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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

A level novice parent for DC who wants to go into law

23 replies

GoldDisco · 28/04/2021 10:27

My DC is in year 10 and we need to start thinking about A'level choices and either staying where they are or moving schools.

DC is quite academic and his predicted grades are very good. He has been saying for a few years now that he would like to go into law. He seems to have the personality for this too.

Right now he thinks he would like to study A'levels including Maths, Further Maths or Computer Science, RE (A' level would be Philosophy, Ethics, and Theology), and Music. To me, this doesn't sound very law-leaning.

I have said to my DS and DH that perhaps he needs to look at what Uni's he could end up in and then work back from that. I have said that then we need to look at which 6th form would be best for these subjects. He can apply to 3 in our area both private and state.

I really don't know where to start in all this. He has been a great, hardworking student and I think he will get very good grades. I don't want to mess up the next decision. FYI, he has had total input into this, we are just trying to give him the info for him to decide.

OP posts:

Soma · 28/04/2021 10:48

@GoldDisco all excellent subjects for law and many other areas. They're all analytical and well regarded. Unless he particularly wants to do a law degree, he could easily read something else and then complete a one year conversion course after his first degree. I'm sure @Xenia could shed more light for you.

Curioushorse · 28/04/2021 10:53

Yes.....I’m always suspicious of students who know what they want to do for the rest of their lives in Year 10. That doesn’t sound like they’re heading in a Law direction, no. But those choices don’t rule it out either. I always say to students to choose the A-levels they like and see where it leads them. Many (most) students will change their mind about at least something before making their uni choices.

I reckon go with those, very good, options, and see what happens.

I0NA · 28/04/2021 10:57

@Curioushorse

I reckon go with those, very good, options, and see what happens.

You might well be suspicious. But lots of adults are now working in careers that they wanted to do since childhood.

Dollywilde · 28/04/2021 10:59

If he’s prepared to do the conversion course after his degree (GDL), then I wouldn’t rule those out. Computer science would be an interesting one. I’m not a solicitor but work in law and used to work with an intellectual property law firm where most of the lawyers had science degrees - it helped them enormously when working with clients who were looking to patent drugs or engineering components. I imagine a trained lawyer with a computer science background would be quite in demand (and of course, it keeps his options open for later). There was a Twitter thread just today about which first degrees lawyers had done - I’ll see if I can find it!

Dollywilde · 28/04/2021 11:00

Here you are: twitter.com/melanieeast72/status/1387155485959335939?s=21

Quartz2208 · 28/04/2021 11:05

Law degrees dont need any particular subjects and just do grades (at least)
Law is a unique subject I think that takes part from different skills sets from different subjects. You have to be able to analyse data and take in information quickly then apply that information to a particular set of variables and then form an argument. Personally I think Maths/Further Maths/Computer Science and RE based one covers all of those bases quite well.

LIZS · 28/04/2021 11:05

As Long as there is an essay based subject ie P and E the choice is pretty free.

Original poster

GoldDisco · 28/04/2021 11:07

I agree curious. Right now, I am not trying to steer him in any direction. I am setting up open days for the relevant 6th forms and trying to get information for him. He will ultimately decide what he wants. He is very independent and strong-willed!

Maths seems to be his strongest subject, but it is closely followed by any subject that involves essay writing. He loves RE, even though he proclaims he is an atheist. I agree that he needs to perhaps keep his options open a bit. Perhaps we should forget about a law degree for the time being and instead, as you say, do what you enjoy.

Based on his grades right now I don't think it would be far-fetched to say he could consider going to a top university. With that in mind, I think his 6th form choices need to be very considered.

The other thing he has to decide is whether to do the IB or not as his school is strong in this. However, he is saying he wants to do A'levels.

OP posts:

FluffMagnet · 28/04/2021 11:07

Academic subjects - sound brilliant. I took Biology, RE and Sociology (was meant to drop this at AS as was, back in the day, but my Government and Politics AS grade was abysmal so forced my hand). My friends at uni all took a variety of academic subjects, it doesn't have to be English Lit, History and a language. Many of my friends have a scientific background and have gone on to great careers in law. People forget how broad "law" is, and how specialised practitioners are. A mathematical and computing background will be ace for all the hugely complex and expensive technology contracts we are seeing these days, and scientists often do well in IP (especially patents) and it would help deciphering the scientific reports in shipping, for example. Lawyers are notoriously bad at maths, but again this is vital in calculating complex quantum claims.

