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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:
LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 22/02/2026 20:01

defoneedanamechange · 22/02/2026 10:33

for those saying a stem subject mixed in with alevel choices make them seem more well-rounded, why maths specifically? Dd hates maths though she’s a decent 7/8 grader and can’t wait to drop it. That said she’s chosen for September: alevel English literature, history, psychology and biology. Does biology make her seem “well-rounded”?

I think biology does give a good roundness that just humanities subjects wouldn’t but it doesn’t develop the same numerical/data as maths would. However if she doesn’t enjoy maths and wouldn’t do as well in it then it’s not a good choice for her. Biology is seen as a very academic and respected subject.
that is a good and complimentary set of subjects

OhDear111 · 22/02/2026 22:37

I think if you are bright enough you can pick up the maths you need for a job, on the job. Msny accountants are not maths grads. They just know the maths they need to know. Lots of us get by like that.

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