Hardest A Levels 2026

Choosing the right A Level subjects to study in the sixth form can play a key role in determining the options open to you after school - whether university choices or specific subject study.

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Top 20 Hardest A Level Subjects (1-10)

There is no objective measure of which A Levels are the hardest, but the following list features the subjects that come up most often in student and teacher surveys. All the subjects on the list are academically demanding. One student’s hardest subject might sit within another’s comfort zone.

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Further Maths

Further Maths requires an understanding of difficult mathematical concepts, as well as problem-solving and reasoning skills. A love of maths may be a prerequisite here because you are going to have to study very hard.

Interestingly, the grade distribution of this subject is unique on this list. In 2025, 28.6% of students achieved an A* grade, and a remarkable 58.0% achieved grade A or above. Make no mistake, though; it is usually the most academically robust students with an aptitude for maths that take on this incredibly challenging subject, with many dropping it in Year 12 to focus on the standard Maths A level. The exceptionally high proportion of top grades reflects the cohort's self-selecting nature rather than the subject being easy. This is why it is at the top of our list.

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Maths

The most popular A Level subject, overtaking English Literature in 2014. With over 104,000 students taking it in 2025, it remains the single most-taken A Level. A big step up from GCSE maths, you need to be able to think logically and problem-solve. Some elements of Mechanics will require knowledge of Physics concepts as well.

In 2025, 16.6% of students achieved an A*, with 41.3% achieving grade A or above. While these figures are strong compared to many subjects, they also reveal that securing top grades requires significant mathematical ability and dedication.

1.3

Chemistry

Chemistry A Level is known for its huge content, with a wide range of topics. You will need a solid grasp of theoretical and abstract concepts as well as an understanding of their application to experimental situations. A degree of maths ability will also help you.

In 2025, 9.2% of students achieved an A* grade, with 32.0% achieving grade A or above. Over 59,000 students sat Chemistry, making it one of the most popular science subjects. The relatively modest A* rate reflects the difficulty of mastering both the breadth and depth of content required.

1.4

Physics

Another challenging subject with hard concepts to grapple with, and a degree of mathematical knowledge and confidence a must. As with Chemistry, you must be able to apply theoretical ideas to a range of practical contexts.

With over 41,000 students taking Physics in 2025, 11.1% achieved an A* grade and 31.9% achieved grade A or above. Physics has one of the higher A* rates among the sciences, though this likely reflects the mathematically strong cohort it attracts rather than the subject being easier than Chemistry or Biology.

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English Literature

The first humanities subject on our list requires a very different set of skills. The ability to think critically and analyse a wide range of texts, as well as an in-depth knowledge of literary techniques, combine to make this subject a real challenge. You will have to come up with your own ideas, and not rely on easily available summaries. A love of reading will help, as there is a lot to get through, but you will need so much more.

In 2025, 9.4% of students achieved an A*, with 24.6% achieving grade A or above. Over 34,000 students sat English Literature, and the relatively low proportion of A and A* grades reflects the subjective nature of literary analysis and the stricter marking conventions often applied to essay-based subjects.

1.6

History

History requires not only the learning and memorising of a huge amount of content, but you also need to be able to analyse information critically and have a deep understanding of historical events and causes.

History does not feature in the top 20 most-taken A Level subjects by volume, but those who do take it face significant challenges. Like English Literature, History is marked subjectively, and achieving top grades requires exceptional analytical writing, source evaluation skills, and comprehensive knowledge of complex historical periods.

1.7

Biology

Back to sciences, and Biology is another subject where you will see a big jump from GCSE. There is a lot of content to cover, and you will need to understand difficult concepts in detail and show your understanding by analysing information and applying your knowledge.

With over 65,000 students taking Biology in 2025, it is the most popular science A Level. In 2025, 8.8% of students achieved an A*, with 27.6% achieving grade A or above. The lower A* rate compared to Physics and Chemistry reflects both the sheer volume of content and the broad range of students attracted to the subject, many of whom are aspiring medics or biologists with varying levels of scientific aptitude.

