Choosing your A Levels is a big deal, so it’s totally normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. Getting it right isn’t just about picking subjects you like. It’s about thinking ahead to your future. 

But let’s be honest. When you’re deep in GCSE revision, thinking about university and careers can feel like a lifetime away.  

The good news? You don’t need to have your whole life planned out just yet. The key is keeping your options open while focusing on subjects you genuinely enjoy and are good at. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the best A Level combinations for different interests. We’ll also tackle questions like “Which A Levels do universities respect?”, “Which A Levels are easiest to pass?” and “Is it worth taking four A Levels?” – so you can make the best choices.  

In this article:

What are the best A Level combinations?  

The best A Level combinations align with your strengths, support your goals and keep your options open. Whatever you’re planning to study (or even if you aren’t sure yet!), choosing subjects that complement each other is key. Think of your A Levels as building blocks for your next step – whether university, a degree apprenticeship or straight into a career.

So, what makes a great combination?

Subjects that complement each other

• Combinations like Maths, Physics and Chemistry work for students aiming for engineering, science, or technology fields (essentially, BSc degrees) because they involve similar skills and reinforce each other. 
• On the humanities side, pairing English Literature, History and Philosophy creates a strong foundation for BA Hons degrees like Law, Politics or English – with overlapping skills like critical thinking and essay writing.

Keeping your options open

If you’re unsure about your plans, it’s smart to pick versatile subjects that work across a range of degrees. 

• For example, Maths, Biology and Geography offer pathways into science, environmental studies, or even business. 
• Subjects like Economics, Maths and Psychology balance analytical and research skills, leaving room for flexibility.

That said, many degrees ask for specific subjects. For instance, Medical degrees usually require Biology and Chemistry, while Engineering courses often demand Maths and Physics. So if you’ve got a degree in mind, research entry requirements carefully.

Balancing difficulty

A good combination often includes a mix of challenging and manageable subjects. 

While taking Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry can show academic ambition, it might become overwhelming without something like Geography, English or Art to add variety and a different type of workload.

As part of this, play to your strengths and interests. If you’re brilliant at essays, lean towards humanities. If you love problem-solving, go for STEM. And if you’ve got a passion for creative subjects like Art or Drama, include them! Just balance them with more academic subjects too.

What’s the best combination in A Levels?  

The best A Level combinations aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. They’re the subjects that suit your unique skills, ambitions and interests, setting you up for success. So carefully consider what you enjoy and what works for you.

But to give you a few ideas, here are some tried-and-tested A Level combinations. We’ve broken them down for students interested in STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences and Business.

What are the best three A Levels to take?

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths)

STEM subjects all involve problem-solving and logical thinking, so they naturally work well together. If you’re eyeing a STEM-related degree, here are some tried-and-tested combos:  

• Maths and Physics are essential for engineering, architecture and physics courses. Add Further Maths for extra clout if you’re feeling confident.  
• Biology and Chemistry are must-haves for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science. Pair them with Maths to keep options open.  
• Interested in computer science? Combine Maths, Physics and Computer Science for a solid foundation in algorithms and technology.  

Traditional Humanities

If you love essays, debate, and exploring the past, humanities might be your thing. These subjects build strong analytical and written communication skills:  

• English Literature, History and Philosophy is a classic trio for budding historians or lawyers.  
• Adding a language like Spanish or French can broaden your appeal to universities.  
• For those interested in culture and the arts, try History, Art and Classical Civilisation for a creative twist.  

Social Sciences

Social sciences are ideal if you’re interested in how people and societies work. These subjects often sit at the intersection of humanities and STEM:

• Psychology, Sociology and Geography are great for understanding human behaviour and global issues.  
• Politics and Economics pair well with Geography or Psychology for a deeper dive into how societies function.  
• Interested in sustainability? Try Geography, Environmental Science and Maths.  

Business and Finance

For future business leaders and finance enthusiasts, your A Levels should combine analytical skills with strategic thinking: 

• Maths, Economics and Business Studies offer a balanced approach.  
• Add Further Maths for competitive economics or actuarial science courses.  
• Law can be a valuable addition if you’re interested in corporate law or governance.  

If you’re not sure where you’re headed, try a balanced combination like Maths, History and Economics. This gives you a mix of academic rigour, analytical and essay-based skills that universities love!

Want to learn which mixes of A Levels are best avoided? Check out our guide to the worst A Level combinations.

Which A Levels go well with Maths?

Maths is an incredibly versatile A Level that complements loads of subjects. It pairs especially well with subjects requiring logical reasoning, data analysis or technical skills. But don’t feel restricted to traditional Maths and Science combinations. There’s plenty of room to mix things up! 

The best choices depend on your interests and career goals.

Here are some of the best pairings:

• Further Maths: If you’re aiming for a career in fields like engineering, physics or computer science, Further Maths is a natural partner for Maths. It deepens your understanding of advanced concepts and can make you a standout candidate for competitive degrees.
• Physics: If you enjoy applying maths to real-world problems, Physics is a great match. Both Physics and Maths rely on logical thinking and problem-solving. This pairing is ideal for careers in engineering, physical sciences, or mathematical economics.
• Economics: Economics is a fantastic choice if you’re interested in finance, business or policy analysis. It pairs well with Maths because the subject involves statistics, data analysis and financial models – keeping plenty of doors open for university courses.
• Computer Science: Maths and Computer Science go hand-in-hand, as Maths provides the foundation for understanding algorithms, coding and computational theory. If you’re considering a future in software engineering, artificial intelligence or cybersecurity, it’s a great pairing.
• Philosophy: This might not seem like the most obvious pairing, but Philosophy and Maths work surprisingly well. Both subjects require strong analytical and logical reasoning skills. Philosophy hones your ability to construct arguments and think critically, while Maths sharpens your problem-solving skills. It’s an excellent combination for careers in law, academia or even AI ethics.

