Science A levels are amongst those preferred by universities in the elite Russell Group from applicants. More than one ‘non-preferred’ or ‘soft’ subject is a bar to being offered a place in a top institution.

Media studies, dance and film studies and similar ‘soft’ subjects are far more likely to be studied by pupils in state schools, while applicants from the fee-paying sector will probably have been advised to study sciences or modern foreign language A levels – the universities’ preferred subjects.