A Level subjects

[Whole]

Can someone explain:
Entry Requirements for Mphram

AAB including Chemistry, either Mathematics or Biology, and one further rigorous academic subject (we do not accept General Studies or Critical Thinking).

I do not understand third Subject, Will they accept History or English Lit.

she is thinking for Chem, Bio and English Lit

Yes absolutely, English Literature and History are the gold standard of academically rigorous subjects

What don't you understand? They are probably saying that to exclude any exams that are first language to the pupil, but taken as an exam in a second language, and that sort of thing

Am confused, what are the Critical thinking subjects?

Critical Thinking is a subject (used to be a popular addition like General Studies). But as it was possible to pass these subjects with no study just “general knowledge/applied knowledge” they are normally excluded from consideration.

although more Critical Thinking in general would be of benefit nowadays.

👍👍

Eng lit or history will be fine. Critical Thinking and General Studies are not accepted by many unis (nor offered by many schools).

I'd be surprised if MFL were excluded tbh.

What uni is this @Whole ? Is there not a list on its website of "academically rigorous" subjects? Otherwise how would a student judge if (say) drama or photography would be acceptable? But Eng lit is good for sure.

It is Manchester University this is the link

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2026/01695/mpharm-pharmacy/

If they are going to start using subjective words like 'rigorous' they ought to have a list somewhere.

Effectively what they are saying is not the two they name (neither of which exist any more anyway , as far as I know.)

I expect the norm is for MPharm students to have sciences and maths as their 3 subjects. But unless specifically excluded any 3rd subject should be fine. Certainly the two you name.

many lists exist, and many universities publish their own lists

Not Manchester as far as I can see. And certainly not linked to their page.

This is exactly what I said - if a university used that word they ought to have a list.

Yes exactly – there should be a list on the course page, or at least linked.

I agree with @Piggywaspushed – I think they are simply saying "not CT or GS as these are not rigorous" – but then say that! Plenty of unis do say exactly that.

Edited to add: Yeh I can’t find where the uni qualifies what it means. That’s rubbish IMHO. It does say you can ask for further clarification.

It does say this tho which is good news wrt a PP's suggestion that native speaker MFL was not acceptable: Where a native language A-level has been studied, we’ll consider them on an equal basis with other subjects.

https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/degrees/pharmacology

Both History and English Lit are traditional A levels and will be fine. Something like photography might be considered less acceptable.

That's fine, but you need to be clear.

"Native speaker takes A level (or equivalent) for native speaker" is equivalent to "non- native speaker takes A level for non-native speaker" but is NOT equivalent to "Native speaker takes A level for non-native speaker"

And many places do make that distinction. Some might not, but it is safer to assume that the default position is that a native speaker taking and exam for a non native speaker, is NOT rated.

Critical thinking is an A Level. It is what used to be referred to as a Mickey Mouse subject.

I have only ever heard that rule for a small number of MFL degrees or as a discounted anyway 4th A level.

If Manchester are using that list, they need to signpost it. They don't.

I checked and they don't say this for all subjects areas.

Id get DD to phone or email admissions, although I think we all agree Eng Lit is fine anyway. They may tell her what most students have , and I suspect it's maths, biology, chemistry, further maths, psychology , to be honest.

But we are not talking about MFL degrees, who want and welcome native speakers - we are talking about using an A level purely to make up the UCAS points, or whatever.

Eh, are we? That's not what the threads about at all!

yes it is, that is exactly what it is about. The OP has asked when would a "makeweight" A level not be considered rigorous enough.

I have answered her, and one part of that answer might be when the native speaker of a language takes an A level designed for non native speakers of that language.

It isn't likely to be a problem if you are wanting to study that language at UNI, as unis tend to welcome native speakers.

It might be a problem if you are using it to make up UCAS points for a non language degree.

It's the same at GCSE - I have known students removed from the sixth form when it comes to light that the "6 GCSEs at grade 7 or above" entry requirement relies on a taking an exam designed for a non native speaker, when you are a native speaker. If the sixth form has specified not to do this, it is fraud.

Of course, if you are not a national of a country where the language is spoken, it may or may not come to light, but it tends to be dealt with punitively if it does come to light.

Generally of course it will be someone who was not qualified to start the sixth form course, and is struggling

@Piggywaspushed Universities frequently refuse to tie themselves down too tightly. Get 3A*s and the OP's child will likely be welcomed. The link I posted suggests what subjects are likely to be most favoured when considering two candidates with otherwise identical grades.

Ops child may change their mind completely on what they want to study between now and applying for uni. I encourage any student capable of getting an A to do Maths because every university counts that for the majority of their courses. Maths, not History or English, is actually the gold standard unless you want to study English Lit or History.

The OP named English and history! At no point did she herself say this was a make weight, as you call it. She nevef mentioned MFL.The DD wants to do English Lit. I presume because she likes and is good at it. I'm a bit bewildered by the last couple of posts since we all agreed Eng Lit is OK by any measure of the term used, and since I also said the norm would be science/ maths. But this is a MN HE thread so I guess I shouldn't be.

I agree for pharmacy but otherwise that is plainly not true for any subjects in the arts or humanities area or law where maths would be great but no greater than history or Lit .

@Longnightmoon the text I quoted from Manchester uni specifically says that native speakers taking A levels in their own language are considered equally.

Tbh I wonder how many unis dismiss a third A level on the basis that the student is a native speaker; as I have posted numerous times before, how would they know?

Anyway there is no suggestion that @Whole's DC wants to take MFL. I agree with @Piggywaspushed that it would be worth them contacting the admissions team for the preferred course at Manchester and ask exactly what is on the list of rigorous subjects. It’s poor IMHO to use the phrase without a definition, whether specific to the uni or just that subject.

It may well be that many pharmacy students take three sciences; but if someone will get a better grade in and enjoy Eng lit more, then as long as three sciences are not required, that will be a better choice.

DS (16, awaiting GCSE results) is hoping to do Bio Med. Entry requirements are as you’ve given. He’s planning to do A level Bio, Chem and History.

My understanding is that A levels in General Studies and Critical Thinking used to be available in England in the past, but were discontinued following the A level reforms in 2018.
Therefore these options are not available to students starting A levels now.
It's possible that some mature students may have these A levels though i.e. those that took A levels in England before 2017/8 which is why this is still listed in the entry requirements.