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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Why the obsession with maths A level?

202 replies

demareradreams · 11/01/2026 19:18

Inspired by another thread where posters were saying a teen should consider maths instead of psychology even though their planned next steps did not need maths A level.
Maths is great for those that like it and are good at it. Not everyone who is good at it enjoys it. There are uni courses that require maths or for which maths a level would be an advantage. But there are also many courses where it’s not needed. In law or physio, for example, like in the previous thread.
On every A level choices thread, there will be a number of posters saying the teen should do maths instead of (insert another subject). It’s often paired with statements about “soft” subjects what “universities don’t rate as highly”. However when you look at the entry requirements, it’s usually just high grades what are required and they don’t care if the student has done maths or geography or sociology or physics. Unless of course they want to so a maths or physics etc degree.
So yes maths a level is great for students who are very mathematically capable and of course it’s essential if it’s part of the university entry requirements. But for others, other A levels are absolutely fine.

OP posts:
demareradreams · 11/01/2026 19:26

Idontknowwhy15 · 11/01/2026 19:20

Maths is hard. A lot harder than many other subjects. I don’t get why on earth you’d elect to study it if it’s not a required subject.

Exactly. Some of my teens friends are planning on doing maths and further maths A level. They love maths and are really good at it. My child is doing ok and will pass their GCSE, possibly get a 7 if they work really hard. I know they are not an A level maths candidate, unless they want to come out with a D or an E. And that is fine.

OP posts:
Idontknowwhy15 · 11/01/2026 19:20

Maths is hard. A lot harder than many other subjects. I don’t get why on earth you’d elect to study it if it’s not a required subject.

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