Subject compass help and FAQs

Can't find your qualification or subjects?
Can't find your qualification or subjects?

If you can’t find your qualification, your subjects, or subject combinations, then have a look at our range of subject guides where you’ll find course ideas, or visit our explore tool to add subjects, regions, and universities to your favourites, and we’ll provide details of courses for you based on your favourites.


Still have questions?

Why do you only show A level, BTEC Extended Diploma, and SQA Highers?

In launching this tool, we are focusing on the main qualifications that make up a large proportion of the applications to undergraduate courses with UCAS. As we develop our services, we will look to include more qualifications in this tool over the coming year.

When will my qualification be available in this tool?

We will only be able to show qualifications where we have enough data to make the necessary calculations. We are focusing on the qualifications that most applicants use to apply to UK universities.

Why can’t I find my subject in the list?

The subjects listed in this tool have been created using data-driven groupings. We have mapped every qualification to a subject, so please choose the most relevant if you can’t find your exact subject. For example, if you are studying 'textiles’ at A level, choose ‘design and technology’.

Why are there no results for my combination of subjects?

We can only show results where we have enough data. We therefore can only report on combinations that have a reasonable number of applicants that have progressed to university, with those combinations of subjects and qualifications. Please see the links below to other tools to help you with making your university course choices.

Where does this data come from?

This data looks at the latest three years of application data, and summarizes which undergraduate courses applicants with those combinations have applied to. We only show a maximum of 20 results, and some combinations have more than 20 outcomes, the rest of which aren’t shown here.

What if I am taking more than three A levels or four SQA Highers? 

When choosing which three A levels or four SQA Highers in this tool, you should choose the your favourite ones or the ones you feel best reflect you as these are likely to suggest more suitable subjects to explore.