Advice for DD please re photography A level and Uni admissions?

[BCBG]

Hi, Im hoping some lovely MNers might be able to answer my DD's question as her school VI form advisor doesn't seem to know the answer... DD is taking Economics, History, Spanish and Photography at the moment, and got A, B, A and A at AS respectively. She would like to study International Relations at university and is considering dropping photography to give herself more time to keep her marks up, especially in history. DH thinks she shouldn't drop it unless she is sure that it won't be counted by admissions tutors as an 'academic' A level for the purposes of entry requirements. We can't find any info via the UCAS website that makes this clear: the only references are to Critical Thinking and General Studies not being counted. Does anyone have experience of this or any useful advice - she would be really grateful! Thanks...

Definately drop it.

Only 3 A2 results count for university admissions, although many students stick with 4 there's not much point (I assume she's looking at RG/94 group with those grades - she shoudl be!). Far better to have three academic ones than 2 academic and one 'soft'

If you dh needs convincing check the Cambridge list of so called soft subjects. (Out of interest how does your dh reckon Photography coudl be academic ?)

Hi
The best thing to do is to email a selection of university admission tutors and ask them directly.
If you look on previous threads quality of A level grades is what counts and not quantity. If you look on the Trinity list of acceptable A levels www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=604 photography is viewed only as a 4th A level.
IMO concentrating on economics, history and spanish which your daughter wants to do seems a smart move.

(Am a lecturer and have been involved in admissions at a few places.)

Given that she wants to read International Relations, she is better off securing a prediction/result of three As in Spanish, Economics and History which is a good combination for International Relations. I think she would be wise to drop the photography for the final year and concentrate on the history.

Thank you all, that's really helpful! titchy, I phrased it badly...he thinks it's as soft as butter, but just wanted her to make sure it didn't count before dropping it. Thanks everyone for the advice, it seems Kalidasa's advice is probably worth following...