Universities in backlash against 'soft' subjects now accounting for one in three of all A-levels

Last updated at 11:27 19 May 2008

Universities are warning that students who take too many 'soft' A-levels run the risk of rejection. One in three A-levels is taken in a subject that top universities deem poor preparation for degree courses. Statistics show that 246,675 out of 744,675 A-levels taken last year were in subjects seen as less valuable - 8,000 more than five years ago. These subjects include media studies, business studies, general studies, art and design and ICT (information and communication technology). The Tories said a "cruel trick" was being played on bright students aiming for the best universities but hamstrung by poor subject choices. They believe exam league tables may be putting pressure on schools to steer students towards subjects seen as easier to pass. Cambridge advises students that it considers 20 A-level subjects "less effective preparation" for courses. It recommends that sixth-formers do no more than one subject on this list posted on the university website - while general studies does not count towards a conditional offer. The London School of Economics has a list of 14 "non-preferred" subjects and again advises students against applying with more than one. Like Cambridge, general studies does not count towards a conditional offer. At Oxford, senior don Professor Alan Ryan said the university accepts every "plausible" state school student. But too many are ruled out because they have not taken traditional academic subjects, he warned. Research from the Russell Group of 20 elite institutions has shown that 93 per cent of candidates for media studies are from non-selective state schools, responsible for a 74 per cent share of all A levels.

Trinity college Cambridge Acceptable A-level Subject Combinations

In assessing applicants taking A-levels for all Cambridge courses, Trinity takes into consideration not only the individual A-level subjects offered but also the combination of subjects. To be a realistic applicant adequately prepared for studying here, A-level candidates will normally need to satisfy certain basic requirements. The following Table lists the most commonly studied subjects at A-level according to four categories: A1 and A2 contain respectively Science and Arts A-levels about which we have no general concerns regarding suitability; B lists A-levels we consider to be of more limited suitability (the University subject(s) for which we deem each of these A-levels to be useful is/are specified in brackets); and category C consists of A-levels we consider suitable only as a fourth subject. If you are taking an A-level not listed, please consult the Colleges Admissions Office. The Colleges compulsory A-level requirements are described below, and further details about preferred A-level choices are available in the information sheets about individual subjects. ARTS All Arts applicants should offer a minimum of two subjects from Lists A1 and A2. They should also offer a third A-level from Lists A1, A2 and B. Some List B options are restricted to applicants in particular subjects, which are specified in brackets where relevant. In addition, there are a number of subject-specific compulsory Alevel requirements: applicants for the three-year Classics course must have at least Latin or Greek A-level; Economics applicants must take Mathematics A-level; English candidates need to take either English Literature or combined English Language and Literature at A-level; History applicants must take History A-level; Music candidates need Music A-level; and applicants for Modern Languages must take at least one of their selected languages at A-level. SCIENCES All applicants for Computer Science, Medical Sciences and Natural Sciences will normally be expected to offer three subjects from List A1. In addition, Maths A-level is compulsory for those wishing to study Computer Science and Natural Sciences, and Chemistry A-level is compulsory for applicants in Medical Sciences. Engineering candidates are expected to offer Maths, Further Maths and Physics; those unable to take Further Maths A-level may take Maths, Physics and either another subject from List A1 or Electronics along with an AS level in Further Maths. Computer Science applicants should ideally also offer Maths, Further Maths and Physics but Mathematics, Further Maths and Computing or Maths, Physics, Computing and AS Further Maths are acceptable alternatives. Applicants for Maths are normally expected to offer Maths, Further Maths and Physics, although if necessary another subject from List A1 or A2 may be substituted for Physics; those unable to take Further Maths A-level must offer Maths, Physics, AS Further Maths and another subject from List A1 or A2. Maths with Physics applicants and those Natural Sciences candidates intending to study Physics ideally require Maths, Physics and Further Maths, but may if necessary take Maths, Physics and another subject from List A1 or A2 as well as AS Further Maths.

