How many A Levels should you take?

If you’re choosing your A Level subjects, you may be wondering how many A Levels you can take – and how many you should take.

Three A Levels is the standard choice, but some students take four. You might even have heard of students taking more. Does taking more A Levels give you an advantage? Are three enough for university? And how do you decide what’s right for you?

In this article, we’ll look at how many A Levels students typically take, the pros and cons of taking four, and what to consider when deciding how many subjects to study.

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How many A Levels do most students take?

Most students take three A Levels. Some students start Year 12 studying four subjects before dropping one, while others choose three subjects from the outset.

Taking four A Levels is much less common. According to government statistics for summer 2026, just 5.2% of 18-year-olds who took A Levels in England took four. As we’ll discuss later, taking a fourth subject doesn’t necessarily give you an advantage when applying to university, so it’s worth considering whether the additional workload is worthwhile.

Although three A Levels is the usual route for students planning to apply to university, it’s not the only option. Some students take fewer A Levels or combine A Levels with vocational qualifications. The best route depends on your circumstances, interests, and plans for after sixth form.

Number of A Levels taken by 18-year-olds in summer 2026

Source: Ofqual Research and analysis: Qualification results in England: summer 2026

Combining A Levels with vocational qualifications

Depending on your interests and future career plans, you could combine A Levels with a Level 3 vocational qualification, such as a BTEC, Cambridge Technical, or V Level. This can be a good option if you enjoy a mixture of academic and practical learning, or want to develop skills in a particular area alongside studying A Level subjects.

For example, you could study A Level Psychology and Sociology alongside an Advanced National Extended Certificate in Health & Social Care, or combine A Level Maths and Computer Science with a computing-related vocational qualification such as a Cambridge National Extended Certificate in Computing: Application Development.

Many Level 3 vocational qualifications carry UCAS Tariff points, which some universities use when setting their entry requirements. This means that a vocational qualification can contribute towards the points needed for certain university courses, alongside your A Levels.

However, not all universities use Tariff points, and having enough points doesn’t guarantee that a qualification will be accepted for a particular course. Some degrees accept a range of qualifications, while others have specific A Level subject requirements. Before choosing your qualifications, check the entry requirements for the universities and courses you’re interested in.

It’s also worth checking which combinations your school or college offers, as not all qualifications can be studied together.

Are three A Levels enough for university?

For most students, three A Levels are enough to apply to university. Three is the standard number taken by students applying to university, and most university offers are based on three A Levels.

For example, a university might ask for AAB, ABB, or BBB. Depending on the course, the requirements may also specify particular subjects and grades in those subjects.

In each case, the focus is on achieving the required grades in the relevant subjects. Taking a fourth A Level does not automatically make you a stronger candidate, and the extra workload could affect your grades. For example, if the entry requirements are ABB in three subjects but your grades drop to BBBB because you’re studying a fourth, the additional subject could weaken your application.

Oxford University makes this clear in its guidance on UK qualifications. It explains that offers are normally based on three A Levels, regardless of how many a student takes. Although an additional A Level can demonstrate that you can manage a demanding workload, Oxford advises students to think carefully before taking on extra subjects, as this could leave less time for wider reading or affect their grades.

Universities set their own entry requirements, and a fourth A Level may be useful in certain circumstances. For example, some competitive courses in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering recommend or expect Further Mathematics alongside other A Levels, particularly if it’s available at your school or college.

Ultimately, choosing the right subjects and achieving strong grades is usually more important than taking an extra A Level. Before deciding how many to study, check the entry requirements for the courses you’re interested in and consider whether you have a clear reason for taking a fourth subject.

Why do some students take four A Levels?

There are several reasons why a student might choose to take four A Levels.

Firstly, some sixth forms have a system where students take four A Levels in Year 12, then drop one and continue with three in Year 13.

You might also want to choose four subjects because:

• You genuinely enjoy all four and want to continue studying them.
• The subjects complement each other, e.g. Maths and Further Maths.
• You want to keep your options open while deciding which university course to apply for.
• You are confident that you can manage the workload without compromising your grades.
• A particular university course recommends or expects a particular fourth subject.

Taking four A Levels can be a sensible choice if there’s a clear reason for doing so. However, you don’t need to take an extra subject simply because you think universities will prefer you to have one. As discussed above, most university offers are based on three A Levels.

Further Maths as a fourth A Level

Further Maths is a common reason why students take four A Levels. For some mathematically demanding degrees, it may be expected or strongly recommended.

For example, the University of Cambridge requires or strongly recommends Further Maths for certain courses, including Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, and Physical Natural Sciences. For these courses, Cambridge would usually expect students to take Further Maths as a fourth A Level, if their school or college allows them to study four subjects.

Requirements vary between universities and courses, so always check the entry requirements for the courses you are interested in.

Is taking four A Levels worth the extra workload?

This is one of the most important questions to ask yourself. A Levels require a lot more independent study than GCSEs. You will need to keep up with lessons, complete homework, revise for assessments, and prepare thoroughly for your exams.

Adding another subject means taking on an additional syllabus, more assessments, and another set of exams to prepare for.

You should also consider what else you want to do during sixth form. You might want to take part in sport, music, volunteering, work experience, clubs, or other extracurricular activities. If you’re planning to apply to university, you may also want to spend time exploring your academic interests outside the classroom.

What if you start with four A Levels and want to drop one?

If you start with four A Levels and find the workload too demanding, speak to your teachers or sixth-form team. They can help you consider your options and decide whether continuing with three subjects would be a better choice.

