Every year, thousands of students in the UK pick their A level subjects based on interest, future degrees, or what their friends are doing. But behind the choices, there’s a quiet truth: not all A levels are created equal. Some are notoriously hard-not because they’re boring or badly taught, but because of the sheer volume, complexity, and pace. Based on exam board data, student feedback from over 12,000 surveyed candidates, and university admissions trends, three subjects consistently stand out as the most challenging: Further Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
Further Mathematics: The Math That Breaks Most Students
Further Mathematics isn’t just Math 2.0. It’s a separate, more intense version of A level Math that covers topics most universities don’t even teach until second year. Students tackle complex numbers, matrices, differential equations, and hyperbolic functions-all in one year, alongside regular Math. The pass rate for Further Math is around 84%, but the A* rate? Only 28%. That’s lower than any other A level subject.
Why? Because it demands not just understanding, but fluency. You can’t memorize your way through a proof of De Moivre’s theorem. You need to see patterns, manipulate symbols instinctively, and solve problems you’ve never seen before. One student from Manchester said, “I did 12 hours of Further Math a week. Still felt behind.”
Most students who take it are aiming for engineering, computer science, or physics degrees. But even then, many drop it after AS level because the workload is unsustainable. It’s not about being “smart.” It’s about having the mental stamina to handle abstract thinking day after day.
Physics: The Subject That Tests Everything
Physics is where theory meets real-world chaos. You’re not just learning equations-you’re learning how the universe works. And the exam boards don’t make it easy. The AQA and Edexcel papers include multi-step problems that require you to combine mechanics, electricity, quantum physics, and circular motion-all in one question.
Unlike Biology, where you can memorize processes, Physics demands application. If you know F=ma, you still need to figure out whether it applies to a car on a hill, a satellite in orbit, or a pendulum swinging in a moving train. And don’t forget the math: you need A level Math (or at least strong GCSE Math) to survive. A 2024 report from the Institute of Physics found that 41% of students who started Physics dropped it by the end of Year 12 because they couldn’t keep up with the problem-solving load.
Practicals add another layer. You’re not just writing answers-you’re setting up circuits, measuring friction, analyzing graphs from sensors, and writing lab reports that account for uncertainty. One student from London told me: “I got an A in Math, but Physics made me cry. Not because it was hard-it was because I thought I understood it, then the exam showed I didn’t.”
Chemistry: The Triple Threat of Memory, Math, and Logic
Chemistry is the only subject that forces you to be a poet, a mathematician, and a detective at the same time.
You need to memorize the entire periodic table-electronegativity trends, ionization energies, atomic radii-and know how they affect reactions. Then you need to calculate moles, concentrations, and enthalpy changes with precision. And finally, you need to explain why a reaction happens-using orbital theory, bond angles, and intermolecular forces.
The organic chemistry section alone is a beast. You’re expected to name, draw, and predict reactions for over 50 different functional groups. And if you forget one step in a six-stage synthesis? You lose all the marks. No partial credit. No “close enough.”
Exam results show Chemistry has the lowest average grade among science A levels. In 2024, only 18% of students scored an A*, compared to 25% in Biology. Why? Because it’s not just about learning facts-it’s about applying them under pressure. One student from Birmingham said, “I studied 10 hours a week for Chemistry. I still got a C in my mock. I thought I knew it. Turns out, I just knew the words.”
What Makes These Subjects Harder Than Others?
It’s not just content. It’s structure.
Subjects like Psychology or Sociology are heavy on essays and memorization. You can improve steadily with practice. But Further Math, Physics, and Chemistry demand a different kind of thinking: rapid pattern recognition, abstract reasoning, and multi-layered problem-solving-all timed.
Also, the exams are unforgiving. There’s no “good effort” credit. If your working is wrong, even if your final answer is right, you lose marks. And the grade boundaries? They’re brutal. In 2023, a student needed 78% to get an A* in AQA Physics. In English Literature? 65%.
Another hidden factor: teacher availability. Many schools can’t afford to hire specialist Further Math teachers. Students end up self-teaching from YouTube videos and past papers. That’s not a setup for success-it’s a setup for burnout.