LIST A1 Generally Suitable Science A-levels Biology Chemistry Mathematics Further Mathematics Physics

LIST A2 Generally Suitable Arts A-levels Art History Chinese Classical Civilisation Economics English Literature French Geography German Greek History Irish Italian Japanese Latin Music Philosophy Religious Studies Russian Spanish Welsh

LIST B A-levels of More Limited Suitability Archaeology (Arch & Anth) Art & Design (Arts) Business Studies (Economics) Computing (Computer Science) Design & Technology (Architecture) Drama/Theatre Studies (Arts) Electronics (Engineering) English Language (Arts)

Film Studies (Arts) Government & Politics (Arts) Law (Land Economy & Law) Media Studies (Arts) Psychology (Arts) Sociology (Arts)

LIST C A-levels Suitable Only As Fourth Subjects Accounting Applied Science Citizenship Communication Studies Critical Thinking Dance Environmental Science General Studies Health & Social Care Home Economics ICT Leisure Studies Music Technology Performance Studies Performing Arts Perspectives on Science Photography Physical Education Science Science for Public Understanding Sports Studies Travel & Tourism World Development

Medical School

Typical Offer

A2 Chemistry

A2 Biology

Other

Not Acceptable?

Aberdeen

AAA

Yes (to grade B

1 of Bio/Maths/Physics

No preference for third subject. Combinations of Chemistry, Biology and a non-

General Studies.

minimum)

science subject are as acceptable as all-science combinations. Check with Medical Admissions Office if in doubt about suitability of a subject.

Barts and The London

AAAb

AS/A2

AS/A2

Two sciences at A2 - one must be Biology or Chemistry (if one of these is dropped before A2, a B grade must be attained in that subject). Third A2 can be science or non-science. AS can be in any academic subject.

General Studies, Critical Thinking, Further Mat separate A2 but acceptable as an additional AS

Birmingham A*AA-AAA

Yes

1 of Bio/Maths/Physics

A in Biology at AS if not taken at A2. Zoology or Human Biology are acceptable substitutes for Biology. Candidates should be predicted AAA.

General Studies, Critical Thinking.

Brighton and Sussex

AAA/A*AB/A*A*C

Yes(grade A)

Yes (grade A)

Do not specify the nature of the third A level subject.

General Studies, Critical Thinking.

Bristol

AAA

Yes(grade A)

No

One other laboratory based science subject.

General Studies, Critical Thinking. The choice o undue overlap of content. For example Biology Biology and Sports Science; Maths and Further

Cambridge*

A*AA

Highly desirable(at A2)

AS

One non-science subject is acceptable at most colleges. Must have passes in three of Bio/Chem/Maths/Phys with at least one of these at A2.

Cambridge special note: Christs, Downing, Jesu Peterhouse, St Johns, and Trinity prefer applica subjects to full A Level. Chemistry at A2 is essen Mathematics at A2 is essential for Magdalene.

Cardiff

AAAc

AS/A2

AS/A2

At least two science subjects (one must be Bio/Chem) and an AS level in a fourth subject with at least a C grade. Offer includes A grade in either A2 Chem or Bio. If Chem/Bio not offered at A2, the AS must have a grade of at least B.

General Studies (neither AS/A2), Critical Thinki A2). For applicants taking two or more Maths/S Maths), only one will count towards an offer.

Dundee

AAA

Yes

No

One other science at A2, third of your choice (plus at least GCSE Biology or Dual Science if individual sciences not taken).

General Studies.

Human Biology accepted instead of Biology A level. These results should be obtained at one sitting and at the first attempt at A level examinations, two years after GCSE.

Durham

AAA

AS/A2

AS/A2

Chemistry and/or Biology at A or AS level. If only one is offered, the other should be offered at GCSE (or Dual Science) grade A .

General Studies, Critical Thinking.

East Anglia

AAAb

No

Yes

General Studies, Critical Thinking.

Edinburgh

AAAb

Yes

1 of Bio/Maths/Physics

Biology must be taken to at least AS. Human Biology may replace Biology.

General Studies. Only one of Maths and Furthe

Glasgow

AAA

Yes

1 of Bio/Maths/Physics

If Biology is not offered at A2 it must be offered at AS or GCSE (minimum grade B). Human Biology is an acceptable alternative to Biology.

General Studies not acceptable as a third subje Maths are not considered as separate subjects.

