Unlocking opportunities: the benefits of pursuing four A Levels…
Starting your A Levels is an exciting time. These two years are filled with choices that can shape your academic future.
One decision that often sparks debate is whether to take on the challenge of four A Levels. It’s an impressive feat in itself, and when it comes to university applications, four must be better than three? Right?
Well, not necessarily…
In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of pursuing four A Levels (and the considerations to keep in mind), shedding light on university admissions, the rarity of this academic feat and the impact on your future career.
What are the benefits of taking four A Levels?
One of the main benefits of taking four A Levels is a potentially higher chance of acceptance at prestigious universities. While institutions like Oxbridge, LSE and Imperial don’t explicitly prefer candidates with four A Levels, the implicit message is clear: taking on the challenge demonstrates academic prowess and dedication.
A word of caution though…
When we’re talking about the benefits of four A Levels, this assumes you achieve your desired grades. Put simply, three A grades are way better than four Bs.
This is because universities normally ask for three A Levels for admission (for instance AAB). Even if you’ve got an extra A Level, if you don’t meet this criteria, you may miss out on a place.
If you think four A Levels would be too much of a push for you, it might be wise dropping down to three.
But if all goes well, it’s a calculated risk that can pay off handsomely for university applications.
So, how many students manage it?
How common is sitting four A Levels?
The decision to take four A Levels isn’t the norm. Most students only sit three A Levels.
While 66.6% of students take three A Levels, only 4.6% choose four different subjects.
This drops to 0.1% for five A Levels or more!
Because it’s so unusual, the choice to tackle four A Levels sets you apart from the majority. It showcases your willingness to go above and beyond the standard academic load.
Yes, it’s a challenging path requiring dedication and serious time management skills – but these are essential skills for university study. So if you think you’re up to the task, it’s worth the effort.
Let’s talk numbers in more detail.
How many students sit four A Levels?
In the latest government data, 12,895 students in England took four A Levels.
For comparison, 186,360 sat three A Levels and 210 chose five or more.
50,355 (18%) took two A Levels and another 29,880 students (10.7%) sat just one A Level exam.
These trends have remained relatively steady over the past five years. While the average number of A Levels was 2.68 in 2018, 2023 saw an average of 2.65 A Level qualifications (per candidate).
So if you’re worried four or more A Levels is becoming more common, don’t be! It’s still a seriously impressive and relatively rare feat.
Is there an advantage to taking four A Levels?
It’s totally possible to gain entry to the best universities with just three A Levels.
But there are a few circumstances where an extra qualification might be the right decision.
Think about…
- Meeting grade requirements: if your course has stringent entry requirements, excelling in four A Levels provides a buffer if you fall short in one subject. For highly competitive courses, four A Levels sets you apart from other candidates.
- Subject breadth: certain disciplines (for instance PPE degrees) benefit from a broader academic foundation. Strong applicants for STEM courses also often choose Further Maths as a fourth subject. This showcases not only proficiency in core subjects but also commitment to advanced study.
- Personal Statements and CVs: taking on the challenge of four A Levels can be a compelling element in your personal statement and CV. It demonstrates your commitment and ability to handle a demanding workload, a valuable skill in university and beyond.
- Versatility in course selection: having four A Levels allows flexibility when choosing university courses. If you’re unsure what you want to study, it opens up a broad range of options, ensuring a well-rounded academic background that aligns with many degrees.
- Holistic skill development: pursuing four A Levels develops a diverse skill set, honing subject-specific knowledge but also skills like critical thinking, time management and adaptability. It provides a taste of the intensity and workload experienced at university, helping you transition into a higher education environment.
Is sitting four A Levels hard?
Let’s rephrase this slightly…
Is sitting four A Levels hard? In itself, no.
But is excelling in four A Levels and securing four top grades hard? Well, yes. Even the best students will have to put plenty of time and effort into four (or more) A Levels.
Of course this is all relative. What some people find difficult, others might breeze through. Maths and Further Maths might be an enjoyable challenge for some, but an insurmountable challenge for others.
In terms of numbers, in 2023 75.4% of A Level grades were C and above. This means almost a third of grades were D or lower… so achieving top grades is certainly not a challenge to underestimate!