What A Levels go well with Sport?

If you’re interested in sports-related careers, choosing A Levels that combine physical and theoretical knowledge is a smart move. For example, PE, Biology and Psychology work well for sports science or physiotherapy, while PE, Business Studies, English Language and Maths are a great mix for sports management or entrepreneurship.

Some other combinations to consider include:

• PE, Geography and Environmental Science for outdoor or sustainability careers.
• PE, Sociology and Psychology for coaching or sports psychology roles.
• PE, Chemistry and Biology for careers in nutrition, physiotherapy or sports medicine.

These combinations allow you to balance your passion for sport with transferable skills, giving you plenty of options for future study and career paths.

Is taking four A Levels worth it?

In short, yes. Taking four A Levels can be worth it. 

Four A Levels aren’t essential, as most universities base their offers on three A Levels. So achieving top grades in three is much more valuable than struggling with four. But there are some cases where it could be beneficial. 

Four A Levels are worth considering if:

• You’re studying Maths and Further Maths: If you’re interested in highly quantitative or technical degrees, such as engineering or physics, taking both Maths and Further Maths (alongside two other A Levels) demonstrates your depth of knowledge.
• You want to showcase breadth: If you’re passionate about all four subjects, a combination like Maths, Physics, English Literature and History gives a good balance of technical, scientific and humanities subjects. This could help you stand out in competitive university applications, especially for courses like philosophy, economics or law.
• You’re confident in managing the workload: Taking four A Levels requires exceptional time management and the ability to handle a heavy revision workload. If you’re motivated and capable of balancing multiple complex subjects, it can be a good option.

Does Oxford prefer four A Levels?

Even Oxford and Cambridge don’t specifically require four A Levels. But they do value strong academic performance in challenging subjects. If you’re applying for a particularly competitive course, like Maths, Medicine, Law or Engineering, taking four A Levels may demonstrate your ability to handle a heavy academic workload. However, it’s still more important to focus on quality (i.e. A* grades!) rather than quantity.

What are the most respected A Levels?

Certain A Levels are considered more academically rigorous, referred to as “facilitating subjects” because they open up a broad range of university courses. The most respected A Levels include subjects like Maths, Sciences, English, History, Geography and Modern Languages. 

What A Levels do universities look for?

Here’s a complete list of the A Level subjects that Russell Group universities (and their leading non-Russell Group counterparts) prefer. While each course has specific entry requirements, these are the facilitating subjects:

• Maths
• Further Maths
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• English Literature
• History
• Geography
• Modern Languages (e.g., French, Spanish, German, Latin)

These subjects demonstrate the ability to think analytically, reason logically and approach problems from multiple angles – skills valued by all degree programmes. A good mix of these subjects is especially important for the most competitive universities, such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, LSE and St Andrews.

What’s the hardest combination in A Levels?

The hardest A Levels are those that require in-depth knowledge, complex problem-solving and extensive application of concepts. The toughest combinations are those involving highly technical or essay-heavy subjects. 

So think about subjects like Further Maths, Maths, Physics and Chemistry. These subjects are famed as the “toughest” A Levels for their combination of in-depth theory, conceptual understanding and plenty of content to memorise. The workload is intense, and students must excel in maths and science to handle this combination.

Despite this, Other A Levels like English Literature, Philosophy and History can also be quite demanding due to the volume of reading, writing, the need for strong analytical skills and the ability to synthesise large volumes of information. 

Of course, this will come down to your strengths and interests. To help your decision-making, we’ve compiled and ranked the hardest and easiest A Level subjects, as well as the toughest and simplest UK degree courses. So you can make your choices, knowing exactly what you’re facing.

Which A Level is easiest to pass?

With the proviso that the “easiest” A Level to pass depends on your individual skills, there are some subjects considered less challenging. 

This is generally down to their practical nature (for instance in Physical Education, Drama or Food Technology) or more straightforward “real-world” content (such as Media Studies, Hospitality or Sociology). Students often prefer subjects with more coursework (like Photography, Fine Art or Design Technology) above those focusing on final written exams.

But terms of grades (i.e. the percentage of students achieving an E or higher), the A Level subjects with the highest pass rates are:

1. Drama: 99.5% pass rate
2. German: 99.2% pass rate
3. Art and Design: 99.1% pass rate
4. Media Studies: 99.1% pass rate
5. Classical Studies: 99% pass rate
6. English Language: 99% pass rate
7. English Literature: 98.9% pass rate
8. History: 98.8% pass rate
9. Spanish: 98.7% pass rate
10. French: 98.6% pass rate

Want to make your A Level choices with confidence?

Choosing your A Levels isn’t just about picking subjects you enjoy. It’s about setting yourself up for the future you want. But with so many options, it’s easy to feel stuck or second-guess your decisions. That’s where we come in.

Our academic life coaching helps you tackle those big decisions with clarity, while our study skills and exam technique sessions keep you on track throughout the year. If university is your goal, we can also guide you through the application process to help you stand out. 

Let’s work together to make sure your choices lead to success.