Which combination of A levels?

[ShrekandDonkey]

DD cannot decide which A levels to choose next year. She has on her list;

English Lit and Lang
Biology
Psychology
Sociology

Currently hitting targets of 6/7 in all subjects apart from English which is an 8. Also isn't 100% set on what to study at University level but is thinking possibly Psychology.

I'm more worried about the content of these subjects, don't want her to be snowed under!

Maybe biology, psychology and sociology? All three would be useful on a psychology degree.

I'd say English, Biology and Psychology. Biology gives her a science which is helpful if she wants to do a BSc in Psychology (some of the 'better' unis offer BSc rather than BA). English is a facilitating subject so keeps doors open and will help with her essay writing skills - it also sounds like her strongest subject so, if she enjoys it, it seems like a no-brainer to continue with it.

English Lit and Lang
Biology
Psychology

Biology and Psychology open doors. English is always a good solid academic subject to have on an application.

Which subjects does she enjoy the most. She's obviously very good at English, does she enjoy it? If so I would definitely do that. Psychology at uni is quite essay based. Psychology is not necessary at A level in order to study it at Uni but probably more useful than sociology

English, Biology, Psychology

I worked in university admissions previously and we always liked to see an essay-based subject in the mix.

I'd go English Literature. I found it very enjoyable. Love reading. Lots of writing involved but I really got into the subject to the extent it didn't feel like work.
Biology will provide the sound science base and keep her options open.
Sociology. I'd keep away from the psychology now if I was looking at doing it at uni. I remember being told that at uni it's preferred to go into psychology without the a-level background. It doesn't help as would be thought. It actually can hinder.
Sociology is a real good all-rounder and will help her in all her future study.

English Lit (much more highly rated at A Level than English Lang, Biology and Psychology. That would be a good selection of A levels leaving doors open to good unis and a range of courses.

English literature is great if she enjoys reading texts and essay writing. It will give strong writing skills which can be useful for any course. I loved it.
I did a degree in psychology, but didn’t have an A level in it, though many did. I think biology is also very useful and could help keep her options open for university choices. Saying that she I would say go with what interests her most because it’s a commitment for two years and I think she needs to enjoy her studies.

She definitely doesn't want to do English Lit on its own as its the part of her current GCSE study she doesn't enjoy.

A couple of weeks ago her choices were Biology, Psychology and Sociology. After a sixth form open day and some discussion with her current teachers around subjects they put English in the mix (which obviously I had tried to persuade her to take but got nowhere).

I think her heart is definitely sold on psychology and sociology but its good to know she doesn't necessarily need an A level is Psychology for the degree.

She currently takes RPE, History, imedia and art for GCSE.

If she doesn’t like English Lit she shouldn’t take it. There is an enormous reading requirement.

Sack off sociology. It's kind of a nothingy subject at A level - I know teachers who teach it and say as much. Agree with PPs who say English, biology and psychology. You don't need psychology to do a psych degree, but it'd be more useful than sociology.

History would be a better option than sociology. Would that be an option over English lit?

Forget subjects like sociology and psychology at A-level - not well regarded and not needed for entry, for example to a psychology degree. English lit (not language) and biology are sound choices. How about maths?

Some psychology degrees like you to have a science so biology would be good. Other than that think of a levels as currency to buy yourself onto a degree course. Grades matter the most. Chose the ones you will get highest grades in. That’s my opinion.

From talking to other A-level students Biology may be difficult without another ‘hard’ science. I’d say Lit/Lang, Psych and Sociology would give her the best chance of highest grades.

Experience (16 years as an A-level psych teacher, including several as HOY in sixth form) tells me that grades open doors rather than subjects (obviously if you’re going for something specific like medicine you need both 😁).

I’d be cautious about psych degrees not requiring psych at A-level. The entrance requirements may not ask for it, but as one of the most popular degrees it may put her on the back foot competitively. As psych is a competitive degree course (Russell group asks for AAB minimum) high grades will be important.
I’d be looking post 18, what does she want to do after school, what combination will give her the best range of options. Students of ten change decisions that seem solid now, she might be better with a different combination, this may be best for her. She knows she likes these subjects, she needs to go find out more about the ones she has disregarded. Why has she said no to them, does more information confirm the no or does it give her food for thought.
Current sixth formers are the best to speak to here - what do they think of her proposed combination, what do the sixth form tutors think. She can email around to get answers to these questions.

I took A level psychology, sociology and English lit and then did a BSc psychology. With hindsight, I wish I'd taken biology. There's a lot of biology in psychology, so whilst not essential, it's useful. Although imo, I think any combination of the subjects your DD is considering would prepare her well for a psychology degree.

Nb also as I just posted on another thread, she should consider taking whichever subjects will get her the highest grades. On balance, universities care more about grades than subjects, as long as the subjects are legitimate and at least 2/3 are seen as rigorous.

@Rosehip10

Forget subjects like sociology and psychology at A-level - not well regarded and not needed for entry, for example to a psychology degree. English lit (not language) and biology are sound choices. How about maths?

Psych is well regarded, and with Bio and Eng (even the mixed Lit/Lang) will be absolutely fine for all Psy degrees.

Her school offer English Lit or English Lit and Lang so if she does choose it I think it will be the second option. I have told her she would be silly not to as its clearly her best subject.

A definite no to maths. She has worked really hard this year and has really gelled with her current teacher so may just scrape a 7 (she was at a 5 in year 9) but it is her least favourite subject.

You know what teens are like though and it's a fine line between advising her correctly and getting her to choose a subject she doesn't enjoy. I will take all of the advice on board though and put it to her.

Although it would make sense to take English, Biology and psychology, two friend's dcs have already dropped biology this term. Both said that it was too chemistry heavy. Is her chemistry okay?

To the pp who mentioned maths, you have to be pretty solid grade 7 tbh. The third set in DS's year 12 are struggling.

I wouldn’t take maths, A-level is a big jump up, you need to have a passion for it in order to do well.
History, Lit/Lang and psych are very essay heavy - it’s a big workload to take on, lots of coursework deadlines too. RE/philosophy would be the same.
I’m guessing Art/DT are out as she’s not interested? They do make a good combination though - hard work, but in a very different way so can be a good balance.
If she wants a psych degree biology would work. I’d make sure she (and you at parents eve) have a good chat with her teacher - how is she doing, how will she manage at a-level do they think.

My did is studying Biology, Psychology, Maths and EPQ. Some unis will lower the offer if you have a science or maths.

There is something to be said for Donald's comments.
My boys are both mid 20s, so life has changed, but both did A level Biology with non science subjects. They both got C for Biology but As for their other subjects, DC2 in particular found the chemistry and maths in Biology quite difficult, even though he had got A in chemistry GCSE and B in IGCSE maths.

Agree with Donald that there's a surprising amount of chemistry in biology which my dd didn't realise before picking it.