Choosing your A Levels feels like a momentous decision, doesn’t it? One minute, you’re coasting through GCSEs, and the next, you’re expected to plan the next two years of your life. Maybe even your whole career. No pressure, right? 

Picking subjects you enjoy or excel in makes sense, but it’s just as important to avoid combinations that might lead to dead ends, unnecessary stress or mismatched skills.

In this blog, we’ll look at combinations that could trip you up, either because they’re too challenging, don’t fit your goals, or leave you with limited options for university and beyond. Along the way, we’ll tackle questions like whether it’s worth taking four A Levels, which subjects universities aren’t keen on, and why doing just one A Level (yes, really!) might be a thing.

Whether you’re trying to dodge a scheduling nightmare or avoid “soft” subjects that don’t match your ambitions, we’re here to help you navigate A Level choices.

In this article:

What are the worst A Level combinations?

The idea of a “bad” A Level combination isn’t about the subjects themselves being worthless. It’s about how they fit together, how they align with your strengths, and whether they support your plans. Some of the most common mistakes are pairing subjects that are either too challenging, don’t relate to your future goals, or don’t relate to each other. 

For instance, Physics, Art and Spanish might seem like a creative mix, but universities (or employers) might struggle to see a cohesive reason for these choices. You’ll also face different teaching styles, assessment methods and workloads – making it harder to stay on top of everything.

Similarly, taking subjects like PE, Drama and Media Studies could limit your options for competitive degrees, such as Law or Medicine. While these subjects are valuable in context (Media Studies, for instance, is great for creative industries), they’re perceived as “soft” subjects by some universities, especially within the Russell Group.

Why certain A Level combinations don’t work

Subjects that are too challenging together

Choosing multiple high-intensity subjects (like Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry) can be overwhelming. Each requires significant problem-solving, abstract thinking and hours of revision. 

While they work well for STEM students aiming for BSc fields like engineering, taking them without a clear plan (or a genuine passion for these subjects) can lead to burnout. A better approach is to balance challenging subjects with something you enjoy or find less demanding, like Geography or Psychology.

Subjects that lack cohesion

A Levels like History, Photography and Biology might reflect diverse interests, but they don’t provide a solid foundation for most university courses. Universities often look for a logical combination that aligns with the skills and knowledge required for your chosen degree. 

Even if you’re undecided about your future, a mix of complementary subjects, like English Literature, History and Philosophy (for humanities) or Maths, Economics and Geography (for social sciences) will keep your options open.

Subjects that don’t match your goals

If you’re aiming for Medicine but choose Art, Music, English Language and Drama (for instance!), you’ll miss the essential subjects like Biology and Chemistry that medical schools require. 

Likewise, someone aiming for a competitive BA Hons course, like English Literature, might struggle with Business, Design and Technology and Statistics. As a trio, these subjects don’t demonstrate the essay-writing skills universities expect.

The key takeaway? 

The worst A Level combinations are the ones that make your journey unnecessarily hard, limit your options, or don’t let your talents shine. But with planning, you can set yourself up for success.

What’s the hardest combination of A Levels?  

The hardest A Levels pile on academic pressure, requiring a mix of time-intensive coursework, rigorous exams and highly specific skills. For example, taking Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry demands constant problem-solving and a deep understanding of concepts, leaving little room for creative or lighter subjects to balance your workload.  

Other challenging combinations include:  

• English Literature, History and Philosophy: These subjects involve a constant stream of essays, heavy reading loads, and critical analysis, which can be mentally draining.  
• Art, Music and Drama: Though creative, these subjects require hours of practical work, rehearsals, and emotional investment in your projects, making time management tricky.  
• Biology, Chemistry and Psychology: This trio demands a mix of memorisation, analytical skills and lab work, which can feel overwhelming.  

Ultimately, what’s “hard” varies from person to person. Someone who thrives in Maths might find an all-humanities combination tougher than STEM subjects. So think about your strengths and weaknesses before committing.  

Tips to avoid poor A Level combinations

• Research university requirements: Many degrees have specific A Level prerequisites. Medicine often needs Biology and Chemistry, while engineering courses typically want Maths and Physics.
• Consider your workload: Balancing a mix of essay-based, practical, and quantitative subjects can make your studies more manageable.
• Think about synergy: Subjects that complement each other, like Economics and Maths, or History and English Literature, will deepen your understanding and help in overlapping skills like analysis or problem-solving.
• Play to your strengths: If you excel at creative subjects, lean into that. But balance them with a traditional subject like English or Maths to demonstrate academic breadth.

Wondering what three A Levels go well together? We’ve also explored the best A Level combinations, so you can decide with confidence.

How hard is four A Levels?  

Taking four A Levels can be challenging. Consider whether you can handle the workload, as four subjects is a major commitment. Universities typically base offers on three A Levels, so adding a fourth rarely boosts your application – unless it directly complements your other subjects, such as pairing Maths with Further Maths.

So for most students, sticking with three A Levels allows you to focus on achieving higher grades. 

That said, a fourth A Level might make sense if:

• You’re confident in all your subjects and excel at managing your time.  
• You’re taking Further Maths, which overlaps significantly with Maths.  
• You want to explore a passion, like taking Art alongside STEM subjects.  

However, spreading yourself too thin can lead to stress and lower grades overall. So think carefully before committing!

Is it possible to do one A Level?  

Yes, it’s possible to do just one A Level, but it’s highly unusual and often not practical for most students. Most unis and employers expect at least three A Levels (or equivalent qualifications), so taking one could limit your options.

