A level choices - too weak?

[dinomirror]

Dd has chosen History, Politics and Economics. She is predicted mainly 8s (school doesn't predict 9s). Lots of people have been a tiny bit shocked when told choices and there seems to be an underlying feeling that they aren't 'hard' enough for her(especially politics) although i know history is a content filled subject . Should she change?

They are great a levels if she would consider law as a career, with either a law degree or a history degree.

There is a lot of sneering about A Level subjects but the reality is you can secure an offer from an Elite university with those subjects should your Dd decide to go down that route. Ds has secured an offer from a number of elite universities with Politics as one of his 3 A Levels. There were lots of 'that's interesting' comments from other students and parents' about the A Level Politics but ultimately the Admission Tutors view is the only one that counts.

I don’t understand why these people who are implying they are not hard enough can’t mind their own business, DD should do what appeals and what she enjoys. 2 years is a long time to concentrate on subjects which she hates or has been ‘forced’ into. I am sure she will be brilliant at whatever she chooses to do.

Ignore their ignorance.

Those A levels are fine - I did those and went to Cambridge Uni and really enjoyed those A levels especially the politics. The only thing is if she wants an Economics degree in the end (that's what I have) nowadays you need Maths A level at most places. Something like PPE would be possible and a similar match.

My DS did A level economics with a 7 in GCSE maths. He thought the maths content of A level was a bit exaggerated, perhaps to talk the subject up in front of those certain sneery types ( biards may vary, I guess). He found it really interesting, had a fab teacher and did more than fine, as he got an A star!

It's definitely true about most economics degrees... He swapped out of a joint degree because economics became, for him, a slog.But then your DD doesn't want to do that.

He also did history, and ( the horror!) , sociology.

I askedhim not long ago which knew was hardest and he said it depended on the topics, teaching , and skills. But none were east.

My students tend to say that politics is lighter in content and variety than other A levels they do.

Some people don't really get the idea that non-STEM subjects can be intellectually rigorous. It's depressing but there's a view promoted by parts of government that in future we're all going to be working in tech and therefore the humanities and arts are slightly pointless and irrelevant. It's wrong on both counts obviously (that we'll all be in tech and that the humanities and arts are pointless and irrelevant if you work in tech).

My dd is choosing A levels, and she tells me that most of her friends are being pushed by their parents to choose STEM A levels, or at least Maths, even if they don’t like those subjects. School is telling them to choose what they love. I wondered if it was a similar environment to yours OP, as the DC are largely predicted 8/9s across the board for GCSEs. My dd will be unusual in doing all essay subjects, as the vast majority take Maths at A level.

Not sure I would encourage her to take Economics in that case. English (Lit not Lang as Lang) might be a good swap?

Ignore those who say these are 'easy' A Levels though!

Just seen that Eng Lit not for her. If she is keen for Economics then she should go for it but be aware it's a pretty tough subject. Most places will allow a swap early doors if it is not for her.

My DCs' comp is (rightly) neutral about STEM vs non-STEM. It does actively encourage those taking all non-STEM A levels to take core maths in Y12 and this, to my mind, is a good approach. It also works hard on its option blocking to allow students to easily mix STEM and non-STEM options and mine took advantage of that.

Having looked in detail at the Econ syllabus with one of my DC, I would not say it is particularly quantitative in any shape or form (to echo piggy's comments). My DC was more put off by the slightly dry and theoretical demand curve charts etc. So, it is important to lift the lid on the subject to understand what you are letting yourself into.

Other A level subjects like Sociology and Business have very interesting syllabi in my view and if mine had wanted to do those (say, in place of Geog which is what they chose), I would have been very supportive.

I'd like to grovellingly apologise for all my typos...

For some reason, I can't edit that post!

Yes shes in a school where the majority pick bio/chem/ whatever and was expected to do the same but she doesn't want to go into med so sees no point in picking them.