Quartz2208 · 28/04/2021 11:10

Maths is a fairly common subject for Lawyers and as long as there is one essay/critical thinking subject he will be fine.

I think his choice is perfect as it keeps his options open whilst simulataneously being a very good choice for law.

Please dont worry it sounds like he knows what he is doing/wants to go (signs I have to say of a good Lawyer!)

Comefromaway · 28/04/2021 11:12

They are all excellent subjects for Law.

Dd did RE (philosophy & ethics) and its a highly regarded A level that demonstrates good essay, analytical and critical thinking skills. I have known people with music degrees go into law afterwards and rise to the top. And maths opens many doors.

He needs at least one essay subject of which Philosophy and Ethics is one so that's fine.

Original poster

GoldDisco · 28/04/2021 11:13

Very helpful and reassuring. Thank you.

OP posts:

MyAnacondaMight · 28/04/2021 11:13

Law as a degree subject doesn’t have much in common with practising as a solicitor or barrister. No need to do specific A levels or even law as a degree subject. Work experience and then vacation schemes during uni would be the best way to look into a career in law - regardless of degree subject.

If he’s good at maths then he might be interested in becoming a patent attorney.

InTheNightWeWillWish · 28/04/2021 11:17

He needs to consider universities and whether doing lessons as a first or second degree. Some universities for a first degree in law have preference in the A-level subjects with some wanting A-level law. Some universities prefer to have a fresh student that hasn’t previously studied law but would need proof of answering questions in essays. Obviously if he does another subject as a first degree then converts to law, he needs to consider the subjects that reflect for that course. On balance, he needs something analytical and something that develops his written and spoken language skills, ideally something that has a debate element.

The people I know who did a first degree in law aren’t working in that field. A first degree in another field may also give him the option to change his mind if law isn’t all its cracked up to be. I did law A-level. On the face of it, it should have been right up my street and it was my best A-Level result but I absolutely hated it.

Original poster

GoldDisco · 28/04/2021 11:18

WRT the music A'level, my DS is not a classical instrument player or anything like that. My DH has had him playing this instrument since he could stand up and he is in a band and writes his own songs. He has got grade 8 already and doing grade 6 in music theory at the moment. The music A'level is more something for him to enjoy, rather than be another massively academic subject.

OP posts:

LIZS · 28/04/2021 11:20

I'd be doubtful of any Law degree requiring A level Law, relatively few schools offer it. There are also now Law apprenticeships available as well as post Grad conversion courses.

Dollywilde · 28/04/2021 11:23

At the end of the day IMO top grades are more important, so if he’s likely to do well in those subjects then that’s a strong argument for them too.

Comefromaway · 28/04/2021 11:49

Does he enjoy writing critical essays about music and studying classical music genres?

If not he might prefer to keep music as extra curricular especially as he's working through the theory grades. Some universities will accept Grade 8 practical and theory in lieu of A level music.

Quartz2208 · 28/04/2021 11:55

I think 5 Alevels is a lot and he would end up dropping one - I agree with keeping music as an extra curricular activity and then his choice I think is not only suitable for Law but for other subjects if he changes his mind.

When I did Law (admittedly awhile ago) I think one person had done Law Alevel the rest of us had a right mix.

That said I loved Law as an academic subject but hated the practising side - it hasnt held me back in other areas either

Original poster

GoldDisco · 28/04/2021 12:04

Quartz, I don't think I was clear enough upthread. It is 4 A'levels. He hasn't fully decided on Further Maths or Computer Science.

OP posts:

Comefromaway · 28/04/2021 12:13

Most people only do 3 these days unless they are doing Further Maths in which case that is the 4th.

FreeButtonBee · 28/04/2021 12:47

I did maths, further maths, physics and english then a law degree then into city law.

One essay subject but chose the subjects he will enjoy and do well in.

I'd suggest that a strong science or other academic degree is a good choice and then convert to law if he can get funding to cover it. But a law degree itself is still very interesting (I don't regret mine at all). A good 2.1 will be needed and do lots of vac schemes and other work experience in the meantime in lots of different areas. There is a lot of competition for jobs so don't self fund the post degree law training part as there are lots of paralegals with huge amounts of debt out there.

TheBeautifulSouth44 · 28/04/2021 12:57

@Curioushorse

I reckon go with those, very good, options, and see what happens.

Suspicious? There's nothing to be suspicious about. Teenagers who know what career they would like to go into aren't any danger to you! It's as acceptable to know what you want to do with your life at 13 as it is to not have a clue at 18!

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