Help needed please! Geog or History degree?

[Horsemad]

DS is applying for 2017. He is studying Maths, Geog & History. Is reasonably good at all 3 but has no 'passion' for any of them.

AS results were AAC (C in Geog which was a surprise as he put a lot of work in but wasn't far off a B).
For background, he got A at GCSE for Geog & A* for History.

Doesn't know what he wants to do. Doesn't want a gap year.
Had been considering Geog after visiting several open days. Is now undecided whether to do Geog or History and is a bit 'rabbit in the headlights' as he needs to write a PS and doesn't know which subject he will apply for!

I think his C in Geog has made him reconsider but not sure what to advise him.

Any ideas please?

On a more positive note, would this interest him? BSc Environmental Geography( with a year in industry) at the University of York. He had the grades.

Thanks Kit he is going to the York open day next week.

Going to be honest and say geography is sometimes seen (unfairly imo) as a less academic subject than history - people joke a bit about geography being a way for less bright students to go to uni, tak about it being three years of colouring in etc. It's not a fair stereotype but does exist so maybe worth being aware of!

History is seen as more solid.

And I'm a former lawyer (off work with my toddler and not planning to go back) - there are a lot of problems with the profession, best to keep his options open for now.

Agree with your last point wholeheartedly Mrs Hulk

Yes, I've mentioned to him the immense workload our family member had (slightly less now but still very busy).

Most lawyers I know don't recommend it.

I think employers are ok with geography or history but they are degrees available from a huge number of universities and employers choose on a wider basis than the degree. Therefore do what he might enjoy and build up work experience! Anthrapology and Archaeology are degrees that tend to be used to punch above your weight at top class universities!

Has he considered a Business Management degree from a good university with a year in industry? These can have a wide range of careers afterwards and employers get to know you. Some law degrees have placements. They won't lead to Magic Circle or Barrister but can lead to the law dept in a company.
Economics might be another consideration but he should enjoy maths.

There is nothing wrong with Joint Honours degrees. Shows you are flexible and have more than one string to your bow!

I'm guessing he's decided by now? Just wanted to say that I was the same (20 years ago though!). I started on a combined honours course (Geography, History and American Studies - which was history and literature). By the end of year 1 I knew I preferred History so I switched to the single honours History course. I just needed good first year marks to let me on the History course. It worked out well for me; I loved my History degree!

How about Archeaology

I'm a lawyer and I would not recommend it either.

If he doesn't know what he wants to do, I'd suggest that he gets his A levels and then takes a year out, work, maybe do some travelling and a language course. Live a little. That will help him make up his mind. He might end up wanting to do something quite different - or it will confirm that eg he really wants to do a history degree.

Then go to uni. A year out is nothing in the scheme of things.

DD wanted to do history but didn't get grades needed for first choice uni but was offered Human Geography through clearing instead. Loved the course and achieved a 1st. Went on to do Business masters and now has very good job in London. She never regretted not getting accepted for history

Neither. And I say this as a recentish Geography grad. You can go on to do other things but you are making it a lot harder for yourself and if you are not 100% keen in the first place it's a waste of a degree.

If I had my time again I'd do web design/ computer science and business. I would strongly advise working for a year.

He doesn't have to to a degree in the subjects he's doing.

He also doesn't always have to live where you are now

What about something like Surveying/Real Estate or Town Planning? They involve a lot of the Geography skill sets but give him a bit more direction.