Advanced Level (A Level) is by definition the study of a subject in more depth and detail compared to GCSE. This is part of the rationale why students take a reduced number of A level subjects compared to GCSEs. A levels provide the more traditional route to university degrees and students should therefore chose their programme of study carefully. As importantly, the choice of A levels must be a good match to student ability. There is a broad range of subjects on offer ranging from the more traditional to the more contemporary. For many degrees at university there is no prescribed prior subject knowledge whereas for others such as medicine, dentistry and engineering, students must include specified A levels in their programme of study.