Humanities A Levels choices

[SaidTheLovecats]

DD is in Year 11 and considering her A Level choices.

She is certain about History and English Lit (predicted 8/9 for both). She is considering for her third choice:

Politics
Sociology
Philosophy
Classics

Only Politics & Sociology are offered by her (good, state) school.
All four subjects are offered at a different sixth form (high performing, local).
She likes her school and I’d prefer her to stay where the staff know her and the school day is more regimented, but we have visited the other sixth form and she liked it, will no doubt know other kids there and I also felt positive about it.

She has no idea what she wants to do at university. Vague ideas about journalism or law as a career.

She ideally wants to aim for a Russell Group university, but she’s open minded. We are not pushy parents and will go with what she wants.

What are these four subjects good for in terms of entrance to different degrees? Does it matter if it’s essentially another humanities subject - are they viewed differently by universities?

Sociology complements history really well. DS argued it set him up for his history degree better than history. Politics also, of course, goes well.

If she writes well, she will do well in Sociology.

I wouldn't leave a good school with those subjects available. They are classic combinations and lead on to a variety of degrees.

For law or journalism, I would probably go for either politics or sociology

Someone may come along to tell you unis don't value sociology. This isn't true.

Is the philosophy at the other school actual philosophy A level or RS? RS can badge itself as philosophy and ethics. I have heard that philosophy A level is very hard.

DD did History, Eng Lit and Classical Civilisation. A History degree, offers from all unis she applied to, interview at Oxford, but no offer sadly.

Now at Oxford doing a Master's in Medieval History. Still no idea what she really wants to do!!

DS edits his student paper and that sort of thing will be essential if she wants to head that way. Most of his fellow writers study politics, history or English - but not all.

His A levels were sociology, history and economics and he now does history (he, too, failed to get through the Oxbridge interview process- Cambridge HSPS in his case - but his choice of A levels didn't hamper him).

I work in the media and A level choices other than English don’t matter too much, though politics would be my choice from the ones you’ve listed. It’s a really strong subject, works well with the others in her list, and will do her no harm for a career in either journalism or law.

If when you say Philosophy, you actually mean Religious Studies, then I can recommend that as a subject. All three of mine did it at A level, did very well, all at RG unis.

DD did English lit, History and Religious Studies: Philosophy & Ethics at A level. She has just gone off to Exeter to study English lit. Applied to Cambridge and rejected after interview. Had offers from Durham, Warwick and Lancaster.

She still isn’t sure what she wants to do as a job but I think her skills will be pretty transferable to lots of different industries.

I think they all sound like reasonable subject combinations with the exception of Classics which may be a bit too similar to English lit?

As others say, any combo of those is fine for any uni in UK. What interests her the most?

I assume classics is classical civ? If that's a passion it is fine to pick it up at uni - I would also not leave a sixth form I liked just to do classical civ A level.

Politics (anecdotally - offered at DCs' school and a lot of ppl took it) is a bit dry unless you love it. I always thought sociology sounded interesting tho.

I always say I am an MFL specialist and I am – former class teacher and now tutor (I’m saying that in case anyone who has seen posts from me about MFL thinks what’s she talking about?) – but I also have many years experience in journalism and can give you (and your DD more importantly) lots of advice on that. The main thing I would say is that it is not a career to look at as a vague idea - you need to be really committed and keen as it is tough to get into and to get on in – simply bc there are so many ppl want to do it and so few jobs out there. But if you need any more solid tips then shout up.

Thanks for all the replies so far. Really interesting.

The Philosophy A Level is actually Philosophy. The same sixth form offers Religious Studies as a separate A Level.

Classics is ‘Classical Civilisation’. She looked at the syllabus and thought it sounded interesting (History is her favourite and strongest subject).

Funnily enough, I did English Lit, Politics & Sociology A Levels and was a journalist for many years, but I feel my advice is so out of date now!

I much preferred Politics to Sociology, but found Sociology much easier. But I don’t want to project too much of my stuff on to her.

She’s also much brighter and a better student than I was at her age 😄. I was only good at Humanities and creative stuff - she’s an all rounder pretty much - and I was a lazy arse until university - DD is pretty studious. .

Dc2 did English Lit, RS and Classical Civ. Civ was the hardest to get an A in and she found it really boring. Wished she'd done History. Philosophy A level is absurdly hard. RS/Philosophy and ethics is really interesting.

I think the key issue is not so much the specific merit or advantages of that third A level, but rather whether staying on at the same school for A levels offers some very real advantages in terms of stability, some/all the sixth teachers already knowing your DC, settling straight into the A level style and standards etc.

Obviously not everyone has that choice and, for some, a change is beneficial but it sounds like your DC likes where they are. For me, the focus would be: which of the subjects available at the current school suit as a third choice?

In terms of selecting A level subjects that are new to DC, I encouraged mine to look at past exam papers (for the relevant board) and some of those GCP revision books to get a sense of 'could I really study this and sit this exam?'.

Personally if she may want to do journalism or law, I would go for politics.

Politics A level really wouldn't teach enough politics to become a political correspondent and I'm not clear why A level politics particularly helps with law any more than any other subject. Do what you want to do most I think is the best advice. If she likes history she will do well in any of those other choices.

OP, I'm not sure if the second school is state or private. If state, state(comprehensive)schools have a history (pun intended!) of not getting good Class Civ results. There's been whole blogs about it - bell curves, competing against highly selective schools, taught by non specialists etc etc. That might make me a bit wary.

Yes and also ask the school for A level results by subject. I did this and it was very beneficial. Politics got a tiny proportion of A stars and quite a few Es and Ds, ditto Classical civ. RS got nothing less than a C, and mainly A stars As and Bs. Obviously this depends on the school!

Class sizes can vary wildly too. In my school ,sociology, business and psychology have easily 22 + and lots of subjects have about 8 students.

I don't think any of the subjects offer more or less value in terms of future options.

So the decision is down to which she thinks she would enjoy more, and whether she wants to stay at her existing school or move for sixth form. I'd personally consider a less regimented day a pro - she won't have a regimented day studying humanities at university!

My opinion only is that subjects like politics, PE, sociology and film attract students who think they are 'easy' subjects. Hence there being lower grades in those subjects. No A levels are 'easy'.

RS may attract students who aren't worried about subjects being easy or 'cool'! So grades tend to be higher.

Unless it's a very big sixth form, these are not subjects that are likely to have big cohorts, so these results will depend on a few students with no context as to whether this is a "normal" year or not.

If you do do this OP, make sure to compare to entry requirements. It's not a big surprise that a sixth form requiring a 7 at GCSE to do the A Level is likely to do better than one that only requires a 5.

You've accidentally aggravated me there! I teach film, and we get the best results in the school - both value added and in terms of numbers of A*s!

I did say it depends on the school. Quite clearly in fact. Don't take it personally.

I'm not, fear not - just used to defending my subject!

Defending your subject at your school. I'm glad to hear it is taught well at your school.

@Piggywaspushed Cambridge interviews more than Oxford and they recommend 2 subjects from their “Best A level subjects”. Your DS had one so you don’t really know if his choices limited his progress or not.

I would say politics or sociology but do what she’s interested in. Law is very competitive when it comes to getting a job too. So don’t be wishy washy about that either.