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

@Piggywaspushed Maths would be preferred for any STEM subject. It's preferred for at least some social sciences. As evidence of logical thought it would at least be on a par with History and English Literature for law, and possibly preferred for anyone interested in tax or commercial law.

History and English Lit are not the gold standard for many courses.

If you say so.

Obviously it's preferred for STEM.

I have doubts about the factual credibility - or the source- of the rest of your post. Someone doing , let's say, a politics or sociology degree sure as hell needs to be able to construct a decent well argued essay. Their course will teach them research methods. Maths will be helpful , of course, but it's never a requirement or preferred unless the course itself contains QM. In fact the only stated requirement tends to be 'including an essay writing subject'.

However, just to repeat my self , I have said more than once that I assume most pharmacy applicants have - and would benefit from- maths.

And indeed in some STEM subjects. DD did biomedical sciences with biology, chemistry and geography. She found the maths content of her course quite easy.

I didnt say Maths would be a requirement, I said it was accepted for the majority of degrees. 42% of graduates were STEM subjects in the figures I could find most readily. https://www.ciip.group.cam.ac.uk/innovation/science-and-engineering-workforce-2024/

Happy to give you examples from non STEM subjects -

LSE guide to preferred subjects and what A levels are less acceptable example states maths required for a management degree https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/Prospective-Students/How-to-Apply/Admissions-Information

Although Manchester dont say they are using any list in particular the ones LSE finds acceptable are also likely to be ones Manchester would find acceptable.

Birmingham Psychology - higher grades required if you dont have a science subject and Maths is included. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/subjects/psychology-and-neuroscience-courses/psychology-bsc

Politics at LSE - maths rated alongside History and English Lit https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/undergraduate/bsc-politics#:~:text=There's%20no%20set%20subject%20combination,%2C%20Philosophy%2C%20languages%20and%20Mathematics.

A levels for law - general guide, Although if you want to be a lawyer you should know that some recruiters traditionally prefer non law degrees. Maths rated alongside History and English. https://www.uniadmissions.co.uk/application-guides/a-levels-law/

I'm sure I could produce others.

Perhaps we have different ideas of "gold standard". It's a subject accepted for the majority of degree courses, therefore the most useful A level to keep your options open.

I thought if there was a gold standard it would be maths or a pure science

Doesn't it depend on the degree?

I'm not going to keep being patronised by arguing with you when I started the thread answering the OP's question and giving advice.

We agree maths is useful for this specific degree - and many others.

Gold Standard means 'best' by anyone's definition.

PS Psychology is a STEM subject.

English literature, geography and history are all considered strong academic subjects, especially for humanities degrees.

When DD was considering medicine, the admissions tutor at the subject talk at York (HYMS) said they actually preferred students who had two sciences and an arts or humanities subject because it showed a breadth of education.

I'd agree with getting in touch with admission to ask (preferably for a couple of different unis, not just one). I'd be very surprised if English Lit or History were in the 'no, that doesn't count' category, but equally, if the course is oversubscribed, A level subjects (amongst other things) can influence who gets an offer and who doesn't.

Equally, unless her heart is absolutely set on MPharm at Manchester, and has been for a good amount of time, I wouldn't dramatically change those A level choices based on their response. Chem, Bio, and English Literature is a great combination that will give her lots of options for university. If she's torn between A levels, sure, go with the choice her preferred uni course favours. If they say virtually everyone takes A level maths and she absolutely hates the idea, probably best not.