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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

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Original poster

Positive things about Law A level.

12 replies

Hilbre · 26/01/2018 14:02

Does anyone have any positive things to say about Law A level?
Dd is thinking of taking it and has had a lot of negative comments.
Surely if at least two of the other A levels are strong subjects it will be ok?
I think at least she will know if Law is what she wants to do her degree in and she is interested in the subject now.

OP posts:

lastminutehoneymooning · 26/01/2018 14:08

This isn't the most up to date advice but I was fairly reliably informed that Law A level can actually put some of the better universities' law departments off, as they teach from scratch and it's a pain when students think they already know some law.

Far better to do a rigorous academic subject with lots of essay writing and class discusion where you have to collate a lot of knowledge and theory and then argue your point. History is really good for this (though as a history graduate I would say that).

Eowyn · 26/01/2018 14:12

Can only speak from experience - dd currently in 2nd yr of Law A level - enjoys classes where there is debate... & has had offers from 4 RG unis to study Law. So I guess they weren't put off.

staveleymum · 26/01/2018 14:18

My husband is a barrister and Pupillage recruiter at his Chambers. He has often stated that a A level law is not worthwhile. I cant comment on what it is like for applying to universities but it wont necessarily help at employment stage.
If your DD is interested in Law then I would suggest her writing to some solicitors or Barristers Chambers and asking if she can shadow for a day or 2.

halesie · 26/01/2018 14:31

Hi OP, I'm a solicitor and I wouldn't recommend it unless your daughter is really interested in the A level itself. I did a politics A level which I found v interesting and fits quite well with law. Around half the graduates coming into City law firms don't have a law degree now - they do a 1 year conversion course instead. And a lot of the big firms pay the fees and subsistence for that year so you don't necessarily have to fund it yourself. I would give the advice I was given as a teen - study the subjects you love for A levels and degree and save law for when you need to do it.

lastminutehoneymooning · 26/01/2018 15:51

Eowyn sounds like I got bad advice then! I suppose the fact that it was coming from a 6th form which didn't offer Law should have tipped me off...

sashh · 27/01/2018 12:12

I've also heard universities don't like it, but my niece did it and is now training to be a solicitor.

eatyourveg · 27/01/2018 19:46

Read this from the universities themselves. Somewhat old but nevertheless rather interesting

Original poster

Hilbre · 27/01/2018 21:25

Thanks everyone for your opinions.eatyourveg that is very interesting I will show it to Dd.I think it would be a shame if she didn't choose an A level she was interested in because she mistakenly thought it would affect her chance of a uni place.

OP posts:

eatyourveg · 28/01/2018 10:03

ds did it - did his undergrad at UoL and now doing his post grad in another institution within UoL - it has made no difference whatsoever. Your dd is far more likely to do well in a subject that interests her.

sassymuffin · 29/01/2018 15:34

DD is final year Law at Cambridge - Her tutors have repeatedly said they prefer it not to be taken at A level as the law degree has quite a completely different approach it is nothing like the A level course at all and also the reason lastminutehoney stated. Lots of law professionals don't view it as a serious qualification but then you could argue that some people feel like that about a law degree in general!

DD took History, Government & Politics, French & English Lit. Most of her peer group have similar A levels and she does not know anyone on her course that took it A level Law

However there are 1000's of students that take it love it and carry it on to degree. As long as your DD has two other traditional academic A level choices then she will be fine. I really advocate taking A levels you have a real interest in and will enjoy.

Snowysky20009 · 21/03/2018 17:58

Ds is in the second year of A-Level Law. He has had offers from all the universities he's applied to study law at. (He wants to be a solicitor). However he has done some work experience with solicitors the last few months and they've all told him the same thing 'degree law is totally different- you will never use for A-Level law again!' So read what you like into that. However he has enjoyed the course which is half he battle at A-Level, compared to his easiest subject English (predicted an A), which he has hated.

harrietm87 · 21/03/2018 18:03

I'm a solicitor. Did an English degree at Cambridge then the law conversion. Law A level didn't count as one of Cambridge's recommended A levels when I was there, for law or anything else. If your DD is only doing 3 A levels they should all be rigorous ones that will stand her in good stead for any degree at any university - history, English, geography, a language, politics, economics, maths, a science. Any of these would be better. Law A level is nothing like a law degree or working as a lawyer so won't really benefit her there either.

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