Of course, adding an extra subject brings more pressures in terms of content to memorise, extra classes and homework, time management and a busier exam schedule. You’ll need a genuine passion for learning to succeed.
But for those who thrive on academic challenge and are willing to put in the effort, the rewards can be substantial.
Does Oxford prefer four A Levels?
Oxford is a prestigious university with rigorous admissions standards.
Even so, Oxford doesn’t officially prefer candidates with four A Levels. They state that if you’re predicted “top grades” at A Level “you may be able to make a competitive application to Oxford”. They stress that with only 3,300 places available, even excellent grades don’t guarantee an offer.
Oxford only asks for three A Levels. Typical offers are between AAA and A*AA (depending on the course).
While four A Levels might potentially give you the edge over another candidate, it’s more important to focus on achieving the top grades – even if this means dropping a subject.
For instance, 62% of successful applicants in 2022 had three A*s (or more) at A Level. This drops to 19.4% for A*A*A and just 10% for A*AA.
Only 2.3% of successful applicants had AAA, showing just how competitive Oxford applications really are.
Does Cambridge prefer four A Levels?
Cambridge is pretty much the same as Oxford when it comes to entry requirements.
They only ask for three A Levels as standard. This doesn’t mean a fourth won’t benefit your application though!
Just like Oxford, it’s more important to focus on getting the top grades in your A Levels, as well as ensuring these subjects are relevant to your degree course.
Cambridge recommends checking individual entry requirements for each degree (as these differ between course and college). You might also need specific grades in certain subjects, for instance, if you want to study Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge, you’ll need A Levels in Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics or Maths.
Like Oxford though, offers ask for three A Levels, ranging from AAA to A*A*A*.
What’s a good combination of four A Levels?
When choosing A Levels, have your eventual career or university studies in mind.
Crafting the ideal combination depends on your interests, strengths and future aspirations. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, aim for a balanced mix of subjects that complement each other.
If you know what you want to study, look at university course pages to see if they ask for specific subjects.
If you don’t know what you want to study, it’s best to keep your options open. Choose A Levels that interest you and you’re passionate about – as these subjects are most likely to support your eventual universality applications.
Generally speaking though, most students know whether they prefer arts and humanities or maths and science by the time they reach A Level.
So with this in mind…
What are good A Levels for arts and humanities degrees?
If you’re interested in humanities, arts or social sciences, A Levels like English Literature, Foreign Languages and History are particularly useful. Maths is also highly prized for degrees like Law, Politics and Economics.
Other complementary A Levels for humanities degrees include History of Art, Ancient History and Classics, Geography, Politics, Law, Music, Psychology, Philosophy and Religious Studies.
What are good A Levels for maths and science degrees?
If you’re more of a maths and science person (interested in courses like Engineering, Medicine, Mathematics or Natural Sciences), then A Levels such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Mathematics are the most useful.
Nonetheless, some humanities subjects can complement these A Levels very well. For instance, Psychology, Economics, History or Philosophy (taken as a fourth subject) demonstrate a broad and versatile academic skill set.
Is taking four A Levels useful for your career?
We’ve focused on university in this blog post, but we know this isn’t everybody’s chosen route.
So let’s take a quick look at career progression. Is taking four A Levels helpful here?
In short, absolutely.
In certain career paths (such as Investment Banking where the application process is fiercely competitive), having four A Levels can be an advantage. This is especially the case when it comes to internship applications. Four A Levels demonstrates a high level of academic capability and dedication, qualities highly valued in demanding professional environments.
If you’re considering a career in equally competitive fields (even ones that need uni degrees like law, medicine, engineering or architecture), four A Levels with high grades in relevant subjects will help you stand out from the crowd.
In summary
Opting for four A Levels is a decision requiring careful consideration of your academic strengths, interests and future goals. While it’s certainly hard work, the potential benefits (including university admission and career progression), make it a smart choice for anyone up for the challenge.
Remember, the key is not just the quantity of A Levels but the quality of your grades and the passion you bring to your subjects.
If you’re preparing for your A Level exams or university applications, get in touch today. Our expert academic coaches provide 1-1 help with study skills and revision strategies, academic life coaching, university applications and more.