Hull York

AAAb (typical offer but will accept applications from those predicted AAB)

Yes

Yes

Extended Project won't be part of offer but is respected. All other subjects considered of equal merit as third A2. Maths and Further Maths can be taken together, but will need Chemistry and Biology at A2 as well.

General Studies, Applied Science, Critical Think

Imperial

AAAb/AAAC

AS/A2

AS/A2

Chemistry and/or Biology at A or AS level (B at AS-level if one is dropped), plus one other science/maths subject.

Vocational Subjects, General Studies.

Keele

AAAb/A*ABb

Chemistry AS (at grade B at least) if not offered at A2

Chemistry or Biology is essential plus one subject from Chem/Bio/Maths/Physics.

One further rigorous academic subject. EPQ can be taken instead of 4th AS level.

General Studies, Key Skills, Critical Thinkingand Applied Business).

King's College London

AAAb/AAaab

AS/A2

AS/A2

Chemistry or Biology required at A2 - if one is not offered at A2 is must be offered at AS.

General Studies, Critical Thinking. Further Mat

Applicants who offer nonscience subjects (humanities, languages, social sciences) welcomed.

Lancaster

AAAb

Yes

Yes

On other academic subject at A2. EPQmay be acceptable as 4th AS

Further Maths, General Studies + Critical Think

Leeds

AAA

Yes (A grade)

No

Those with 4th A2 at no advantage.

General Studies, Critical Thinking.

Leicester

AAA

Yes

AS

Should have taken 4 AS levels.

General Studies, Further Maths.

Liverpool

AAAb

Yes (A grade)

Yes (A grade)

AAAC at A-Level will not meet the requirements of the standard offer, unless the C has previously been certificated at AS Level at grade B or above. EPQ may count as 4th AS.

General Studies and Critical Thinking only cons one of Maths or Further Maths will be consider

Manchester

AAA

Yes

1 of Bio/Maths/Physics

Including unit grade information is encouraged. If Biology or Physics are not offered at AS, must be offered at GCSE.

Critical Thinking and General Studies cannot be

Newcastle

AAA

AS/A2

AS/A2

Chemistry and/or biology at A or AS level. If only one of Chemistry/Biology is offered at AS/A2, the other should be offered at grade A in GCSE (Dual Science is also acceptable).

General Studies, Critical Thinking.

Nottingham

AAA

Yes(grade A)

Yes (grade A)

Third A level can be any academic subject. Human Biology is accepted instead of Biology.

General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Oxford

AAA

Yes

1 of Bio/Maths/Physics

Critical Thinking, General Studies.

Peninsula

A*AAc - AAAc

Yes

AS/A2

Chemistry and either Biology or Physics at A2. One nonscience preferred.

General Studies. No AS/A2 below a C grade is c not overlap e.g. Maths and Further Maths.

Queen's Belfast

AAAa

Yes

1 of Bio/Maths/Physics

If not offered at A2, AS Biology must be at least grade B.

General Studies. Maximum of one GCE Applied

Sheffield

AAA

Yes

No

Two sciences must be offered at A2 (one must be Chemistry). Third A2 of your choice.

General Studies.

Southampton

AAA

AS/A2

AS/A2 (Must be at grade A at A2 if no Chemistry A2)

Non-science subjects are welcome as long as Chemistry is taken to the appropriate level.

General Studies. Overlapping subjects e.g. Math Biology and Sports Studies may not be offered i

St Andrews

AAA

Yes (A grade)

1 of Bio/Maths/Physics

If Biology and Mathematics are not offered at A2 or AS Level, each must have been passed at least GCSE grade B. Dual award Science is not acceptable in lieu of GCSE Biology.

General Studies, Critical Thinking.

St Georges

AAAb

AS/A2

Chemistry and/or Biology at A2. The other must be at AS.

If attending a low performing school (lower than 517.7 average where A=270 B=240 C=210 D=180 at A2, and half at AS) then an offer as low as BBCb may be given.

General Studies, Key Skills.

UCL

AAAb

Yes

Yes

Some preference given to those with a contrasting subject.

Maths and Further Maths would only be consid preferred that applicants take 3 full A levels in o who have taken A levels early will still be expec the end of the second sixth form year. Referenc and AS level predictions/grades achieved to be