Most Popular A Level Subjects in the UK

Choosing your A Levels is one of the biggest decisions you'll make at school. With so many subjects to pick from, it's hard to know where to start. You might be wondering what the most popular A Level subjects are and whether any of them are right for you.

It's frustrating, isn't it? You want to make the right choice, but there's pressure from all sides. Parents, teachers, and universities all seem to have opinions. Plus, you're probably hearing conflicting advice about what subjects will actually help you in the future.

This article breaks down exactly which A Level subjects are most popular in the UK right now, using the latest official data. We'll show you why these subjects top the charts, how trends have changed over time, and most importantly, what this means for you.

Key Takeaways

• Mathematics remains the undisputed champion, with over 100,000 students taking it in 2024.

• STEM subjects dominate the top 10, but traditional humanities like History and Sociology still attract tens of thousands of students.

• Subject popularity has shifted dramatically over the past decade, with Psychology overtaking traditional favourites and some languages experiencing significant decline.

• Popularity doesn't equal value – the "best" A Level is the one that matches your strengths, interests, and future plans.

Why Subject Popularity Matters

You might think that what other students choose shouldn't affect your decisions. And you'd be partly right.

But knowing which subjects are popular actually gives you valuable insight. Popular subjects could have better resources and well-established exam support. Schools are more likely to run courses that attract larger numbers, so if you're keen on a less popular subject, it might not even be available at your sixth form.

Popularity also matters for university admissions. Some degree programmes have specific A Level requirements. Knowing which subjects are commonly chosen helps you understand what's considered "standard" versus "niche" for your field.

And, sometimes there's comfort in numbers. If you're choosing something lots of other students pick, you know you're not taking an unusual path.

Top 10 Most Popular A Level Subjects

Based on the most recent data from summer 2024 from Ofqual (opens in a new tab), here are the most popular A Level subjects that UK students are choosing:

Mathematics sits comfortably at number one with over 101,320 entries. That's significantly ahead of second-place Psychology, which still attracted nearly 76,130 students.

What stands out immediately is the dominance of STEM subjects. Six out of the top ten are science, technology, engineering, or maths-related subjects.

Source of the Data

Popularity is measured by the number of students who entered for each A Level exam. These are official figures gathered by Ofqual (opens in a new tab). This government organisation collects data from all the major exam boards in the UK. The data reflects summer 2024 exam entries, collected across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Subject Trends Over Time

The popularity rankings haven't stayed static. Looking back over the past decade - using Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) (opens in a new tab) data - reveals some fascinating shifts in what students are choosing.

• Mathematics has held the top spot consistently from 2016 through 2024. Its popularity has only grown stronger, with entries increasing year after year.

• Psychology has climbed dramatically to secure second place in recent years. However, Biology is catching up! 

• Further Mathematics has shown the biggest percentage increase at 7.2% between 2024 and 2025.

Here’s a chart showing the difference in number of entries of the top ten most popular A Level subjects between 2023 and 2024 according to Ofqual (opens in a new tab):

Why Are These Subjects So Popular?

Several factors drive students towards certain A Levels over others.

University Requirements

Many competitive degree programmes, particularly in medicine, engineering, and sciences, require specific A Levels. This makes some subjects essential for future career ambitions Subjects like:

• Mathematics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

Perceived Usefulness 

Mathematics is seen as valuable across numerous career paths, not just STEM ones. It demonstrates problem-solving skills that employers and universities value. Psychology's rise could partly reflect growing interest in mental health careers and its relevance to fields like teaching, social work, and human resources.

Subject Accessibility 

Some A Levels build naturally from popular GCSEs. If you enjoyed Biology at GCSE and did well, taking it at A Level feels like a logical step. Subjects without a GCSE equivalent, like Psychology or Sociology, rely on different factors to attract students – often word-of-mouth recommendations or interest in the content.

Teacher Availability and School Resources 

Schools are more likely to offer courses that attract enough students to fill a class. Popular subjects tend to have more experienced teachers and better resources, creating a positive cycle. Smaller subjects might not even be available at your school, especially in smaller sixth forms.

Popularity vs Value

It’s important to understand that popular doesn't automatically mean best for you.

Choosing A Levels based purely on what everyone else is doing is a mistake. The students who do best are those who pick subjects they're genuinely interested in and naturally good at.

Think about it practically. You'll spend two years studying these subjects intensively. If you hate the content, those two years will be miserable. If you struggle with the skills a subject requires, you'll find it much harder to get the grades you need.

Universities care about grades more than specific subject popularity. A strong A in a less common subject beats a weak C in a "popular" one. Most university courses (outside specialist STEM degrees) accept a range of A Level combinations, as long as you hit their grade requirements.

That said, some subjects do open more doors than others. Traditional academic subjects are widely accepted across universities. More vocational A Levels might limit your options slightly, though this varies by institution and course.

The best approach is to balance multiple factors. Consider:

• Your genuine interests – you'll work harder on subjects you enjoy

• Your natural strengths – play to your abilities

• Your future plans – check requirements for courses you might want

• Subject combinations – pick a balanced mix that works together

• Grade requirements – aim for subjects where you can realistically achieve high grades

Don't let popularity be your only guide. Use it as one piece of information alongside everything else.

Popular A Levels by Gender or Region

When looking at the JCQ A Level Appendices for Summer 2024 (opens in a new tab), the data reveals some interesting patterns when we break down subject choices by demographic factors.

Gender differences are particularly striking in certain subjects. 

Male-dominated subjects include:

• Computer Science

• Further Maths

• Economics

Female-dominated subjects include:

• English Literature

• Psychology

• Sociology

Regional variations exist too. Three main findings are:

• Students from the North of England are most likely to take A Level English Language.

• Students from the South of England are most likely to take A Level Economics and Modern Languages.

• Students from the Midlands have a more even distribution across all subjects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do universities care if a subject is popular?

Not really. Universities care about whether you meet their specific entry requirements and achieve the grades they ask for.

They don't favour Mathematics because it's the most popular, nor do they penalise you for choosing something less common. What matters is whether your subject choices align with the course you're applying for.

What is the most popular science A Level?

Biology is the most popular science A Level, with 69,045 entries in 2024. 

Are less popular A Levels less valuable?

Absolutely not. Value isn't determined by how many students choose a subject.

What matters is whether the subject is academically rigorous, relevant to your plans, and something you can excel in. A less common A Level that ticks all those boxes is far more valuable than a popular one you'll struggle with.

Ace Your A Level with Save My Exams

A Level popularity tells us a lot about trends in the UK. Mathematics reigns supreme, STEM subjects dominate the top ten, and subjects like Psychology are rapidly growing. These patterns reflect everything from university requirements to career trends to national education priorities.

No matter the A Levels you choose, Save My Exams is with you every step of the way with past papers, revision notes, and exam questions to help you revise your way, with diagrams, videos, expert tips, PDFs, quick summaries and more. Join over 2 million students and teachers using Save My Exams to master what matters - and boost your grades today.

References

Ofqual - Official Statistics (opens in a new tab)

Ofqual (opens in a new tab)

JCQ - A and AS Level Trends (opens in a new tab)

JCQ A Level Appendices for Summer 2024 (opens in a new tab)