That said, there are exceptions where taking a single A Level can be useful:

• Mature Students: If you’re returning to education later in life to meet specific university entry requirements, one A Level might be exactly what you need. For example, you could take A Level Biology to qualify for a healthcare-related course.
• Complementing Vocational Qualifications: Some students pair an A Level with vocational qualifications like BTECs, apprenticeships, or other technical courses. For instance, if you’re studying an engineering-focused BTEC or T Level, a Physics A Level could make your applications more competitive.
• Specialist Knowledge: If you’re pursuing a specific career or degree that requires a foundational subject, one A Level can be a strategic choice. For example, a student aiming to study Accountancy might take A Level Maths alongside their other qualifications.

So while one A Level can help, it’s typically only effective as part of a broader plan. For most students, committing to the standard three A Levels offers more flexibility and opportunities.

What’s the least respected A Level?  

Some A Levels are often considered “soft” by universities and employers, meaning they don’t carry as much weight as more traditional subjects. For example, General Studies and Critical Thinking are often excluded from university offers because they lack academic focus. 

Most universities prefer “facilitating subjects” (like English, History, Maths and Sciences) which keep your options open and demonstrate academic rigour. 

So, which A Levels do universities not like?

Subjects like Media Studies, Drama, Photography, Food Technology or PE aren’t ideal for highly competitive courses like Medicine or Law. But they’re invaluable for creative or sports-related careers!

It’s worth noting that “least respected” depends on context. For someone pursuing a film degree, Media Studies could be the perfect choice, even if it’s less favoured elsewhere.

What’s the most popular A Level in 2024?  

Some A Level subjects consistently dominate the popularity rankings, and 2024 is no exception. Subjects like Maths, Psychology and Biology remain at the top, reflecting students’ interest in careers in STEM fields, healthcare and the social sciences. 

On the other hand, the presence of creative subjects like Art and Design demonstrates students still value personal expression and creativity alongside their academic pursuits. This balance suggests that A Level choices are (rightly!) not just about careers but also about exploring interests and passions.

For 2024, the ten most popular A Level subjects were:

• Maths: 107,427 entrants
• Psychology: 78,556 entrants
• Biology: 74,367 entrants
• Chemistry: 62,583 entrants
• History: 47,297 entrants
• Business Studies: 44,961 entrants
• Sociology: 44,359 entrants
• Art and Design: 43,668 entrants
• Physics: 43,114 entrants
• Economics: 40,451 entrants

What’s the least popular A Level?  

Generally speaking, the least popular A Levels are often those no longer widely offered or seen as less academically rigorous. For instance, Critical thinking is useful for honing logical reasoning, but isn’t typically included in university offers. Equally, General Studies has also fallen out of favour, due to its broad focus.

There were also some surprising decreases in popularity for 2024. According to OCR, the A Level subjects with the biggest falls included:

• Sociology: down 6.5% to 44,359 entries
• Drama: down 5.9% to 8,654 entries
• Geography: down 5.1% to 36,314 entries
• Psychology: down 2.4% to 78,556 entries
• History: down 2.2% to 48,297 entries

What’s the most failed A Level subject?  

Unsurprisingly, some of the hardest A Levels, such as Maths, Computing and the sciences, have the highest failure rates. This reflects the challenging nature of these subjects, demanding strong analytical skills, dedication and effective exam preparation.

The A Levels with the highest failure rates are:

• Computing: 4.9% fail rate
• Biology: 4.8% fail rate
• Physics: 4.7% fail rate
• Chemistry: 4.6% fail rate
• Law: 4.3% fail rate
• Maths: 4% fail rate
• Psychology: 3.4% fail rate

If you’re wondering what’s the lowest possible A Level grade, we should also mention that a “fail” is anything lower than an “E”. Anything below an “E” is a “U” (unclassified) and doesn’t count as a qualification. 

How common is an A* in A Levels?  

A* grades are only awarded to top-performing students, making it a rare and impressive achievement. In 2024, only 9.3% of A Level entries were A* grades. 

Traditional academic subjects, like Maths, Sciences and Modern Languages, have higher A* rates. More practical A Level subjects like Media Studies, Physical Education and Business Studies have lower numbers of A*s.

Here are the A Level subjects with the most A*s:

1. Further Maths: 28.4%
2. Maths: 16.7%
3. German: 16%
4. Art and Design: 13.9%
5. French: 12%
6. Physics: 11.2%
7. Classical Studies: 10.2%
8. English Literature: 9.8%
9. Biology: 8.9%
10. Politics: 8.6%

And here are the A Level subjects with the least A*s:

1. Media Studies: 2.2%
2. English Language: 2.3%
3. Business Studies: 4%
4. Law: 4.7%
5. Physical Education: 5.2%
6. Sociology: 5.3%
7. Computing: 5.7%
8. History: 5.7%
9. Psychology: 5.8%
10. Drama: 6%

Unsure About Your A Level Choices? We’re Here to Help

Getting your A Level choices right can feel like a balancing act. You want to follow your interests, but you also need to think about what’s best for your future – and that’s not always straightforward. Luckily, you don’t have to navigate these choices alone.

With academic life coaching, you’ll get expert 1-1 advice to help you make informed decisions. We also provide support with study skills and exam techniques as well as university applications, so you’ll feel confident every step of the way. 

Let us help you take the stress out of A Levels and plan for a brighter future.