Best A Level Combinations for Marketing

Written by: Emma Dow

Published

27 September 2025

Contents

Are you thinking about a career in marketing, but you’re not sure which A Levels to take? Deciding which subjects to take can feel like a big decision, but the good news is there isn’t just one “perfect” path.

Some choices will give you a stronger foundation for brand management, while others can help you stand out if you’re keen to explore a career in market research.

In this guide, we’ll look at the best A Level combinations for marketing to set you up for success.

Key Takeaways

There aren't any specific A Level requirements for marketing degrees at UK universities.
Business Studies, Economics, and Psychology create the strongest foundation for most marketing courses.
Digital marketing careers work brilliantly with Business Studies, Media Studies, or Computer Science.
Top universities want AAA to ABB grades, regardless of which subjects you choose.

Why A Level Choices Matter for Marketing Degrees & Careers

Your A Level choices will shape both your university options and future career path. However, there’s no specific set of subjects that you absolutely must take. Marketing degrees are pretty flexible with entry requirements.

But choosing the right subject combination for your chosen course can give you a real head start. You could find yourself walking into university lectures already understanding key concepts that other students are hearing for the first time.

Marketing blends creativity with data crunching. One day you might be dreaming up a brilliant Instagram campaign. The next you could be analysing sales figures to see if the campaign actually worked.

This is why universities want to see that you've got both analytical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Your A Level combination shows admissions tutors that you understand what marketing involves.

Most UK universities don't need specific A Level subjects for marketing degrees, but smart choices definitely help your application stand out.

What Skills Are Needed in Marketing?

It’s important to choose A Level subjects that boost your marketing skill set. Here are the sorts of skills you want to be developing:

Communication Skills: Essential for creating campaigns, writing copy, and presenting ideas. English Language develops persuasive writing and clear communication.
Creativity: Marketing campaigns need fresh ideas and innovative approaches. Art and Design, Media Studies, and English Language all nurture creative thinking.
Data Analysis: Modern marketing relies heavily on analytics and metrics. Maths provides the numerical skills to interpret customer data and campaign performance.
Consumer Psychology: Understanding what motivates people to buy is crucial. Psychology teaches you how people make decisions and respond to different messages.
Critical Thinking: You'll need to evaluate market trends and competitor strategies. Economics, Business Studies, and Sociology all develop analytical reasoning skills.
Digital Literacy: Most marketing happens online today. Computer Science gives you technical knowledge of digital platforms and tools.

Top A Level Subjects for Marketing

Now that you know the skills you should be honing, here’s a list of potential A Level subjects that could help you to refine them:

Business Studies: Covers marketing fundamentals, business strategy, and commercial awareness.
- Why it’s useful: Direct preparation for marketing concepts you'll study at university.
Economics: Teaches market analysis, consumer behaviour, and economic factors affecting businesses.
- Why it’s useful: Essential for understanding broader market conditions.
Psychology: Helps you understand what motivates consumer choices and behaviour.
- Why it’s useful: Valuable for all areas of marketing, from advertising to product development.
Media Studies: Explores how different media channels influence audiences.
- Why it’s useful: Perfect preparation for advertising, social media marketing, and content creation.
English Language: Develops persuasive writing skills and communication techniques.
- Why it’s useful: Essential for copywriting, content marketing, and brand messaging.
Maths: Provides statistical analysis skills needed for market research and campaign measurement.
- Why it’s useful: Provides the knowledge needed for data-driven decision making.
Sociology: Examines how society and culture influence behaviour.
- Why it’s useful: A good foundation for understanding target audiences and social trends.

Best A Level Combinations by Marketing Career Path

Digital Marketing

Recommended combination: Business Studies, Media Studies, Computer Science

These subjects drill down into the digital aspects of marketing:

Business Studies covers marketing principles.
Media Studies explores social media and online content creation.
Computer Science gives you technical knowledge of websites, SEO, and digital analytics platforms.

Digital marketers need to understand both creative content and technical implementation. This combination provides both skill sets.

Market Research

Recommended combination: Maths, Psychology, Sociology

Market research relies on data collection and analysis.

Maths gives you statistical skills for interpreting survey data and identifying trends.
Psychology helps you understand what motivates consumer responses.
Sociology explains broader social patterns.

