universities in backlash against

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Universities in backlash against 'soft' subjects now accounting for onein three of all A-levelsLast updated at 11:27 19 May 2008

Universities are warning that students who take too many 'soft' A-levels runthe risk of rejection.One in three A-levels is taken in a subject that top universities deem poorpreparation 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, artand design and ICT (information and communication technology).The Tories said a "cruel trick" was being played on bright students aiming forthe best universities but hamstrung by poor subject choices.They believe exam league tables may be putting pressure on schools to steerstudents towards subjects seen as easier to pass.Cambridge advises students that it considers 20 A-level subjects "lesseffective 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" subjectsand 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 academicsubjects, he warned.Research from the Russell Group of 20 elite institutions has shown that 93 percent of candidates for media studies are from non-selective state schools,responsible for a 74 per cent share of all A levels.


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Trinity college Cambridge

Acceptable A-level Subject Combinations

In assessing applicants taking A-levels for all Cambridge courses, Trinity takes intoconsideration not only the individual A-level subjects offered but also thecombination of subjects. To be a realistic applicant adequately prepared for studyinghere, A-level candidates will normally need to satisfy certain basic requirements. Thefollowing Table lists the most commonly studied subjects at A-level according to fourcategories: A1 and A2 contain respectively Science and Arts A-levels about whichwe have no general concerns regarding suitability; B lists A-levels we consider to beof more limited suitability (the University subject(s) for which we deem each of theseA-levels to be useful is/are specified in brackets); and category C consists of A-levelswe 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-levelrequirements are described below, and further details about preferred A-levelchoices are available in the information sheets about individual subjects.

ARTSAll 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 optionsare restricted to applicants in particular subjects, which are specified in bracketswhere relevant. In addition, there are a number of subject-specific compulsory A-level requirements: applicants for the three-year Classics course must have at leastLatin or Greek A-level; Economics applicants must take Mathematics A-level;

English candidates need to take either English Literature or combined EnglishLanguage and Literature at A-level; History applicants must take History A-level;Music candidates need Music A-level; and applicants for Modern Languages musttake at least one of their selected languages at A-level.

SCIENCESAll applicants for Computer Science, Medical Sciences and Natural Sciences willnormally be expected to offer three subjects from List A1. In addition, Maths A-levelis compulsory for those wishing to study Computer Science and Natural Sciences,and Chemistry A-level is compulsory for applicants in Medical Sciences. Engineeringcandidates 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 fromList A1 or Electronics along with an AS level in Further Maths. Computer Scienceapplicants should ideally also offer Maths, Further Maths and Physics butMathematics, Further Maths and Computing or Maths, Physics, Computing and ASFurther Maths are acceptable alternatives. Applicants for Maths are normallyexpected to offer Maths, Further Maths and Physics, although if necessary anothersubject from List A1 or A2 may be substituted for Physics; those unable to takeFurther Maths A-level must offer Maths, Physics, AS Further Maths and anothersubject from List A1 or A2. Maths with Physics applicants and those NaturalSciences candidates intending to study Physics ideally require Maths, Physics andFurther Maths, but may if necessary take Maths, Physics and another subject fromList A1 or A2 as well as AS Further Maths.


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LIST A1Generally Suitable Science A-levels

BiologyChemistryMathematicsFurther MathematicsPhysics

LIST A2Generally Suitable Arts A-levels

Art HistoryChineseClassical CivilisationEconomicsEnglish LiteratureFrenchGeographyGermanGreekHistoryIrish

ItalianJapaneseLatinMusicPhilosophyReligious StudiesRussianSpanishWelsh

LIST BA-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)


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

Sociology (Arts)

LIST CA-levels Suitable Only As Fourth Subjects

AccountingApplied ScienceCitizenshipCommunication Studies

Critical ThinkingDanceEnvironmental ScienceGeneral StudiesHealth & Social CareHome EconomicsICTLeisure StudiesMusic TechnologyPerformance StudiesPerforming Arts

Perspectives on SciencePhotographyPhysical EducationScienceScience for Public UnderstandingSports StudiesTravel & TourismWorld Development

Medical

SchoolTypical Offer

A2

ChemistryA2 Biology Other Not Acceptable?

deen AAA Yes (to

grade B

1 of Bio/Maths/PhysicsNo preference for third

subject. Combinations of

Chemistry, Biology and a non-

General Studies.
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minimum) science subject are as

acceptable as all-science

combinations. Check with

Medical Admissions Office if in

doubt about suitability of a

subject.

s and The

onAAAb 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

ingham 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.

hton and

exAAA/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.

ol AAA Yes(grade A) NoOne other laboratory based

science subject.