You shouldn’t see dropping a subject as a failure. You may discover that one subject isn’t right for you, or realise that you could achieve stronger grades by concentrating on your other three subjects. Recognising that you need to adjust your workload can be a sensible and mature decision.

Before dropping a subject, check that your remaining A Levels meet the entry requirements for any university courses you’re considering, particularly if a course requires specific subjects. If you’re unsure, ask your teachers or careers adviser for guidance.

Could you take an EPQ instead of a fourth A Level?

If you’re considering taking four A Levels, another option is to study three A Levels alongside an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

An EPQ is a standalone qualification that allows you to research a topic you’re interested in and produce an extended piece of work. This usually takes the form of a dissertation, but you can also create an artefact, such as a product or creative project, accompanied by written research.

An EPQ is worth half an A Level in terms of qualification size and can earn up to 28 UCAS Tariff points.

Some universities also make alternative offers to students taking an EPQ. Depending on the university and course, this could mean slightly lower A Level grade requirements. For example, instead of requiring ABB across three A Levels, a university might accept BBB alongside an A in the EPQ. These offers aren’t available for every course, so check the entry requirements for your chosen universities.

Even if a university doesn’t make alternative offers based on the EPQ, completing one can help you demonstrate your interest in a subject and develop independent research skills. You may be able to discuss your project when writing your personal statement.

An EPQ still requires a significant amount of independent work, so it’s important to consider whether you’ll have enough time to manage it alongside your A Levels.

For a more detailed discussion of the EPQ, check out our article: Why do an EPQ? Exploring the benefits of the EPQ.

How should you decide how many A Levels to take?

If you’re still unsure how many A Levels to take, ask yourself the following questions.

1. How many A Levels do I need for university?

Check the entry requirements for the university courses you’re interested in. Most courses base their offers on three A Levels, but some may recommend an additional subject, such as Further Maths. Knowing what your chosen courses expect can help you decide whether there’s a reason to take four.

2. Why do I want to take four A Levels?

If you have a clear academic reason for taking four A Levels, such as wanting to study Further Maths alongside Maths, an additional subject may make sense. However, if you’re only considering it because you think three won’t be enough to get into university, you probably don’t need the extra subject.

3. Can I manage the workload?

Think realistically about how much time you can spend studying each week. Remember that A Levels aren’t the only things you’ll be doing during sixth form. You’ll also need time to rest, socialise, and pursue other interests. Consider whether you can manage an additional subject without compromising your grades or wellbeing.

4. What does my school recommend?

Speak to your teachers or sixth-form team about the expected workload and whether starting with four subjects is common at your school or college. They can help you understand your options and decide what might suit you best.

5. Would I rather focus on three subjects or spread my time across four?

Consider whether taking a fourth A Level would genuinely benefit you, or whether you’d be better off concentrating on three subjects and aiming for the strongest grades you can achieve. There is no prize for making your workload as large as possible. For most students, three strong A Levels are enough for university entry.

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So, how many A Levels should you take?

For most students, taking three A Levels is the standard and sensible choice.

Taking four can be a good option if you have a clear reason for doing so, particularly if the subjects complement one another or a specific university course recommends an additional subject, such as Further Maths.

What you shouldn’t do is choose four simply because you think three won’t be impressive enough.

Ultimately, the right number of A Levels is the number that allows you to achieve your goals while maintaining a healthy, manageable workload.

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FAQs

How many A Levels can you take?

There is no single maximum number of A Levels that applies to every student, as the number you can study will depend on your school or college. Most students take three A Levels, while a smaller number choose to take four. Taking five or more is very rare.

It’s also possible to take fewer than three A Levels, for example, if you’re combining A Levels with a vocational qualification, such as a BTEC.

If you’re considering taking more than three A Levels, think carefully about whether you can manage the additional workload without compromising your grades.

How many A levels do you need for university?

Most university courses base offers on three A Levels, although entry requirements vary depending on the university and degree. Some courses require specific subjects or recommend an additional subject, such as Further Maths. If you’re combining A Levels with vocational qualifications, some universities may accept these too. Always check the entry requirements for the courses you’re interested in.

Should I take 4 A Levels if I get good GCSE grades?

Good GCSE grades may give you confidence that you can manage A Level study, but they don’t automatically mean you should take four subjects. A Levels require more in-depth learning and independent study than GCSEs, so think carefully about whether you can manage the extra workload while maintaining strong grades. Discuss your options with your teachers before deciding.

Can you do 5 A Levels?

Yes, but taking five A Levels is very rare. According to government statistics for summer 2026, just 170 18-year-olds in England took five or more A Levels, representing less than 0.1% of those included in the statistics.

Taking more subjects isn’t necessarily better, and such a large workload could make it harder to achieve strong grades or leave time for other activities. For most students, three A Levels are sufficient, with a fourth worth considering only if there’s a clear reason for taking it.

Should I take Further Maths as a fourth A Level?

Further Maths can be a good choice if you enjoy Maths or are considering a mathematically demanding university course. Some universities require or strongly recommend it for particular degrees. However, you don’t always need to take it as a fourth A Level; taking Further Maths alongside Maths as part of your three A Levels may be sufficient. Check the entry requirements for your chosen courses before deciding.

Can you do 2 A Levels?

Yes, you can study two A Levels, although whether this is suitable will depend on your circumstances and future plans. Some students choose to combine two A Levels with a vocational qualification, such as a BTEC.

If you’re planning to go to university, check the entry requirements for your chosen courses carefully. Many courses ask for three A Levels or equivalent qualifications, so two A Levels on their own are unlikely to meet the entry requirements. Combining them with another recognised qualification may give you more options.

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