Students applying to top and other competitive universities are often expected to have explored their chosen subject beyond the classroom, alongside achieving strong results in their GCSEs and A-levels (or equivalent). This kind of exploration is often described as ‘super-curricular’, as it builds on and deepens what students are already studying in school.

Students and parents often ask what kinds of super-curricular activities are most useful for a particular subject. To support this, we have compiled a list of suggested reading and other activities that can help students begin exploring their subject in more depth. These are only suggestions and should not be seen as “required reading” for university applicants.