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Original poster

A Level Choices and "facilitating subjects"

61 replies

Phaedra11 · 08/02/2014 10:00

My son is in Year 11 at a local state school which doesn't have a sixth college. He hopes to continue with A levels at the nearby sixth college which has a very good reputation. The A levels he wishes to do are: English Lit, Law, Sociology and IT. I am aware that A level Law is widely thought of as irreverent, even if you go on to study Law at university but he really wants to do it, partly because he thinks it would show him whether he does want to pursue it further and also he's really attracted to the mock trials that the college participates in. He wants to study the other subjects because he enjoys them.

I've always thought that studying the subjects you have a passion for was the best bet, but was concerned to read on another thread that to stand a chance of getting into a decent university, you need to have A levels in two facilitating/traditional subjects. I assume English Lit would qualify but not the others. He definitely does not want to study Maths or Sciences, though he already has A grades in GCSE Maths and Biology and is predicted As for Chemistry, Physics and Further Maths. History is a possibility but I know he would rather study the other subjects and I have been told by a friend with insider knowledge that the teaching of History at the college has been comparatively weak recently with a fast turnover of history staff.

I don't know whether to say anything to DS about this or not. He is already feeling the pressure of imminent GCSEs. We did discuss initially whether History might be a better option if he does go further with Law but in the end he decided against it. I think it is possible/quite likely that he would achieve better grades in the subjects he prefers. He has no particular ambitions for Oxbridge but does hope to go to university. The school has given guidance on applying for college but not on A level choices. The Sixth Form college has said that they are flexible about A level choices at this point and it is quite possible to change options in the initial induction period.

Any advice?

OP posts:
eatyourveg · 09/02/2014 07:51

This was handed out to ds on one of his 6th form open evenings

ISingSoprano · 08/02/2014 13:25

I think the point is at 15/16/17+ they often do change their minds about which degree or career to follow. It's all about keeping as many doors open as possible. Dd is in year 11 and about to go to sixth form too - it's fair to say we have been around the houses and back again in deciding which subjects to choose!

Suffolkgirl1 · 08/02/2014 11:46

What about Religion, Philosophy and Ethics rather than the sociology? DD who is considering Law has been recommended it.

Original poster
Phaedra11 · 08/02/2014 11:21

Thank you, everyone. That RG document is really useful, thanks dream girls. DS is academic and is predicted As and A*s for his GCSEs. He is studying Sociology GCSE and was quite surprised to hear it isn't considered a serious subject as he has watched my younger brother who has a Sociology degree, gain his PHD and lecture at universities around the world.

I've just a chat with DS about where he eventually hopes to go with his qualifications and what degree he might take. He said he's thinking Law or Computers though possibly now veering away from Law because he knows about competitive it is and how long and expensive the training is. He's now browsing through UCAS courses and has just told me that he's now considering doing Classical Civilisation instead of Sociology!!

OP posts:
CareersDragon · 08/02/2014 10:51

It sounds as if you've had exactly the right conversation with your DS Phaedra. The Russell Group Informed Choices document is worth reading to see what the fussiest universities prefer by way of A level subjects.
To look at actual uni requirements, look at www.ucas.com.

You may find this website useful too. You can input A level subjects, and see what degrees they lead to, and look at career options (and salaries!) afterwards: www.bestcourse4me.com/

Dreamgirls234 · 08/02/2014 10:45

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senua · 08/02/2014 10:30

Try to get him to think about what he wants to read at University. If he has some idea of the subject then he can start reading admissions criteria. He can then see for himself whether his choices will stand up.

Has he already studied Sociology? To go for two not-previously-studied subjects (Law & Sociology) is a bit risky.

Saharap2 · 08/02/2014 10:23

I think that's scaremongering to say only ex polys will look at him with those subjects. If he gets straight As in those subjects I don't think he will be restricted to the polys.

Yes it would probably be good to add another more traditional subject but law and sociology are not as bad as some people are making out. They are essay based subjects which require a decent level of analytical thinking.

sassytheFIRST · 08/02/2014 10:16

Depends how able he is and what kind of uni he would be aiming for. Russell group and Oxbridge wouldn't look at him with those subjects ( unless poss for IT subject), however he could get onto Law course at a midrange ex poly e.g. Staffordshire, uni west of England etc.

I'd recommend dropping one in favor of a traditionally tougher subject if he is academic enough - history, geog, philosophy etc would also keep his options wider at this stage.

A level law is v v dry, btw....

Dreamgirls234 · 08/02/2014 10:13

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Dreamgirls234 · 08/02/2014 10:10

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