General Studies, Critical Thinking. The choice oundue overlap of content. For example Biology

Biology and Sports Science; Maths and Further

bridge* 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, Jes

Peterhouse, St Johns, and Trinity prefer applic

subjects to full A Level. Chemistry at A2 is esse

Mathematics at A2 is essential for Magdalene.

iff AAAc AS/A2 AS/A2

At least two science subjects

(one must be Bio/Chem) andan 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.

dee 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.
http://www.smd.qmul.ac.uk/http://www.smd.qmul.ac.uk/http://www.medicine.bham.ac.uk/http://www.medicine.bham.ac.uk/http://www.bsms.ac.uk/http://www.bsms.ac.uk/http://www.bsms.ac.uk/http://www.bristol.ac.uk/medical-school/http://www.medschl.cam.ac.uk/http://www.medschl.cam.ac.uk/http://medicine.cf.ac.uk/http://medicine.cf.ac.uk/http://www.dundee.ac.uk/medschool/http://www.dundee.ac.uk/medschool/http://www.dundee.ac.uk/medschool/http://medicine.cf.ac.uk/http://www.medschl.cam.ac.uk/http://www.bristol.ac.uk/medical-school/http://www.bsms.ac.uk/http://www.bsms.ac.uk/http://www.medicine.bham.ac.uk/http://www.smd.qmul.ac.uk/http://www.smd.qmul.ac.uk/


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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.

am 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 .


Anglia AAAb No Yes General Studies, Critical Thinking.

burgh 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

gow 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.

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 Thin

erial 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 otherscience/maths subject.

Vocational Subjects, General Studies.

e 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 Thinkingan

Applied Business).

s College

onAAAb/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
http://www.dur.ac.uk/school.health/http://www.dur.ac.uk/school.health/http://www.uea.ac.uk/medhttp://www.uea.ac.uk/medhttp://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/medicine-vet-medicinehttp://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/medicine-vet-medicinehttp://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/medicine/http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/medicine/http://www.hyms.ac.uk/http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/http://www.keele.ac.uk/health/schoolofmedicine/http://www.keele.ac.uk/health/schoolofmedicine/http://www.kcl.ac.uk/medicine/index.aspxhttp://www.kcl.ac.uk/medicine/index.aspxhttp://www.kcl.ac.uk/medicine/index.aspxhttp://www.kcl.ac.uk/medicine/index.aspxhttp://www.keele.ac.uk/health/schoolofmedicine/http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/http://www.hyms.ac.uk/http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/medicine/http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/medicine-vet-medicinehttp://www.uea.ac.uk/medhttp://www.dur.ac.uk/school.health/


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Applicants who offer non-

science subjects (humanities,

languages, social sciences)

welcomed.

aster AAAb Yes Yes

On other academic subject at

A2. EPQmaybe acceptable as

4th AS

Further Maths, General Studies + Critical Thin

s AAAYes (A

grade)No

Those with 4th A2 at no

advantage.General Studies, Critical Thinking.

ester AAA Yes AS Should have taken 4 AS levels. General Studies, Further Maths.

pool AAAbYes (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.

EPQmaycount as 4th AS.

General Studies and Critical Thinking only con

one of Maths or Further Maths will be consider

chester 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 b

castle 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).


ingham 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.

rd AAA Yes 1 of Bio/Maths/Physics Critical Thinking, General Studies.

nsula A*AAc - AAAc Yes AS/A2

Chemistry and either Biology

or Physics at A2. One non-

science preferred.

General Studies. No AS/A2 below a C grade is c

not overlap e.g. Maths and Further Maths.
http://www.lancs.ac.uk/shm/http://www.leeds.ac.uk/medicine/http://www.leeds.ac.uk/medicine/http://www.le.ac.uk/sm/le/http://www.le.ac.uk/sm/le/http://www.liv.ac.uk/medicine/http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/http://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/course/A100/medicine-and-surgeryhttp://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/course/A100/medicine-and-surgeryhttp://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mhs/index.aspxhttp://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mhs/index.aspxhttp://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicinehttp://www.pcmd.ac.uk/http://www.pcmd.ac.uk/http://www.pcmd.ac.uk/http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicinehttp://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mhs/index.aspxhttp://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/course/A100/medicine-and-surgeryhttp://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/http://www.liv.ac.uk/medicine/http://www.le.ac.uk/sm/le/http://www.leeds.ac.uk/medicine/http://www.lancs.ac.uk/shm/


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en's

astAAAa 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

field AAA Yes No

Two sciences must be offered

at A2 (one must beChemistry). Third A2 of your

choice.

General Studies.

hampton 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. Mat

Biology and Sports Studies may not be offered i

ndrews AAAYes (A

grade)f Bio/Maths/Physics

If Biology and Mathematics

are not offered at A2 or AS

Level, each must have beenpassed at least GCSE grade B.

Dual award Science is not

acceptable in lieu of GCSE

Biology.


eorges 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.

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

who have taken A levels early will still be expec

the end of the second sixth form year. Referen

and AS level predictions/grades achieved to be
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/medicinehttp://www.sheffield.ac.uk/medicinehttp://www.som.soton.ac.uk/http://www.som.soton.ac.uk/http://medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk/http://medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk/http://www.sgul.ac.uk/http://www.sgul.ac.uk/http://www.sgul.ac.uk/http://medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk/http://www.som.soton.ac.uk/http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/medicinehttp://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/mdbs/

universities in backlash against

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