This combination creates strong analytical foundations for understanding market data and consumer insights.

Advertising & Creative Roles

Recommended combination: English Language, Media Studies, Art & Design

Creative advertising roles need strong communication and visual skills.

English Language develops persuasive copywriting abilities.
Media Studies covers advertising theory and different media channels.
Art and Design nurtures visual creativity for campaign concepts.

This combination balances written communication with visual creativity.

Brand Management

Recommended combination: Business Studies, Psychology, English Language

Brand managers need to understand business strategy, consumer psychology, and clear communication.

Business Studies provides commercial awareness and strategic thinking.
Psychology explains how consumers form emotional connections with brands.
English Language ensures you can communicate brand messages effectively.

This combination covers the strategic, psychological, and communication aspects of building strong brands.

A Level Combinations Universities Prefer

Most UK universities don't specify exact A Level requirements for marketing degrees. However, some top institutions often prefer combinations that show analytical and creative thinking.

University	A Level Grades Required	Specific Subject Requirements
Loughborough University (opens in a new tab)	AAB	No specific requirement. Preference for subject combinations that demonstrate numeracy, discursive, and analytical skills.
University of Manchester (opens in a new tab)	AAA	List of specific subjects available on the university website. Includes: Business Studies, Economics, English Language/Literature, Psychology.
University of York (opens in a new tab)	AAB	Also requires GCSE Mathematics at Grade 5 or equivalent.
University of Sussex (opens in a new tab)	ABB	Also requires GCSE Mathematics at Grade 4 or equivalent.
University of Bristol (opens in a new tab)	AAA or A*AB	Also requires GCSE Mathematics at Grade 6 or equivalent.

The grades and specific subject requirements for these university courses may change. It’s important to refer to the university entry requirements pages.

Top universities typically require AAA to ABB grades for marketing degrees. But some are more flexible than others. For example, the University of Bristol requires AAA or A*AB and a Grade 6 or equivalent at GCSE. But it doesn’t prescribe an A Level combination. However, the University of Manchester requires AAA at A Level across a range of preferred subjects.

Many universities also consider the quality of your personal statement. They want to see evidence of marketing-related voluntary experiences or unpaid work placements. To nail your university applications, take a look at our comprehensive guide to UCAS personal statements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to take Business Studies to study marketing?

No, Business Studies isn't essential for marketing degrees. While it provides useful background knowledge, universities welcome students from diverse academic backgrounds.

Many successful marketers studied subjects like Psychology, English, or even Sciences at A Level. What matters more is demonstrating the analytical and creative skills that marketing requires.

However, Business Studies can give you a head start by introducing marketing concepts early.

Is Psychology a good A Level for marketing?

Yes, definitely. Psychology is excellent for marketing careers. It’s often on the list of preferred subjects for top university courses. Understanding consumer behaviour and decision-making processes is central to effective marketing.

Psychology teaches you about motivation, persuasion techniques, and how people form preferences. These insights directly apply to creating compelling marketing campaigns and understanding target audiences.

Many marketing professionals consider Psychology one of the most valuable A Levels for the field.

What if I want to switch to marketing later?

Marketing welcomes career changers from many backgrounds. Your existing A Levels don't limit your options if you discover marketing later.

Many marketing professionals started in different fields. Scientists bring analytical skills, artists contribute creativity, and linguists offer communication expertise.

Graduate marketing courses and professional qualifications can bridge any knowledge gaps. Your diverse background might actually give you unique advantages in marketing roles.

Do universities care about 'facilitating subjects'?

For marketing degrees specifically, facilitating subjects aren't usually required. Marketing courses are generally inclusive and welcome diverse academic backgrounds.

Including one facilitating subject keeps more university options open overall. This flexibility is useful if you're unsure about your final degree choice.

Final Thoughts

While there’s no single “right” route, picking the best A Level combinations can help you feel confident about your next steps.

Marketing is such a varied, creative, and people-focused career. You could end up working in finance, tech, sport, entertainment, or even running your own business one day.

A marketing degree gives you skills that employers everywhere value, from problem-solving and analytical thinking to communication and creativity. With the right subjects behind you, you’ll be ready to make the most of the opportunities ahead.