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Original poster

A-level Choices- are these 'soft'?

38 replies

questioner123 · 10/02/2017 20:33

Hello!

My DD is looking at choosing English (lang and lit), psychology and government and politics for a-level. Are these classed as 'soft' a-levels? Any help or advice is really appreciated!

OP posts:
LooseAtTheSeams · 11/02/2017 17:26

If you changed it to English lit, history and government and politics OR psychology, then you'd have an ideal combination for journalism (and quite possibly law!). There's no reason not to do psychology but make sure your DD knows exactly what the syllabus is, because I think sometimes students get a bit of a shock that it isn't what they expected.

Ciutadella · 11/02/2017 16:14

My understanding -please tell me if I'm wrong! is that there are:

  1. Facilitating subjects which are subjects you need to do for particular degrees eg Want to do geography at university? then you must do geog A level. And so on for physics etc. These subjects tend to be highly rated by universities
  1. Other 'highly rated' subjects - you don't need them for a degree, but they are still considered 'good' or 'hard' subjects. eg Want to do philosophy or economics at university? You don't need the a level in that subject, but they are still just as highly rated, or 'preferred'. The LSE and Trinity lists (as far as I remember) seem to suggest that is the case.
  1. Other subjects (ie 'soft' in op's parlance!).

Of op's dd's subject, Eng lit is facilitating - the others aren't.

Cinderford · 11/02/2017 15:43

RTFT now. My understanding is that law faculties prefer A levels in faciliatating subjects which prove the applicant can assimilate information and present a compelling argument e.g. history, English Literature. But you could try looking on t'internet for the individual preferences of each uni your DD is interested in. HTH

TheCakes · 11/02/2017 15:41

There are still decent careers to be had in journalism. True, local newspapers are in decline, but media in general is booming. There is work around for those with talent and initiative. Just make sure she knows it won't be handed to her on a plate.
Good A Level choices if that's the path she chooses.

myfavouritecolourispurple · 11/02/2017 15:40

They are fine. Especially for law and journalism.

Onceuponatime21 · 11/02/2017 15:39

Interesting article. Has link to Russell group "facilitating subjects" and also LSE re non preferred courses. Cambridge's trinity also publishes list of a levels it doesn't rate.

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/9948905/Are-some-A-level-subjects-better-than-others.html

Cinderford · 11/02/2017 15:36

The A level English Language and Literature combined is regarded as soft. Straight Literature is a facilitating subject; not sure about English Language.

Noitsnotteatimeyet · 11/02/2017 15:32

Tell her to avoid journalism as a career ... sadly there is no future in it for the vast majority of wannabe journos (and I suspect that quite a few lawyers will say something similar about law)

Allthebestnamesareused · 11/02/2017 14:35

Questioner123

As a solicitor (and I was a wannabe journo at school) I'd say they are good choices for all 3 of those careers.

Not soft at all!

ScarletSienna · 10/02/2017 21:12

I took three of those plus Law and went into teaching. They're fine for applying to arts subjects at uni which is probably the main thing.

Original poster
questioner123 · 10/02/2017 21:10

She is thinking either Law, journalism, or teaching? Hmm

OP posts:
TheOracleAtSelfie · 10/02/2017 20:51

Depends what she wants to study. I did French, govt & pol, philosophy, and classics. Went on to Cambridge!

lljkk · 10/02/2017 20:49

English is a toughie, not soft. What does she want to do after A-levels?

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