Law Art ICT and Business. Good choices for 6th form?

[Ladyemem]

A levels, Law, Art, ICT
and BTEC in Business

does this look like a good mix to study at 6th form.
Still unsure what to study after 6th so was hoping that this is a good mix.
What do you think?

Sounds like an interesting combination. But impossible to know whether it's a "good mix" without any idea of what you hope it might lead to afterwards. SOrry.

If you want to go on to Uni I would worry a bit about not having at least 1 more traditional academic A level subject in the mix, and all your A levels being a bit discountable (not taken so seriously)

Art - unless you want to go into some visual art related subject will be seen as almost an "extra curricular interest" - not bad but won't count us much as other subjects.

Law - a "taster" A level - you dont need law to study law.

ICT - I don't know how seriously A level ICT is taken, but it is a bit vocational, so may be of limited use outside of those careers.

Business BTEC - again vocational and a BTEC, will be discounted.

There is nothing wrong with each subject, but if you do want to go to Uni to study law, or ICT or business or something else you may find you are actually better off with an A level or two in maths, english, history or a science in the mix.

I really recommend English lit/history instead of law - keeps a lot more options open. I'm doing lit, and really enjoy it.

BTECs are not discounted for uni entries they just require high grades for entry!

In terms of the choice; which ICT is being considered? If it is applied ICT then there is a lot of coursework and together with a BTEC and ART will mean a lot of work to do to ensure half decent grades.

Law; whilst not required to study law at Uni is a very interesting subject. It does allow for analytical skills to be very highly tuned.

unless there is serious consideration for RG/Oxbridge then I would always recommend basing the choice of A levels in the subjects you enjoy.

Depends on what you want to do with it. If you are looking for the high ranking unis or want to keep as many options open as possible then I'd have a rethink.

You could rejig them to similar subjects which seem to be regarded as more favourable though personally I don't think the list is the be all or end all of anything - you won't get shot down for having studied them but I'd have a look here for the RG list. You may also find this useful reading.

It makes me really cross that yet again the BTEC Level 3 is being discounted. As I have said before students get into good universities with it and this year we had students enter Southampton, Sheffield and Leeds with a BTEC. Granted that they have to get a Distinction if they are doing the single A level equivalent, and the student will not be offered an Oxbridge place.

The Art, ICT and Business will mean a lot of courswork to stay on top and will require good organisational skills. I get my Sixth Formers to complete a work timetable for me so I and the parents know what is being planned for home. I also recommend that with such a combination your DC does not take a part-time job demanding more than 8hrs a week.

I agree with Cinnamonnut with regards taking Eng Lit or History instead of Law - even Government & Politics would be better or how about Philosophy?

HTH

on mn only rg universities count don't cha know

Southeast.

I know, I've been so indoctrinated by reading MN that I don't even look at non-RG Unis on the tables.

Sadly the way ds is going at the moment (playing Skyrim rather than writing an essay), I think he'll end up going to Bradford on CCD

Your DS will probably be very happy at Bradford. It is amazing how many students go to non-RG unis and are happy. They even get jobs!

It is wrong to make students feel like a failure if they do not get into an RG uni. The pressure felt by some students is horrible and I have head parents contacting me yet again this year to up predictions so that students can get an offer. We do encourage students but I hate to set them up for a fail.

If only we could offer A levels in Skyrim and COD then boys would do so much better

happily thanks for the reassurance, but if I have to buy an electric cattle prod I will force his lazy ass to get decent grades .

Not really bothered about him going to an RG Uni, as dh leads a team of over 100 professionals, directors etc and says he doesn't even look at which Uni they went to on their CVs, he just gets a feel for whether they have a brain in their head at interview, BUT ds is a bright kid, he's at a grammar and fancies going to Southampton as it has a UOTC base there.

yeah its applied ICT. didnt realise there would be lots of coursework.
Might have to rethink choices and choose between ICT and BTEC
Thanks for your advice everyone