A level Business, Media Studies & Sociokogy/Psychology

[kimlek]

None of these are GCSE options at school but DC considering them for A level. Is very definite about Business (defo not economics) and interested in psychology or maybe sociology but know little about the A levels. Very interested in Business/Marketing/Digital marketing/the fashion industry (but not arty), so also thinking the 3rd could be media studies. Not yet done GCSEs but probs 6/7’s. Any thoughts please?

That’s fab! Well done to her @TizerorFizz

They are excellent results for every subject considerably above national averages, so am guessing it's a high achieving school?

If those results are better than other similar ish subjects in the school ( eg Lang Lit, politics, history) they are obviously really strong departments and/ or attract very able students.

My DD just completed her A levels Eng Lit, Sociology and Psychology. She plans to study Eng lit at uni but really enjoyed Sociology and Psychology which were new to her at A level. From what she said Sociology is heavy on the content, slightly more so than psychology but that's pretty heavy too. My DS will be starting college in September and has chosen Business, Geography and Sociology. He went to a taster day and said Sociology was the most enjoyable lesson. Both my DC seem to lean toward the essay based subjects over science - which is ironic as both DH and myself have science degrees.

DD is going into Y13 so has done first Yr of A levels in Psych Soc and Geo. Geo was the only one she did at GCSE and got an 8 for.

Psych and Soc were new to her and Psych had more stretching entry reqs - 7 in Bio, 6 in Maths & English against Soc which was just 6 in English. It was definitely viewed as a “lesser” subject in DDs school which I think is insane and she is slowly realising is too! nice overlaps with Soc and Human Geo and also research methods for Soc & Psych which makes things a bit easier revision wise and also gives a certain breadth you’d not get easily otherwise. Also there is overlap at DDs school with a couple of teachers in Soc & Psych which we are finding works well too.

She is very pleased with her A level choices - having swapped Art for Soc at the very last minute.

Geography and sociology is one of the best combinations!

@Piggywaspushed that's great to hear. Unlike my DD who has always had a passion for English Lit and new she wanted to do this at Uni, DS struggled to choose his A levels so hopefully his 3 options will work well for him. I will add that DD actually found the sociology and psychology complimented the english and helped give her insight into some of the texts.

I work in this area

Business/Marketing/Digital marketing

I would say English Lit would be a better option over media studies which would be seen as more lightweight.

Many of the marketers I know did humanities degrees

It’s the local state senior school. We’ve only recently moved to the area so I’ve no idea re reputation. DD is at a school in a nearby town atm but will hopefully move to this closer one for 6th form. The results for 6th form seem quite good across the board. Maybe it was a smart cohort combined with grades still being a bit high last year.

Unfortunately doesn’t like geography and not taking for gcse.
@bryceQ do you think Business, sociology & media studies are a poor combo? What do you mean by ‘light’? Poorly respected? As the content seems incredibly related to marketing.

My DS is applying for graduate jobs. He hasn't had to put in the subjects most times, just grades. The only time he has was for a TA job!

@kimlek The reference to “light” is because two of the subjects, Business and Media, are on the Cambridge list of “less helpful” A levels for studying there. Sociology doesn’t appear on the “best” A levels to take list either. It’s in a wilderness! However, please remember, your DC is not aiming for Cambridge or similar uni. So what these unis might think is irrelevant.

If he wants a marketing degree, it won’t matter. These degrees are not expecting very high grades in Maths, French and History (heavier subjects). For what he wants, get the grades in what interests him. Getting DDD ( not saying he would) does limit options. So looking at a decent combo for the degree he wants is perfectly valid.

My dd exactly the same. Got mostly 9s at GCSE. Doing Psychology, Business, and Media at college. Just starting her second year. She's very happy and enjoys the subjects. Wants a career in marketing/media

Some jobs do ask for A level subjects. Depends what you want to do. However in a business trainee type role, many firms would prefer work experience over having three A levels on the Cambridge preferred list.

@kimlek
I mean lightweight. Often recruiters are looking for academic performance, evidence you can write well, interpret sources, put forward arguments. The content of the course is secondary as it's mostly irrelevant to a workplace anyway.

As a hiring manager I would prefer a more academic subject than media which is seen as "easy."

For reference, I am a Marketing Director and I have a first class honours degree in history and a masters in history.

Huge thanks @TizerorFizz
The degrees we’ve looked at don’t have required subjects but those that list preferred have included Sociology and Business - media studies is mentioned in the ‘allowed as a third’ subject. These are degrees at RG’s, & Bath, Lancs, Lough etc. It’s decent grades that are needed. The unis with lower grade profiles have similar subject preferences. A couple even like ‘media’ as it’s counted as an art for the more arty marketing degrees. So having that ‘allowable 3rd’ may even become a facilitator for something more arty.
Thank you all for your help with decision making.

@kimlek What course at Bath? I can see a need for a numerical subject in management and marketing there. Is this the course? If so, this combination doesn’t comply.

Ah apologies @TizerorFizz it complies only if psychology is one of the 3 - I looked when she was thinking psychology, sociology, business. We need to remember that!

@kimlek Yes. Agreed!

For the record, I'd like to state media explicitly does all of the things you state at the beginning of this post. I'm sure it won't change your dated views.

It's funny how some employers remain at the end of this lightweight debate when so many top universities have dropped this unfounded assertion of unworthiness.

Have you ever even looked at an A level media paper?

It’s highly possible that some take the Cambridge view though. It’s horses for courses surely?

Maybe but I don't think most of the media and marketing industry practise this dark art. As you say, it's actually all about experience. Media and specifics marketing, design etc degrees help to build these connections and skills

The OP's DD isn't Cambridge bound anyway, but I don't think event they object to any specific A level subjects any more? Except for ones that no longer exist! As I said it's a few employers who seem to exercise this disdain - and that's usually towards degree rather than specific A levels , outside of some law firms.

The route > best A levels you can get based on choosing the best subjects for your ambitions and abilities/skills (too many students fall at this hurdle choosing what they think they 'should' do)> the best university degree within reach of abilities as you always say - to open doors = doors opened to a range of satisfying , rewarding opportunities.

Crossing out not intended!!

Agreed @Piggywaspushed!! as someone who both works at a uni and supports students pre entry with their progression I can categorically say that dealing with outdated perceptions of lightweight subjects is a much easier hurdle to overcome (as it’s mostly non existent) than students who take subjects because they’re ‘more serious’ or ‘heavyweight’ or because that’s what their parents want them to do, and either end up with poor grades or crumble under the pressure of subjects they don’t like that aren’t a good fit.

Of course the students going to elite unis do neither. It really depends what you want to study and where.

There’s no point pretending all subjects are valued by all unis. Or all employers. The list prepared by Cambridge covers many subjects. These are obviously good prep for lots of courses at elite unis. If the OP’s DC eventually wanted Bath, we have already established the 3 latest subjects mentioned are not suitable. One needs to be substituted for a numeracy subject and all those suggested by Bath are in the Cambridge stem list. So surely, making sure you do the right A levels matters far more than sticking to the idea that all are equal? It’s poor advice to say “look at the spec” when a subject is not suitable as part of three being offered. All the specs might have challenge, but not the right challenge.

The OP's DC wants to study business / marketing / communications, which Cambridge does not offer, and they are very clear that the suggested subjects are what they recommend if applying for their courses.

Saying that the more vocational A levels like business and media aren't a good preparation for a very theory based and academic degree in a completely different subject is not the same as saying they are rubbish.