all A Levels created equally

[littlebillie]

So just some thoughts on A'Level choices, are they all created equally?

My DS is looking at either English Language, History and Politics and now has been advised to study History, Politics and Law. First thought on this, are they worth anything at Uni and where could you go with this?

Why law?

Does he know what he want to do?

Who advised him?

Is he aiming at a top performing uni?

The college advised him..

Does he meet entrance requirements for EngLang?

Law was never a consideration

Why has he been advised to swap from English Language to Law? The subjects seem fine to me. What do you mean, are they worth anything at uni? Yes, of course.

Law and English are much of a muchness. What does he want to study at uni?

He does for English Language but it clashes with his first love History, so he was offered Law which isn't supposed to be a good A Level

@littlebillie

The college advised him..

I imagine they have a class to fill.

What does he want to do at uni?

I wouldn’t go for law unless he has a strong preference to do so.

I work at a college and have been advising people all day about A-Level choices. Swaps recommended if student doesn't meet entrance criteria for certain subjects. At our place, entrance for Law is lower than entrance for English.

Thanks Daisy, I was just worried he would be wasting time.

Law is perfectly good A-Level to do. Depends on his priorities and the timetabling options. Are there other local sixth forms which could offer the desired combination?

He got 7 in English and History - just a clash on timetable

Is he positive about English language rather than English lit? Does he have other college options?

Why is Law not supposed to be a good A level? I’d reckon it’s got the same sort of clout as Eng Lang or Politics. History, Politics and Law are a bit samey, though. English Literature is a different kettle of fish.

Similar scenario to you OP: doing history, english lit and economics. interested to hear others thoughts on this for law?

law is not recommended if you're thinking of a top uni- much better to do a facilitating subject and for some faculties it could actually disadvantage you as they want to teach the law from scratch in their own way ( saying that.. if he does at least 2 facilitating subjects already law should be an okay third option)

It used to be that some law schools didn't like it if students had studied law before but if you're not applying to them then it doesn't matter. Red Bricks/Russel Gp prefer to have 3 'solid' academic subjects at A-Level for law degree applicants which demonstrate overall and consistent academic excellence. Some do however accept Law A-Level. Some interpret the solid subjects as being traditional rather than vocational subjects eg History, French, Maths. Many law schools require the entrance exam such as LMAT anyway before they even consider applicants.

I would advise to stick to a purely academic subject rather than vocational like law, that way his options are completely open. Universities will accept strong academic qualifications for law degrees because not everywhere offers law. Perfectly acceptable to apply for law with English, history, politics. What else was in the other option blocks? Is history only running in one option block?

LNAT, sorry.

Lawyer here.

I wouldn’t choose law a level even if going to do law at university.

Lots of universities prefer you not to have it; I don’t think any require it at a level.

I would choose an alternate academic subject like geography, maths, sciences, instead of law.

One of my DC is at a top RG university and has A levels in Media Studies, Photography and Sociology. Just saying. There’s no problem doing Law at A level. It’s just one of these myths that go around that you can’t get accepted with so-called softer subjects. It’s just not true.