What A Levels to pick?

[dreamingawake]

DS is picking his A Levels but doesn't know what to do. The college offers 3 different History A Levels - classical civilisations, early modern history and late modern history. He's got it in his head that he could do 2 of these History A Levels plus something like Law, but I don't think this is a good idea or if it would even be possible. Hoping someone might have some experience or advice!

I don't think early modern history and (late) modern history are separate A-Levels. They are different pathways to the same qualification. A-Levels have become so complicated now that two students doing the same qualification may have studied very different topics. It really needs a history teacher to explain it, as I don't fully understand.

I did A Levels in classical civilisation and modern history (a while ago now). I enjoyed them both, the content was different but they complimented each other. The classical civilisation topics I did were based on the Greek and Roman epics, Greek tragedies and art and architecture, so no overlap with modern history, but as pp said, early modern history and late modern history are probably just different pathways for A Level history.

I’ve never heard of anybody doing two History A levels- the choice is there so they can focus on a period/s they prefer. Class Civ - I think is Classics rather than History focusing on Ancient Literature and culture but without the Language aspect. That will go fine with History. English Lit?

I think he needs to have a chat with the college as two of them sound like they are different pathways to the same A level. The college can confirm if they can be studied as separate options. Chances are the lecturers/teachers will be the same for both if it’s a 6th form college rather than a university college with larger staff who specialise. The timetables may not work with other options he wants to do, so that’s another consideration. He clearly enjoys history, but another A level choice would be wise. Classics is usually a different subject as it also includes study of languages (Latin/ Ancient Greek) and classical texts as well as history.

Early Modern and Late Modern are just the different syllabi of History A level, not separate ones. Classical Civilisation is but is often seen as lesser to Classics. If he wants to read Law at uni he does not need Law A level. It may be better to ficus on core essay subjects.

He needs some very good advice particularly if he might do law.

History usually is modern or back to Henry VIII time in most schools and is simply called History.
there is a totally different and probably easier A level called Classical Civilisation which plenty of people do often along with History. Some of my children did History and Classical Civilisation and 2 of them then did ancient history at university and their 3rd A level was English Lit. One of those children is now a lawyer.

People will disagree with me but law is not a traditional good one though so I would avoid it. In fact lawyers are advised never to do law A level even.

So he might be better off with History, Classical Civilisation and English Lit or the first to plus Geography or Economcis.

..Economics..

DS is a history geek. He is doing history, politics and economics. He finds a lot of overlap and complimentary areas of study. His EPQ is on an obscure area of Japanese history.
Going to do an international relations degree next year.

My DD did Classical Civ, English Lit and Economics.
Shes now on an Ancient History degree course.

If intends to do history at Uni, then Classical Civ + History would be ok.

If he is undecided on degree course, he should just pick his favourite time period in history and do one A level of history or classical civ. (Classical Civ is a blend of classics and ancient history focussed on the Ancient Greeks and Romans.)

If he’s not sure on the 3rd A level he should look up degree courses he is interested in and see what they require at A level. Of Law is a possibility, then it is recommended to take English at A level.

English at A level is also good for history at Uni.

I am a former admissions tutor at a uni with a good reputation in Law. Although I am in STEM, I also remember hearing, in general discussions, that Law is. Not a recommended A level for prospective Law students.

Lawyers do so much writing and speaking that I also think English would be a good choice. Alternatively, showing analytical capacity is important; so perhaps Philosophy or Maths?

To build on @poetryandwine's comments, there remains a lot of ambivalence about Law A level at certain, typically competitive, unis and within the profession. It is very useful for those who, as teenagers, think law is a highly likely career path for them and are considering entry into the profession at 18.

If you DS is considering exclusively arts or humanities A levels, could they consider core Maths alongside those to maintain quantitative skills? Is it available at their college?

Yes, I would avoid law A level. I used to mark soe law A level papers for extra money but even though I am a lawyer I do not recommend it. Something with lots of writing of essays in it like Hisotry and English lit are good A levels for law although you can technically do any or none although it would be quite rare to have no A levels and be a lawyer, but possible.

DD did history & ancient history A-levels.

Another one saying don’t do law a-level, it was very much looked down upon when I entered the legal profession. And believe me, 3 years of doing it at Uni and then law school was MORE that enough. It’s pretty dry and boring. To get into a decent Uni to do law, you just need decent a levels in solid subjects, like English, Geography, Economics, History etc

One of my lawyer children did History, English Lit and classical civilisation (and also economics AS level) (and did ancient history at university) .

Not just law A level - My late husband used to interview for his law firm and they liked it if applicants didn't have a law degree even. A bit more well rounded (he of course did law at Oxford but he was passionate about it since he was 12).

There’s some great advice here.
If he’s not 100% set on law and wants to keep options open it may be worthwhile him considering a maths/science subject alongside two humanities. When DD2 was looking at Business type degrees, a few of the universities seemed to want a student to show writing/essay ability (history, English, politics etc) and numerical ability (maths, sciences). Subjects that overlap both numerical/essay include psychology and economics. I would not have considered this.
Popular combinations seem to be History, Classics, RS, English, Politics, Geography. Economics, Psychology. DD2’s friend has been accepted into Cambridge to read Law and also accepted onto a law apprenticeship with (obvs good predictions in) in History, English Lit and Psychology.

I’d also echo perpetual optimist’s recommendation of core maths if no numerical subject studied at A level. DD2 did core maths (alongside History, Economics & Psychology) and has found it useful in itself plus it has led to grade reductions at both her firm and insurance Uni choices of Bath and York. It is like an A/S and would highly recommend if your DS school offers it. It’s not a big step up (like A level maths) from GCSE but more of an extension.