Positive things about Law A level.

[Hilbre]

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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...

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.