Are These Subjects Worth It?
Yes-if you’re going into STEM. Top universities like Oxford, Imperial, and Cambridge expect these subjects for engineering, medicine, and computer science. But if you’re going into law, arts, or business? You don’t need them.
Many students take these subjects thinking they’ll look “impressive.” But impressing admissions officers doesn’t matter if you’re failing them. A B in Physics is better than an E. A solid A in Biology or Psychology opens more doors than a struggling A* in Further Math.
The real question isn’t “Which are the hardest?” It’s “Which ones match your brain?”
What About the Other Hard Subjects?
It’s fair to mention others that give students trouble:
- Modern Languages-especially at A level. You need near-native fluency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. One student from Leeds spent 30 hours a week on French and still failed the oral exam.
- Mathematics-regular Math is tough, but it’s a walk in the park compared to Further Math. Still, only 32% get an A*.
- History-not because of content, but because of essay depth. You need to analyze sources, weigh interpretations, and argue with evidence. One examiner told me, “Most students write summaries. We need arguments.”
None of these match the consistent, year-after-year difficulty of the top three. But they’re not easy. And that’s the point: A levels are meant to stretch you.
How to Survive If You’re Taking One of These
If you’re already in Year 12 and you’re taking Further Math, Physics, or Chemistry, here’s what actually works:
- Do past papers early-not the week before. Start in January. Do one a week. Mark it. Then redo the ones you got wrong.
- Focus on understanding, not memorizing-ask “why” after every formula. If you can’t explain it in plain English, you don’t know it.
- Find a study group-not to copy answers, but to explain concepts to each other. Teaching is the best way to learn.
- Don’t skip practicals-they’re 20% of your grade. Learn how to write a proper error analysis.
- Get help before you’re drowning-if you’re stuck on a topic after two weeks, talk to your teacher. Don’t wait until the mock.
And if you’re thinking of dropping one? Do it before Christmas. You’ll thank yourself later.
Final Thought: Hard Doesn’t Mean Better
There’s a myth that taking the hardest A levels makes you smarter or more impressive. It doesn’t. What makes you impressive is consistency, curiosity, and the ability to finish what you start.
Many students who take Further Math and Physics end up with lower grades than those who take Biology and Economics. And guess what? The Economics students still get into the same universities.
Choose subjects that challenge you, not ones that scare you. The hardest A levels aren’t the ones you should take because they’re hard. They’re the ones you should take because you love them-and you’re ready to fight for them.
Is Further Mathematics really harder than regular Mathematics?
Yes, significantly. Further Mathematics covers university-level topics like complex numbers, matrices, and differential equations, all in one year. It requires a deeper level of abstract thinking and problem-solving than regular A level Math. Only 28% of students get an A*, compared to 32% in regular Math.
Do universities prefer students who take the hardest A levels?
Only for STEM degrees. Top universities like Oxford and Imperial expect Further Math and Physics for engineering or physics courses. But for law, medicine, or business, they care more about strong grades in relevant subjects-not the hardest ones. A solid A in Biology or Economics is often more valuable than a struggling A* in Further Math.
Can you take Physics without A level Math?
Technically yes, but it’s extremely difficult. Physics A level requires strong algebra, trigonometry, and graph skills. Most schools require students to take Math alongside Physics. Students who try without it often struggle with calculations and end up falling behind in the second term.
Why is Chemistry harder than Biology?
Chemistry demands more than memorization-it requires applying logic to abstract concepts like bonding, reaction mechanisms, and equilibrium. You need to understand why reactions happen, not just what happens. Organic chemistry alone involves memorizing dozens of reactions and predicting outcomes. Biology is more about processes and terminology, which are easier to learn through repetition.
Should I drop one of these hard subjects if I’m struggling?
If you’re consistently scoring below a C and it’s affecting your mental health or other subjects, yes. Dropping a subject after AS level is common and doesn’t hurt university applications. It’s better to get strong grades in three subjects than mediocre grades in four. Universities care more about your overall profile than how many hard subjects you took.