A levels needed/wanted for pharmacy

[IsPharmacy4Me]

Hello again,
After some more research and some work experience I have decided that a career in pharmacy would be great for me, and a degree in pharmacy is what I am striving to achieve. The question is which subjects to take for A level (I only have a couple of months to choose.) that will ensure that I am accepted.

On UCAS and several other websites they state that pharmacy Universities want Chemistry,Biology and another science or maths. However I am good at English and Business studies as well as the sciences and was wondering whether taking:

Biology,Chemistry,Business studies A2 and English AS
Would be good enough choices to get into the top Universities assuming I get good grades (If I put in all my effort and try as hard as I can I would expect to get: A in Chemistry, A in biology and A* in business (A in English AS))

On the other hand I could take:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics A2 + Business AS
Which fits the specification better but I would only expect to get (A in Biology, A in Chemistry and B in Physics (A* in business AS))

Which of the options do you think would be better? (note: I enjoy english)

Thanks.

[crit care]

i think as long as you follow the criteria for what unis are looking for then you won't go far wrong, but having A level subjects as varied as those above..mixing arts with science they may question your commitment to wanting to study pharmacy.

Notice you said "they state that pharmacy Universities want Chemistry,Biology and another science or maths" its an "AND" not an either/or....so you need chemistry, biology AND another science/maths..i don't think business studies counts as a science

Universities will be looking for candidates who are committed...they want to be able to give you an offer and know 100% you will accept it, having such a varied A level range...whilst good ranges could show you are still undecided on what you want to do!

[Nik]

Don't necessarily need to do all sciences and maths at A-level. Chem, bio, maths and anything else would be fine.

[IsPharmacy4Me]

I have considered maths, however it's not my strongest subject and I think I would struggle to get an A at A level. Ideally I need AAA to get into top Universities and taking maths would make that hard for me, its either Physics or Business for A2 really. Thanks for your feedback, anymore suggestions?

[crit care]

As well as looking at grades, they will also look at subject choices..having straight A's is good, but if its not in the subjects the unis are looking for then they won't mean much!

[Pikachu]

Hey there, I got into Pharmacy (Bath in 2006) with A2 biology, chemistry and business studies and AS maths.
If you are interested in community pharmacy in the future, you could briefly talk about the business side of pharmacy during your interview. It will set you apart from other applicants.

[IsPharmacy4Me]

Cool, just wondering what most of your friends took for A level? I'd like to know what the general trend is for students who were accepted.

[Sir_Dispensalot]

back in the days before the AS / A split year thingy happened, i got in to Bath with a-levels in physics, chemistry and biology (and general studies/waffling) but had to do a 'remidial' maths course during the first year.

[johnep]

When decided I was to do pharmacy, had to take Chem, Phys, Biol at A level. Had never done biology before but had no problems. Maths was a weak area, but I concentrated on physical chemistry as the exam is usually to derive an equation and then do a simple exercise. One way to jack up your marks.
johnep

[hibernia]

i think as long as you follow the criteria for what unis are looking for then you won't go far wrong, but having A level subjects as varied as those above..mixing arts with science they may question your commitment to wanting to study pharmacy.

I'm sure you are right but it strikes me as a very narrow approach to picking students. Would they really discriminate based on choices made 2 years earlier? Do they expect everyone to committ at 17? No wonder so many get disillusioned later.
The OP said they enjoyed English and are good at it and I would think those are very good reasons to study it. After all you use English every day in Pharmacy and an inability to communicate clearly, especially using written English, is obvious in many graduates.
The arts, be it literature, music, painting or whatever are such an important part of life and it is a big help in studying any subject if you have other interests for balance.

In Ireland students study 6-7 subjects up to Leaving Cert, similiar to the systems in Scotland and France, and I feel that turns out more rounded individuals. Education should develop the whole person not just prepare them for one career.