Psychology AND sociology alevel

[rainsbows]

Does anyone have any thoughts on doing both of these as alevel? Are they too similar? Are they seen as rigorous by Russell group universities? Dd is also doing history and wants to do law. She’s loving all three subjects.

Option b is to do psychology, history and English literature - the more traditional route. She got 9s at gcse but doesn’t love English.

I’m of the mindset that she should do what she enjoys, ie, the former. But quietly nervous she’ll be limiting her options.

I taught Psychology and Sociology and the similarity is the research methods module which is common to both.

She hasn’t picked up a book for pleasure in many years!! Noted.

I guess she feels she’s good at all the analysis stuff and got a high 9. She also thinks it “sounds more academic” than sociology.

But I’d probably have to agree it’s not the natural choice.

The sounds more academic thing is largely snobbery which they pick up amazingly quickly!

I teach both and sociology is more traditionally academic in its approach - theory, studies , theorists, societal change and debates. This actively supports other subjects really well in a way English often doesn't. English students often don't actually learn about feminism and feminists , for example, in any real depth : but they do of course encounter feminist writers. Sociology is really the only A level subject which properly considers postmodernism, right wing views, Marxism and so on in any real depth

English is excellent for teaching skills of really close attention to detail and analysis.

Both hone essay skills and academic expression and the English has NEA so editing skills and adhering to feedback are required. The refinement of one's own writing is so lacking from much A level study these days.

They are both excellent in terms of the skills taught for a subject like Law.

I wholeheartedly agree : if she does not (will not) read , English is not ideal.

I'm not completely anti AI for decision making but its sources for something which is this kind of choice may not be very objective (or recent).

Umm, yeah. All A levels have been 'reformed' since then.

You may have found it 'a piece of piss' after only having done AS but I am guessing you had a super duper memory and excellent writing skills.

100% marks are almost completely unknown in essay subjects. The sociology AS was considerably lighter in its written demands than the full A level where short answers largely disappear and you have to learn a gazillion theories and studies.

Absolutely fine. She’s doing history which is usually seen as a facilitating subject so combining it with sociology and psychology seems like a good choice. Also useful for criminology which is often combined with a law degree.

Not sure I would describe sociology as a piece of piss compared with history having had a ds who has just done both. There is a lot of content and quite demanding templates for answering the questions. It has a low proportion of A grades compare to othee subjects which may well be because people do it because they think it will be a piece of piss 😁

Like @Piggywaspushed I have taught A-Level English and for students who are not self-directed readers, who enjoy reading widely, getting them to do enough to pass, much less achieve a high grade, is like pulling teeth. If your DD's aim is to have a well-rounded profile and high grades for uni entry, and she is not a natural reader, then she will be wasting her time doing English. Otherwise, it's a good subject to have, but not if you're just going to come out with a mediocre grade in it.

DS is currently trying to pick between sociology and English . Eng lit was his top gcse but he didn’t read for pleasure - so I’ve discouraged him from doing it .

I think he will pick Sociology - he finds it interesting - and I think that’s the best way to get good grades .

Good luck to your DC in her decision

It is completely natural to feel nervous about limiting her options, but your gut instinct is spot on—she should definitely do what she enjoys. Russell Group universities do not view A-Level Law and Psychology as too similar because they test entirely different skill sets, with Law focusing on logical reasoning and statutory interpretation while Psychology involves scientific methodology and data analysis. While a few ultra-traditional law faculties historically preferred pure essay subjects, virtually all top universities accept Law, especially when it is backed up by History, which is seen as a gold-standard facilitating subject. Furthermore, forcing herself through English Literature when she doesn't love it could backfire, as genuine enthusiasm and enjoyment almost always translate into the higher grades she will need for competitive law courses.

Yes, my DS did both, too - and economics. All challenging in their own ways. He liked his (brilliant) economics teacher the best, did the best work for his economics and sociology teachers but loved history as a learning experience and a class the most. He ended up doing a history degree -which he always said he was best prepared for by sociology A level!