What Uni Courses Can I Do With My A Levels?

If you’re wondering ‘What courses can I do with my A Levels?’ you’re not alone. Many aspiring university students have this thought.

Different university degrees will require you to have studied various topics as preparation for learning your chosen subject at the higher level. This is to ensure you have the foundation knowledge and skills to comprehend the course content. They may also want to make sure it’s a subject you’ll enjoy learning and a career path you actually want to pursue.

However, not every university will be the same as each sets its own entry requirements. This is why it’s incredibly important to take a moment to think ahead before enrolling on A Level courses. While it’s great to study A Level courses in subjects you find interesting, if they won’t help you access your ideal career, you will have to spend even more time in education at a later date to get the qualifications you need.

To help, we’ve listed the A Level courses that are asked for in popular degree courses, or to access desirable careers—alongside the flexible Access to Higher Education Diplomas you can study as an alternative.

What A Level Courses To Choose For A Doctor?

To study a medical degree, you need to take an A Level Chemistry course. Outside of this, you may be asked for different A Levels depending on the university, some may want to see Biology in addition to other complementary subjects. It makes sense that sciences will be desirable for medicine degrees, but having A Level Maths would also help you stand out against other applicants. Medicine degrees are highly competitive, so it’s best to get the highest grades possible to have a chance of securing a place.

Alternative Route: If you don’t want to take multiple separate A Levels, you can study the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions). This targeted, 100% online qualification provides the deep scientific foundation in chemistry, cellular biology, and human anatomy required by competitive medical schools, serving as a direct equivalent to three A Levels.

What A Level Courses To Choose For A Barrister?

Naturally, a Law A Level is excellent preparation for Law at degree level and as insight into a career as a Barrister. Although, studying Law at university is generally an option for people with most A Levels.

Some universities may want you to have A Level English as it helps with the amount of written work that is involved in your degree, but this isn’t essential. This a great path for many people wanting a challenging career that pays exceptionally well.

Alternative Route: Adult learners looking for a highly relevant pathway into legal studies can enrol on the Stonebridge Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology). This course immerses you in the inner workings of criminal court procedures, sentencing powers, and offender profiling, while building the rigorous essay writing and analytical skills required to excel in a law degree.

What A Level Grade Needed To Enter Nursing Course?

No matter which type of nursing degree you want to study, each will typically request at least one science, A Level Biology being the most favoured.

Since it’s a caring role that utilises people skills, social science A Levels like Sociology A Level courses can go in your favour. As would other courses like A Level Psychology, especially if you want to become a Mental Health Nurse. The grades you need again will depend on the university you’re applying to.

Alternative Route: Nursing is one of the most popular paths for mature students returning to education via the Stonebridge Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing). This specialised course focuses heavily on human physiology, psychology, and professional healthcare behaviours, giving you the exact clinical insights universities look for.

What A Levels Do You Need To Study Psychology?

While having an A Level in Psychology is the most direct preparation for studying human behaviour at university, it isn’t always strictly required. Admissions teams highly value a mix of science and humanities A Levels—such as Biology, Sociology, and English Literature—as they prove you have both the analytical and essay-writing skills needed to handle dense psychological theories and research statistics.

Alternative Route: If you want to skip traditional exams and dive straight into the human mind, the Stonebridge Access to Higher Education Diploma (Psychology) is an ideal alternative. This dedicated pathway lets you build immediate, specialised knowledge in developmental psychology, cognitive processes, and social behaviour, serving as a direct entry route to a Bsc (Hons) Psychology degree.

What A Levels Do You Need For Veterinary Science?

To study Veterinary Science at university, like Medicine Degrees, you will need to have an A Level in Chemistry. This is essential wherever you choose to study, though you may be asked for Biology in most cases too.

Physics and A Level Maths courses are also highly desirable and would help keep all veterinary courses open to you.

Alternative Route: For those focused purely on animal medicine, the Stonebridge Access to Higher Education Diploma (Veterinary Science) provides the ultimate alternative pathway. It tailors your learning specifically to veterinary chemistry, animal physiology, and bio-veterinary science, ensuring your portfolio stands out to competitive veterinary admissions teams.

What A Level Courses Are Good For Dentistry?

Like Medicine, Dentistry Degrees are competitive so the entry requirements are often quite high. You will need A Level Biology and Chemistry for most Dentistry Degrees, however, a large number of them will also want to see A Level Maths courses as well as Physics.

You don’t need to have all of these A Level qualifications to be accepted, but be aware that not as many Dentistry Degrees will be available to you without them. Again, getting the highest marks in these qualifications will also help you stand out from the crowd.  

Alternative Route: You can successfully bridge the qualification gap for dental school by choosing the Stonebridge Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions). It packages the core biological and chemical principles into manageable, assignment-based modules without the pressure of high-stakes exams.

What A Level Courses To Take To Do Banking?

If you want to become a Bank Manager or work in banking in any other capacity, it is possible to start in an entry-level position and work your way up the ladder. Though, if you’d like to enter at a higher level and advance through the ranks more quickly, studying a degree relevant to banking will definitely go in your favour.

Degrees that would be useful for a higher-level career in banking include:

There aren’t any set A Level requirements for any of these degrees, though Business A Levels, Economics, Maths and Statistics would all be preferable.

Alternative Route: If you want a singular, focused qualification to prepare for the corporate sector, the Stonebridge Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business) is an excellent choice. It builds immediate, practical knowledge in market economics, marketing principles, and corporate business structures, unlocking a wide range of commerce and finance degrees at university.

Study Access Diplomas Online With Stonebridge

If you want to transition into a high-paying, rewarding career but lack the traditional qualifications required for university, you don’t need to spend years repeating GCSEs or sitting strict A-Level exams.

An Access to Higher Education Diploma is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification specifically designed for adult learners returning to education. Equivalent to three A-Levels, it provides a fast-track, purpose-built bridge directly connecting your professional ambitions with a university degree.

Why Choose an Online Access Course?

• No Formal Exams: The entire diploma is assessed through manageable, module-based assignments rather than high-pressure end-of-year exams, allowing you to showcase your true understanding.
• University Ready in Months: While traditional college pathways take up to two full academic years, online distance learning allows you to progress at your own pace, with most students graduating within 9 to 12 months.
• True Study Flexibility: Built around the realities of adult life, our 100% online platform lets you learn whenever and wherever it suits you, keeping your current job, family, or lifestyle commitments entirely on track.
• Academic Toolkit: Beyond specialised subject theory, you will master the critical thinking, research methods, and advanced essay-writing skills needed to step into higher education with total confidence.

With an affordable, commitment-free monthly subscription model, getting the credentials you need for university has never been more accessible. Take control of your career progression and choose your dedicated pathway today!

View our full range of Access to Higher Education Diplomas below!