Almost a third of university applicants wish that they had chosen different A-level subjects, a new survey reveals.

And 41 per cent wish they had thought more about what subjects might help them to secure a place at university.

In the poll of more than 1,000 A-level students who had applied to university, only half (53 per cent) felt sufficiently informed about how their A levels might affect their choice of university or course.

And 30 per cent said that the advice they were given when choosing their A levels failed to take into account how their subject options might affect their degree and university choices. Fewer than half (41 per cent) of students surveyed were aware that many universities have a list of A-level subjects that they view less favourably than others.

‘Important decision’

Almost a third (28 per cent) of university applicants said that they should have chosen different A-level subjects that were better suited to the courses they wanted to study.

Alex Neill, a spokesman for Which? University, which conducted the survey, said: “Students know that choosing what to study at university is an important decision. However, they are less clear about how earlier decisions could impact on the degree options available to them.

“It’s important that students choose their A levels with both degree courses and future careers in mind.”

Which? University is launching a new A level Explorer tool, designed to help GCSE pupils examine how their A-level choices will affect their future degree and career options.

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