For years, Science A Levels have been branded as hardcore, only studied by the very best students who are consistently achieving top grades. With the increasing opportunities of amazing careers available related to these subjects, more and more students are jumping on the bandwagon and following this route.

You may ask what is causing this surge in popularity and is it just a passing phase or should you also be seriously wanting to consider Science A Levels as well? Let’s look into this more.

The Numbers Behind the Surge

Firstly, let’s look at some key statistics provided by Stem Learning that demonstrates the scale of this trend and investigate if the numbers add up.

• Statistics show that there has been a 3.7% increase in students completing A Level Biology in the years 2023 vs 2022
• A Level Chemistry enrolments have also increased by 4.1% over the same period
• Every year there has been a 4% increase in learners studying A Level Physics
• Based on the above, not surprisingly 65% of applicants to STEM university courses held at least 1 science A Level
• There has also been a 15% growth in online science A Level enrolments over a 2 year

There is clearly a surge of interest in studying science subjects whilst at school or college but what is the drive behind this?

What Makes A Levels So Popular?

For anyone who is unfamiliar with how A Levels work, let’s look at the ins and outs before we continue.

A Levels are in-depth specialised courses that students will complete at the end of their high school education. They are exam based and normally learners will take 2 years to complete all of their studies.

The idea of A Levels is to ensure that learners are prepared for the rigorous learning that university life will bring them and are not for the faint hearted.  You will also be expected to complete more independent learning, which will again prepare you for university life where there is no longer anyone available to hold your hand.

The average age of learners completing A Levels will be 16-18 but these can be taken earlier if you are a high achiever or later if schedules don’t add up.  You can also technically complete an A Level in 12 months, if you choose the online learning route. However, remember you will be expected to hold equivalent qualifications to IGCSE Maths and English in order to be considered for A Level or International A Level subjects.

The Driving Forces Behind the Science Craze

Now that we understand how A Levels work, let’s have a look at the factors causing the increase in Science A Level enrolment.

Massive Growth in STEM subjects

A major contributor is the recent STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) hype. STEM fields have seen massive growth and are shaping the world’s future.

There’s tons of buzz around how learning coding, engineering, and other STEM skills can set you up for success. Tech giants like Google, Apple, and Microsoft are the coveted places to work these days.

With all this hype around STEM careers, students are realising they need to study science at higher levels to take advantage. Taking Physics, Chemistry and Biology A Levels is becoming the cool thing to do if you want to access these lucrative jobs.

COVID-19 Made Science Impossible to Ignore

The COVID-19 pandemic has also shown people how crucial science is in real life. Seeing how much we rely on scientific understanding to handle COVID was a big wake up call.

It emphasised the need for more advanced scientific thinking to solve major world issues. That pushed interest in science education into overdrive.

Students recognise that learning transferable skills like data analysis, lab techniques, and scientific reasoning can empower them to make a difference. Taking Science A Levels is a way to be part of the solution.

More Support Than Ever Before

Another factor fuelling the science surge is the fact that it is getting easier to access resources and education for Science A Levels now.

With remote learning options booming such as Learn Now Distance Learning College , you have more flexibility, enabling you to complete your learning from home.

Digital resources like video explainers, simulations, apps, and virtual tutoring also make self-paced science learning achievable. So, limitations like your location or school circumstances are way less of an obstacle these days. Online A Levels are now easily achievable.

How Are Your Maths Skills?

You should be honest with yourself here as sciences, especially Physics and Chemistry, use a number of complex mathematical concepts. If your maths skills aren’t up to scratch, you’ll have a hard time keeping up.

Can You Handle Intense Study?

You should be extremely disciplined and be able to work unsupervised. There will be a lot of self-study involved and you will need to ensure your organisational skills are top class. There will be no time to procrastinate, and classes will be tough.

Do Science A Levels Align with Your Career Dreams?

Look at the degrees and jobs you’re considering. Will taking Science A Levels be essential or give you a competitive edge? Choose your subjects strategically based on your goals.

How do You Feel About Lab Time?

Labs, practical exams, dissections – science has some hands-on components. If you’re more of a straight-theory person, the mandatory lab time could affect your enthusiasm.

Final Thoughts

Only you can decide if Science A Levels aligns with your academic interests, strengths, and career aspirations.

If advanced science fits into your life plans and you have a genuine interest, then this is the career to choose. Take advantage of all the amazing resources now available to set yourself up for success.

Beyond just STEM paths, Science A Levels expand possibilities across many fields. Whichever path you choose, it’s amazing to see science education gaining more popularity and respect.