1.8

Computer Science

You will not only need to learn the theoretical knowledge of computer science, but you will also need to be able to program. There is a further non-exam element to the A Level which will assess your ability to solve or investigate a practical problem.

In 2025, nearly 19,000 students took Computing, with 5.9% achieving an A* and 24.9% achieving grade A or above. While the A* rate is relatively modest, the high proportion achieving grade A reflects that students who excel in logical thinking and programming tend to perform well. However, the combination of theoretical computer science, practical programming, and coursework makes this a demanding subject for those without prior coding experience.

1.9

Modern Foreign Languages

You will need a high degree of fluency and comprehension to do well in Modern Foreign Languages A Levels. These include French, German and Spanish. You will also study literary texts and need to have an understanding of historical and cultural contexts.

Taking Spanish as an example (one of the most popular modern foreign languages), in 2025, 10.2% of students achieved an A*, with 35.8% achieving grade A or above. The relatively high proportion of top grades may reflect the self-selecting nature of students who continue languages to A Level, often those who have demonstrated strong linguistic ability at GCSE or have heritage speakers in the cohort.

1.10

Psychology

Psychology has increased in popularity and is now second after maths as the most popular subject, with nearly 73,000 students taking it in 2025. That does not mean it is an easy one to study, with a considerable element of science and maths included. Students need to understand psychological theories and research methods to do well.

In 2025, just 5.8% of students achieved an A*, with 19.3% achieving grade A or above. These are among the lowest proportions on this list, reflecting both the broad appeal of Psychology (which attracts students with varying academic backgrounds) and the demanding nature of the subject, which requires mastery of scientific methodology, statistical analysis, and critical evaluation of research.

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Top 20 Hardest A Level Subjects (11-20)

2.1

English Language

Many consider English Literature the more 'prestigious' of the two English subject disciplines. But make no mistake; getting a top grade seems to be a struggle for many students who take the English Language course.

English Language does not feature in the top 20 most-taken subjects by volume, but it presents unique challenges. What makes A Level English Language difficult is how quickly it diverges away from the GCSE English syllabus into new territory. As the A Level's name implies, focus shifts away from analysing classical texts into understanding the theory behind language, why it changes, and how humans speak. Take this A Level if you're into words like diphthongs, syntax, lexicon, codified, and prosodics!

2.2

Economics

If understanding the fundamentals of how the economy works, including the theories surrounding market behaviour, the history of economics, as well as basic principles piques your interest, then A Level Economics might be a good choice for you. An economics A Level qualification will prepare you for a career in economics or finance-related fields such as investment banking or financial consulting.

In 2025, over 41,500 students took Economics, with 7.5% achieving an A* and 29.6% achieving grade A or above. The moderate A* rate reflects the analytical and mathematical demands of the subject, requiring students to master economic theory, interpret data, and construct rigorous arguments.

2.3

Law

Law is a less popular A Level to take, with just over 14,000 students taking it in the whole of the UK in 2025. However, it is certainly a difficult subject. Just 4.8% of all students who took Law at A Level received an A*, with 16.7% achieving grade A or above. These are among the lowest proportions on the entire list.

The most common grades achieved were C and B. Students looking to go into Law would, obviously, benefit from taking this A Level, although it is certainly not required as an A Level to pursue Law for Undergraduate or Post-Graduate study. The low A* rate likely reflects the demanding nature of legal analysis, case law comprehension, and essay writing required at this level.

2.4

Business

A common myth surrounding Business is that it is the 'softer' version of Economics; the truth is, while the fields are similar, they actually cover quite different subjects. Business A Level is more focussed on marketing, operations, human resources, and business strategy, while Economics explores market theory, market structures, supply and demand, inflation, unemployment, and international trade.

