the subjects she felt most passionate about. Though it wasn’t an easy decision – she feels like she got the support she needed from King’s InterHigh. “I contacted my Explore teachers, and they were so incredibly lovely. You can get in contact with Miss Rosser, and the support you get is phenomenal. Everybody is so empathetic.”

Quality over quantity is the recipe for A Levels’ success. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to step back and focus on the subjects that inspire you the most.

What is it like studying A levels at King’s Interhigh?

So, what’s it really like studying A Levels at King’s InterHigh? Theo, passionate about tennis and music, explained how studying online allowed him to pursue his athletic interests without compromising his education. “I do many extracurricular activities, such as playing tennis and music.  And that means I don’t have much time to study. King’s InterHigh gives you excellent flexibility with everything and studying like this and watching the lesson recordings if I can’t attend the lesson live is really helpful.”

Grace’s story is quite different – she had her fair share of challenges in traditional education, so studying at King’s InterHigh has been a breath of fresh air. “King’s InterHigh has been life-saving for me,” she said. “I started in public school with many distractions. I didn’t care about my education before.” Everything has changed since moving to King’s InterHigh. “It has been four years now, and I’m still enjoying it, still thriving, and there’s just no pressure.”

Naila, too, shared how studying online has helped her take control of her learning. “It’s been liberating, nourishing, and fun,” she said. “My life has definitely improved so much.”

Ready to Begin Your A-Level Journey?

Explore our wide range of A Level subjects, book a taster session to experience our learning environment, or connect with our friendly admissions team.