@dinomirror Politics and History go well together. Cambridge Uni has great advuce about choosing A levels for their courses. Obviously I’m not suggesting she follows that slavishly, but it gives a view on subject combinations. “How to choose A levels or High School Subjects” is what you should look at. They recommend you take two from Eng Lit, History, MFLs or ancient languages or maths. To study Law there, they like students to have maths. Other subjects they list as relevant include Economics or Politics. She could also look at Classical Civilisation, History of Art, Economics, Law, Philolophy, Psychology and RE. There’s a few more I’ve not listed. So for a less elite uni, one from the recommended list is fine but choose wisely for the other two to keep options open, Econ is very limited without maths. Think about what she’s most interested in, uni course and possible subjects needed. . You can do Law without maths of course. It’s interesting Cambridge place MFLs so highly. The additional subjects C suggests are important for individual courses. Eg Music.

Mine has done History/Politics/RS.
It’s a very Stem heavy grammar sixth form and those who have done Stem following parental pressure have had a difficult time.
For most courses grades alone not subjects matter, better to be doing subjects they are likely to get the top grades in.
Certainly from my dc’s group of friends in the history/politics classes they are all holding Oxbridge or RG offers.

Subjects absolutely do matter. History is one that’s considered a hard subject. You would not necessarily expect to get into an academic course with some subjects, eg Photography and some vocational courses. You would get into the vocational courses. The best prep for academic courses at top tier unis is at least one “hard” subject that’s recognised as good prep intellectually. I think the Cambridge guide is clear on this and of course it doesn’t have to be three subjects from their recommended list.

History is on the 'preferred A level ' list for Oxbridge. I wouldn't do English and History together - it's a common combination but gosh so essay heavy! And last year at least the exams were in the same day! You don't have to do a law degree to do law. Politics is popular now but I think is a very new A level so people may not 'get' it.

@mondaytosunday Thats precisely why Oxbridge like it. Shows dc can manage a high workload. It’s perfect for the right dc! Lots take 2 essay subjects.

WTF, these are great! History is hard and essay. Economics is really hard and respected massively.

I find this so very weird. Your DD should pick the subjects she wants to do. I also don’t get the obsession with STEM subjects. It’s all a bit Nigel Farage for my liking and not to be encouraged. Incidentally Philosophy is a very tough subject and I’m surprised it hasn’t been mentioned. Perhaps there isn’t enough critical thinking and independence of mind going on with some mumsnetters.

Politics is the only one that’s remotely possible to describe as soft. They go well together as subjects.

History is a lot of content and coursework. If your DC combined this with English tge workload would be mega - DC just did this plus a MFL. Loadsa work and compulsory EPQ at his sixth form.

Economics is a good one, esp if your DC likes maths. Politics is a popular A Level at DCs sixth form and a useful one.

Thinking ahead, if your DC considers PPE there are some places that will query not doing A Level Maths. That said, Oxford technically favour Maths for PPE but we know someone who got an offer this year

All A levels are hard.

Regarding STEM - quite a lot of DCs cohort who choose STEM struggled and changed to a mixture before the first half term of Yr12. Maths is a good compromise subject if you are good at it, Geography is solid and more of a social science than a humanity these days.

DH is a Law academic working in Law and Economics and doesn’t like the current approach of highly mathematical economics. He quite likes Sociology as an A Level but isn’t keen on Law at A Level.

Re comments further back about being surprised that Oxbridge likes MFL A Levels. I don’t get this, they are highly academic and technical and if people think that’s less rigorous or less useful as a life skill than STEM then they have no understanding of the syllabus.

I studied Biology, modern history and psychology. Biology and modern history were both really challenging A levels. Psychology was fascinating so although challenging I would argue very definitely worth pursuing. If I had my time again I probably wouldn’t have chosen history and would have selected a more complimentary A level to the other two, possibly media or social history/sociology.

Thinking ahead, if your DC considers PPE there are some places that will query not doing A Level Maths.

But they're probably the places that will want high grades, so there's not much point doing maths for that reason unless you're reasonably confident of making the grade.

It seems pretty clear the OPs DD will be much more likely to thrive on the more essay based subjects.

If she's not very mathsy, she could swap economics for another social science like sociology or psychology. They will have mathsy elements but not as intense as economics. Lots she could do with politics plus a social science e.g., civil service analyst