A level choices: too soft?

[ALevelDilemna]

Have posted in Higher ed too but hoping to maximise footfall!

My dd is in Y11 and is making her choices for sixth form. We seem to be going round in circles discussing the best options for her but she has finally plumped for:

English Lit
Textiles
RE / Philosophy and Ethics
French (reserve choice)

Is this combination OK? She is bright and aiming for unis such as Bristol / Manchester / Bath / Leeds etc...

Well it depends on what it is she actually wanting to study at university? If she wants to study a similar subject such as English, philosophy, theology etc then they will be fine, if she wants to study something like engineering or medicine obviously the lack of sciences will be a problem.

I'd be wary of textiles because it will likely have an enormous coursework load that will be very time consuming, and take time away from her other subjects, while potentially not being seen as worth as much as the other a levels. Eng Lit, RE/philosophy and ethics, French would be a very good combination though.

What does she want to study at uni? If it’s English, Philosophy, Theology etc, yes they’re fine.

Thanks for your replies. Dd doesn’t know yet. She might want to study textiles, so of course if she takes it at A level that’s her best option. However if she decides it’s not what she wants then I’m concerned that she’ll have done all that work to the possible detriment of other subjects for a ‘soft’ option that means nothing.
@YourOpinionIsNoted is spot on. And yes I think French would be the ‘better’ option in terms of broadening choices however she’s stronger at (and more passionate for) Textiles.

@BuffaloCauliflower that’s good to hear. I’m just concerned that textiles might weaken her position.

Is philosophy and ethics a soft option? She was going to do history originally but has chosen that instead.

Sorry I probably sound really clueless 😬

My dd was thinking of the exact same combo! I can say she emailed exeter and asked if she'd be accepted for english lit with english lit, rs, and textiles. They said yes. They want an A in english lit and top grades in two others.

Since then she decided against textiles as too much work! And took classical civ instead which shes enjoying. Funnily enough her least fave is English! So she's now thinking of philosophy at uni.

Have you had a play around on the ucas website? Might be worth looking at the unis & courses that appeal and seeing what they list as entry requirements. Unis scrapped the facilitating subjects thing a couple of years back, I think, which is good.

@Trewser thank you - that is very, very helpful!

Thanks @YourOpinionIsNoted. I’ve had a lol at a few courses such as Eng Lit but couldn’t really find much evidence of what was required (apart from, of course, English Lit!)

A look, not a lol!

Maybe encourage her to look at her textiles as a conduit for political ideas...look at all sorts of political artists for inspiration to tie in with the ethics. She could have a very interesting time!

I think if shes thinking of english she needs an A in english and then two others that she thinks she can get As or Bs in.

Philosophy and ethics definitely not a soft option. It involves forming real critical thinking skills and how to present an argument well, it’s harder than history

@bionicnemonic yes she could! She’s interested in politics so definitely food for thought. Thanks.

@Trewser English lit and Lang are her strongest subjects and she’s predicted 8s in RE and Textiles. So in all a good strong foundation for her.

@BuffaloCauliflower - that’s good 👍

Textiles is the best subject of all- so she should definitely take that one!!

My DD has a friend studying medicine who has textiles A level with chemistry and biology. She got 4 offers. Must help with stitching

@mumsneedwine good one.
Did she only do three? Textiles wasn’t her fourth?

She did 3. Only need 3 and no one cares what the 3rd one is. She also has friends with a 3rd of Drama, PE and Art.

Thanks, mums.

There was a study by Durham uni a few years ago that ranked how hard they considered the different A levels to be. RS was ranked a bit easier than English Lit, but harder than English language. It's a mid way subject. But it's respected by unis and won't disadvantage your daughter if she does it.

However, do bear in mind that A level specs have changed since then, RS now includes a religion, and I think this adds more challenge to the subject as it's a different type of skill students need.

This is the original data: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7482225.stm

And I would also look up the Russell group guide, their updated guide has moved away from facilitating subjects to showing you where your A levels can take you. It's very useful!

www.informedchoices.ac.uk/subjects

Thank you very much, @marjoretta

For Leeds uni (where Ds is looking but totally different subject) they want AAA for English Lit but will consider an A in EPQ if subject relevant and may drop the offer to AAB-ABB. (I am thinking more likely AAB)

Textiles would be content heavy, so worth thinking about.

Just visit each uni website, look up the degree and then it will give an overview, just click into entry requirement specifics to see what subjects they want at A level.

At Leeds they offer Eng lit, lit and lang, Eng and philosophy, Eng and sociology etc etc. It isn't just lit.

Have you visited the sixth forms and seen the course content?

Tree, there are two state sixth forms within easy reach for us. One only offers Textiles as part of an art and craft A level and the one (at the school she’s at already) offers pure textiles. The private option doesn’t offer textiles at all! In terms of RE and Eng lit they are much of a muchness.

Ps dd is considering an EPQ too, which would definitely rule out the fourth A level in French, I think.

EPQ acceptance varies wildly from uni to uni. Leeds really value it and were doing a lot of work promoting & supporting schools running the EPQ a few years ago (might still be, I have fallen out of the loop). Other unis aren't as fussed. It's never going to hurt to do it though, I think the skills it sets up are brilliant.