In 2025, over 41,600 students took Business, making it one of the more popular A Levels. However, just 4.1% achieved an A*, with 16.1% achieving grade A or above. These are among the lowest figures on the list, suggesting that while Business attracts a broad range of students, achieving top grades requires strong analytical skills and the ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-world business scenarios. A Business A Level qualification may be worth pursuing if you are interested in obtaining a degree in Marketing, or running your own business.

2.5

Computing

Computing A Level has seen a significant spike in popularity in the past ten years, with just over 3,000 students taking it in 2013 and close to 19,000 students in 2025.

In 2025, 5.9% of students achieved an A*, with 24.9% achieving grade A or above. While continuing advances in technology, a vanishing social taboo around being a 'nerd', and access to online learning resources for coding and other computing subjects has undoubtedly helped, perhaps an increase in funding and school resources to this subject at schools has continued to encourage students to pick this subject more often. The relatively modest A* rate reflects the dual challenge of mastering both theoretical computer science and practical programming skills.

2.6

Music

While Music A Level has always been a less popular subject to take at A Level, it has seen a significant decline in popularity in the past 20 years, with only half the amount of students choosing it in 2024 compared to 2008.

Music does not feature in the top 20 most-taken subjects, but those who do take it face considerable challenges requiring performance skills, composition ability, and deep theoretical knowledge. Studying A Level Music is crucial for those interested in pursuing music at a classical Conservatoire or prestigious university. Additionally, most universities and conservatoires prefer an A Level over a BTEC for a standard music degree, as focus is placed more on classical composition and music theory.

2.7

Sociology

Sociology, the study of society, is similar to Psychology in that it is a very diverse subject that can be applied to many different career paths. Sociology A Level would be a useful degree if you are interested in human behaviour, and would like a career working with people.

In 2025, over 41,700 students took Sociology, making it one of the more popular A Levels. However, just 5.4% achieved an A*, with 18.8% achieving grade A or above. These relatively low figures reflect the demanding nature of sociological analysis, requiring students to evaluate complex theories, apply research methods, and construct well-evidenced arguments about social structures and inequalities. Typically, sociology students may find a career in human resources, marketing, social care, or other human behaviourally-focussed careers.

2.8

Media Studies

Media Studies was taken by roughly 21,000 students in 2025, with the most common results achieved at B and C grades. While it seems that with this subject students generally perform at a reasonable level, it is a subject on this list that has one of the lowest A* rates by far.

In 2025, just 2.4% of students achieved an A* grade, the lowest proportion of any subject in the top 20. Only 14.7% achieved grade A or above. We have put this subject lower on this list, however, as the broad range of students attracted to the subject and the subjective nature of media analysis and production work mean it is harder to analyse as objectively 'difficult'. If you are interested in Film and TV, then this is the subject for you.

2.9

Fine Art

We've placed Fine Art lower on this list, as results show that students who take this course generally perform quite well. In 2025, 15.9% of students taking Art and Design subjects achieved an A*, with 35.4% achieving grade A or above. These are among the highest proportions on the list, with over 40,000 students taking Art and Design subjects.

However, what we found interesting is the disparity in grade between genders. Female students, who this subject is noticeably more popular with, tend to perform much better than their male counterparts. This subject was taken by 3× as many females than males, who were also less likely to achieve lower grades and more likely to achieve A and A* grades. The high proportion of top grades likely reflects the self-selecting nature of students who continue art to A Level, typically those with demonstrated talent and passion for creative work.

2.10

P.E.

P.E. may be a difficult subject for students who go into it thinking it's an 'easy' or 'soft' subject to take. But again, as is the theme with the rest of this article, there is no such thing as a 'soft' A Level subject: A Levels are objectively challenging.

In 2025, nearly 12,000 students took Physical Education, with 5.1% achieving an A*, and 17.4% achieving grade A or above. These relatively modest figures demonstrate that P.E. is far from easy. What makes P.E. more difficult than its predecessor, P.E. GCSE, is that you have to specialise in one chosen sport. Furthermore, there is a lot to familiarise yourself with in human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and sports psychology, so get studying!

