Too many A level essay based subjects?

[tk12345]

My daughter is thinking of taking Religious studies, Pyscology and History for her A level options and I'm wondering if these subjects would be too essay based. Instead of History she was thinking of Politics and I'm wondering if this would be better. Also, would these subjects be highly regarded by uni's or looked upon as 'softer' subjects.
Thanks

[eddymonsoon]

If she’s considering law, is there any chance she would consider drama? I studied law and always regretted not studying drama, the public speaking skills etc could be beneficial if she is considering that as her career path

[shaaan1329]

If she’s thinking of doing a law based degree you can’t really have too many essay based A-Levels as it’s an English based degree. I was always advised that English and History were both good A-Levels to take for a degree in law, however I hated both! My tutor advised me to choose the subjects I was best at and I would gain the highest mark in so I did business, French, philosophy and ethics and psychology. I’m now a Nottingham law graduate. It’s more about the grades nowadays as long as she has some academic subjects (which she does) she will be fine.

[BubblesBuddy]

Yes, but she's not doing 5 A levels. For Law (forget the Criminology), History is the best bet plus what she has suggested. Although a second facilitating subject might help, such as English. Law is essay heavy and if you cannot hack it at A level, you won't manage it at degree level.

[GetOffTheTableMabel]

Dd16 started 6th form last month & is doing English, History, Government & Politics and Spanish. She is getting just as many essay type homeworks in Gov & Politics as she does in English and History. If your dc chooses Politics hoping for fewer essays, they may well be disappointed. She is loving the politics course though. It's really interesting.

[sassymuffin]

DD is in her last year of Law at Cambridge, for her A levels she did History, English Lit, Government and Politics and French.

Now the A levels have changed she said she would have dropped French. Government and Politics is not considered a traditional subject but it helped her with her law admission test and her degree in general.

[dotdotdotmustdash]

My Dd got an unconditional for a very popular arts and humanities course at Edinburgh Uni with 5 subjects (we're in Scotland so different system), none of which were Maths/sciences. She studied English, German, Modern Studies (Politics), Music and Drama. Her lack of STEM subjects wasn't an issue.

[BubblesBuddy]

Lack f a STEM subject will not set you back for Law. Lack of a facilitating subject such as History or English Lit will. Look at sassymuffin's post for possible subjects. 4 are not necessary and neither is a STEM subject but three hightly respected subjects make admission to the best universities easier for Law and employment afterwards where it is ultra competitive.

[goodbyestranger]

Although Chemistry, Physics, Maths are all extremely good subjects for law - because of the thinking skills involved, not for any possible specialty later. Highly recommended if a student is at any of those.

[goodbyestranger]

That should read, if a student is good at any of those.

My own law graduate DDs ( both Oxford) did History, English and Geography with Physics to AS and the other did History, English and Philosophy and Ethics with Chemistry to AS.

[BubblesBuddy]

So History and English are a good combination with whatever you want added on!

[ifonly4]

I'd say to do whatever she enjoys. They'll be lots of work with any subject if she puts 100% into it.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Tell her not to do a criminology degree, imho it really is a waste of money. When I did mine it had the worst stats for graduate employment following graduation....not sure if it's still as bad. I guess maybe if she's desperate for a career in the police or prison service it may be ok. It's interesting, I enjoyed it. But I think it's seen as a bit of a joke degree by employers.

[randomsabreuse]

For law I did French, Maths and Physics and got a Magic Circle training contract so any traditional (and I would include Psych and RE in those) subjects should be fine.

[fartyghost]

Psychology is not a soft subject - there are Russell Group universities who count psychology as meeting the requirements for a science subject.

[LastPersonStanding]

English and history are good for law (ideally law without the criminology would be better at university if she can manage it). However the 3 she wants religious studies, Psychology and History are okay . I would not replace one of those with politics. Could she replace one of RS or psychology with English Literature (not language) which might a bit better for law?

[angieloumc]

My DS did English Lit, History, RS and Sociology for AS, dropped Sociology and is at Leeds studying English Lit.
Ttbb RS definitely isn't a soft option and nor is Psychology. Plus 3 A Levels is the norm.
Also most Year 12's gave no idea what they're going to do in the future. My DS is in Year 2 of his degree and is still unsure. He chose English Lit though as he loves it.

[senua]

History and RE teach similar skills i.e. the ability to look at a situation from more than one POV, evaluate sources, weigh up the arguments and try to come to a conclusion.
History depends a lot on what is being studied and if it sparks the DC's interest: WWII? (again!), a different era?, the history of teaspoons? Don't assume that it runs on from GCSE; look at the syllabus carefully.
Psychology is a bit more science-y because it has the statistics angle. It has similarities in thinking to Law: study the development of a concept through case studies/precedents and then try to apply that knowledge to the problem now before us.

I agree with a PP that Drama is good for lawyers, although that can be done as an extra-curricula. Ditto debating and public speaking.

Having said all that, I'm glad that none of mine wanted to do Law. There are far too many people chasing far too few jobs. There are lots of Law graduates being taken on by unscrupulous firms: they are given basic grunt-work with an enticement of a possible training contract that, like jam-tomorrow, never arrives.
I wouldn't worry about a DC wanting a degree in Law but would worry about wanting a career in Law.

[Clonakiltylil]

Not sure if this would help but it gives a but if advice.

russellgroup.ac.uk/media/5457/informed-choices-2016.pdf

[RedHelenB]

Dd2 did History, politics and sociology.