University applicants choosing wrong A-levels, study shows

According to research by Which? an increasing number of university applicants are realising they have picked the wrong subjects at age 16, at a time when it is too late.

Which? looked at the information of over 1,000 UK 18-19 year-old university applicants and found 28 per cent of them claimed they wished they took alternate subjects. 41 per cent of those questioned wished they had considered which subjects would have been most useful.

The research was conducted by Youth Sight and found that just 50 per cent of university applicants felt their school had not provided sufficient information regarding how their subject choice could affect their choice of degree and university.

41 per cent of students said they were aware that certain degrees required specify A-levels and some universities did not consider particular subjects challenging enough. However, 30 per cent of those questioned said their schools failed to warn them of the impact of their A-level choices.

Wendy Piatt, Russell Group director general, said: “It is really important for all young people, especially those whose parents didn't go to university, to have clear information about how the subjects that they choose to study in sixth form or at college can affect their options at university and their chances in life.