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Grade Distributions For A Level Subjects

One possible method of measuring a subject's 'difficulty' is to observe the average grade distributions by A Level subject, provided by Ofqual.

While this may not be the most accurate way to determine difficulty, since several variables affect the distribution of grades, it can still provide a general understanding of students' performance in each subject.

Using the most recent data available (as of 2026), here is a table that examines the 20 most common A Level subjects taken, ranked aA-levelccording to how many students achieve an A* grade (lowest to highest):

Rank	Subject	No. of Students	% A*	% A and Above
1	Media / Film / TV Studies	21,305	2.4%	14.7%
2	Business	41,645	4.1%	16.1%
3	Law	14,245	4.8%	16.7%
4	Physical Education	11,790	5.1%	17.4%
5	Sociology	41,715	5.4%	18.8%
6	Psychology	72,925	5.8%	19.3%
7	Computing	18,805	5.9%	24.9%
8	Religious Studies	14,270	6.0%	25.5%
9	Design and Technology	9,020	6.0%	19.2%
10	Geography	31,185	6.1%	24.1%
11	Economics	41,505	7.5%	29.6%
12	Political Studies	20,610	8.3%	28.0%
13	Biology	65,330	8.8%	27.6%
14	Chemistry	59,050	9.2%	32.0%
15	English Literature	34,685	9.4%	24.6%
16	Spanish	7,770	10.2%	35.8%
17	Physics	41,600	11.1%	31.9%
18	Art and Design Subjects	40,295	15.9%	35.4%
19	Mathematics	104,580	16.6%	41.3%
20	Further Mathematics	18,435	28.6%	58.0%

Important context: This data should not be interpreted as a definitive measure of subject difficulty! Several factors influence grade distributions beyond the inherent challenge of the content. Further Mathematics, for instance, attracts a highly self-selecting cohort of mathematically strong students, which drives up the proportion of A* grades. Similarly, subjects like Media Studies tend to be taken by a broader range of students with varying levels of academic preparation. Additionally, marking approaches differ significantly across subjects. Mathematics and the sciences use objective mark schemes with clear right-or-wrong answers, whereas subjects like English Literature, Sociology, and Religious Studies rely more heavily on examiner judgement and interpretation. A lower percentage of A* grades in essay-based subjects may reflect stricter marking conventions rather than greater difficulty. Grade distributions reveal patterns in student performance, but they cannot account for cohort composition, teaching quality, subject aptitude, or the fundamental differences between how subjects are assessed.

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Hardest A Level Exam Boards

There are three main exam boards offering A Levels: being Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR. Which exam board is the hardest is often a matter of perception. In terms of university choices, universities do not specify which exam board they expect students to study. Unless you are looking to move at sixth form to a school or college offering a particular board, you will take the exams offered by your school. The teachers will be familiar with the specifications for whichever board they are following.

It is important to remember that if you are studying A Levels in the UK, then the boards are broadly comparable as standards are monitored by the UK Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). Schools may choose different boards for different subjects, sometimes due to teacher preference, or a perception that a particular exam board will suit their student cohort.

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Conclusion

All A Levels are challenging and academically rigorous exams. When choosing A Level subjects, it is important to be looking beyond the exams to your next steps. Which universities do you want to apply for? Which subjects do you want to study? These questions may have the greatest influence on your choices.

A 2017 Report by Ofqual found that “subject choices appear to be primarily driven by a triad of perceptions: enjoyment, usefulness, and difficulty (with perceptions being mostly person-specific). Although perceptions of difficulty did have an influence on subject choices, they are perhaps the lesser of these three concerns.”

Whilst Maths and Further Maths consistently come near the top of any list of hardest A Level subjects, Maths remains the most popular A Level subject, closely followed by Psychology, which has seen a surge in applicants in recent years. The FFT education data lab has produced independent statistics on the popularity of different A Levels.

Whatever your aspirations and choices, Ivy Education has expert A Level consultants and tutors who can help you make the best choices, and support and guide you through the curriculum to maximise your academic performance.

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